Women in Power = Strength, Passion, Confidence

In this day and age it seems that women have to overcome so many barriers in order prove ourselves—at home, school and especially work. But it has been good to see many women breaking that glass ceiling and defying the odds.

A USA Today 2010 study says that women are out-earning their male counterparts in the USA's biggest metropolitan areas and that makes me very happy to read.

I wish I was in that category. Now, I am writing this as a 27 year-old married, jobless woman. Saying it's hard right now is an understatement. I want to be in that category, I want to be earning something—doesn't mean I need to make more than my husband—but yea, I want to be earning an income.

It's hard writing this as I do hear all these great stories of women entrepreneurs and friends getting their dream jobs. What am I doing wrong? What do I need to stand apart from the thousands who are probably applying for the same jobs as I am? Who do I need to network with? What am I missing? What happens if my husband loses his job? What else can I contribute to this marriage? When will I catch my break?

These are just some of the many questions that keep me up at night. I know I am very blessed with the many great opportunities that my husband and I have—most importantly his job. And it's a job he actually likes doing and is pretty good at it :) We have a great family, wonderful friends, a roof over our head, food in our bellies every day and we have each other. I do know the wonderful things that are going on in m life. Sometimes I just wish I did have a job.

All things are possible and I know this. I know this because of the strong female influences in my life: my mother, my former boss, a good family friend and of course my sister.

My mother has a wonderful job and she loves working with the City of Houston's WIC program, while my dad is retired. She is so passionate about what she does along with a strong work ethic. Did I mention her wonderful marriage and success at raising three beautiful children? If only I can find that perfect job and pull it off with the ability and strength she has.

My former boss, Laura Pennino, who gave me my first job out of college. She is a strong and determined female CEO of Pennino and Partners. She set goals and makes them happen. I have the confidence and experience all because of her and hope I can accomplish things with the force and strength she does.

My good family friend Alicia Jimenez. My sister and I were the flower girls at her and her husbands wedding, and her little girl Ashley was the flower girl at me and Chris' wedding. She is a loving wife, devoted mother and strong working professional. She handles her work life with strength and professionalism and her home life with love, smiles and lots of cookies! I hope to handle my work and home life like she does.

My sister—I can't say enough great things about my sister. She has been there for me when I needed her, had the courage and strength to finish college even when she didn't feel like she could and is making her mark at St. Augustine as the best 1st grade teacher and Reading Coordinator they have ever had. I hope to leave my mark at my perfect job one day with the strength and passion as she does.

All these women have, among many, one attribute in common and that is strength. They all are the strong, beautiful women I admire. They also give me hope. Hope that I will find a great job; hope that I will be a great working professional; and hope that I will one day balance it out with having a family and being a great wife at the same time.

Whether it be a woman in power, working mom, a stay-at-home-mom or married mom's to be contemplating of quitting all together—there is one factor that will always be there—their strength to be the best person they can be.

I know there is a job out there waiting for me (crossing my fingers) and God has great things planned.

As I wait, I continue to do some freelance PR for Lucky11Studios and I couldn't be happier to be doing what I love. Keep up with our work and recent clients and wish us the best!

"Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." ~ Audrey Hepburn

Dedicated to the Wonderful People in My Life

On Christmas Eve, I have so much to be thankful for!

1. Wonderful husband

2. Amazing family

3. Great friend

4. My strong faith

5. Being healthy

6. Having a job

7. A roof over our head

8. A car to take us to our jobs

9. Food and water

10. Living in paradise

These are just the many blessings in my life. Living away from our family has been hard but what has made it easier for Chris and I is the fact that we are in this together - always have been, always will be. God has blessed us with living in this beautiful place and we definitely make the most of it. We are both close to our families and talk to them every day. We thank God for the amazing family and connections we have with our family and friends back home.

2010 had it's ups and downs, like life does - but I am proud to say that we have stuck it through like the troopers we are. My mom has been doing great during her chemo treatments, my dad's health is great and he is still as active as ever; my sister got engaged to her long-time boyfriend; my brother and his wife moved into a new place - oh yea, Christopher and I got married!!! We are surrounded by the best families in the world!

Having a strong faith is also important to me. One of my 2010 resolutions was to have a stronger and deeper faith: continue to go to church on Sundays, and Holy Day's of obligation, read the bible more. I am proud to say that I have kept that resolution up and it feels great. Faith is a strong part of my life and drives my decisions and makes me the woman I am and the wife I want to be for Christopher.

In 2011, I want to continue living my life with a strong faith because it feels so good; I want to learn more about Catholicism; have Chris want to go to Church with me; get my AFPA Nutrition and Wellness Certification (more about this in a later blog); get a full-time job; become a National Psoriasis Foundation Mentor; freelance more. These are things on my to do list and part of my New Years Resolutions. But to me, I don't look at my resolutions as something I "have to do," I look it them as something "I want to do." It really makes a difference.

I know God has amazing things plan for us and I CAN NOT WAIT to see what he has planned for us in 2011.

Have you held up for your 2010 New Year's Resolutions? What are you thankful for? What are you most looking forward to in 2011?

Some special words I want to leave you with:

As Christmas draws near, it's time to clean up the house so everything will be in order for the celebration. Going to church on Christmas will mean each of us has to get cleaned up and ready too. Cleaning takes a little time and effort, but the result is well worth it.

God takes time, if we let him, to clean us from the inside out. Ask God to forgive you for your sins. As God to help you love those around you. As God, to heal any hurts or sorrows you have. God is ready to create a new and clean heart within you.

Lord Jesus, embrace s with your love so that we might accept your Word in our lives.