Love

I was meditating on the word "love" and its meaning,
as I have done some reading on the subject and have been listening on the same
my entire life; I still had to ask the question, What is love?

In today s world we have a wide selection on the subject. From scientists, philosophers, philanthropists, doctors, theologists and even the average commoner offering their opinion and concepts on the subject.

But who really has the answer, if there is one at all. Yet here I find myself typing away what does love mean? What is love?

In 2009 I read an article about love and the misconception that humanity seems to have about it. For the first time I thought it was accurate and probably the closest I would ever read on the subject and its meaning. Some say the closest thing to true love is the one a mother has for their children.

Not to confuse Love, as it can be demonstrated and interpret in many ways; it is an emotion a feeling so strong one will act upon it. Such as a mother to her child, God to his creation, love among siblings, friends, humanity and to a partner of ones choosing.

When I fell in love for the first time, I realized the timing nor the circumstances were right, note how I didn't say the person but the outside factors the one can not control. But it struck me that I have finally experience love true love the one you read about or hear on sermons and lectures. It was real love for a stranger one I cross paths for the first time and there it was I had an epiphany: Love is what I read in that article. To love is too have a profound care for another human being with no selfish motive
and you are willing to participate actively towards their happiness.

And so you see, there is nothing about owning a person. We are not material things or objects that one can manipulate but instead we a free will souls in constant motion evolvement and growth. If that is the case there is the chance you might evolve and grow apart but you will remain to love if its real love.

The words that accompany love are not appealing to me nor do I fancy them
for I have engrave in my heart and mind; that love is not words but actions.

In despite of all diversity in Religions and their gods, don't they all call upon love to humanity, love thy neighbor...if most of the population believe in a "God" shouldn't we have less wars, less hunger, less poverty less cruelty. Ahhh!! to many questions and I can not change the world but I do know I have a responsibility to improve as an individual and consequently the world I reside in. As Mohandas Gandhi said: "A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave."

Please do not think of another commoner trying to share a concept of what love is, for I am not here to tell you what love is nor how you should live your life. But perhaps to question yourself and give it some time to meditate on our existence and what is the value of love in your life.

I leave you with this beautiful lecture I came across:
Song of songs 4:9-15

You've captured my heart, dear friend.
You looked at me, and I fell in love.
Once look my way and I was hopelessly in love!
How beautiful your love, dear, dear friend -
far move pleasing than a fine, rare, wine,
your fragrance more exotic than select spices.
The kisses of your lips are honey, my love,
every syllable you speak a delicacy to savor
Your clothes smell like the wild outdoors,
the ozone scent of hight mountains.
Dear lover and friend, you're a secret garden,
a private and pure fountain.
Body and soul, you are paradise,
a whole orchard of succulent fruits-
Ripe apricots and peaches,
oranges and pears;
Nut trees and cinnamon,
and all scented woods;
Mint and lavender,
and all herbs aromatic;
A garden fountain, sparkling and splashing,
fed by spring waters from the lebanon mountains.

You know why I love these because over and over it recall upon a friend, for what love is and invites us to become true friends to others.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
It's better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if theres's no one to help, tough!

Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.

By yourself you're unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

Coleccion Naturaleza..

"Inspiration is everywhere"
Through my travels in Brazil and Guatemala..and here is a little pick for your sole delight.
May you find yourself in a retreat when looking at some of my favorite places and treasures found.

ciao!

Essence of Chak Chel..

It seems like it was yesterday when I started working on Chak Chel. Truly a life time dream
to start my company. They say "A life with out passion is not worth living" and I couldn't agree more. For it is the motor to keeps me going no matter the circumstances I may find myself in.

I have shared through these years random trips and events of Chak Chel's and my journey but not once have I given you a concise account; what does Chak Chel mean? what its Chak Chel's vision? So without further delay here it is:

Chak Chel, founded in December 2007, is a company with a creative philosophy and three main goals: to preserve ancient art, to improve infrastructure within the community they work with and to implement an eco-friendly business model that cares for the environment and its resources. These three aspects are considered in every decision, yet does not limit Chak Chel from its creativity and avant-garde concepts and designs. For what Chak Chel offers is art extended into accessories. The company will showcase their “handbag” collection as the inception of the brand’s birth. In quest to preserve ancient art the company plans to expand their concept in many forms such as accessories and furniture.

The name Chak Chel is a reflection of their philosophy. Chak Chel is a Mayan goddess represented in three forms, one of whom was the weaving and spinning Patron, an important source of wealth for the Mayans. This goddess’ form is believed to have led the way for the women of the villages to start weaving which in turn created trade and brought commerce to the villages, ultimately allowing women to achieve a place in society. Presently the company’s focus is to preserve the art of weaving in Guatemala, Central America. By such Chak Chel works with a weaving community, a group of women, refugees of the civil war, to help preserve their art and knowledge. In addition the company seeks to educate consumers around the world to ancient cultures; in order to preserve and continue the appreciation of these art forms.

Chak Chel preserves the weaving in two ways. First, by working with the community to keep the art alive and helping to breed new generations of weavers. Second, through their travels in search of vintage Huipils and weavings. Weaved by the elders these tell the story of ifs weaver, as they represent each region’s distinctive insignias and weaving patterns, which are unique to the area alone. They will be used as standards to weave panels for upcoming collections, while keeping the original pieces with the purpose of preservation and future exhibitions. For 500 years, these traditions and tales continue to be passed from generation to generation. The company is proud to tell the story of each collection and its journey. It is not a mere simple accessory but art transcending into your own choosing of self expression.

Chak Chel handbags will compete with couture brands. But unlike any other brand, Chak Chel offers an inimitable product infused with history and knowledge of cultures. In a global economy, the company lays emphasis on the ethics behind their product making. The handbags possess aesthetics like no other brand found on the market at present. They offer a fusion; Mayan weaving with classic silhouettes, providing the consumer with “haute couture” items for today’s style aficionados. This comes as a reflection of the designer’s background a Guatemalan Chinese. She is a woman who has fallen in love with her ancestors’ history and culture. The amalgamation of color patterns and traditions allowed the concept of Chak Chel to be born. It will allure a buyer seeking novelty and exclusive creation. Chak Chel handbags encompass history, culture, style and value that will entice a conscientious consumer of the world; for it is Art extended into an accessory.

Our first community is located in Patzicia, a municipality of Chimaltenango. The name of the community is Kotzijal Kemonela, weaving flower, conformed by 15 women who come from different areas of Guatemala; they are refugees of the civial war, they were force to leave their villages due to violence and the internal conflict in the country. The violence and dangerous situation force them to move out of their homes and escape. Through the years they found each other, and today they gather in an elder’s home to weave. They have been operating for the past 15 years in the hope to find a source to become sustainable.

I say its faith, Chak Chel and the community have found each other. Let us welcome you to the world of Chak Chel.












ceremonial Huipil

Las Eventuras y la Naturaleza de la Vida..

Ayer viernes 28 de Mayo, sin dormir y como siempre dejando la empacada para el ultimo momento, sin cerrar los parpados toda la noche me subi al taxi muy emocionada ;o) lista para empezar la jordana del fin de semana en Guatemala. Sin saber que la sorpresa mas grande me la iva a llevar yo al tratar de abordar mi vuelo, "todos los vuelos a Guatemala han sido cancelados" entre mis trajines y vida a mil por hora no habia visto las noticias en 48 horas.. entoces devuleta a casa de inmediato al leer las noticias, efectivamente el volcan Pacaya nuevamente decidio rosiar con su roja y viva lluvia de fuego las faldas de su tierra. Las images son impactantes pero aun mas la belleza de la destruccion en su totalidad. Siempre me ha facinado la belleza del fuego y sus colores tan apasionados y aun mas su abilidad de consumir la vida de inmediato.

Pensar que yo escale el volcan Pacaya en el 2008..y al hacerlo no puedo negar me paso por la mente, que tal si ahora mismo hay una erupcion al estar en la montana no hay escape. Gracias a Dios mi paseo no termino en calamidad, pero no se puede decir lo mismo por las tres vidas perdidas en esta ocasion. El volcan Pacaya esta localizado aproximadamente 15 millas Sur de la ciudad de Guatemala, segun las noticias las areas mas afectadas fueron Guatemala, Escuintla y Sacatepequez. Este volcan habia estado dormido por un siglo hasta que hizo erupcion en 1965 y desde entonces ha estado activo, hoy en dia esta considerado en una de las atracciones turisticas a diario hay viajes para escalar este volcan durante el dia y la noche, experiencia es muy diferente ya que de noche puedes apreciar las venas y lo color vibrantes del lava.

David de Leon el porta voz de la comision de desastres compartio que dos personas de la aldea el Bejucal mas un reportero han muerto. Espero Dios le de fortaleza a las familias de estas personas que un momento de sorpresa la vida se les ha terminado en esta tierra.

Este es la vista del volcan pacay desde la terraza del Sereno, mi restaurante favorito en Antigua Guatemala.

Esta es fue tomada durante mi visita al volcan Pacaya antes de empezar a caminar entre los crateres del mismo.

el lava de cerca durante dia mientras reposa tranquilamente..

Asi que nuestra visita a la comunidad tejedora de Patzicia fue suspendida por el momento y tendremos que hacer planes para ir a Guatemala muy pronto. Esperamos las familias afectadas que han perdido sus casa puedan recuperarse de la tragedia natural que nos impone la naturaleza.

RunMuck Festival!

Perfect day blue sky and puffy clouds..let's go play!






Yes its a race, but this one is only if you like to have fun.. do you mind getting dirty?? if you don't something to try *wink* *wink* yes, its a Mud race but that's not all, we have some boot camp obstacles, hurdles and let's see..oh yes! we have man made mud puddles. As you know I love running but I'm not fast and with PonYo's feet (Asian movie character) well that doesn't make it any easier. So when running my little slogan is: "Focus" main phrase when I run without music " you must keep running". I have to say I enjoy running outdoors in the woods so soothing.

You know it was like being a child without restrictions..let's play with dirt, that's right let's get dirty wet..it was really fun.
Great way to release stress and make new friends.



Some happy brides ready to get low and dirty!!! can't wait to see them after the race jijij
(Daddy and I ready to have fun)



After six months of no running and no workouts..my body was dying, so enough is enough the good weather is here, for a few months, and we shall enjoy!! Running is one way to get in shape and why not help others while you do it, support different organizations. When registering for races read about their cause and where the funds go to.. Chak Chel always has a cause behind their adventures. To start off the running season we decided to do something fun and I chose 5K RunaMuck Race, why not??? It was a perfect Saturday blue sky white puffy clouds and lots of "friends" all ready to gather and be silly, I say we all need that at one point or another and if you can't remember the last time you were silly..I suggest you get on it right away.


So here is Daddy ready to take the price..

So, I can go on describing the experience but I say no words can give you a better visual than the images capture in our memories..in this case we have attempt to capture them. Behind the camera my darling sister Denise.







Moi @ the last puddle after all the fun..ready for a drink of water


Daddy and his team after the chocolat shower!


The fun is over..

Fashion Week 2010

I'm so happy to share that Chak Chel was one of the designers exhibiting with Nolcha during New York Fashion Week.

An exhibition of sixteen independent apparel and accessory designers from around the world participated; this took place Thursday, February 11th at Bo Concept Studio, 144 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue,) and it was followed by a cocktail party...always happy to see our friends coming to support us. Thank you ms Phyllis, Thomas, and Mr D!!!


BefoRe Chak Chel's spell


AftEr..


We couldn't have an event without our special arrangement ;o) Thank you JOe!!!


Style tours were led by Creative Director, Lynn Furge. These tours gave Chak Chel, the opportunity to be presented to the press and media with our own spotlight, allowing us to expand on our concept, designs and goal behind the brand when interviewed individually. According to Furge: "Fall 2010 will bring back the artisan with elements of light (iridescent fabrics, loose weaves), painterly colors and multiple layers of assorted textures," and Chak Chel is all about color, weaves and patterns but then again Chak Chel is always about the rainbow of inspiration and colors.

Nolcha presented a 13 piece womenswear collection in collaboration with Care for Kenya. Five female independent fashion designers selected by Nolcha worked with Kenyan inspired themes to create sketches for the one-of-a-kind collection to be made by Kenyan women who select the textiles and complete the garments with micro financing supplied by Care for Kenya.

Every day we are entice to become educated consumers, and by that I mean we are interested in the essence and ethics behind the product making, at Chak Chel we believe that in creating art you can wear / use while helping others and that is precisely what we are doing.

More picture to come...





Generous sponsor support provided by Bo Concept, Saaga Vodka and Marcel Hotel.

Let it Snow let it snow!!!

Second week of February, I suppose many might think is a typical week but not this one. Work for 2 days ;o), my orientation at NYU to start the enrollment process for grad school (I'm so excited), a snow blizzard, and Chak Chel is participating on an exhibition during fashion week in NYC. Looking forward to the results considering this weather. I must say snow its a master piece of nature..take a look at it for yourself.





Although is quite a gift when one can appreciated from indoors.