Memories.

"Be Yourself; Everyone Else is Already Taken"
-Oscar Wilde

Ok, so, this combination of photos may appear to be strange (it's not, really). This morning on my morning drive Mc Hammer's "Can't Touch This" came on. And, oh, did the memories come flooding in. You see this picture of me above? My momma allowed me to pick out my own outfits. She figured that as long as I was dressed (you know, not running around naked) then it did not matter if my clothes matched. I questioned her parenting and her response to me was, and I quote, "Renata, you have no idea the degree of the tantrum you would throw if you weren't allowed to choose your own clothes". Me, throw a tantrum? As if! Ok, maybe just a stomp of the foot here and a little whining there. Hey, hey,  it turned out to be a GREAT thing (just a little tid-bit of my momma's contribution to my individuality).

Well, here is the funny thing. I was obsessed (and this is an understatement) with Mc Hammer's song as a child. And, I was even MORE obsessed with his snazzy little dance move. Um, I think they called it the "Running Man". I literally incorporated the "Running Man" into every routine. All the time. Everywhere. Yes, everywhere. My parents thought it was "cute" and they would ask me to show my moves to all their friends. And, I LOVED it.  I'm sure if youtube had existed during those days I would have been a sensation. Picture it. That girl, those curls, that outfit, those shoes, bustin' a move. Hilarious.  

And, today, when that song came on, the inner child came out. 

I busted a move. 

 If you had the privilege of being parked next to my car (I am not the owner of window tints) you are welcome.

xoxo

Beginnings.

"This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning"
-Winston Churchill

Doors. There is just something about doors that astounds me. Small doors, big doors, wooden doors, metal doors, glass doors. ALL DOORS. To me, doors represent opportunities. A path unseen, a path untaken, a path filled with possibilities. 

This is perhaps, one of my favorite pictures taken in a little town in Cozumel, Mexico. It reminded me of the secret garden and left me wondering who were the people living on the other side? Who were the people that held the key to the lock? Who were the people that walked through the threshold? Of course, my imagination went wild. However, this picture, here, today, represents something different. A walk into the unknown. 

Today, in my own small part of the universe, I took a walk of my own. And, it was thrilling. I expected to be nervous, anxious, overwhelmed. Yet, those emotions did not overcome me. What I felt was freedom. 

Beginnings aren't scary. Beginnings are exciting. Endings aren't scary. Endings are exciting. Because with every ending there is a new beginning. A fresh start. A blank canvas. And, today, TODAY, was marvelous. 

Somewhere along the frustration, suffocation and entrapment, I found an escape.  A door was opened. The lock unlocked. And, with my shiny black slipper I took a step. A step into the unknown. Wish me luck!

xoxo

To my Daddy.

Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

celine dion

Happy Father's Day.

Daddy, thank you. You have dared me to be better than I could possibly have imagined myself to be. You have made me a better person. You've taught me humility and compassion.You've taught me to stand tall, to never give up and to always be proud of who I am. You've taught me the difference between confidence and arrogance. You've taught me honesty. You've taught me to listen. You've taught me respect.  And, you've taught me to love.

   I know that it hasn't always been easy. I know that this road has been tough. I know that you gave up so much of yourself to give me what you thought was best. And, I could never thank you enough. I owe who I am to you.

I am proud of saying that I am your daughter.

Home, Sweet Home!

Ahh, even though I always love to travel, meet new people, eat new foods, enjoy new cultures, etc. there is just something absolutely magical about being home. Home. Especially, when you share that home with someone as incredible as my husband (yes, I went cheesy to the supreme).

So, for the husband's birthday we took a little trip to Puerto Rico. And, it was amazing. AMAZING! So incredibly amazing that going back to work felt more like torture (the kind you get your nails pulled one by one with no anesthesia).
The pictures below are just a glimpse of the incredible time we shared.

Take me back.....