Family First

Photo Challenge Day 27- A picture of you and a family member...

Today, I am posting a picture of me with my 2 wonderful brothers. These pictures where taken the day of my wedding, the only one wedding of the 3 of us that we all attended.

When my brother Mau got married in Costa Rica back in 2003, at the time I was living in Mexico and I wasn't able to attend their wedding. The, for my brother Gian's wedding in Costa Rica back in 2005, my brother Mau and his wife were unable to attend.

So, I was very happy and grateful to God for giving them both the opportunity to come to mine and we were all together!!!

From Left to Right: Mauricio, Me and Gianfranco

Both my brothers are great people, we have always been really good friends from when we were little kids, during hard times, happy times, party times and anytime I know we are all there for each other no matter what... Although, I will always be "the little sister"!

Have a great Saturday!!!

Foto Friday

Today is day 26 of the photo challenge, wow, time is going by so fast, it's already April 1st and it feels like 2011 is going 200mph, isn't it?

The challenge today calls for a photo of something that means a lot to me, so I've decided to share with you today my most lovable teddy bear from when I was a kid, given to me by my Dad among many others, but this one just simply stole my heart.

He's old, sort of dirty, not very soft anymore but full of all the memories of each night I hold him by my side; because I couldn't sleep, I was scared of some weird noise, or simply because cuddling him meant I was safe and in a wonderful bed.

Now time has passed and although you can see each year on him, that makes him just more special and unique... I believe he came from a carnival stand somewhere in Costa Rica, probably even hand made...

Even his eyes are almost faded completely, his muzzle is almost flat, but I can still see him like brand new, the first time he came into life... When I first led eyes on him, I knew he was here to stay, love u Osito, you mean a lot to me!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Day 25

Post a picture of your day... Well, I am very proud and happy to say that I've jump back on the exercise wagon.

As of yesterday afternoon and this morning I've started using my EA Sports Active: More Workouts on my Wii once again.

step routine this morning on my Wii

When I first bought the first one of this exercise packages back in 2009 I must say it works great, but of course as any other exercise routine/program in order for it to work, you must keep on doing it, as it's not a magic wand, LOL!

At time when I bought it and I did the 30 day challenge I lost about 15 lbs just doing 1/2 hour a day and eating healthy, so trust me, it works.

As of today I am very committed to get back on it full on, and although my back is still not 100% there, I am taking it slow but I am doing at least 20 minutes every day until I am full on... 

So, for anybody out there like me that doesn't feel like joining a gym but rather exercise in the comfort of their own home I really recommend this two Wii platforms,  specially because you can do the 30 day challenge where the systems gives you different routines every day so it's always different, meaning less chance to getting bored with doing the same routine every day...

Have a great day!!!

Photo challenge Day 24

 A picture of something you wish you could change.

I wish I could change people's attitude towards animal cruelty and abuse, a way for us to accept, love and care for every single creature that man created as they are one with the human race.

Unfortunately as far as the photo challenge goes, I don't think there's really a picture that would describe what I would like but I am sure many of you reading my blog for a while know exactly my feeling, right?

Have a wonderful day!

And the award goes to...

Today's photo challenge is to post a picture of my favorite book, in my case such book is "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho.

I have to say this is my favorite book for many reasons; it's easy to read as is more like a fable but it's got a very nice story filled with love, wisdom and even faith. It's also a magical journey that gives us hope to live life and each minute as if we are here to fulfill our own destiny in the best of ways possible. But I specially like it because it's a story that teaches us the very important "skill" of listening to our heart and always follow our dreams.

This book came to my life at the right time and in the right place; back in 1998 in Israel, I just happened to walk into this little book store and there it was, waiting for me and in English (not in Hebrew like most book there were).

After I read the book for the first time I met this Canadian girl (Shari) who traveled with me a bit during my backpacker days in Israel. Well, just after I offered to book to her so she could read it, she got some very bad news from back home so she unexpectedly had to flight back immediately.

At first she didn't want to take it with her, but I told her once she was finished with it, she can always returned to me, and so she did, about 3 years later I got it back in the mail in Costa Rica... Shari, her fiancee (at the time) and her Mom, all read it and loved it, and so my favorite book returned to me again.

10 years later Shari came to Grand Cayman to visit on a cruise ship!

So, if you are looking for a nice, short story, filled with a nice message of love, dreams and hope, this might just be the book... give it a try and enjoy!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Twenty Two Words

Today's photo challenge is to post a photo of something I wish I was better at... Well, I must say that I wish I was a better with the written word, as writing a book has always been one of my biggest desires.

 
Although I think my writing has improved quite a bit since I started this blog, I do wish I had a way with words.

I wish my writing to be so good that the feelings and ideas I have, could transport the reader into a different reality. If the worlds I can create and the experiences I can share through my words, could make others not only enjoy my word but also find themselves understanding exactly what I mean and feel.

As I've mentioned before, English is not my first language, so sometimes I find it hard to stick to correct grammatical "rules" and I find it hard to express exactly what I mean... But still I will not prevail and even if I never really get to write or even publish a book, I will still try to improve my writing every day.

Anybody has some tips for me in how to improve my writing? Maybe somebody knows of some "creative writing" course I could take online? 

I have some pretty good ideas and even one that I think could be a great pixar animation movie... but first I need to really improve. So for anybody out there reading this today, I would appreciate your input on this, thanks!

Have a wonderful day!!! 

Photo Challenge 21

A picture of something you wish you could forget.... No, I don't wish to forget my cat Tica!

Tica, modeling, inquisitive, playful, interested and even trying to drink my coffee.... (click to enlarge).

But, losing Tica was one of the most painful and sad days in my life.


I got Tica (aka Tikis) back in March 2005, she got to me only a couple of weeks old, found by a volunteer for the Humane Society, on the side of the road with her other 3 siblings and her mommy cat killed by a car. 

When I first got her, she didn't even had her eyes open, yet! Now, not only she was my very first cat (although my Mom has one but she was never this small when she got hers, Lea). I didn't know much about taking care of a kitten and specially one so small... 

Thank God for another volunteer, a local lady that was about the leave the island cause of her husband being very ill, gave me food, a kennel to keep her warm and even a book call "An Idiot's Guide To Cats".... I do have to say the name of the book is not the best, but this was a great guide to help through this very important process...


So, yes, Tica was practically my daughter. I had to feed her "kitty formula" with a syringe, "teach" her how to empty her bowels (as a Mother Cat teaches that herself), teach her how to drink water, how to eat food (both wet and dry), so pretty much, teach her how to be a Cat. 

I have to say this was an amazing experience and none of these parts I want to forget...

Anyway, I am not going to get into much details about the tragic and sad day that my lovely Tica disappeared. But I do have to say that the evening of that November day 2006 it's one that I would definitely like to erase from memory, as just the thought of it brings tears to my eyes.

And yes, unfortunately I'm still not over her loss.. I still look for her every time I drive by the area, every time I see a stray cat that looks like her, I can totally see her in their eyes and wish to find her again. 

But I also know that a long time has gone by and that having her back is no longer possible. One thing I am happy is of the fact that during the time she was mine, she got spayed, so at least I know wherever she is, there's no worry that she will end up pregnant and having to take care of more kitties on her own...

"No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch."
- Leo Dworken