Change is the only constant

No truer words have ever been spoken. Nearly 6 weeks since my last post and so much has changed in my life since my move. Thankfully, all good changes.

Here's what's happened in the past 6 weeks or so:

• My roommates: Monica and Ava. Both girls are sweet as pie. Ava has quickly become one of my closest girlfriends and I can easily see as my best friend for possibly a life time. I've never had a connection with a girlfriend quiet like the one I have with Ava. She's my girl and I adore her. Monica - we had it out with each other maybe 4 weeks after I moved it. It wasn't a terrible fight but I did say things that were hurtful. I had become very frustrated with her mostly because we have very different was of living. Very different. But we talked and we're the better for it. Kind broke the ice between us. Now we know how to live together so that we're both happy. She's sweet and wildly funny. Endearing. I'm happy to say we all live happily and peacefully together. This alone is a small miracle I think. It's not easy to live with anyone.
• Food: I gave up my daily morning cup of coffee. Yes it can be done. It was difficult the very first week. I took Motrin when needed but after the first week I was fine. I have a cup every so often but it's not a full on addiction. I used to have 2 cups a day. Sometimes 3 and I had tension in my shoulders and back that I never could get rid of. Bye bye coffee, bye bye shoulder and back pain. My 4pm chocolate attacks also vanished as well has my late night ice cream cravings. I have lost 8lbs and counting :) I have also made the switch to Organic everything. I'll go into that in another post.
• Mom: My mom moved in with me this weekend. This will take adjusting but I do love having her around. She moved up from FL and is already adapting to NY very well. I have one brave mama. She's started her job hunt already. More on this to come I'm sure.
• Career: I have always dreamed of being running my own company. I've already taken steps in that direction. More on that too later.

I have a laptop now so I'll be back to posting. I'll be commenting on your blogs as well very soon. I've missed you all!

Just a quick note

Hello. It's me. Yes, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I have limited Internet access so that is why the lack of posts. In case you were wondering. I'll be back soon. Shopping for a new laptop in the very near future. Hope you're doing well. Bye for now =o)

Book in Review: Little Bee - A Novel, by Chris Cleave

I was captured by the main character Little Bee by page 2. This book lives up to all it's praises. Chris Cleave is an impressive writer. I will be looking for his other books to add to my reading list. I highly recommend this book! It's is a beautiful story. {image source}

Currently reading: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Quote of the Day

I must learn to love the fool in me--
the one who feels too much,
talks too much,
takes too many chances,
wins sometimes and loses often,
lacks self-control,
loves and hates,
hurts and gets hurt,
promises and breaks promises,
laughs and cries.
It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant
whom I also harbor and who would rob me of
human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool.

-- Theodore I. Rubin, MD

Counting my many blessings

I have plenty to be grateful for. I have to focus on those things now more than ever. When I allow myself to think about all that I have lost in this move, it breaks my heart. I fight back tears as I write this...

I'm grateful for:

• Summer! The weather was amazing this weekend.
• I live with the sweetest roommates. We get along so wonderfully. We spent all of Sunday together. All weekend we've been so helpful to one another with moving and settling in. We have great chemistry.
• My puppy. He's been so good about the move. He reads me so well it honestly astonishes me. I'm so in love with him!
• I now live only a few blocks from one of my dearest girlfriends. We went for a long walk yesterday and caught up on the latest. I love her dearly and I've missed her. I'll be seeing much more of her now.
• Puppy friends. My roommates each have a dog of their own. One is a puppy Puggle and the other a senior Lhasa Apso mix. My puppy has company and playmates while we're all away at work. It's such a relief to have this setup. We're a team when it comes to our babies and having that kind of support is priceless.
• I am fortunate to live in a beautiful area of Queens. It is so green and lush. Tree-lined streets and beautiful gardens everywhere. I'll be posting pics soon. I look forward to walking my puppy and going for jogs just for scenery.
• Neighborhood is so convenient! Shops and restaurants only a few blocks away!
• My room came with a functioning air-conditioner. One less thing for me to buy.
• It's my mama's birthday today. I would be lost without her. I am so grateful to have her with me still.

Happy Saturday!! Movin Day for me =o)

TODAY is moving day. The last day of this chapter in my life. Bittersweet kind of day really. Well I better get going with my day.

Wanted to share with you this really awesome wedding invitation I came across last night, originally posted on A CUP OF JO. It's definetly worth the re-post.

Enjoy!

Some design inspiration for my new room =o)

Yes, I haven't even moved it yet (tomorrow!!) and I'm already thinking of how I want to setup my new room!! This is one thing I've missed and craved for from my single years - MY OWN ROOM! Oh how I've missed you!

Things I want to take from this first photo:

• A sassy little bench at the foot of the bed, small coffee table. I love the idea of 2 seats facing the bed but don't think my room is large enough for it. We'll see.
• 2 nightstands 2 lamps, bookshelves on each side - I like.
• I love the drapes around the bed, mine would be white. Love the idea! Drama!

I love the blue wall in this picture. That shade a blue is so beautiful. Still toying around with different color shades but this one is definetly a contender. Just the back wall of the room but it would serious give it that sexy sophisticated look I crave for my space.

Pictures of my new apartment will be coming soon!

{Images from elledecor.com}

30 things to do before 30 (8 months!!)

Inspired by the ever so fabulous Samiantha of BEING SAMIANTHA, I decided that I too wanted to create a list of the things I've been meaning to do. I've set myself a deadline of my 30th birthday so as not to be tempted to procrastinate for all of eternity. That means I have only 8 months to complete everything on my list!

Here goes:

1. Take a salsa class


2. Get a facial


3. Get a message


4. Take a photography class


5. Write up a career plan


6. Read 30 new books (2 down, 1 in progress)


7. Pay off all my old debt


8. Find the perfect shade of lipstick


9. Buy the perfect everyday perfume


10. Take a personal finance class


11. Find the perfect body lotion


12. Come up with a facial regimen i can stick to


13. Make 5 new girlfriends (2 down, 3 more to go)


14. Take a hip-hop dance class


15. Get my driver's license


16. Go see a dentist


17. See a Broadway show


18. See a comedy show


19. Dine at 30 new restaurants


20. Buy tickets to see the Nutcracker ballet


21. Plan a picnic in Central Park


22. Stay in a Bed n Breakfast in Vermont


23. Complete a set of self portraits that I'm happy with


24. Buy a high quality photo scanner


25. Take a Photoshop class


26. Try 30 new recipes


27. Do 30 military push ups straight


28. List 30 life lessons


29. List 30 things I'm grateful for


30. Find someone to teach me how to play soccer

Now I may tweek this list as time progresses. This is what I could come up with just this morning. I'm excited about all these things that I've been meaning to do and finally getting around to doing them! I'll keep you posted as I check them off my list =o)

Photo Source

Fuss to be had!

Ideya Latin Bistro

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Flor de Sol

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It's incredible to me how agile my mind is this early in the morning. It's so early that I think my writer's block is still asleep. I'm an unusual creature. I truly love these early morning starts. It feels like my days are much longer and I get so much more done.

2 things I've been thinking more prominently about of lates:

• My 30th birthday
• My mom's 50th birthday

Granted they are both next year, mine in Feb and hers in June, but these are milestone birthdays and making a big fuss is an order! I'm thinking of planning my own 30th birthday party since I enjoy the process so much. UNLIKE my mom, who dreads planning and executing any kind of social gathering. It stresses her out more than it should. So my love of party planning clearly did not come from her.

Anyhow, no one needs to know that I planned my own party. She will be the host on paper, on the invites that is. Just the thought of formal invites gets me all excited. I'm thinking something on a smaller scale like a cocktail party at my favorite restaurant: Ideya Latin Bistro.

Since moving to NY, I've gone to this restaurant everyday year for my birthday. And also for other occasions when I need to be sure the night is near flawless. I need to speak with them soon to get a price for food and for reserving the entire restaurant for a night. It's a very small restaurant so I'm hoping it won't be ridiculous in price.

We'll see. I may also very likely forgo a formal 30th party and just focus on my mom's party. I think I would enjoy her party more anyhow. Just to see her so happy would be worth it.

As for mom's birthday, I will enjoy making all the fuss I can afford! She's hinted at wanting a party for her 50th ever so discreetly but I know she wants a big fuss to be made. I am more than happy to oblige =) It won't be lavish but it will be chic and sophisticated like my mama dearest. The first place that comes to mind is my new favorite Tapas restaurant: Flor de Sol. Pennies need to be saved pronto!

Have a little faith in me

{photo source}

I need to be at work very early this week, so I've been catching the sunrise during my morning commute. This morning as I was waiting for my bus, sipping my coffee, watching the sunrise, I had a revelation.

Maybe I didn't get married because it's not what God has planned for me right now. Not because I don't know how to appreciate a good man and not because I may have commitment issues. Not because our relationship, our love wasn't strong enough and not because I don't want to be married. No. Maybe it's much more simple. I'm not getting married because it's not what I need be doing right now. And I want to be alone because that's what I need right now. There is no other reason for wanting to be alone except that it's what gives me peace at this moment in my life.

Funny how when I'm doing what I think I should be doing it only makes me miserable. Even if I don't understand why. I suppose this is God's way of nudging me in the right direction. I'm hardheaded so it's taken all this time for me to realize that. I need to have a little more faith in that voice that speaks to my heart.

Book in Review: The Year of the Fog by Michelle Richmond

Though the it is written beautifully, truely, I felt like it dragged on with side stories I didn't find much relevance to the main story. And the ending came up a bit short. Though I don't recommend this book unless the subject hits close to home, I will be looking for more books written by Michelle Richmond. I really enjoyed her style of writing.

Image Source

I am the tortoise

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I just entered the lottery for the NYC marathon this year. Which way to the asylum?
I signed up for running classes which I will be attending every Thursday evening for the next 9 weeks. I need to learn how to stretch and how to train with sorness and... more running stuff.

Should I actually get picked to race this year, this will be the sign that will be held up for me. In no way shape or form am I physically ready to run a marathon BUT I am very enthused. That counts for something, right?! I've heard from friends that the sheer energy of this race is what ultimately gets you through it. Even if you've had minimal training. I'm counting on it.

Breaking News: What I've been up to lately

(Photos from my last vist to our local dog run; my dogs not shown)

• Packing. I'm moving out of my apartment that I share with my ex and moving in with 2 other girlfriends. Moving back to the neighborhood that I absolutely love. More about that later. Moving next weekend.
• Mom didn't move to NY after all. I enjoyed the beaches in Miami instead. That was 2 weeks ago.
• My cousin is getting married in 3 weeks. Mom, Dad and brother will be visting. I need to find a dress to wear for the wedding.
• I've become a bookworm over night. Currently reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Reading has been a great comfort. I love loosing myself in the story. I enjoy these breaks from my own life.

Thank You!

{Image Source}

A special thank you for all of you who read and comment!
Your feedback is immensely appreciated! Thank You!

What inspires you to blog?

Hello fellow bloggers,

I could use your help. I'm having a bit of blogger's block. I have no idea what to write about.

My own posts bore me. Not good.

The thing is I am in fact a very smart, funny, silly, happy and overly enthusiastic person but my writing doesn't reflect it and it bums me out.

My first thought is to write about whatever interests me or whatever happens to be going on... but I want more structure to this blog... more topic based I think. Errr... *sigh*

Does your life sometimes seem uninteresting even to you? How do you get around this?

I want to pour myself into this blog... but I'm not sure how :o(

Any feed back, advice would be great! Thanks in advance! Your blogger in the Making

A doggy dog morning

My furry friends at the dog run this morning. They are so precious.

My pups are the 2 black ones you see in the photos: Bella, black lab mix, Boo, shih tzu/poodle mix. Bella and Boo. The others are their buddy's you happen to be there this morning. And what a beautiful day in NY! The weather - PERFECT! Happy Mothers's Day to all you mothers reading this! I'm visiting my mama this Thursday down in Florida so I'll be celebrating her then.

I'm shooting in RAW finally!! And there is a significant difference in clarity in my shots.

Plus I can edit them to my hearts content without worrying about distortion. Now to just get a mac, and light room and I'll be set to actually polish these shots up and get creative. These shots are straight out of the camera; only a little cropping to flush them neatly against each other.

The House and Cuddy climax tonight!

Finally! House and Cuddy come together for a very steamy sex scene (or something!)

House I've been following off and on but is by far one of my favorite TV series. I love House especially because of his wicked humor! Tonight episode promises to be memorable at the very least! Can't wait!

Emily Giffin's 'love the one you're with'

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It's about a woman at a cross-roads in her life. She comes to a point where she needs to make a choice: give up all that she has with her husband OR be with her significant ex who she has a profound, undeniable physical and emotional connection. The passion depicted on those pages was enough to give me goose bumps but it's no trashy romance novel. I also love that once you think you know what's going to happen next she surprises you (the author).

I love how this book wrote up each man as two amazing but very different men making her choice that much more difficult. She loves them both. The main character: I felt all the emotions she felt and understood all her rationalizations. I struggled with her.

To add, it details how she became a professional photographer and her love for New York City.

It took me only a few days to go through it. I just could not put it down. And the ending... just when you think she can't surprise you...the choice seems obvious... it's an unexpected ending but one that is ... well I supposed you'll have to read it to find out ;o)

I sobbed as I read the final pages. I cried a good cry because I was with her. I was proud of her. This story has given me hope that I can trust the decisions I've made for myself. This novel is about love but it's also about choice and having faith in the choices that we make for ourselves.

It's about being true to yourself.

Puppy's first trip to the beach

This series of photos is my favorite of the 400+ photos I took last week at the Doggy birthday beach party. It was a perfect day to be at the beach and we all had a blast. This is my cousin's 4 month yellow lab. It was her first visit to the beach and the first time she went swimming.

It was a thrill to watch her.

I love dogs. Truely. More pics to come of my favorite four-legged, furry friends.

Babies and Puppies = Picture Perfect

Just a sample of the Doggy Beach Party =o)

Will post more photos soon!

Astor Place and Union Square

Spontaneous shooting! I've been carrying around my little compact camera (Sony Cybershot)and brought it out whenever I saw anything that interested me. It's with this camera that I discovered my love for photography and hadn't taken it out since getting my beautiful DSLR Nikon D80. Had lots of fun just casually shooting as I went about my day and night :)

Cityscapes: Central Park in the Spring

How New Yorkers do Spring

Random thoughts

It's been a bit quite on the home front... maybe you've noticed ;o)

My daily grind: Wake up early, go to the gym, go to work, work, run home, stick something in my mouth and go to bed. This has been the bulk of my everyday. Pretty dull. But that's not a bad thing. I was in much need of dull. Not enough of it can make a girl a little nutty.

The dust has finally settled from post wedding planning, personal life falling to pieces and moving out from home to live with crazy roommates, big blowout fight with crazy roommate and then moving back with ex to help each other out... dull is a welcome change of pace.

But still. I'm getting bored here.

So to shake things up again, I'm starting to gravitate towards what had held my attention before I was engaged: Photography! I love, love photography and it was my primary focus before I found myself in the midst of all things wedding. I'm excited to be getting back to it. You'll see more of my amateur attempts. I'll be focusing on landscape/New York for the most part.

Come May, my mama is moving up from Florida to come live with me in NY. Me and my mom have a great relationship and I'm excited about her moving here. I'm still trying to figure out if living together is the best idea for me, even though it's simply the most practical. Rent is expensive and sharing a 2 bed room will give me more of what I want versus if I tried to find a studio for myself...but still. Do I want to live with anyone at all? I'm not sure. We'll see how this pans out later. Seems to be the latest trend in my circle. 2 other girlfriends are moving in with their mom to save money. Maybe it's just a sign of the times.

Other things to look forward to in the near future:

• Doggy birthday I'm taking the kids (my dogs) to at the end of this month! It will make a great photo opt and I think it promises to be fun and hilarious. My cousin's dog is turning 10 and she is throwing him a beach birthday party. Too cute!
• My cousin's bridal shower! I am so excited for her! She's getting married this summer.
• My little brother is graduating from college and my cousin (I have lots of cousins) is graduating from med school! Much to celebrate!

Stay tuned ;o)

Unapologetically me

"If you want to improve, be content with being thought of as foolish and stupid" ~ Epictetus

I need reminders like these to put my doubts to a subtle whisper from their usual overpowering roar.

I live with my ex still. I've been helping him get back on his feet from his bout of unemployment. And during this time, we simply live in the present. Many times we carry on as though nothing has changed. We call this time 'savoring' the time we have left with each other. We love each other very much. We love our life together.

In the weeks to come, I'll start saving up what I need to move out on my own. I'm both excited and scared about the whole thing. And to top, I question if I'm doing the right thing. "Couldn't I do whatever it is that I need to do right here, with him?" No, I just don't think so.

I have come to realize that my great dissatisfaction has nothing to do with my sweet, loving, ex but with myself. I want to be more authentic. I want to be unapologetically me. And this I need to do on my own. I need to go down this road. This is simply what I need... even though sometimes I wish it weren't true.

April: "Bring it!"

This morning walking into the ladies locker room after my morning run, I came across a flyer advertising the April Body of Work Challenge. My gym, Crunch, is sponsoring this and is offering a Year Membership as the grand prize.

The challenge: workout for 26 days in the month of April = 6 days a week, 1 day rest AND blog about each day at http://www.socialworkout.com/.

Me thinks: I'm working out and blogging anyway and here is a challenge to keep me motivated for all of April. Why not? Bring It!

To keep me (and you) interested, I am going to further challenge myself to try new workouts, new ways to bust my ass and get in shape. This way I won't be bored with my own posts (not cool).

Everyone one is jumping on board! What are you waiting for?! Sign Up!

My feet in Brooklyn

A beautiful but hazy Saturday! I took plenty of pics! Here are two favorites so far. I'll tell you all about my Saturday in the next post, promise!

First picture is the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Dumbo, Brooklyn. I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge today from City Hall. It's such a a great walk with awesome views. The bridge itself is gorgeous! The second picture is of the Manhattan Bridge from the same State Park.

Vinyasa Yoga seriously kicked my arse

I had never taken a yoga class before. On Thursday morning, I was at the gym feeling sluggish and getting bored. A Vinyasa Yoga class was about to start so I thought it would at least keep me interested and give me a good stretch.

I take of my shoes and socks ( I love being bare foot!!) and grab a yoga mat. I'm very animated so the instructor picked right away that this was my first time. She came over and introduced herself and told me that this was an 'Open Level' class ~ all levels but mostly advanced. I thought to myself "Leave it to me to take an advanced Yoga class for my first time". But I'm so glad it was! It not only gave me the stretch I desperately needed but it kept me engaged. It was challenging and fun! It felt awesome!

I left the class with muscles trembling but I was relaxed and refreshed. What a phenomenal class!! I see why there are so many Yoga junkies! In the woman's locker room, some of the ladies in the class asked me how I liked it. I told them I loved it and couldn't believe how challenging it was. They told me I did great for it being my first time (so nice to hear!). I was very focused on how to do the poses correctly. I was truly fascinated. It was like no other class I had ever taken. I think Yoga is just what I need in my life right now - for my body and soul.

Photo source: Here

First Week of Spring in New York

Here are my favorite shots of my walk in the park this afternoon. I love the park but today I just wasn't inspired. After my walk, I headed downtown to an arepa bar called Caracas. The last picture is a shot of a bit of their wall art reflected in a mirror. Happy Saturday!

Mission: Look Good Naked!

I've been on a mission to improve my health and to feel my very best since late last year. The goal: To feel and look incredible by my next birthday - the big 30! Today, I did something awesome towards that goal! I'm officially a member of Crunch!

I didn't realize how desperate I was for a change in gym until I walked into this place. Everything else seems so dull in comparison. They have a location right by where I work so I thought to check it out since I had heard raves about their very interesting group classes. After a walk around, it had lived up to my expectations. The place screams - Different and Fun!

I'm so psyched to try a few of their classes this week:

Tomorrow - I'm meeting a personal trainer for half hour during my lunch break (yep I signed up for a few of those too!!) Then after work, I'll be taking their R&B Lounge class (their descript)- "From Stevie Wonder to Alicia Keyes, this class features the most soulful artists to move you through a smooth set of rhythm and blues choreography." Does that even sound like a workout?! Sounds like a whole lot of fun!

Wednesday - I want to try their Cardio Tai Box class - "A high energy; high impact blend of kicks and punches set to upbeat music. This class is the perfect combination of martial arts, boxing and cardiovascular training." Sounds like "Bye, bye flab!" to me!

Thursday - Gonna try The Ride &Abs - this is their spin class with an ab workout thrown in. Awesome!

Classes on my list to try next week: Pole Dancing, Virgin Yoga, Rockstar Pilates, Knockout Boxing. I couldn't be more excited!

Probably will go for a run in the park on Saturday if the weather is nice. Friday and Sunday are my laziest days of the week so they default as my Rest days. I'm figuring with these awesome classes, plus my runs, PT sessions here and there... I'll be sizzling hot by summer's end!!

I promised myself this year that I would take care of myself and that I would put my health as my #1 priority. It's mid-March so I'm doing alright so far. Next year I'll be 30 and I want to feel my very best.

Photo Source: Here

Confessions of a Sephorista

So I'm not perfect... but no one needs to know that ;o)

I want to share with you all gorgeous babes a few new tricks I have in my makeup bag to looking flawless! I rate all these products a perfect 10! They do just what they promise... and how often does that happen?!

I adore going into Sephora. Makes me feel like a kid in a candy store! But at the same time... I'm like "Where do I even begin?!" But that's part of the fun too! Sephora lets you try to your heart's content AND they let you return it if you are not completely satisfied (love this!!). I swear this is not a sponsored post...haha! I just heart Sephora!

So here are a few of my must haves:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - All you need is a dab and it leaves your skin super silky! I love this stuff!! It does exactly what it says!


Benefit Erase Paste concealer - This stuff is awesome! I have always had a battle with dark circles under my eyes (shh...our little secret...) and have tried a boat load of products to no real satisfaction. This paste doesn't make them disappear all together but it's the closeset I've ever come. However, if you are trying to hide that blemish... It erases it!! It's creamy, light and blends really easily. Never feels heavy. I don't do heavy. Highly recommend it!

Benefit Eye Bright - Wow. What a difference it makes! I try my very best to get my beauty sleep but some nights it's just not possible. It's like a magic stick for tired eyes!

Benefit Coralista - The most perfect blush for this spring and summer! It blends perfectly into you skin and gives you a natural glow. I put it on my cheeks and eye lids for that 'I'm so happy I could pop' look! Really, really nice!! Plus if comes in a really funky box =0)

Photos from Sephora.com

Boo's first day at the park

This is my puppy Boo. He is a Shih tzu/Poodle mix pup and is 5 months old. Yesterday was the warmest winter day this year so I decided he was old enough to go to the park and play with any dogs that might be there. He had so much fun! He came home filthy but it was well worth it. He didn't really ever stop running the entire time we were there so getting good shots of him was especially difficult.

This first shot is a Before... this is how he looks like before he rolls in the mud and grass...haha!

This is how my precious looks when he's at home.


This is an action shot of him post rolling in mud and grass. This was pretty much him the entire time =o). Running!

A walk in the park

It was a warm winter day in New York.

Cloudy, hazy and warm.

I thought I would just go with it and get a few shots of Central Park in the winter.

These are my favorites.