Quinceanera Affordable Gifts

It's amazing what motivates me on a daily basis. It's so difficult at times to hear most people say to me why are you going to college? Why don't you get a job and help your family out? Why don't you go and find some guy and get married? Why? Why? Why? That's all I hear...

i thought it was wonderful to see the large crowd give so much applause to Hillary Clinton when she made her speech the other night in Denver. She really spoke for all females in the United States. Her words made me proud of my decision to go on to college. My mother who doesn't speak English, her dream has always been for me to be an A student and go to college.

When I first met Priscilla Mills, I didn't have the confidence to be different than my mom. I was scared. I thought how could I go to college and be in a competitive environment.? After talking with Priscilla and reading her book Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget , section named 'Girl Talk'. I was able to write out my own plan for my future. I'm so happy that I read her book. It made it so easy for me to find my passion and be able to have the confidence to make my decision to apply to college and apply for scholarships.

You can do it too. if you are a mom reading my post, I recommend your daughter reads my post also. And buy the book for her, She will be grateful to you. There is also section for parents - 'Parent Talk'.

Quinceanera's I attended this summer:

I've been to many Quinceaneras this summer. Most of them were my cousins, but some were friends of the family. Each one was different. Some were small with no mass. While others were held in the beautiful church in Ventura.

Each Quinceanera chose a different color theme. It was fun to see how some of the girls hobbled around on their high heels. I could tell their feet were hurting because before long at the parties the girls changed into flats.

Tradition was supposed to be just the opposite. The Quinceanera wore flats and then during the special  ceremony her father would place her new high heels on his daughter's feet.

It's probably because the extra high heels are in style this year and everyone wanted to wear the latest style. They didn't think about how their feet would hurt in a short time.

So gals when planning on buying your high heels for your special day. Don't buy the latest 'kill your feet' styles Also another tip is to wear your new shoes around the house before your Quince celebration. This way you will be used to them and the shoes will be me flexible.

About the shopping trip with my cousin : she asked me to help her with shopping for her dress for her Quinceanera party. She didn't know where to start. She was worried since her birthday was only four months off. I told her not to worry. That most places only needed three months time for the delivery of an order.

So this past weekend we went shopping. I remembered when I went with my mom. It was sort of scary then. Trying on all the big dresses. Not knowing what I should really look like. The gowns were so big and I felt like I looked thin in some of them and in others not so great.

My mother and I got tired and we were ready to make any choice. That's almost what happended with my cousin. Oh I almost did the wrong thing. Then I remembered reading about shopping for your Quinceanera dress in Priscilla's book; Quinceanera Connection . I told my cousin lets go home and review a few of the chapters  and  have lunch. Then we could contunue shopping for her dress. This way we would make sure we didn't make any mistakes and she would be the Princess at her own party.

I will report back after our next shopping trip.

....How has your summer been? My sister's have been going to summer school this summer. They feel when they go to summer school it helps them to be ahead of the class for their next grade.

I used to attend summer school each year. I think that's what helped me be placed in the advanced placement classes and do well in my school grades.

I also had a tutor in the classes I didn't feel comfortable in. When I was planning my Quinceanera and I was fourteen I was worried and stressed with all the homework I had to do in highschool. I had heard middle school was different than high school, but I didn't realize how different it was.

I was so happy my mother insisted on my going to summer school then. When school started in the fall it was easier for me than for my friends. All because I went to summer school and they didn't. If you didn't attend summer school this summer, I recommend you go to the library. Ask the librian for help. Tell her the classes you will be taking in the fall and ask if she could recommend some book for you to read.

The more you read the easier and more fun you will find your classes.

I'm so excited preparing to go off to college. I will miss my family though. Being the older sister has come with responsibilities. I was the first daughter to have her Quinceanera celebration. My mom learned from the mistakes she made for mine. In fact we all learned.

• I gave my sister Priscilla's book: Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget to read. Plus I had my sister download the free 70 page Quinceanera eplanner. Sometimes it's difficult being the older sister, but this time it's fun. Since my parents aren't bilinguel I'm taking on the role of the parent. Sure it's not easy trying to make sure I make the right decisions for myself. I now have to be my sisters mentor. 

I know that with my mom's guidence we will all do what is right for my sister. I know she will be very happy on her special day when she celebrates her Quince.

My graduation was beautiful. My entire family attended. My mother and father were so proud of me since I graduated with honors and they aren't bilingual. I hope some year they will have time and the confidence to go to school and learn English. They helped me develop my self-confidence now I need to help them. I know I will miss my family when I go off to college in the fall, but the rewards will be worth it for me and my immediate family.

I will also be a good role model for my sisters. I have four sisters. They need to follow in my foot steps and not be like some of their cousins who were not as lucky as I've been. I don't know how my mother did it. Working cleaning houses and then coming home and taking care of the family.

I knew I had to be a good student. I knew that "any choice I made would make" would make a "difference in my entire life". Just like Priscilla says in her book - Quinceañera Connection. I followed her advice. That's why everytime I was in a situation I would hear the discussions my mother and I had. I always was able to tell what was the best for me when I had to make a choice.

It's hard to believe I'm graduating and off to college. I know I will miss my family, but I decided not to go to far. This way I will be able to come home often.

My family has been wonderful. My mother and father dreamt that I would have my Quinceanera when I was 15. They also prayed that I would go to college and be the perfect role model for my younger sisters.

I have made sure that when ever a tempting situation happened, I thought of my mother first and what she would say. Thank goodness I always made ther right decisions. My parents are very proud of me. And I'm proud of myself.

I'm grateful that especially my mother was there listening to my challenges every day after school. She always listened with understanding and that is what gave me the inner guidance to make the right choices. I knew one mistake could ruin my life and have a big impact on my family.

I know too many girls who made the wrong decision. They then dropped out of school, or got pregnant. Not good. I feel sorry for them and their families.

My recommendation to my younger sisters is think first. And it's always better to say No than Yes. By saying no you won't get into trouble.

It's been two years since I celebrated my Quinceañera. Even though it's only been two years. So much has happened to me since I put on my Quinceanera dress, my Quinceanera tiara and my high heels.

I told my little sister what really seemed important to me then is very different when I look back now. I wish I could have realized the importance of my Quinceañera in my life. I didn't feel comfortable to be the center of attention. I was scared. If I had an older sister or a close cousin who would have sat me down and discussed that she felt scared too. I probably would have had one of my cousins rehearse with me before hand.

I know we rehearsed the val with the court of honor, but no one walked me through the day. It would have been helpful for someone to coach me on how to greet the guests. How to respond when someone gave me a compliment and told me I looked beautiful. All those things that seemed overwhelming then, but now that I'm ready to go off to college. Those things are easy for me now.

I remember what changed me so much that day. It all started when I walked out the door as a little girl and at the end of the evening I realized I was no longer a little girl. I knew I had to think of myself differently. I knew when I took my oath at the mass that at the church and I made a committment to God, my family and the community. I knew that now I was no longer was going to be considered the little girl. But most important I was both happy and scared about my new role in life. I was a teenager with new challenges and new responsiblilies.

I will always remember what impacted me the most on my very important day of my life. It wasn't my Quince dress and how looked. In fact I thought I didn't look that pretty. I was so nervous I didn't spend any time looking in the mirror. Everyone else was taking care of how my hair and makeup fixed.

Other than the special Quinceañera mass at church it was the last dance I had with my father. The band was playing a special song. I heard the words that saying I was no longer my father's little girl. After that dance was over and I got a beautiful hug from my father with tears of joy in his eyes, I then knew I was no longer his little girl and no longer was I a lttle girl.

I looked in the mirror that night, after the party was over.  I realized my life was going to be different from there on. I needed to spend lots of time speaking with my mother about my future. I knew I wanted to go to college. my mother was very supportive of my plan, but I would not be there to help her with my sisters. I was very close and loved my mother deeply, but I realized I wanted to have a different life than she has.

I had been doing well in school and I loved helping kids. I also have an aunt who is a nurse. So I was thinking about having a career in nursing. I thought about my path being fun and I would be successful. Or I could be scared as I was the beginning of the day of my Quinceañera and never achieving my goals. I read Priscilla Mills book: Quinceanera Connection and I had a mentor, so I was ahead of many teenagers my age.

I was doing much better in my science and math classes now. I will always remember the words of the prayer on my special day to Mary. I made my commitment to follow those words and that has been my path ever since.

I leaned after my Quinceañera that first I had to be true to myself. Even though I was in highschool where peer friendship was most important. I followed what Priscilla Mills said in her book the chapter:'On Being a Teen'.

1.Take responsibilty for your own actions.

2. Don't blame others for mistakes you made.

3. Accepting criticism.

4. Believe in yourself.

5. Accept and respect your parents for who they are.

6. Focus on positive thoughts and actions.

7. Practice good health habits.

8. Be generous to others.

9. Appreciate being alive.

10. Practice forgiveness.

 I want to share with you the beautiful quote that's in Priscilla's book from Eleanor Roosevelt - (wife of the 32nd president of the United States) " No one can make you feel inferior without your own conscent."

I have learned in the past few years to believe in myself and always be grateful for what I have. Do the best I can and help others who need my assistance.

Wishing all your dreams come true,

Sandra