BeChicMag.com

CLARA ROJAS ON BEING KIDNAPPED BY COLOMBIAN GUERRILLA

BeChicMag.com loves passionate and intelligent women. When we heard that Clara Rojas was available to chat about her upcoming book, Cautiva, we jumped at the chance to speak with her. She survived six years of captivity as a hostage of the FARC- a guerrilla group in Colombia. We’re sure you will love her story and be inspired by her courage. So, read on and be motivated to bring about that change you’ve been aching for.

Contributing writer Carolina Baker has the story…

Clara Rojas was kidnapped along with Ingrid Betancourt by the FARC guerrilla group in Colombia on February 23, 2002, while Ingrid Betancourt was campaigning for the Colombian presidency. In 2006, Rojas gave birth to a boy named Emmanuel while in captivity. The father was said to be a FARC guerrilla. He was taken away from her when he was only eight months old. On January 10, 2008, Rojas was freed after six years in captivity. Cautiva is her testimony on her hostage experience. She currently lives in Bogota, Colombia with her son.

BeChicMag: How did writing the book help you cope with your hostage experience, if at all?

Clara Rojas: It helped me face the situation. I was able to write about my traumatic experience. It was helpful to divide my experience into chapters. At the same time, I was able to distance myself from that experience. The book helped me realize that while being kidnapped was painful, it was in the past. And that’s where it belongs.

Is lost time the worst thing that this experience has brought upon you?

Sadly, it is. Nobody is going to give me back that time that I lost.

How is your life different now than before you were kidnapped?

I have a son now. Also, I’ve matured. I’ve grown as a human being. I appreciate life more. I’m more relaxed. Before I was kidnapped, I used to live my life too quickly. I now appreciate the simple things.

What do you hope your book will give to Colombian readers, and what do you hope your book will give international readers?

I want my book to give all readers a conscious. I would like everyone to understand what it’s like to be kidnapped. I want people to feel closer to the kidnapping struggles that Colombians face.

Is there anything that Colombians can do to help provide some relief to hostages held by the guerrillas?

From my experience, reaching out to the Colombian radio stations helps a lot. As a hostage, I used to look forward to the messages that my family sent me through the radio stations. Writing letters to the government is also an important way to be active. Praying a lot also helps. I just got back from Italy, where I was visiting Pope Benedict XVI. I asked him to pray for the release of the 750 + hostages that are still in the depths of the Colombian jungle. Being out of captivity, I’ve made it a point to support the family members that still have loved ones in the jungle. I’ve attended rallies against the FARC. I’ve also voiced my opinions to the Colombian government as to how we should go about liberating the remaining hostages. I attend forums and am available to people that need me.

Do you experience guilt because you were freed and many others still remain in the jungle?

I don’t have guilt. I have made it my mission to assist in anyway that I can in releasing the remaining hostages. The FARC should be the ones full of guilt.

How did you enjoy the book-writing process?

I liked it. I’ve always enjoyed writing. With this book, I had the opportunity to take my writing to the next level, and it felt great. Obviously, I relived some of my most difficult moments, but it was therapeutic to put it all on paper. I’m thinking about writing a second book.

If there’s any advice that you could give BeChic readers, what would it be?

Be more conscious of your life and of your choices. When you’re in a rut, don’t give up. You can and will succeed in whatever you put your mind to.

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Clara’s book is currently available in Spanish and will soon be available in English. She will be touring the states upon publication of the English version of her book. To purchase the Spanish version, click here.   - Carolina Baker

NO MORE SUCKING IN
BeChic Shopping Blogger Arleny Genao finds another must-have 

Buying the face moisturizer that promises more youthful looking skin, trying that new “it” hair cut and following the latest fashion trends, are a few things that we as women do to try and look our best. Let’s face it. We all have our days when it’s just not working quite right and those trendy outfits we love so much, aren’t fitting well. So we whip out the fat jeans (come on, we ALL have a pair!) But BeChicMag.com came across an inexpensive solution that will do the sucking in for you. With DuMi Shapewear Lingerie, you can say goodbye to those fat jeans and be worry-free the next time you wear a satin dress.

Unlike traditional shape-wear, DuMi’s collection is designed like lingerie so you get the support you need with a little sexy touch.

DuMi Shapewear Lingerie is lightweight and comfortable and 100% organic! If your concerns consist of love handles, muffin tops or back fat, then DuMi Shapewear Lingerie should be a part of your wardrobe essentials! For information on where to purchase visit Du-Mi.com. Until next time, stay chic! - Arleny Genao

BeChicMag.com speaks with Shecky’s President
We spent a night of pure beauty indulgence in the historic Puck  Building at Shecky’s Beauty Night Out.  Shoppers waited for their chance to buy and sample products despite a line that started at the entrance and went around the block!

While browsing through Shecky’s award winning “Beauty At Its Best” brands and receiving goodies from different vendors,  women from all walks of life enjoyed unlimited complimentary cocktails from favorites like Madori and Skyy Infusions.

In addition to getting our very own goodie bag- worth a $125 value- we had the pleasure of speaking with Shecky’s President Claudia Chan. Check out our exclusive one-on-one interview with the beauty expert herself below! - Simply Bijoux

If you missed Beauty Night Out, Shecky’s Girls Night Out is only days away so register today.

October is breast cancer awareness month. Rebecca Taylor, one of our favorite designers, made a special silk ruffle blouse to raise funds for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation – an organization dedicated to raising awareness and funding research aimed at this aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Approximately 15% of breast cancer cases are classified as triple negative, most often occurring in younger women and African-Americans.

When a woman is diagnosed with triple negative, it means the cancer is negative for estrogen, progesterone, and HER-2 hormone receptors, making most common breast cancer treatments ineffective. The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation was established in honor of Nancy Block-Zenna, a woman who was diagnosed at age 35 with triple negative breast cancer and died 2 1/2 years later. TNBCF’s mission is to raise awareness of triple negative breast cancer and to support scientists and researchers in their effort to determine the causes of triple negative breast cancer, so that effective prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved.

The best part about this fashionable pink silk blouse? Rebecca Taylor feels strongly about finding a cure for this unique subtype of breast cancer so 100% of the proceeds go directly to TNBC. The blouse retails for $225 and is available exclusively at Shopbop. - Carolina Baker