Merry Christmas! Happy Chanikkuh! Joyous Kwanzaa!!

To ALL and to all, a Goodnight!



~  HOPE* PEACE * LOVE * JOY ~

"I Guess Things Are Gonne Be Just Fine, If We Only Will"!

A hospital is an important reflection of the people who use it, who develop and maintain it, who contribute to the quality of it's existence. The organization serves as an active, thriving community, constantly on the move, growing, lending it's resources to those who require them. An  orchestrated presence, blending and complimenting key elements to make it all work. It is an ongoing cooperative, like a band of musicians, the singers harmonize with the sound of the instruments, the rhythm, melody and beat all in sync to create a masterful and brilliant work of art and science!

Words can be hard to live by,

               but still nice to hear.

Pavilion

The new hospital stands stoically in the high desert, it represents hope for many reasons to many people as it provides comfort and healing for years to come.

Like an oasis in the desert, a port in the storm, a multi-layered, large and lovely kaleidoscope, a hospital is also symbolic of great resources like a treasure chest filled with precious gems. Invaluable as it's own acute care facilities. The priceless gems at Sandoval Regional Medical Center include a 55,000 sq. ft. Pavilion that will be home to medical and administrative offices and plenty of space for medical education. The pavilion will also house the supply area, the cafeteria and dining room. The Specialty Medical and Surgical Clinics will be home to a wide range of departments. Family Medicine to Rheumatology, Physical Therapy, Ophthalmology to Gynecology. It is a massive pool of the best and the brightest medical practitioners in the area. It will quickly prove to be most valuable to people who will gladly and eagerly make it a point to get acquainted with this state of the art, world class health care haven.

Miracles

The first day of November arrives right on time, not a moment too soon as the new month begins, opportunities beacon, fresh beginnings await, possibilities abound and miracles wait for the perfect moments to occur. Landmark days take place, births, deaths, sickness and health require attention and tending to.  The second to the last month of the year seems to hold a certain mystery, and wonder stirs in the cool, clean air. 

People get on with their lives, living as always, one day at a time hoping each day is better than the day before, hoping to stay healthy and happy or continually striving to get there. As seasons change, challenges emerge to remind us of the realities of life, of what was, what might be and hope the future unfolds peacefully, that life's lessons are gentle, kind and encouraging and that burdens are lifted, do not linger and move out much quicker than the days you wish... would last forever.

October

Cool mornings, warm afternoons, restless nights, bright lingering large and lovelier than usual- moon, baseball, pumpkin patches, change, travel, work, rest, unrest, regroup and connect. How can OCTOBER be so full of surprises, the multi-colored, multi-faceted palette of life laid bear for all to take part in. Every drop of life, every disappointing, sorrowful, serendipitous, joyful, encouraging exhilarating bit of it... makes for a big part of what was, what is and all the possibilities of things to come. As the season's change one hopes to move peacefully along, moving forward better for the wear and tear.

Teaching, Learning, Growing & Going Places

When a school is established a whole world of possibilities opens. As The University of New Mexico, Sandoval Regional Medical Center takes shape, it grows into what will soon be a thriving teaching and learning hospital, designed to provide enormous opportunities for the community and surrounding areas.

Students will gather from near by campuses, eager to learn how to take care of people. From specialty clinics, to intensive and critical care diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and therapies planned and implemented, all in the name of wellness and good health.

Partnerships between schools will prepare students for future medical careers and professional excellence in health care. Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, technicians, researchers and a host of other specialists will be on the ready to serve all those who will require the invaluable services available.

Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole ~ Somewhere Over the Rainbow

"Where trouble melts like lemon drops". YES! "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"!!! And the dreams that you dream of, really do come true"!"That's where you'll find me". "and I think to myself, What a wonderful world"!! xo. Love 2U from me

http://brunodelaroza.com/

EQUINOX

An Equinox is a astronomical phenomenon that occurs twice a year. The Autumnal Equinox occurs on or about September 23rd, which as it happens this year, is the first day of Fall, and the Vernal Equinox which usually takes place around June 22nd, the first day of Summer. It has to do with the day and night being equal in length. The Northern Hemisphere will see longer days/shorter nights and the Southern Hemisphere will see longer nights/shorter days. The broader meaning of an Equinox, signifies a centering and shift. The sun can be seen vertically above the earth as the axis of our planet does not tilt one way or the other, the balance between night and day remains as delicate as life itself, and as precious as it is powerful. 

Watching and Waiting

The new UNM Sandoval County Regional Medical Center continues to grow at the same strong and steady pace that Rio Rancho itself has been growing over the past 10 years. Every detail is being addressed now to ensure the 200,00 sq ft medical center and additional 40,000 sq ft near-by, medical office is staffed, equipped, and prepared to offer state of the art health care to those who need it.
From six large operating rooms to over a dozen intensive care rooms and behavioral crisis intervention facilities. The hospital's five stories will be home to a trauma and emergency department, joint replacement and obesity management services and women's health services. Well over 400 employees will be hired to operate and manage the hospital.

Kevin Rogols, SCRMC CEO consulted with the American Indian pueblos and chapter houses regarding the artwork that will line the walls and welcome patients, visitors and staff. Tribal art will be seen in prominent places throughout the facility.

In the meantime we watch with eager anticipation and wait with patience for the project to be complete, in the Summer of 2012.

The Eye's Have It!

You're eyes have the capacity to see things or be blind to the obvious while happy, humble, innocent, soft and sad eyes can make you melt. In your beautiful eyes I see your joy, your pain, the spark the drive and darkness, the disappointment, doubt and delight.

I can tell when your mad, when something is bad.. when your glad. Your eyes broadcast the latest emotional development going on inside you, from the deepest, darkest, wildest thoughts to expressing the best and worst feelings. Indeed, your frame of mind at any given moment is revealed through the amazing array of sensory, optical and visual mechanics that make-up the eyes.

Port In The Storm

A medical center is like a treasure chest of resources available to the public, in the name of good health. People look upon hospitals as a port in a storm, an oasis in the desert, a beacon in the night, rescuer and refuge. A medical facility holds many a possible cure, prevention, detection and answer to a wide range of problems. The potential to make a difference, sometimes between life and death- for many people, is always in place as the new Sandoval Regional Med Center prepares to  make a profound impact on the lives of the patients and visitors as well as students, teachers, researchers, staff, faculty and administrators. *It takes a village and very dedicated people to raise a hospital, especially since the hospital is such an important part of the village and represents a microcosm of the world.

The new University of New Mexico Hospital in Rio Rancho is shaping-up and stands stately near Rio Rancho City Hall, Rio Rancho High School and the thriving city.
The public medical center will be home to a state of art School of Pharmacy, Speciality Clinics and Therapeutic Departments, Hospital services range from Behavioral Health, Medical and Surgical to a wide array of learning and career development opportunities for the community.

RAIN

I am a being of Heaven and Earth,

of thunder and lightning,

of rain and wind, of the galaxies.

Eden Ahbez

July

This is the time of year when the summer is full-on, The 4th of July is eagerly anticipated, people are in the middle of vacations, projects at home, sports activities, camping, fishing, relaxing on the porch, planning what to grill on the barbecue, baseball, our independence, red, white and blue and fireworks, although this year for obvious reasons, the colorful but explosive pyrotechnics of any manner, were strongly discouraged, in fact strictly prohibited in most areas around the region. 

Spring and Summer 2011 in the Southwest, so far has been hot as the dry desert and forest becomes fuel for the tiniest spark. Tens of thousands of acres-scorched, animals, homes, cabins and other dwellings up in unforgiving flames, wild, rampant, defying those who attempt to stop it.

From the threat to Los Alamos National Laboratory and the entire town needing to evacuate to countless  life threatening emergencies as hundreds of fire crews are dispatched to stand-up to the monstrous inferno.

Where as rain would be a tremendous help, in contrast the impending rainy season also brings with it, thunder and lighting storms which are accompanied by more fire danger and imminent floods. The line between thriving forests/safe habitats and man made and natural disasters is delicate with a vulnerability that hangs on the balance making it a must to respect and take care of our environment and natural resources.

Axis

This week the Summer Solstice occurred. Wednesday, June 21st marked the longest day of the year.  From the North Pole, earth's axis tilts, a perfectly orchestrated symphony of time and space, the cosmos speak, "mother earth cries, heaven-the holiest of holy places, smiles",.. from Carlos Santana's classic 70s anthem; Europa. ☼ The sun tugs gently on her precious head,  considering the magnitude, longitude, altitude and overall physical nature of the power and purpose of this annual spectacle, it is epic, dynamic, calculated and colossal in scope for this star gazer while nothing short of a miracle.

Since before the dawn of time, yet more evidence of the magnificance beyond measure, of the blueprint of the cosmos laid bare for all to behold.

☼ Suddenly in the middle of the day the sun is suspended at it's farthest from the earth.  The maneuver is done in such a way that it does not appear to interrupt life as we understand it, or does it? 
Again shifts occur, Summer is underway yet this part of the world draws closer to the shorter days of winter. Fascinating, unfathomable, the possibilities and variables, complexities-- in keeping the world spinning precisely. Given the vulnerable, amazing design, form and function of planet earth and it's dwellers.., humanity has endured much while evolving into a curious collection of life at it's worst and best, it's darkest and brightest.

Message From A Bear

Safety First Good People!

Season's Greetings!

The four season's in New Mexico are well defined; Spring time means blooming plants, trees, allergies,, graduations, weddings, new beginnings and change. From spring training to full-on baseball season, the Summer warms-up and temperatures soar, swimming pools on the ready for the splishing and splashing. Refrigerated air, air conditioners, fans and the shade are highly revered. The 4th of July is accompanied by the sound of popping, whistling, bursting fireworks. People tend to get nostalgic and be drawn to the great outdoors, more inclined to catch-up with projects around the house.

Autumn in New Mexico is a feast for the senses, trees change green, to gold, brown, rust, to spectacular reds and oranges, the air is crisp and unsettling. Fall is eager for the first day of school, harvest time is good, the smell of chile roasting over an open flame at the market is intoxicating. Big, colorful, exciting balloons, the amazing aeronautics involved with sailing through the desert air like grand toys while the forces of mother nature are always in control. Balloonists hope the southwestern skies embrace them gently.  Native American Feast Day's are observed on reservations, pueblos and villages, with celebrations that include food, singers and tiny dancers, to seasoned elders marching along in perfect order. Bold colors and fine leathers blend handsomely with the feathers and beads that adorn the dancers. The circle widens as a body of people move together, side by side, according to custom, heritage and the tradition of generations. The movement is strong, steady, smooth, in unison as the drum beats a familiar rhythm, strong and solemnly.     Winter walks in with purpose and sometimes lingers around like a prairie dog on a golf course, not at all concerned it might well be overstaying it's welcome. A familiar saying around here goes; "Wait five minutes, the weather will change". Especially in the winter when it can be bone chilling in the morning and t-shirt and shorts weather in the afternoon and depending on the elevation and specific area you are in, one can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon.

Central New Mexico does not receive a lot of precipitation as it nestles in a pouch covered by an invisible bubble that prevents more than a couple of weeks worth of snow to fall for the entire year. It is up north in the higher elevations that the snow can be relentless. Generally our weather is relatively fair compared to the harsh conditions of other parts of the country and world.

If you are up for some world class smoother-than-smooth-jazz. Here is 5:27 minutes worth of Maysa Leak, masterfully handling with care.. Her voice slides and glides across the song, perfectly paired with the music:  What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother, Mom, Mommie, Mama, Ma... refer to your mother by her first name, nick name or other term of endearment? The very mention of a mother evokes many emotions, feelings about your mother go deep, far and wide. We take our mother's quite personally. One's mother is your initial reference to the world and often, ends-up meaning the world to you.  *Today we think about the lives and times of our beloved mothers and why we love them so much, those past, those with us and those who are learning how to be a good one.

"Rejecting things because they are old-fashioned
would rule out the sun and the moon --

and a mother's love" ~ Author Unknown

LEVEL 1 FLOOR PLAN

It is amazing to think, next year at this time if everything goes according to schedules, the new Sandoval Regional Medical Center will be near completion. Departments and various common areas found on the 1st Floor of UNM SRMC include:

• The Main Entrance of the hospital, facing East
• It's own Central Utility Plant on ground level, seperate from the main hospital.
• Behavioral Health & Bed Unit,
• Gardens, Court Yards, Patio's,
• Food Service
• Admitting & Registration Offices,
• Administration & Staff Development
• Ambulance Entrance & ER,
• Non-Invasive Diagonostics and 
• Imaging

Wow! Really something else to see this highly anticipated public facilty grow, one blueprint and beam, nut and bolt at a time.

The Desert Rose Grows

April 21, 2012, Rio Rancho, New Mexico ~ The University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center emerges from the earth like a steel rose in the desert. 

A topping off ceremony was designed to mark the occasion of the last steel beam to be erected in the frame of the hospital. Everyone in attendance were allowed to sign the white beam right before it was put in place. (shown in the photo. placed horizontally, upper left corner of main structure)  It was cool, very exciting and actually quite moving to imagine all the lives that will be impacted by the new teaching hospital, set to open it's doors to the public in June, 2012. Programs are already in place to teach and provide much needed medical care to the area, a school of pharmacy is also well on it's way. The horizon expands with a clear view of a brighter future for many people in need of the valuable resources found through it's corridors. The new medical center will soon be home to ground breaking research and learning new ways of treatment in specialty fields of medicine. 

It is these moments; children, teens, parents, grandparents, generations... refer to as milestones; "Oh that was before SRMC, was built". or "Don't you remember the hospital was already up and running" when this or that occurred?" A facility such as a hospital in a city, town or community, resonates with people, those who will work, learn, depend on it and count on it being there in times of need. It is a public facility, part of a thriving infrastructure that defines the area, something people tend to take personally and call their own.

For HEALING

http://brunodelaroza.com/

School Days

Rio Rancho, New Mexico is home to several award winning public and private schools. From Preschools for shining stars, Elementary schools named after the sunset and the distinctive landscape in the area, state of the art Middle Schools, High Schools, and even a Cyber Academy. *The Vision of Rio Rancho Public Schools is simple; "Student Excellence".  The Rio Rancho Public Schools website is a reflection of that vision and packed with a wide variety of facts, figures, fine arts announcements, academic scores, calenders, school profiles, policies and resources galore.

On the left side of the home page are several tabs.
The Student Services tab alone, is a wealth of information showing a list of various programs and services, a catalog, athletic handbook and more, and valuable information about Rio Rancho Public Schools Health Services, located in the Health Department tab. All the basic, big and little bits of information is covered.

Waters of March written by: Antonio Carlos Jobim ~ Sung by Art Garfunkel

Daylight and Darkness

From here in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
the sun shines it's bold brilliance on the day,
 the light is bright and beautiful.

~

On the other side of the world,

 Disaster strikes in North Eastern Japan, lives have been destroyed, darkness from mass destruction hovers, it is terrifying and more frightening than one can even imagine. Waves of shock prevail, profound grief grows by the minute as earthquakes resonate with more devastation, a nightmarish tsunami swells sweeping across precious life, history, infrastructures, farm land, nuclear power plants with safety very much in peril. 
Sorrow scours over the rich and poor, arrogant and humble, haves and have not's. So many with so much life and love left in them... Their story should not end here as the survivors are left to pick-up and carry-on... to repair and rebuild, some with nothing more than physical fatigue, exhaustion, mental and emotional anguish and broken hearts and bones to mend. 

     Our lives unfold mysteriously one day at a time,

one person suffers through the day as another revels in it's glory.
Blessings abound in one part of this swollen, spectacular, insane planet as misery prevails in another.

~

I pray that somehow some bit of light, comfort, respite and peace of mind is brought to bear amidst any suffering, any brokenness and despair.

Sunday

We hope your Sunday has been sunny, healthy  and happy. The evening from this corner of the world has been satisfying, soft and sweet. Dusk was melancholy as the setting sun waved it's daily goodbye's. ☼ Yes, we hope you have found contentment some time today, that the sun wrapped it's warmth around you and gave you good light. ☼ Monday gently taps on Sunday nights sleepy shoulders, eager to bring in a new day, with a majestic wave, robed in the distance with it's fire and might, restless and ready, beaming with it's new light and first rays of the dawn

☼

As an onlooker keeping an eye on the progress of the UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center, it is like a child who can hardly wait for Christmas to open the gifts. Rio Rancho tax payers said "Yes" to a new hospital for the region. Blueprints have been drawn, contractors and work crews aligned, construction is underway, the ground is surveyed and unearthed, leveled, stakes pounded in the ground, concrete pads poured to accommodate the structure that will house those in need of healing, the scientists and researchers, the students and the teachers, doctors, nurses, all the necessary medical personnel required to operate a top notch, state of the art medical facility.

The hospital will be home to everything from Emergency Room facilities to General Medicine, Pediatric, Orthopedic and numerous other departments. Relief, resources, hope, encouragement, support will be in place, on the ready to offer world class medical treatment and health care to those who enter it's corridors. It is about as exciting a project as you can get when one considers the countless lives that will be impacted, the hearts and minds that will be mended, comforted and repaired. Yes, indeed there is a change ahead!

Heart to Heart

UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center's sister hospital, UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center have long been making advancements in it's Cardiology Clinic, Cardiac Cath Lab and Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinics.   Specialty programs and departments in the planning and development stage at UNM SRMC include Cardiology Research and Clinical Programs which will make way for more opportunities to serve people in the region with heart aches and pains. We can hardly wait to see what is in store in the name of keeping hearts strong and healthy, one heart to many hearts at a time.

In theory as in practicality and reality Jacques Benigne Bossuel sums up the complex and magnificent ways of the heart; "The heart has reason that reason does not understand."   

Rio Rancho Resources

Here is a link that lists many resources available in Rio Rancho. The link shows telephone numbers, addresses and names of organizations, facilities and services available in the area. Rio Rancho is thriving and strives to accomodate everyone wishing to be part of one of the fastest growing towns in the United States.

Baby Boomer Toys

Today in history the Frisbee got off the ground, so to speak. On January 23rd, 1957 the Wham-O Toy Company began mass production on what was at one time referred to as the "Pluto Platter", inspired by the UFO stir in the late 50s, early 60s. Wham-O was also responsible for introducing the Hula-Hoop and the Super Ball, the various size balls with the serious and oft out of control bounce. Like the little solid rubber ball at the center of a golf ball after it's been peeled layer by layer.

Other toy's boys and girls of all ages in the 60's gravitated towards seemed so simple and provided hours of fun for countless kids, toys like the Yo-Yo, The wirey -timeless Slinky, Marbles, Jacks, Pick-up Stix, Tops, Jump Rope, View Masters, Easy Bake Ovens, Creepy Crawlers (precursor to gummie bears & worms) Barbie Dolls & Etch A-sketches, Spiro-Graphs, Cootie, Hot Wheels, Tinker Toys, Tonka Trucks, Lincoln Logs, Mr Potato Head and Army Men. The great thing is many of these toys are still around but not necessarily mentioned among the "A" list of kids favorite toys now a days in this age of modern technology, digitized toys, virtual reality... electronics a go-go.

Just fun to get nostalgic about some of the stuff that puts a light in the eyes of Baby Boomers.

What the World Needs Now - Tom Clay

Equality

“Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.”
 ~ Martin Luther King Jr
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15th, 1929. Died by assissination on April 4, 1968. A champion of people for civil rights, respect, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. The price for freedom is costly but a basic human right. RESPECT, justice, fairness, equality... Dr King did not ask for too much, only what rightly belonged to it's owners.

Resolution

2011 is upon us, we hope for good health of mind, body and spirit for better things in the coming year, goodness for everyone, everywhere in every way and in every direction.   We resolve to reconsider counter productive behavior and replace it with productive, positive change. Resolution sounds like revolution which brings to mind uprising, disruption, interruption and hopefully an upgrade and improvement. Resolution equates to determination, drive and can be compared to shifting gears, ramping things-up, "kicking it up a notch" taking it to another level. Gradual, gentle change has it's place but often out of necessity, resolution is the only solution and swiftly, sooner than later. 

Resolution involves clarity, literally single points of color as in pixels on a display monitor rendering sharper definition. It is simple yet complicated, it seems easy enough to declare a resolution, to desire and seek the outcome of good intentions and resolutions. Alas, reality encroaches telling us to forget about it, let it go... it's a losing battle and all the negative, doubtful thinking we slip into before we realize it, we hold ourselves in captivity with our own self-imposed limitations... but yesterday's defeatist attitude is so yesterday.  The really good news is, today is a whole new day, different then the day before. Today and tomorrow hold endless possibilities to take another approach, a turn in a new direction.

Today is another chance to be better than before, gradually, slowly or hustle and hasten to reach a goal. One day at a time we move forward in a good direction with as positive a perspective as possible, in the name of health of mind, body and spirit with strength and courage.