tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53478765080032484012024-03-14T00:20:29.274-07:00We won't forget Jessica HawkUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-60090121495022623342010-09-28T08:16:00.000-07:002010-09-28T08:18:39.322-07:00Justice for Jessica<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEOTSvmzlI0">Justice for Jessica</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-91317737498519114542009-12-06T08:45:00.000-08:002009-12-06T09:13:15.432-08:00Your GardenI went to visit Jessica's garden today. The garden is coming out very well thanks to the communal effort of Lee, and Cassie. Jessica would be <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> proud of her friends, I truly appreciate the dedication and love that Cassie has put into it.<br /><br />Here are some pictures, you can get an idea of how it looks like so far.<br /><br />As you can see one of the flower bed is ready and blooming but there will be 5 more coming!!.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/Sxvh6Tq9LZI/AAAAAAAABcI/yw-ZBkczwuU/s1600-h/garden1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/Sxvh6Tq9LZI/AAAAAAAABcI/yw-ZBkczwuU/s320/garden1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412167769044888978" border="0" /></a><br />These are closer views of the flower bed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvisnAIlzI/AAAAAAAABcQ/qnDUtDAhnQg/s1600-h/garden2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvisnAIlzI/AAAAAAAABcQ/qnDUtDAhnQg/s320/garden2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412168633227450162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvjSG-ngRI/AAAAAAAABcg/mlu5umTivIg/s1600-h/garden4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvjSG-ngRI/AAAAAAAABcg/mlu5umTivIg/s320/garden4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412169277466181906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvjRvxo7zI/AAAAAAAABcY/cT4XZsF8wTc/s1600-h/garden3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvjRvxo7zI/AAAAAAAABcY/cT4XZsF8wTc/s320/garden3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412169271237734194" border="0" /></a><br />Cassie and, I think, Patrick chose carefully the plants they used for the flower bed, to make sure they will be blooming all year. The plants look very happy there, here are some closer shots of them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvkujPSX2I/AAAAAAAABcw/DLyBrT0-K20/s1600-h/garden6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SxvkujPSX2I/AAAAAAAABcw/DLyBrT0-K20/s320/garden6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412170865600257890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/Sxvkud0eowI/AAAAAAAABco/zvadZJ1Qb9k/s1600-h/garden5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/Sxvkud0eowI/AAAAAAAABco/zvadZJ1Qb9k/s320/garden5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412170864145638146" border="0" /></a><br />I will keep you guys updated once the other flower beds are in place and rolling!! :)<br /><br />Hugs, and kisses to y'all!<br /><br />IvonneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-72999021528214250042009-10-13T22:06:00.000-07:002009-10-13T22:31:19.183-07:0010.14.09I know you know, I haven't forgotten about you, life just gets in between and we lose tracks of minutes, hours and weeks. Cassie, Michael, Kelly and I always keep you in our conversations. I like to go through our moments..how hard we used to laughed!! I can pictured you next to me, like if it was yesterday..I can pictured every wrinkle of your hands and face...each of them.... I am sure you know that. Your hands, your character..your heart, I haven't met anyone like you...such a perfect blend.<br />My Jessica rest well knowing the ones you loved are doing well and think about you all the time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-28828514597257153392009-08-07T18:00:00.000-07:002009-08-07T21:05:43.621-07:00This weekend, a year ago, Jessica's life was taken away. A year went by and we were left to deal with her absence..constantly missing Jessica the daugther, the sister, the aunt and the friend, painfully dreaming with what could had been a future with Jessica in it or what would she say to us when we needed her..<br /><br />We also have to deal with the impunity of her murder and with the impotence of seeing the days go and not knowing what else to do, or blaming ourselves for not had done enough...familiar feelings to whoever had lost a close friend or a family member I know, familiar yes, but that dont make them any easier of dealing with or less painful.<br /><br />In the meantime, the moster who took Jessica's life so brutally, lived one year more trying to cowardly blend among us, pretending he is one of us, perhaps showing concern and sorry for<br />Jessica's fate..stupidly thinking we buy his acting..the truth is, he is not like us, and so he decided it himself when he chose the way of his actions..for whoever did this, I feel pitty, and disgust.<br />To someone that has been able of living one year with the memories of the last minutes of my friend's life in his mind, I cant have compassion. I dont want to talk about this or in this way any further..not here in her blog..regarding this person, I only want to say that I truly believe we wake up in the bed we made.<br /><br />A year later I don't miss Jessica less or more...I miss her constantly..it is a feeling that it is always there and that I am sure joins each of the days of her family and friends. I am truly sorry for all of them..it is unfair and unconceivable that the acts of such a deplorable being touched the fate of good people...that should not happen, and it shouldnt had ever happened.<br /><br />Finally I want to share with Jessica's family and friends some words she had for me last year, when I lost someone I really loved. I treasure all the emails I have from her, and this one I know might help us all a little bit at this time. Jessica emailed me this on May 21st, 2008:<br /><br /><em>"Ivonne, honey, I am SO SO sorry about your lose. But he had a good life and he loved you. I know that doesn't help the way that you are feeling. I've had so much lose this year and what I've learned from it is how important it is to remember the 'good' times, all the things that death can not take away. Call me, write me, if you want. And HEY send me your address so I can send you fun NO stuff this summer. Miss you and love you, J."</em><br /><em></em><br />This weekend let's do that, let's honor what she suggested me, and remember the good times<br />each of you had with Jessica, that's something he can not take away from us.<br /><br />p.s: This Sunday 8/9, 1 p.m. in the neutral ground of St. Claude Ave. outside Harold's Plants, between Press and Montegut Streets, the groundbreaking for Jessica's memorial garden will be hold, the first plant for her garden will also be planted.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-78491750661904835712009-04-17T12:04:00.000-07:002009-04-30T18:21:45.206-07:00Whenever we were together,we always laughed so much about life and people...I miss those laughs..I loved your sense of humor..always dark and smart... I can't believe it was a year ago when we were going to see Billy Joel at Jazz fest..if was a shame we ended up not going...<br /><br />I talked to your mom the other day..it was heartbreaking..if you only knew how much she misses you..<br /><br />I met the other day a fast friend you made on a ride in the street car, we are now friends too; just wanted to tell you because I know you will be happy in knowing so.<br /><br />There hasn't been a day I don't think about you, what you would say, what would we be doing...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-1374303181580394242009-03-24T08:39:00.000-07:002009-03-25T15:48:47.916-07:00here with us<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/Scqm-y2Uu4I/AAAAAAAABKs/PjoOPe5hTqM/s1600-h/cumple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/Scqm-y2Uu4I/AAAAAAAABKs/PjoOPe5hTqM/s320/cumple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317245907796016002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/ScqmyB5wajI/AAAAAAAABKk/qoYRJClM-kw/s1600-h/bday2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/ScqmyB5wajI/AAAAAAAABKk/qoYRJClM-kw/s320/bday2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317245688498645554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">These are pictures from yesterday, Kelly, Lee and I remembered many of our favorites moments with Jessica. I hope she could felt our love and respect for her, wherever she is now.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today you would be turning 33...you should be here with us...and we should be planning your bday party for tonight...God..this is hard..everything is so hard without you...<br />I have so many vivid images of you today....of your hands specially..they were so tough for such a sweet and soft person like you...I also remember the way you used to put your hands on your jaw ....and the other day, I remembered that day we played tennis..you had such a great service..<br />We are gonna light some candles for you today, we will have lemons and drift wood...<br />As Michael said, we all hope you are having a blast with Ernie and Antoinette K-doe over there. We love you babe..and will not forget about you..you blessed us all with your life, your love and sweetness made us better persons..muah!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-50482582277550769142009-03-05T14:14:00.000-08:002009-03-05T15:26:50.554-08:00...I can't believe how time flies. Mardi Gras was fantastic...the parades were Ok..I am not crazy about them anyway..the march bands on the opposite, were amazing..they are my reason to go.<br /><br />We missed you so badly.....but we also talked about you all the time. Kelly and I managed to put our costumes together almost in the last minute...plus a couple of slepless nights. I met someone you met during your last Mardi Gras too. It was a nice coincidence, he found my cell phone on the ground..I was apperantly close to him and he asked me, I had not even noticed I had lost my cell phone. My friend Micheal told me, who he was and I showed him your picture in my cell phone..that one that I took at city park...I treasure that picture.<br />I will have that day in mind forever, like if it was yesterday when we sat in that bench..and you took a bottle of wine out of your purse!!..surprise, surprise..we drunk wine with cookies that day..the wine was sweet..very sweet..ha!..something special for sure. I catched some cool beetles and you said a had a good eye to find them, we exchange some of them too.<br /><br />I can't stop thinking in your birthday..and how close it is. This is so sad honey..you should be with us..<br /><br /><br /><script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type="text/javascript"></script><script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-65439912867709902362009-01-16T15:18:00.000-08:002009-01-16T15:30:14.774-08:00Always with us<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SXEWCNKZWrI/AAAAAAAABE8/r6e_34x_PP8/s1600-h/n23440838_42563469_4502.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SXEWCNKZWrI/AAAAAAAABE8/r6e_34x_PP8/s320/n23440838_42563469_4502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292035264285858482" border="0" /></a><br />This is a picture of Jessica that was uploaded into the Facebook group of Jessica, I decided to bring it here for those that are not in the Facebook. As I see her picture I can only think that one is not where the body is but where one is missed the most. I miss Jessica everyday that's how I know she is all the time with me.<br /><script src="http://shots.snap.com//client/inject.js?site_name=0" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-50742582594144482032009-01-07T20:36:00.000-08:002009-01-07T21:07:21.562-08:00long nightsHoney..<br />Can't sleep again..after almost a whole bottle of wine...nothing...it used to work..<br />I have probably said this way too much...but you never asked me for anything...never...why was not I there for you?..what can I do for you now?..I know these words came too late...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-40437601973021075902009-01-03T19:05:00.000-08:002009-01-03T21:30:08.158-08:00my hope under siege<div style="text-align: justify;">Someone told me months ago, that at least, you know now what comes after all of this; the question, unanswerable for us, of what is awaiting after life, is a certainty for you now….What is it honey? Is there really a heaven?<br />I now see so many good reasons in being such a believer…for the time being...I want to believe that whatever it is, it could not be worse than what we see on earth..and if that is true then it is true to say we leave this world to rest…the world is a hopeless place my Jessica. The way you were taken from us is evidence of that…<br />I guess you would be saying Ivonne stop it!! and asking me why am I so tragic and dramatic all the time!…and that instead, I should be enjoying what life gave me. I do enjoy life and I am very conscious on how lucky I am…but that does not mean I don’t think life is painfully unfair.<br />I did not want to start on all the problems my country has but...I just heard the government defined that 2 million of Colombians, who represent the poorest sector, will make only $497.000 pesos monthly this year (approximately 250 dollars!!), I wonder how they make a living out of such a misery, the saddest part is that those are the lucky ones that got a job: 10% of Colombians do not receive a formal salary and have what the government calls “informal” jobs meaning…they work by themselves selling whatever they can on the streets…it is sad, very sad…and God only knows whether that figure (the unemployment percentage) is true or not….the DANE (the national statistics department) was found to be lying on this government figures not so long ago…so probably the real figure is worse than 10%.<br /><br />That’s only one part..let’s don’t talk on murders, kidnapping and impunity...I don't have a reason to believe that we are the only ones with such problems...(I'm thinking of Mexico), Colombia is only the case I know the best…but people keeps killing each other every where...I can only pray that someday..hopefully soon.. Israel and the US will stop and think again what they are doing in Gaza.<br />I don't pretend in making your blog a political debate..I just needed to vent this..I keep losing faith..or what the non believers call hope.<br />Last night I wake up in the middle of night and was you the first thing that came into my mind…I could had been dreaming about you…I used to have beautiful dreams and used to remember them…for some reason I can’t do that anymore…<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-5999058119243146642009-01-02T17:46:00.000-08:002009-01-02T18:04:12.942-08:00Eternity by William Blake<pre>I was reading your beloved T.S. Elliot tonight..and somehow<br />I ended up stumbling on to my beloved William Blake,<br />who wrote this:<br /><br />He who binds to himself a joy<br />Does the winged life destroy;<br />But he who kisses the joy as it flies<br />Lives in eternity’s sun rise.<br /><br />It reads like if it was made for you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></pre>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-34114365587674749392008-12-25T18:12:00.000-08:002008-12-25T21:02:51.994-08:00My Jessica<br />I thought about coming to write on your blog the day before christmas or on our christmas day here or even this morning. I wanted to write something for your family..I wanted to have some words for them on these days...I thought I would let them know this is not a happy christmas for me either, and that I shared their sadness. I also thought I would tell them that I keep attached to my memories with you, and that, that is my way to forget about your absence for a minute or two..because when I think about the present or about the uncertainty of the future I lose my strength...I thought many times about logging in, but everytime I lost the impulse because I knew words would not be enough..and that I have probably said too much..without helping enough.. Many of your friends have written to me beautiful things encouraging me to keep writing here; I feel really glad of knowing my words are helping them..however, in spite of their words and as much I am committed to keep your legacy on this earth, I cant avoid thinking..I am making things worse for them, for your family and for everyone else that knew you and that perhaps..being really honest..this blog is just a selfish exercise to avoid letting you go. I wish I could know what would you liked...and I could be sure you had wanted me to keep your name and your memory out there..but knowing you as I knew you..sometimes I doubt you would. I dont know Jessica..maybe I should not doubt about writing here...but I am pesimistic these days. <br /><br />Even though I came back from NOLA much more confident, I was counting the days for this year to finish...not because I think dates really matter...but just as an excuse, like someone that cant wait to begin writing on a fake blank page...my optimism was weak and subtle but I was holding tight...until Tuesday night when a guy stole my purse..leaving me with nothing..feeling completely violated..I am not sad because of the stuff I lost...fortunately my family supported me with some of their Christmas presents...although I am going to miss my camara and some time will have to go until I can have the money to buy a new one..I am sad because the whole incident left me feeling weak, vulnerable, and afraid. I know you would understand how I feel, I can only hope that my camara and my purse had meant a happier christmas to someone less fortunate than me.<br />I miss you honey...and I know I am not alone in that..many others are missing you too..they have left me know they do... many Colombians are missing their loved ones too: soldiers and civilians that have been kidnapped for as many as 10 years...I am sorry for all them, they have been in my thoughts together with your family on the holidays, and I can only send them strength and hope.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-68387269844195796092008-12-17T06:43:00.000-08:002008-12-17T09:40:16.702-08:00...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SUkiCKVpztI/AAAAAAAABEY/b-SMzTILvDE/s1600-h/flower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SUkiCKVpztI/AAAAAAAABEY/b-SMzTILvDE/s320/flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280789458598874834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I took this picture at Jessica's, I remember Cassie was there when I arrived that night, I also remember we drunk beers and talked (and complained!) about our never-ending subject.... This flower was Jessica's new "thing" that week, she always amazed us by having beautiful new plants around her house...this flower was so beautiful that I could not believe it was real!!<br /></span></div><br />After four months it is still hard for me to realize you are not here. People might be tired sick of hearing me (reading me) saying that, but..God!....if they only knew what you were for me...<br />I am home now and I can't help myself remembering the plans we had made about you coming to visit my country, I remember how excited you were when I told you my parents did not speak English..you liked the challenge! haha!, I also remember promising I would take you to see the Andes and the top of their mountains, the only places we have snow here...I promised, I would take you to the beach too and that I would cook delicious Colombian meals just for you. You were going to be my field "assistant" too, when I thought about studying <span style="font-style: italic;">Catasticta</span>, those butterflies that lay their eggs on epiphytes at the top of tall trees in the cloud forest of the Andes...I remember how much we dreamt on spending weeks in the forest, watching all kinds of insects and plants..<br /><br />I am planning in working in my Mardi Grass costume here, my mom is going to help me, since my sewing skills are basically none! haha. You know I never had the time or the "mood" of involving myself into a real Mardi Grass experience but next year it will be different..I want you to be proud of me wherever you are......I bet though, you can tell I've done many stupid things since you've been gone...but also you know how hard I am with myself...so please believe... I did all of that in trying to be truly faithful to who I am....just like you always were...if you just could known how many beautiful people you left in my way...you may understand my reasons better....I have put myself into so many wonderful experiences..you probably would not recognized me..ha!.<br /><br />You always had beautiful words for me.....now I'm missing hearing them....I'm missing the calls, the emails, the text messages...even though you hated me for having "infected" you with all that cell phones tech...I know I am definitely a better person because I met you, and due to all the teachings you left in me...I am sure meeting you was the most wonderful thing I had in my life.<br /><br />I wish I could fool myself and believe the emptiness and sadness are going to disappear whenever we find out who did this to you....I can't....I know nothing will bring you back...my anger growths as I think this person lives a normal life..and enjoys everyday moments he/she avoided us of enjoying with you... I am tired of waiting...I hate seeing days go....it pisses me off thinking people might have already forgotten about you..and, that they might believe you are just a number...just one more of some many killed in NOLA on 2008...I feel anger when I think again how unfair all of this is, because you did not deserve this, neither your family nor us. your absence is such a loss for me, and I know this pain will be my heart forever..Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-50671586746303644362008-12-10T17:19:00.000-08:002008-12-10T17:41:15.196-08:00Thinking about you<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SUBub82gXGI/AAAAAAAABC8/5RbNB5Q2sxE/s1600-h/jessica-jessa-me.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SUBub82gXGI/AAAAAAAABC8/5RbNB5Q2sxE/s320/jessica-jessa-me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278340189748485218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Jessica, Jessa and me at the French Quarter festival, 2008.<br /></span></div><br />and still wondering why...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-87336808617578649362008-11-26T12:12:00.000-08:002008-11-26T12:50:41.213-08:00Among other thingsSince I saw you for the last time, that night of May, these last days you have been closer to me than ever. On Saturday we had a thanksgiving reunion at my house, and some people that knew you and loved you came to celebrate with me on your name. You would be happy in knowing that some of your friends are now my friends too and based only on that I can say the reunion was a complete success. I made sure they had a good time, with lot of food, drinks, dancing and laughs. They were there, when at the end of night I felt your absence and lost my heart, reminding me you are in everything we do together.<br />Your family will be in my thoughts tomorrow, I wish I could do something for them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-3693644745593777062008-11-19T07:03:00.000-08:002008-11-19T07:42:31.301-08:00Between you and meThe other day I went over all my videos and my old cell phone to see if I had a voice message...a video.. something to watch you talking or at least hear your voice..I could not find anything.<br />I want to pretend you can read this, it is painful to know I can not talk to you anymore...it is heartbreaking... but for some reason I feel better writing here, again, pretending, you would read it.<br /><br />You would be glad in knowing we are about to send the paper on <span style="font-style: italic;">Brassolis</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Dynastor</span>, yes, finally. It took us two years and we could not resolve the puzzle...but that is a result of course. The next step is definitely to review <span style="font-style: italic;">B. sophorae</span>, the species that gave us all the trouble..yes..it is polytipical...I told you..!!..those species are #$@%. The other resource will be, of course!.. to use DNA..bahh..I miss that too..having you to talk all the bad things of DNA and how boring it is..but who knows if I will be the one doing the DNA stuff...I do not have money for <span style="font-style: italic;">Hamadryas</span> much less for this project..so..I guess the question will be open to someone else.<br />The paper is a beautiful one, Carla took some gorgeous pictures of the butterflies and I've received good comments on my drawings. I'm dedicating it to you, it is a special paper, my very first one on butterflies, there will be a small note in the acknowledgments.<br /><br />Jeff Corwin is coming to UNO tomorrow, he is giving a talk at the arena, remember how we used to laugh watching his show at Animal Planet??..when he pretended eating the spiders and little frogs! haha!. He is <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> at what he does..regardless he is on tv..I guess you would have liked to go and see him, so I am going...I can't image how many kids are going to be there!! haha..it is going to be fun though..I have to find the way of kicking my students out of class earlier so I can go..I can always give extra credits to those that write a good review on his talk right?..ha!.<br /><br />Love you and miss you every second of each dayUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-49997030582039553582008-11-14T09:40:00.000-08:002008-11-17T07:25:05.403-08:00Not forgottenThere is this song called "canción urgente" (Urgent Song) that the great Cuban singer Silvio Rodriguez wrote about Cesar Sandino, a militant hero that fought against the US intervention in Nicaragua. I was listening to Silvio while I was working in the microscope, and I felt one part of his song exactly captured what I feel about Jessica. At comparing Sandino to Bolivar and the Che (he explicitly says the three of them walked the same road, namely fighting for the independence of our people, and the three also shared the same luck, death) Silvio remind us that, they three, left such a great legacy that they have fooled death. <br /><br />Jessica did the same, she fooled death. In her very short life and in the short time I had the fortune of being her friend, Jessica left so many memories, so many teachings, such a legacy in our lives that if the aim of whoever did this to Jessica was to take her and, everything she represented, out of the picture, he/she is very much wrong. I am personally committed with this blog and anything else I can do, to make Jessica's life, this person's worst nightmare.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-71726046049682428092008-11-08T07:04:00.000-08:002008-11-09T08:44:45.994-08:00...I am going to walk the quarter today for you, so I can feel you close to me. I know how much you would like to be here my Jessica. I am missing you so much!!. Today I woke up so depressed...do not know what happened..I thought I was getting better...I know you would not like to see me sad. Yesterday was a long day for me, I spent almost all day without seeing one person, it was just me and the computer. I woke up yesterday with so much anger for whoever did this to you and for how things happened that in my way to school, I only had awful thoughts, thoughts full of hate. I can't believe I spent your last days being with someone that, after so long and so much, betrayed me in such a way, instead of having been with you...that really breaks my heart honey. I know you never liked him...you can't imagine how were August and September for me. They were probably the worse times I have had in my entire life. It was probably better you never knew what happened and never saw me in the state I was, I know you would had traveled all the way to Colombia to kick him at his b... I know you loved me, you told me so, many times. I remember the day you said it, you were the first in saying it, it was the first time I heard that from a friend..you made me feel important and appreciated.<div> <br /><br />I hate the fact that someone believe so much of himself/herself as to take your life and to leave this big scar in our lives. <br /><div>This weekend will be three months without you...I hope to be able to write something nicer later, I am unable of doing that that right now. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-52627722598361697312008-11-03T16:54:00.000-08:002008-11-03T19:25:24.647-08:00silence, absence and sorrow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SQ-_qaVfo2I/AAAAAAAAA5g/kEczK2Sc_MA/s1600-h/kelly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SQ-_qaVfo2I/AAAAAAAAA5g/kEczK2Sc_MA/s320/kelly.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264637224764285794" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This picture was taken on November the first in the march against violence organized by a group called Peace for New Orleans leaded by Charles Anderson. Many thanks to them, for their support and the portraits they made to remember Jessica.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I am sure, I am not the only one to whom counseling has not been enough in helping to deal with Jessica's murder and absence. I know Kelly is going through the same state as me, even though we know we have each other, there is still a big gap of silence at the end of all our talks, a fear to uncertainty and anger for feeling so powerless. Kelly is my biggest support now, and I love her so much for being there always for me. Poor her, she has to answer my calls in the middle of the night, has to hear most of my problems (which I know are silly and ridicule, in comparison to most of the people in this world that struggle to survive and to get to the next day), no matter what she is there, always strong from the outside.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I promised to myself I would ever again take my friends for granted. Kelly, Jessica and I were looking forward for the opportunity to hang out together, but that never happened. This is how Kelly came into our lives.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kelly and I became close friends a year ago or so. But we knew long before that, since we took (with Jessica) an entomology class together at UNO and since then I think we liked each other. We did not hang out while we were taking the class, it was my first semester here, I lived at the dorms and I was too worried about other things like doing well in graduate school, research, publications, a dissertation, etc.. to even think in making friends. Jessica was my first American friend, and she was the only one for a long period of time. She was the first person I took a bus with, and the first person I drunk a margarita with, I ought most of experiences in New Orleans to Jessica and of course to her unbeatable ability in persuading me to get out of the house and have fun. Back to Kelly...we ran into each other many times here at school, we would, over and over again exchange phone numbers, but we did not hang out until last year. Kelly invited me to the “Nickel a dance”, I went and the next week I had Jessica sick of me telling her about Kelly, and the great time we had had. Later I learned Kelly had admired the way I had arranged my entomological collection, I was liking her even more because of that..haha!!.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She and Jessica are much more alike than (I feel) I am to either of them, and that was why I felt that Jessica needed to meet Kelly again. Therefore, I started talking to each of them separately about the other one, pushing an encounter. I would tell Jessica how cool Kelly was, how gorgeous I thought her house was. I even made a comment that I knew would mean a lot to Jessica. Kelly did not have a TV either. I knew that was the key point, I used it and it worked. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">They became friends some time before I left for the summer. They started to work together and on several occasions they went out for dinner, drinks, and dancing. What appeared to me is that their pride prevented them from becoming fast friends, but allowed them to become honest friends. There were many things they would argue about just for the sake of disagreeing, but the one thing they would agree on is about a city that they both loved, New Orleans. A city that they believed held many experiences to enjoy. One time Jessica was complaining how she couldn’t believed that she had never had a Sazerac, Kelly promised to go to get one with her. She said since the Fairmont was closed, they could go to the Ritz’s smoking lounge and enjoy one. They planed to go one night. They planned to share many such evenings. They were to eat crab cakes and fried green tomatoes at the Pelican Club. Jessica loved crab cakes and enjoyed tasting them from all different restaurants and then compare as to which restaurant had the best crab cakes. They planned to listen to traditional jazz at the Palm Court. They planned to go to the Bywater art market and then take lunch somewhere in her neighborhood. Jessica loved her neighborhood. She would repeat that sentiment many times in an evening especially after happening upon a brass band Friday night on Frenchmen. Jessica had just recently donated to NPR her favorite radio station. She had donated a dollar a day and received a coupon book to eat at many of New Orleans’ fine restaurants. Kelly had told me, she called late one evening to her house all excited about sharing the coupons and trying all these restaurants that she had not known. Jessica knew how much Kelly enjoyed eating out by the many conversations that would revolve around food, service, and the rooms at restaurants. Jessica wanted very much to share with Kelly these new tastes and experiences to share these great New Orleans moments with another sister of NOLA . Kelly tells me, they would talk about what we, the three of us, were going to do once I came back from Colombia. They planned on going, the three of us, for salsa dancing and for chocolate martinis.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I tried chocolate martinis on Saturday, with Kelly and Diego, the famous chocolate martinis. We made a toast in honor of Jessica. It was hard to be there without her, because I know how much she wanted the three of us to hang out. We never did and the only thing I could do was to make sure I enjoyed every sip of my martini. Just like my Jessica would have liked. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think a lot of whoever did this to Jessica, I wish he/she could feel the silence, the emptiness, and the sorrow his/her actions leave in our life. I wish he/she could realize that this is killing us. All of us; but also, that he/she can stop the guilt and remorse, and give some peace to us and Jessica by facing the consequences and turning himself/herself in. It might be naive on my part to ask for this, but deep in our hearts and souls we know, we all make mistakes. We all know, also, there is always something we can do about it.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-1109146137670744182008-10-24T10:56:00.001-07:002008-10-24T12:43:30.098-07:00Missing her badly<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SQIic6bIGnI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/P2QTVTZv448/s1600-h/Jessica.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SQIic6bIGnI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/P2QTVTZv448/s320/Jessica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260805194836875890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks to Kelly for this picture of Jessica at her work in the insectarium.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today, as everyday, I woke up thinking about Jessica...later, in the lab, I began to read again some of the hundreds of emails we exchanged during our friendship, a friendship that lasted only two years...<br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">It is weird how life works...Jessica and I were so different, true, we had many passions in common (insects, music, dancing, independent movies), but our characters were opposite poles. In spite of it, we managed to keep our friendship alive after she left UNO to take a break from school...and some people here did not even know we kept being close friends. We did not use to hang out during the weeks, since she was busy working and I was always hectic with school...but Friday was always our favorite day to see each other..I guess that is why, Fridays are so much harder for me to deal with now, than Mondays...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lately there were not many happy Fridays for us though..I guess we were both going through a 30-age crisis....("going out" became a very rare event).....I would leave school late and would stop by her house...there, we would share our drama, frustrations, dreams and complains <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> under the company of a beer or a glass of wine....talking about beer...I remember now a huge argument we had (probably in May) because I had paid $70 in a dinner with her...hahaha.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is the story...we went to the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen and we both got (besides of the food) two of our favorite beer....framboise lambic (not sure about the spelling)..anyway, it is an expensive beer from Belgium....after the dinner, I got upset because I did not expect to pay that much....but I was owing her money....and she said, I did not need to pay her but instead, I should include that money to pay the check.....but still...even after that, $50 bucks in a meal was a lot of money for me!..hahaha I was probably being too tight..haha..but I am graduate student right?...so we began to walk home arguing on the streets..we both were very mad..complaining about each other..as always...<br />...I am remembering that moment like if it were yesterday...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">....I did not intend this post to be so long...I hope I am not boring the few people that read this...but doing this, it is the only way I can feel her close, it is the only way I can feel she is still with me....I started the post talking about our emails...and I would like to finish it with these, Jessica's last words for me in an email on July 29th:<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Can't wait to see you again!!!</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"> L, J.<br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-87762545379282892582008-10-12T08:59:00.000-07:002008-10-12T09:06:33.707-07:00Another month without JessicaYesterday two months ago Jessica was found in her apartment, another month is gone without her. I do not think there will be a day I will not think about her, or a day I will not think what she would say if I could tell her all the things I have in my heart now, and all the things are going on to our friends. <div>I love you my Jessica, I am really missing you.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-38180574438891617622008-10-10T12:05:00.002-07:002008-10-10T13:16:40.728-07:00Jessica's memorial Part IIMany thanks to the Nola ninja girl, who took these pictures and helped Cassie with the memorial rearrangements.<br /><br /><div style="width: 480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w191.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w191.photobucket.com/albums/z245/butterlionfly/bfdffd67.pbw" height="360" width="480"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a><a href="http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z245/butterlionfly/?action=view&current=bfdffd67.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="border-width: 0pt; float: left;" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-61677770937072161482008-10-08T07:49:00.000-07:002008-10-08T08:11:42.350-07:00Jessica's memorial in images Part IHere are some pictures of Jessica's memorial that took place in New Orleans on October the 4th.<br />Many thanks to Ivan Soto, Laura Marin and Sarah Brock for these beautiful pictures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzI6C_VVDI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/0P5Z3i-G2mg/s1600-h/memorial1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzI6C_VVDI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/0P5Z3i-G2mg/s320/memorial1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254795764795003954" border="0" /></a>This was the front of the second line, Cassie and her friends did this gorgeous banner.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKHq6SswI/AAAAAAAAA0g/CMX6w8fYdaQ/s1600-h/memorial3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKHq6SswI/AAAAAAAAA0g/CMX6w8fYdaQ/s320/memorial3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254797098361205506" border="0" /></a>As I said it before, it was a beautiful day in New Orleans.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKMY5bVEI/AAAAAAAAA0o/04JzD387n3I/s1600-h/memorial2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKMY5bVEI/AAAAAAAAA0o/04JzD387n3I/s320/memorial2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254797179425084482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKRMMcH9I/AAAAAAAAA0w/P3FLrbr4VK8/s1600-h/memorial4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKRMMcH9I/AAAAAAAAA0w/P3FLrbr4VK8/s320/memorial4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254797261914513362" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzMTjFc-tI/AAAAAAAAA1g/dYRx8c1QY6E/s1600-h/memorial10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzMTjFc-tI/AAAAAAAAA1g/dYRx8c1QY6E/s320/memorial10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254799501442218706" border="0" /></a>Cassie and I during the second line.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKVEVFQ4I/AAAAAAAAA04/Hw1FoX2SlT4/s1600-h/memorial5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKVEVFQ4I/AAAAAAAAA04/Hw1FoX2SlT4/s320/memorial5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254797328522756994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKdi943dI/AAAAAAAAA1I/vrXdCdh8Nak/s1600-h/memorial7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKdi943dI/AAAAAAAAA1I/vrXdCdh8Nak/s320/memorial7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254797474185928146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzNgm9g0KI/AAAAAAAAA1o/ub2mCoJ2HUQ/s1600-h/memorial6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzNgm9g0KI/AAAAAAAAA1o/ub2mCoJ2HUQ/s320/memorial6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254800825332584610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKhOTrIBI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/DRFJXhaazR4/s1600-h/memorial8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzKhOTrIBI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/DRFJXhaazR4/s320/memorial8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254797537359634450" border="0" /></a>Dr. Jerry Howard was Jessica's major professor at UNO. He reminded us the great scientist and student our Jessica was.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzK4tHC3WI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/VQS-oaIY1No/s1600-h/memorial9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SOzK4tHC3WI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/VQS-oaIY1No/s320/memorial9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254797940765154658" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-11998449432748451072008-10-05T17:30:00.000-07:002008-10-05T17:59:54.679-07:00About Jessica's memorial in New OrleansJust a short note to let you all know, yesterday, we had the beautiful memorial for Jessica that for weeks Lee and Harold organized. Many friends attended the second line and later shared their thoughts and memories of Jessica at the Mother in Law lounge.<br />Unfortunately I do not have the pictures yet, but I felt I needed to let you all know that many people attended the memorial.<br />I want to thank Lee, Harold, Cassie and many others that contributed greatly either with their donations, work or presence to make this memorial a reality.<br />Everything was just perfect, a beautiful day: sunny but not hot and almost none humidity (a real rare day for New Orleans’ standards!), a yummy gumbo, the best New orlean music and what Jessica loved the most…a great crowd. Everything was just the way she would have liked.<br /><br />Yesterday Jessica's spirit was all around and we confirmed, she will be with us forever.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5347876508003248401.post-6447505156472960402008-08-22T07:28:00.000-07:002008-08-22T07:53:46.448-07:00A week without JessicaBut she is and she will be in our thoughts forever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SK7NTpCqtnI/AAAAAAAAAtE/KkuAr7SuT3k/s1600-h/Original.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SK7NTpCqtnI/AAAAAAAAAtE/KkuAr7SuT3k/s320/Original.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237349153996715634" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Jessica and her beloved brother, she was so proud of him..I particularly remember she could not help herself reminding us how good looking he is.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SK7RbW1kMfI/AAAAAAAAAtU/u1AHUyohMWk/s1600-h/jessica-ivonne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SK7RbW1kMfI/AAAAAAAAAtU/u1AHUyohMWk/s320/jessica-ivonne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237353684595388914" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Jessica and I at a second line, 2007.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SK7QVySo_tI/AAAAAAAAAtM/OrTqmpe2x3c/s1600-h/secondline.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3GW9gvSneDM/SK7QVySo_tI/AAAAAAAAAtM/OrTqmpe2x3c/s320/secondline.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237352489374252754" border="0" /></a>Jessica loved the brown leather purse she is wearing there.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5