I have been staying up late, waking up early, and disconnecting from social media, to study for final exams. This is Lesli’s review.
I think Mi Barrio is a great graphic novel. Many people only hear of successful people that didn’t struggle to succeed in life. Renteria’s story shows that people from El Barrio can be as successful as the ones you might expect to get far without working very hard.
The quote on the cover made me interested to read it.
Don’t let where you come from dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you become.
I agree 100% with this quote. Half of people who grow up in a Barrio expect to stay there, their whole lives. The other half of the people know there is something better, beyond the barrio where they are growing up.
The part that I would least like to have happen, would be the part where Robert had to pick up his father’s things and a woman came up to him wearing only a robe. I would probably freak out at that situation. I would feel bad for my dad, thinking that was a normal way to live.
One of my favorite parts of the book was when Robert surprised his mom with a new car on Christmas. I can just imagine this moment in real life. Delivering such a gift to his mother, has to be the most amazing feeling in the world.
Robert Renteria will be stopping by today to respond to comments. Anyone leaving a comment will be entered to win a free copy of the book. Final winner must be resident of the continental U.S. Good luck!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher as part of a Condor Book Tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I have to start this review, by admitting it may be more emotional than intellectual. I am sneaking on to post this review, while preparing for final exams in my college classes. Now, to the main attraction.
Mi Barrio is a graphic novel, as told by Robert Renteria to Corey Michael Blake. Shane Clester is the graphic artist . Robert Renteria has been doing a blog hop / book tour for the past week and a half.
This graphic novel was written using simple, straightforward language and striking illustrations. The story is not sugarcoated. I would say best for teens, or starting with middle school.
Robert tells about having to suffer through hunger, beatings and stress as he adjusted to life in the Barrio, in the Army and in corporate life. Finally, Robert took what he had learned in all these different situations and decided to follow his own path – giving back to the community.
The most real paragraph for me, was Robert’s comparison of life before and after working in major corporations.
Based on my experience, people in the business and corporate world are no different than we were in the barrio except for the job, money, education and fine clothing.
For me, this quote means that we should not be impressed by a fancy title or flashy car. A suit-and-tie CEO who cheats a customer, is no better than a thug who uses violence to take a jacket. What counts is the heart, and actions, of a person.
After reading this graphic novel, I plan to share it often with all the teenagers who think the best they can do is be the next media darling. I never heard the name Robert Renteria until reading Mi Barrio and I will never forget it now.
What I got from Mi Barrio:
Never jump to conclusions. Work until you reach your goal. Share your story and reach back to help. Someone needs to hear your story. Someone needs to see your example. Someone needs to know that barriers can be knocked down, and used as stepping stones.
Robert Renteria will be stopping by today to respond to comments. Anyone leaving a comment will be entered to win a free copy of the book. Final winner must be resident of the continental U.S. Good luck!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher as part of a Condor Book Tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
By now you must be ready to find out about the winners of the McDonald’s Balance and Taste Giveaway, since the entry period ended last week on June 17.
Before announcing the winners, I want to explain the procedure. First I did a cut-and-paste of eligible comments
McDonaldsComments
then I did a number drawing using random.org using 1 through 15, in case someone entered more than once (which was allowed and even encouraged). So here is the screen shot of the numbers drawn, which means the winners are .. tappity tap tap tap – hey it’s a drum roll …
McDonaldsWinners
Ivelisse (comment 1), Dana (15), Bicultural Mama (10), Tammy (6) and Annamaria (3).
CONGRATULATIONS!
Now I will be sending e-mail notifications to each winner, and explaining what happens next.
Very soon all our winners will be able to use their Arch Cards, for some really cold icy drinks and crisp refreshing salads! If it were me, with $25 of McDonald’s food, I’d get a McCafe mango pineapple smoothie, Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken, um maybe a Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken – they’re only here for a limited time. My preferences aside, whatever you want from McDonald’s, you can buy it using the Arch Card. Add to that, the tote bag fully loaded with tropical scented candles, recipe cards .. it’s a pretty good deal.
Stay tuned for future giveaways or contests! If you have any preferences or ideas, please send me a comment using the contact form and I will try to make them a reality.
A few weeks ago we attended the McDonald’s First Taste event in New York City. I picked up Lesli from school. When we first got to the restaurant Lesli and I sat in a quiet spot to eat an Asian Salad with grilled chicken (available for a limited time this summer), but pretty soon we caught on to where the action was happening: the Nugget Corner on the second floor.
This section of the restaurant had everything: comfy lounge chairs, sunlight, and quick access to the steps. When Lesli and I came over, the ladies were laughing and relaxing. Melanie’s baby sat quietly in his car seat, while she chatted with Jennifer, Johanna, Ruby and me. Lesli stayed nearby, and occasionally made fun faces at Ruby’s gorgeous daughter. I mean, really, have you seen this cutie?
We passed each other Mango Pineapple Smoothies, Premium Chicken Sandwiches and Chicken McNuggets with all the new sauces: Chipotle Barbecue (smoky with a kick), Creamy Ranch, Hot Mustard, Spicy Buffalo and Sweet Chili (jelly with flecks of spicy chili pepper) while waiting to interview the speakers. Chef Dan Coudreaut, Julia Braun and Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger were available to answer questions about these tasty new dishes. Chef Dan even did a cooking demonstration while he offered suggestions (use less oil) and answered questions for the entire group.
I sat with Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger, registered dietitian, to discuss the new menu items. This video starts right after I asked “what has been your involvement?” We go from there to talk about McDonald’s, nutrition and food, even our comments about the dreaded “D word” for Latinas and Latinos.
Now to the giveaway. Since Sylvia shared so much about how to balance calories, taste and eating out, I am asking you to go to McDonald’s website and Bag a McMeal. Then come back here, leave a comment detailing your meal. Was it breakfast, lunch or dinner? How many calories did you end up? Keep in mind U.S. Government guidelines recommend about 2000 calories per day for adults over age 18.
Five (5) winners will be selected at random, to win a goodie bag from McDonald’s. This black bag, with two pockets on the outside for “mobile” (cell phone) and “H2O” (water), comes packed with:
Tips and recipes from Chef Dan
A lavender scented satin eye mask
A pineapple scented soy candle
A mango scented soy candle
A bamboo and green pen
A green and black spiral notebook and pen set
A black balance bracelet
A $10 $25 (updated 5/25) Arch card (McDonald’s gift card)
Entries will be accepted until 11:59 Friday, June 17 and I will announce the winners by June 21.
Your mandatory entry, is a comment detailing your McMeal. For extra entries leave a comment after you:
follow @SKlingerRD (Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger) on Twitter
or subscribe to my e-mail newsletter (top left corner of this screen).
One comment counts as one entry. One bag per winner.
DISCLOSURE: The compensation level for this post is CL 10. Products or services were provided to OfeliaNJ to give away in a contest, and to keep for use or review.
I want to thank Hellmann’s and Bobby Flay for showing us leftovers can become a completely new meal. Cooking doesn’t have to mean shopping for exotic ingredients, or going broke at a fancy restaurant. Aside from cash savings, dinner at home means skipping the travel and parking hassle. Your kitchen, your dress code. Even the picky family can agree it’s more relaxed that way.
Now, for the big announcement. The winner of the Bobby Flay autographed Throwdown recipe book giveaway is lucky number ..
Flay Winner
21 – Monica of MacaroniKidNYC. I am sending an e-mail to notify and get shipping details. Congrats, Monica! I’m sure you’ll agree this book is in a category away from other recipe books – it’s the first I see to give two recipes for an item.
Please check back (or better yet, sign up for updates by e-mail) to be notified of future giveaways.
Here is the screen shot of the drawing for the winning entries. Yes, entries. Remember the Gain giveaway is two Walmart gift cards (two winners get one card each)! The numbers that correspond to the winning comments are shown below. Winners, please e-mail me [ofelianj at gmail dot com] with your full name and mailing address so I can get the gift cards in the postal system.
If you’re still reading, the winners are Jennifer G (comment 9) and Laura (comment 12).
Here is a composite image of the random number selector for the BlogHer Swag Giveaway, and the winner’s comment. The winner is …
After the winner responds to my e-mail and provides shipping details, the swag box will be assembled. Every effort will be made to include items that are useful and interesting to the winner. We wouldn’t want to send food items to someone who has allergies!
NOTE: Comments were counted in order of submission, starting with the first comment submitted on September 1.
A winner has been chosen from thirty-eight (38) comments submitted before midnight, September 9. The announcement (with screen images) will be posted tonight, here and on my new website OfeliaNJ.
Please sign up now to be notified as updates happen on the website. Articles from this blog will be available on my website, and new items will be posted soon.
What a wonderful Monday! Elianne Ramos (aka @ergeekgoddess) announced me as a winner of the Latism scholarship for a full conference pass to BlogHer10 in New York City, with admission to SocialFiesta. The two other winners are @Laurita86 and @Soylamar.
This is the first ever SocialFiesta, which is definitely appropriate since it’s my first year attending BlogHer. I’ve been smiling nonstop since getting the news, looking forward to meeting everybody. My teenager has seen me smile, laugh, and even dance during Latism twitter parties every Thursday night. This week, we do it in person!
For everyone who donated, tweeted, re-tweeted and especially to the selection committee .. GRACIAS!
