Follow my new address for my blog!

Hey everyone,

I finally succeeded in moving my blog to a new home. It was actually quite easy to transfer everything over -easier than I had anticipated. It is not that I do not love blogger because they do offer a lot more free options where as my new home does require a paid yearly fee if you want to transfer your blog to a website as I had this one doing originally.

However, I like the new set up because it offers more design choices, and the ability to add more pages. With that said, typing in my original url: www.stefany.ca - will now redirect you to my new blog.

Happy blogging!

S

Transferring to Word Press

Hey everyone,

I am currently working on transferring my blog to Wordpress. Not because I don't love blogger - which I certainly do - but because I wanted to be able to be more creative with the design of my blog. Unfortuneatly because I was hosting my blog on my personal site, blogspot does not allow you to have a really pretty and unique look!

So as of right now the look of this blog is pretty grim...I know...I reset the entire thing and lost all of the links to all of the things that stroke my ego. OK - find me on twitter if your missing me!

Nominated Again!

I just want to send out a special thank you to the anonymous person that nominated me for the 2008 - 2009 Who's Who of International Entrepreneurs. Who knows if I will get it, but it certainly is an honour!

The 44th President of The USA

This morning all I could think about when I got up was, "today the 44th president of the United States was going to be inaugurated (and no longer called the President-Elect)!" Which was also for me, is a little strange, because I really don't care that much about America - after all I am proudly Canadian.

Needless to say, I was so excited seeing him on television, and experienced feeling a little saddened that I had not made a last minute decision to board a bus to Washington. I mean who wouldn't want to be there in person? One day if I ever have children, if they ever ask me where I was the day the first African-American president was inaugurated... I may consider lying and saying that I was there, rather than confirming that I was in my family room in my pj's.

The whole world tuned in today, and I think anyone watching that could feel the eyes of the world there. I mean the whole world probably feels a little upside down right now - especially other parts of the world who have yet to let go of their racist practices. While I was hoping for a little more of a moving speech, I think that there were some ideas that resonated with me. Especially when he mentioned those that blame the west for their problems, that they are judged by what they build and not what they destroy. I felt that those were powerful words that all of us need to learn from. We will always be judged by what we build and not what we destroy, or intend to destroy. That includes people.

He mentioned that less than 60 years ago, his father would not be served at a restaurant - and today his son was being inaugurated as the President of the United States. That hit home for many American's and Canadians I am sure, because there are many of those individuals who are alive today, who experienced the terrible atrocities that occurred in attempting to make blacks and whites equal in the United States.

His position in office, shows just how far the world has come, and how this open mindedness of the west can influence and inspire the world. I hope with him in office we will see the decline of hate groups, and that his call to service will see a new generation giving and growing and developing. I hope that parts of the world that have suffered endlessly with political violence, and instability take this as a sign. The world has changed. What the world wants is peace, what families want is a safe place to raise their children, what children want is to acheive their dreams.

YES WE CAN!

Yes we can!

Although a dated post, Mr. Obama has been in my thoughts for a while.

It is amazing to see that we have reached a day and time, when the highest paid television personality would be an African American female, followed by an African American male in charge of the most powerful country in the world. The world is changing, and I hope that these powerful influences will be the first step in creating a new world that is decisively linked to empowering everyone.

For so long, visible minority groups have been at a disadvantage in the arena of finance and politics, and it is important to have leaders who are visible minorities that support where they came from, but also do not use that as an excuse. Instead they have proved the exact opposite, that hard work, dedication, and a true passion for what it is that you are involved in, is ultimately what will win the race.

I have to say that while I am a Canadian citizen, our elections are no where near as entertaining as American politics, and we never have that great of a selection when it comes to our available candidates.

My only fear for Mr. Obama, is that he is now left in the wake of the disaster created by George W. Bush, and responsible for turning around 8 years of damage. In the first term of him in office I can see that the American public will be forgiving of any items that may not have been delivered as planned. However, should he move into his second term, if things do not have a positive turn that the American public likes, he will likely be blamed for the inability to correct the problems created by Mr. Bush Jr.

Mr. Obama's time in office will serve to be a source of inspiration during economic hard times, and to the whole world. While I was hoping that Hilary Clinton would have been his second in command, I do think Barack Obama will show the world that his "Yes We Can", slogan will indeed become a testament to change, breaking barriers, and influencing the world.

Diana Schoutsen: Miss Latina Canada 2009

Congratulations goes out to Diana Schoutsen from Binbrook ON, who won the national title of Miss Latina Canada 2009, 2 weeks ago. I have finally had an opportunity to meet with her family, and it really is so nice to meet a family that has found ways to unite their cultures in such a caring and supportive envoirnment.

Diana is the second of 5 children, and was raised a dairy farmer. Her father is from Holland and her mother is from Honduras. Diana is not the first title holder that we have had that happens to be bi-racial, but she is the first that has not had that strong of a background in speaking Spanish. This is only a small factor in her reign.

I would like to speak on some social commentary regarding language. Language is important all over the world, and understandably within any ethnic or cultural setting. Defining the requirements of entrance to the national event has and will always be based on equal and non-discriminatory practices.

Our event rulings require that participants be at least 25% Hispanic. The reason for this is simple...as the Hispanic community continues to grow and immigrate from South America it is important to acknowledge that people will meet others from different cultures fall in love and have children. Many people, especially those with Latin American heritage have very strong family ties, including grandparents. It is our grandparents that have instilled the values in our parents, including the passing ons of culture. For this reason we will continue to honour their influence in the continued devleopment of cultural practices within the family sphere.

We allow single, married, or divorced women to participate, including those who may or may not have children. We strongly believe that a persons ability to function as Miss Latina Canada is not preset or determined by their marital or family status. Latin American culture is extremely family focused and centred, and for this reason it must be acknowledged that love for family is an inherent part of cultural practice and pride, therefore having no bearing on our decisions for participants.

It is not a requirement to have to speak Spanish, but participants must be able to speak at least one of Canada's official languages, or an official Latin American language. Therefore you need to be able to speak only one of the following: English, French, Spanish or Portuguese. If you are able to speak more than one, than that is always a bonus - but it has no bearing on the judging. This one is always is a hard one for cultural communities to wrap their heads around, but here are the reasons why.

Firstly and obviously, this is Miss Latina CANADA. Note the stress on Canada. This is a pageant that celebrates the Latin-Canadian expereince of our cultural community. We have people who have just arrived to Canada that do not speak a word of English, we have 1st and 2nd generation Latinos who have been born here and may have lost their strength to speak it perferctly if even at all, we have people in Quebec that were raised in a francophone environment and may not know English or Spanish. For these multiple reasons, we must look at, and consider all of the variables. We are not in the business of having anyone justify just how much more Latina than someone else they are... what we are looking for, is someone who will fairly, justly, and appropriately represent the Hispanic community here in the country.

It is unfair and one sided to assume that all Latino's in Canada only have one type of experience, background or upbringing. We have to recognize that despite changes and differences that occur within the communities, that these shape and develop each individual Latin-Canadian experiences. If you live in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Hamilton, or London you may be blessed to always have the language, ethnic markets, and large communities to keep you in close range to the culture - but what happens if you are Latino and do not live in these places?

Canada is a big country with Latin people spead out all over it, and many who live in communities where they may be the only Hispanics residing there. They may be forced to converse in English, and may raise their children to speak English to help with adjustments of fitting in, in their school environments. Language is only one part of what determines culture. Culture is such a deeply engrained practice that sometimes we forget that culture also determines food, religion, music, dance, and family values.

We are an inclusive pageant, we do not practice discrimination, and we recognize the celebration of cultural pride in those who are willing to put their name, face, and family on the line to rise to the occasion to represent all of that in a national and public capacity.

I acknowledge and recognize the discomfort that those who may not be strong with their grasp of the English language feel - but I ask that you also acknowledge this. We do not discriminate against entrants who are not able to speak English, and living in Canada this is by far the most important language that we need to be able to communicate in. If we are willing to look past this, and believe that not being able to speak English does not determine one's ability to represent Canada fairly as Miss Latina Canada, than it must only be fair that we accept those Latin Canadians who may not be as fluent in Spanish. We do not fail to understand just how important knowing the language is, and see that as a benefit in so many different ways. We know those because we have had winners that were fluent in English and Spanish, English and Portuguese, even those who knew other languages like Italian, German and French!

Here in Canada, we have the Charter of Rights and Freedoms - and we must all learn to understand, that we cannot discriminate on abilities, ethnicities, races, or languages. This is everyone's right as a Canadian citizen, and the Miss Latina Canada Organization believes in practicing what is inherent to this country's foundation and legitimation of freedom for all our citizens.

The really neat thing about the internet!

Who would have thought that I would say such a thing!



The internet is a world in which we are able to freely express (or with a minimum annual fee), our thougts and opinions. We can create webistes to advertise - and I think by far the coolest aspect is the ability to send instant e-mails.



Gone are the days where you had to wait ten years for the mail to come, or try to decipher a blurry fax. E-mail has allowed us to instantly connect with one another on so many different levels.



Here is the even cooler part about the internet...as the world becomes more computer savvy so do the laws that govern societies usage surrounding. Canada and the US are some of the countries that have made great strides in examining what is now termed internet law.



Did you know?

-That every major online site that has you sign up is legally required to keep the documentation of your registration.

- That every single computer in the world has a specific IP address that can locate its place and time of activity, that can be narrowed right down to your city and internet provider.

- That your internet provider has your computer IP address registered in their database, including your name and address.

- That public sites such like schools, libraries, or cafes, track dates and times of users, including the storage of any history that takes place on their premises - some may even have video surveillance

This is how police and investigators have been able to locate people involved in child porn or abduction cases. So hiding behind the computer does not mean that you are safe from the law!