Hot Child in the City.

"Hot child in the city, runnin' wild and lookin' pretty".
-Nick Gilder

I yearn for the city, the city yearns for me.  If it weren't for the husbands negative outlook on cold weather, well, adios Florida.  Okay, perhaps living in a box also throws me off, a little, just a little (okay, maybe a lot, where would I put my shoes?).  However, I am a city girl at heart (born in Sao Paulo, baby!).  It's imprinted in my DNA, burned in my soul.  My heart was left in the city (if you find it, mail it back, thanks).  Oh, everything about New York City calls to me. The hustle and bustle, even the pushing and shoving, I love it.  Husband, can we go again?  Please?  The pictures below are just some snapshots of three different times I've been to the city.  If it were up to me I'd leave the warm sunshine for the chilly city in a heart beat.  I would, I would.  However, right now, this moment Florida is home for me (just lay off the humidity, kay, thanks).  But, when I close my eyes, for a simple second I can pretend I'm in the city that never sleeps.  I can pretend I'm walking through the park, sipping on a latte (decaf, obviously) and biting into my delicious cupcake.  I can pretend I'm bundled in my coat, warmed up by my infinity scarf, glancing down at my boots.  I can do all of this because that is what dreams are made of.  Until next time, Manhattan.

xoxo

Best falafels in the Village.

A smooch in the park//Greenwich Village

Times Square

My favorite picture, ever.

I have a thing for the Park, as you can see.

Rockefeller Tree

Insert title here.

Happy Friday! Even though it is almost, super close, to almost being over, I hope you enjoyed your very wished for day (at least to most of you).

For a time I always felt like I could never write something unless it were pages and pages long.  I was wrong.  As it turns out I actually enjoy writing short stories.  I think I may make a point of writing at least one short story a month.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Below you will find another one of my own.  And, though it has been written for quite some time, I never could give it a title.  It was just one of those things that never seemed right.  Nothing seemed to fit.  The story just was.  So, untitled it will remain.

xoxo

It had been days, weeks, since she last heard his voice. And, there, on that rainy afternoon in the faintest of sounds she heard him call to her. Was she dreaming? Possibly. No, there it was again. “Raquel, Raquel, I'm here”, he spoke. The yearning in his voice made her melt. Had she forgotten? No. The pain was too real, too fresh. He had made his choice. He hadn't chosen her. With flowing tears she turned and walked away. She chose her dignity.

I believe in...

"Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate."
-Charles M. Schulz

In chocolate.  More precisely, chocolate and peanut butter.  Chocolate is other worldly, heavenly, magical.  All it takes is one bite and the world's troubles swirl away.  Lifted into the air and carried away by the mocha scented breeze.  World peace.  Perhaps, the answer to the problems of the world is chocolate.  There are times that the most simple things are the answer to life's most complicated questions.  If there are two things in this life I cannot live without, those things are chocolate and Chapstick.  Okay, maybe I cannot live without three things. Chocolate, Chapstick and the Husband (not necessarily in that order, maybe).  

I believe...

"I have just been elected Captain of the Nap Squad. It's a very exhausting position."
-Jarod Kintz

In naps. Wondrous, marvelous, magnificent naps.  Ten minutes, fifteen minutes, twenty minutes (dude, I don't discriminate).  The Barbosas, we are nappers.  The husband is a Santos.  The Santos' are not nappers (crazy, I know).  A couple of weeks ago the husband and I were preparing to have one of those incredibly long days.  You know, the one where your day starts at five in the morning and ends at around three, in the morning?  Like I said, one of those days.  So, being the awesome wife that I am, I said, "Why don't you finish your errands take a nice shower and nap before dinner".  And, his response, and I quote, was, "Babe, I do not nap.  I just can't, it doesn't happen."  Clearly, I thought he was insane.  I said to him, "Dude, what do you mean you don't nap?".  Yes, he calls me Babe, yes, I call him Dude.  No, we aren't from California.  I on the other hand full heartedly believe that naps should be included in our daily routine (why can't I work for google?).  If you ever encounter me on a sleepless day, trust me, you will understand.  No, it isn't an "older" person thing.  For as long as I can remember I have always been madly in love with naps.  In elementary school I'd come home from school skip afternoon cartoons to take a nap.  In middle school I'd forego the neighborhood kickball game to take a nap.  In high school I'd take a nap in the car on my way to school and then on my way home from school (don't worry, I was not the one driving, duh).  In college I'd use the study cubby at the library to, what would you know, nap?  You see, this girl right here, she's a napper.  There are days where I just want to come home take a hot shower and lay on my couch.  Our couch, well, it was made for napping.  When a movie is just a tad bit boring I'll nap right through it (those naps last a good two hours, delicious).  I'm still putting lots of consideration into making "nap time" a suggestion at work.  It's worth a try, right?  And, in keeping my word with being more "open", above are two photos taken by the sweet husband during one of my naps.  Such good form, don't you think?  Pillow held close, one leg in, one leg out (I was originally completely covered with the sheet, the husband decided to take a before and after, I didn't wake up through that either).  Did I mention I can nap under any circumstance?  Well, I can.  Lights on, lights off, television on, television off, thundering, lightening, world collapsing, it just does not matter.  You can't get between a girl and her nap time.  No, no, no.  That individual who coined the phrase, "You only sleep when you're dead", obviously doesn't have the napping skills I possess.  Napping is like milk, it does the body good.  And, like hot showers it is a cure all in my book.  Try it sometime.  See how it feels.  Ease into it.  Allow yourself to fully be consumed by the power of nap.  You will not regret it.

xoxo

To staying true.

Staying true to myself has proven incredibly difficult these last few years.  A precise, clear, very thought out future thrown out the window.  A young girl left stranded in the deserted island that is herself.  A story for another time.

Vulnerability is a funny thing, ya know?  Putting my life on display like this.  Not-like-me-at-all.  Yet, here we are.  Here we are.  And, I figured, if I am going to be candid, well, I-am-going-to-be-candid.  No holding back. Prepare yourself, my friends.

I never felt truly comfortable in having anyone read what I wrote.  Self doubt seemed to always cloud my decision to be open.  It was always personal, private, mine.  However, it is a new year.  Today I am throwing comfortable out the window.  Good-bye, comfortable!  Adios, Ciao, Tchau!  No kiss good-bye, no farewell fiesta, simply good riddance.

A short story from yours truly, I hope you enjoy (and be nice, okay?).

xoxo

“A Momma for Gia”

She awoke, eyes still closed, mind unaware. The air was hot, stifling, where-was-she? Suddenly, it came to her. Pulse quickening, heart racing. She opened her eyes. He was gone. Entwined between her perfectly manicured fingers lay his tie. There was a noise at the door. What was that? Her sweet, sweet giggle. His favorite, her favorite,their favorite, sound. She arose, patted down her black, black dress and faced her reflection. Pale, numb, weak, she murmured, “Gia, momma is coming”.

The Ziggle Dilemma.

"Dogs never bite me.  Just humans."
-Marilyn Monroe

Remember in the last post how I briefly mentioned Ziggy's absolutely ridiculous haircut?  Well, here is proof.  Tangible evidence of the husband's lack of grooming skills.  Clearly, poor Mr.Ziggles doesn't know what to think.  Good thing we don't have any life sized mirrors down stairs and my bebe doesn't have to see his own reflection.  The husband, the poor husband, he thought he was helping the Ziggles?  He constantly goes on and on about how it is so much better for the hair not to be in his eyes.  But, dude, that is his thing.  Like a pirate with his eye patch.  Like the Biebs with his own slick do.  And, this picture above.  Don't you just feel so broken hearted for the travesty that is his new do?  Let me tell you.  For a ball of fluff that thoroughly enjoys being the center of attention, this doggy hates pictures.  It took me ten minutes and about 20 something different photo capturing attempts to FINALLY nail this gem.  As soon as Ziggy Marley takes one quick glance at a camera or an i-phone he goes into an instant frenzy.  "No pictures, please."  "Take that thing out of my face, you, you, human."  For the outsider, watching, it is all quite entertaining.  I have a dozen photos of Ziggy's tush, his licorice colored nose and beady eyes.  Because, whenever I feel like I am about to take a good one he jumps, moves, turns around.  He has no regards for my photographic abilities, or the potential that lies in the artistic shots that may come of his cute little face.  None.  Selfish, that is exactly what the Ziggles is.  Must take after someone in this family.  And, not this someone, if you know what I mean.  And then he looks at you with this face, like the one below.  And, even though he's eaten more pairs of shoes than you'd like to remember, even though he barks incessantly at nothing while he stares out the window, even though he pukes on your spankin' new rug and pees underneath the dining room table, well, you just can't help but love him.  Squeeze and hold him close as you dance around the living room, love him.  Because who else runs to you and sits on the bathroom rug while you use the restroom?  Nobody, that is who, nobody.  Except for Ziggy.  He's a good one that ball of fluff.  Stinky breath and all.  So, Ziggles, we will ride this wave of funky hair style together.  Just you and I, and maybe, maybe, we'll laugh about it someday, or maybe today, lets laugh today, because, honestly, you look funny, and by funny I mean funny looking.

xoxo

2013, Moving Forward!

"Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering 'it will be happier'..."
-Alfred Tennyson

We would like to wish you and yours a very happy new year!  May 2013 bring magic and fabulousness to all.  We rang in the new year just like I had wished.  Peacefully.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  I think I am getting too "mature" for the craziness of new year's eve.  Mature as in old.  Craziness as in loud and drunk people.  And, if you had a little mishap at the beginning of your year at least you aren't the Ziggles.  Ziggy Marley had to ring in the new year with an eclectic, um, ridiculous haircut.  Good thing the husband doesn't aspire to become a pet groomer.  Ziggy, I am sorry!

Unlike many others I am not one for resolutions.  All I would like for this new year is to become the best version of myself possible.  To become a better wife, a better daughter, a better sister and a better friend.  I want to keep learning more and more about myself.  When I stop to reflect I realize that everyday I learn something new.  The more I learn the more I want to discover.  Who knew that being an adult isn't all that bad.  Recently I read in one of the blogs I follow (I can't remember which, sorry) that "comparison is the thief of joy".  I could not agree more.  When you compare your lives to others you forget to live your own life.  You rob yourself of YOUR happy moments.  And there is not one thing that can replace those.  I hope that all the days of 2013 may bring you joy, good health and success.  Don't allow yourself to be hung up on what could have been.  Those days are in the past, leave them there.  Be grateful, be humble and most importantly be compassionate.  Not everyone is as blessed as you are.

Something inside of me tells me that the best is yet to come.  Something inside me tells me that this year will be absolutely wonderful.  Something inside me tells me that this year will be the catalyst to all the wonderful blessings waiting right around the corner.

May your home be warm and filled with love this year, because, love truly does make the world go round.

xoxo