call me buttercup

Sometimes I just don't have it in my to post. Lately besides lacking real topics and inspiration, work is adding to the equation, spring break tourists are flooding the streets of George Town so we have been super busy every day.

But in a way, busy means sales and time sure flies when you are having fun, right?

On a different note, I am happy to report that I am totally back on my feet after last week's illness.

I am back on my gym routine and I have to say I am still enjoy it, but it's not getting any easier, in fact now I am doing 3 classes a week and I specially happy to be doing a boxing class on Tuesdays. 

The thing about boxing is that it's a great sport and it specially makes me feel like a "power puff girl", LOL!

So from now on, just call me Buttercup! 

It's been 2 weekend since I've seen my little sister Yanique and I feel pretty bad about that. First weekend I had to work and then after being sick and off work I ended up working again on Saturday.

So, tomorrow I am planning to make it up to her and perhaps take her on a submarine ride or go snorkeling again. I also bought her a book so we can start reading together (as she requested me before) to help her improve her reading skills!

Also this weekend I am very excited about the new movie based on the books "The Hunger Games". After reading the books about a year ago, the wait is over and I am going to try to watch the movie on Sunday. Can't wait and I hope it's going to be good!

Have you read the books? If not, I highly recommend them. 

At first when I started reading the books, I found them kind of weird but then I got caught up in the story and just after a few chapter I could not put them down.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and that the weather is fabulous wherever you are!

W[less]ednesday

photo by Sunshine

getting the shot

The following photo is a very good example of "what the eye see is not necessary what the camera captures".

Sometimes people say that I have "good eye" for taking photos and although that's definitely important to get good results, it's not all that is needed.

And although I am not a profession photographer, I do like to take pictures and I get some fairly good results most of the time.

But when it comes to get excellent results all of the time, it is true that you need more than a "good eye", specially if you are using your manual mode and staying away from the "auto" mode on your camera.

When taking photos we need to learn the basic concepts of photography; lighting and exposure, composition and angles, shutter times, etc, etc, etc... All of these, plus, having a good camera will get you results.

A friend of mine that is a professional photographer once told me that it bothers him when people says to him:

"Your photos are so great, you must have a very good camera". 

And to him that is just a very rude and wrong assumption. To him it's like going for dinner to somebody's house and after the meal saying to the cook;

"Your food was excellent, you must have a very good stove!".

So, that's the point I am trying to make, the camera is important but it's only a device that will take the pictures operated by somebody, right?

The other day while browsing on Pinterest I found this very interesting "cheat sheet" that I think is very helpful for those who would like to lay off the auto setting and venturing into the manual mode (like I do!)...

But, if auto mode is still the best territory for us, we at least have to our advantage, that when we don't get the expected results, we now live in the era of the digital imaging.

Nowadays with just the touch of a button we can delete a picture, re take it or perhaps once we take it and it's not quite what we wanted we can also recur to a program to enhance or retouch it, right?

So, no matter if you use auto or manual mode for your photos, always keep in mind that what the eye sees, will never be quite the same as what the camera captures.

Have a great day and happy photos!

back from nowhere...

After 3 days of rest last week, two shots + antibiotics I have to say that I am feeling like myself again.

Today I am ready to start another busy week and I'm already looking forward to go back to the gym tomorrow Tuesday.

This weekend I worked on Saturday, but it was my own decision as I was away form 3 days and we received a lot of product during the week, while I was away we were very busy and expected Saturday to be the same, but it wasn't.

Yesterday we went to the beach for a little while, it was a very hot day but most of the time we spend it snorkeling. I took my underwater camera and got a few pictures, here are the best of the bunch.

camouflaged flounder

coral head

fish'es!

my hubby

And my favorite of the day...

Elk horn Coral

Also as of this week I am back to my old "crochet self". For a few days now I've been working on what's going to be my next blog giveaway and I am excited about that because it's coming along really nice. During the weekend I also crochet a pair of headphone pads for my husband (which you can see right here).

Since it's spring break the island is quite busy and this week should be no exception, which means, I'm striking for some good sales, have a great Monday!!!

anything but common...

Lately I've been thinking about the term "common sense" A LOT and the reason why I've decided to completely eliminate it off my life.

Why, you might ask? Well let me try to explain myself why.

According to some online sources, the term "common sense" means:

"A Sense which SHOULD be common to everyone. Usually refers to any sort of logic that should be obvious to anyone." via Urban Dictionary

"The basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way." via Cambridge Dictionary

"Sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts". via Merriam Webster dictionary

Now, when I analyze the world we live on nowadays, there's so much hate, envy and many other negative actions done by some many, that I feel this is becoming the common type of thinking by many.

When it's common for people to abuse children, animals and the environment (among others)...

In a world where being the most popular, the richest or the most powerful regardless of whom or how many you are oppressing is what's acceptable... When you turn on the t.v. and it's all about what you "need" or who you "have" to be in order to make it in life... I find it unacceptable and I definitely don't wanna be part of the "common kind of thinking", aka "common sense".

Many people claim that they have common sense. In many cases I have claimed to have it as well, but then if so many people think a certain way then that makes this kind of thinking "common", right?

So, as of today I shall not expect to understand others as I am not longer a member of the "common sense" practice but instead I am practicing a very "exclusive" kind of sense which is directly linked to be being loving, polite, friendly, helpful, caring and even empathic to others.

Makes sense, right? Just saying...

Have a great Thursday!

getting well... soon!

Tuesday has come and gone and I feel as if it was all a blur.

From Monday afternoon after I had lunch I felt my throat was bothering me, kind of itchy and harsh. By the time I got home all I wanted was some nice chicken soup, which I made and was great.

Tuesday I woke up feeling like crap, my throat on fire, my whole body aching and running a fever. So I stayed in, called in sick and slept most of the morning, got up, had some lunch, watch a movie and then off to bed again.

Today I woke up feeling even worst, so as soon as I was able to open my eyes fully, I dialed the doctors office and they told me that the only open appointment of the day was in half a hour!

Yikes! I literately jump out of bed, washed my face and drove to the doctor.

After two shots and some antibiotics, I am at home now and after a shower I decided to catch up on my blog and yours.. Feeling overall o.k. because of the two shots, I have a sick note for tomorrow so I should be back to work on Friday.

On another health note, I got the results of all my blood test done last week and according to the doctor, all is good, woo-hoo!

So, as far as my swollen eyes go, next weeks appointment should be about testing me for some food allergies, we shall see.

Happy Hump Day!!! 

this is it...

Yesterday was exactly one month since we came back from Costa Rica and with the past couple of weeks I've had at work, now I feel like it's time take yet another vacation...

But instead of taking vacation today, I am going to settle with sharing some pictures from when we visited the Pacific beach in CR where we have a property.

Ario is the name of the beach and this last visit I came to the realization that this is it for my happy place in the world.

It is such a wonderful place, filled with Almond trees that give an amazing shade, lots of sand with areas covered in shells as well as a very colorful rocks.

The three days we were there [this last time], we walked the beach many times, collecting shells, taking in the nice fresh air and just enjoying the ocean breeze.

The tides are very high or very low making the beach different in a matter of hours.

The rock formations are quite unique and you can't help but wonder what took place during their creation...

 

There are also other very unique natural structures found on the beach.

This time we found a HUGE tree trunk, I can't help but wonder how beautiful the whole tree must have been when alive.

So, yes it is a magical, beautiful place and although it's Monday and I am not there, I can still close my eyes and transport myself to all this... To my very happy place!

Have a great week, will share more pictures of my dear Ario very soon!!!

RIP week...

Last night on my way back home from watching "The Lorax" with Yanique - which was pretty good by the way- I drove by a dead black cat on the road, very close to our house.

As soon as I saw the black bulk on the road, my heart skipped fearing that it was an animal, then when I saw it was a black cat, my heart sunk thinking it could be our own Shadow.

Shadow

But Thank Goodness it wasn't.

Unfortunately, it was another black kitty that have been around our house before... He was dead.

And that's the thing about outdoor cats, there are much more vulnerable to the dangers of the roads, people and other predators. In the case of our 6 cats, I think that perhaps they don't go very far anymore as we find then hanging out around the house most of the time... where they need there's food waiting for them!

Anyway, we can't really prevent those things to happen and although I fear for their safety I also know that if God allowed us to rescue and care for them I know he is also keeping and eye on them at all times.

RIP little black kitty.

Have a great weekend!

I am woman

If you are a woman reading this today, Happy International Women's Day to you and the women in your life...

If you are a man reading this today, perhaps you should be wondering why there isn't a International Men Day? LOL... But instead of getting depressed about that, how about treating the women in your life like the queens they are, and perhaps they will give back to you in ways that would make you feel like a King?!?!?... Anyway, u get the idea.

To honor today's Women in the world here's a song that describe us in many ways...

Although the lyrics of the song express power and strength I am not sure if it applies to my lately...

It's been more than a month since the last time I crochet anything.

I guess I could say that I have some ideas of possible projects but I just feel way to exhausted when I get home to do anything of the sort.

Perhaps my next project should be a pillow so after I finish it I could go right to sleep, LOL!

Again with the tiredness I am.

It wasn't that long ago that I posted about being extremely fatigue here and it's back with a vengeance.

Although I am exercising twice a week (quite hard) the events and stress of last week at work, left me with a feeling of total fatigue, one that I have not been able to get rid of.

But besides the exhaustion part, my eyes are still swollen at times and although I already know I have a severe allergy to nickel, I know for a fact that this is not the only thing that is affecting me, so yesterday I went to the doctor.

After explaining all of my symptoms to the doctor plus how long this situation is being going on and what have I done about it, Dr. B decided that I need: a TSG, Free T4, CBC, ESR and an ANA with reflex test done.

So what are these test for? Mainly to find out how my Thyroid is working,to know if there's any possible disease developing (like Lupus) and possible infections anywhere in my body.

While we wait on those results, I am supposed to take some pills for a few weeks just to find out if there's any improvement on the eye situation.

So other than the exhaustion and my eye situation, there isn't much going on in my life at the present time. 

Oh yeah, I just remembered tonight I am planning to take Yanique to the movies to watch The Lorax- hope to be able to stay awake during the whole movie! 

Have a great day!!!

Wordless Wednesday

  

Happy Wednesday!!!

ready to reconnect

Some times when things fail the only viable option is to disconnect to then reconnect to get things back on track...

Well, that's how I've been feeling for the past couple of days, I feel like the only way to connect again with my blog is by disconnecting from it for a few days... and that's why I've been sort of MIA.

The 5th anniversary events from last week were good, the very first one at the theater was super busy, the gallery one was a success with lots of great networking and possible future sales, but not many done that night.

Saturday was our family fun day and I think everybody was having fun, specially the kids at the "Duck Pond".

Also the kids really enjoyed painting with Mr. Harvey... I think they did a fantastic job, don't you agree?

Here's the final master piece...

This week should be a bit less hectic... looking forward to some of that.

Have a great day!!!

Event-full!

One event down, two more to go... Last night was sort of mayhem but overall the event was a success.

We had plans to premier a documentary at a local movie theater and initially we had set up two showings, but it was so busy we ended up putting in another show at the very last minute and still had to send people away, crazy times!

The theater holds 180 people, so you do the math (as I am currently too tired to do it!) of how crazy it was
with 3 showings FULL HOUSE!

yesterday's 3 cruise ships out of 6 we had in port!

Well, tonight is the BIG gallery event and I hoping and expecting good sales, wish me luck! I need some good comi$$ions!

Have a great weekend!

the fine art of mustitasking

Today, tomorrow and Saturday we are having 3 events to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Shoppe and Gallery where I work.

Our "BIG" bosses will be here, to "help" but that sometimes that only really means that they will be here to put even more pressure to the whole lotta work that is going to be taking place around here... (Don't get me wrong, my bosses are nice, but they are still bosses, LOL).

So, as of today of a few days now, I have been mastering the "fine art of multitasking"...

Now, if only I could drink coffee, while sending orders, while selling art, while giving the extra mile service to customer I will be good to go...

Oh! but wait a minute, that is exactly me, every day of my life, LOL!...

I guess my "fine art" has become my "everyday art", LOL!!!

Have a great day!

Leap, jump, bounce...

February 29th comes only once every 4 years, so let's make today count for the next four...

Have a wonderful day!!!

missing but not forgotten

One of my greatest fears in life is to loose any member of my family or a friend.

When the time comes seeing them go it's going to be very hard, but I also understand we are in this life for just a while and our overall goal is to one day reach eternal rest next to God.

Now, this is a completely different story in the case of Nathan Clarke, originally from the UK but recently a resident of West Bay in Grand Cayman (the same town where we live).

Last Saturday evening, Nathan was at a local beach bar with his girlfriend and other friends, at arounf 9pm they were ready to walk home on the beach side, while saying their goodbyes to friends his girlfriend Lisa turned around and notice he was already gone... she then assumed he had already started walking so she will meet him down the beach, but then he was nowhere to be found.

So far it's been more than 48 hours and he has sort of vanished without a trace.

Friends that were with him that night, say everything happened in less than 5 minutes but nobody saw anything suspicious.

I never met Nathan personally, but he is a person just like any of us, he was also a primary school teacher (who according to his colleagues, his kids loved him), I am sure that his loved ones right now are having a very hard time thinking and missing him.

Yesterday after work I went to volunteer my time as part of the search team, unfortunately we didn't find anything.

Please keep Nathan and his family/friends in your prayers, this is got to be one of the worst nightmares for anybody, I think nobody deserves going through this and not being able to say a proper goodbye to their loved ones.

week end, week start...

After a fabulous weekend I am not sure if I am complete ready to start this very busy week ahead of me.

On Friday to continue celebrating my BIG 3-5, I had some girlfriends over for a "Murder Mystery Dinner- Sequins and Stilettos", we all got dresses up to "solve a murder" have some drinks, food and a great time together...

Our friend Julia "aka Carrie Oakey" was the murdered.... My character's name was Faye Slift and I was a Plastic Surgeon.

all the girls ready to solve a murder

Emma "aka Laura Norder -the lawyer" & me.

Steph "aka Pam Perd" and Amanda "Lady Dee Lighted"

Julia "aka Carrie Oakey"- the murderer with the murder weapon, LOL!

On Saturday Morning I had a fabulous snorkeling time with Yanique, we had an encounter with a big beautiful green turtle and she was very happy with us swimming around her, not feeling very threaten all all!

Yanique trying to catch up with the turtle

We also played in the sand for a while and I made this little dolphin for her...

The day was beautiful and overall I a great time...

Have a great week!

HB #35 to me!!!

Today I want to start my post by sharing my favorite quote;

Maybe I won't live forever so instead of dreaming it I can strike to do things that would last forever, to make a difference in other people's life, making my passing through this life a forever to remember one.

Perhaps I won't die today, but if I do, I would still be so thankful for the blessed 34 years that I've had so far...

I have many reasons to be thankful for... And since today marks my 12,783th day on this earth, or should I say my 35th birthday, I am specially thankful for the following.

1. God and my spirituality.
2. Life and living each day to the fullest.
3. Be able to breath, see, hear, talk, touch and be healthy.
4. My family.
5. My husband and our life together.
6. My pets and all animals that walk/swim/fly on this earth.
7. Having friends, co-workers and even the strangers I get to interact with on day to day basis.
8. Food in my table.
9. My job.
10. A roof above my head.
11. My yard and plants.
12. My car.
13. My alarm clock (so I can get up and go to work).
14. Money in my savings account.
15. My comfy bed.
16. Clothing.
17. Water.
18. My creativity.
19. My education.
20. My new "natural habitat" a.k.a my pool.
21. My godson Julian.
22. Being able to speak more than 1 language.
23. Having a computer to communicate with family and friends.
24. Being able to draw.
25. Coffee.
26. Dark Chocolate
27. My crochet creations.
28. My kitties (all 6 of them)!
29. Being able to travel.
30. Chapstick.
31. Hair ties for a bad hair day.
32. My relationship with Yanique.
33. My smile.
34. Music, specially Bob's.
35. My blog and all the people I can interact with through it.

Now, if I was to blow off the candles on my cake I'll wish to be able to give back as much as I get daily from God's blessings.

So this year to honor such a milestone of 35 years, I have decided (as part of my new year's resolutions as well), to do 35 random acts of kindness. So far I've done 4 but the best part (besides giving/helping others) is how aware I've become of opportunities to go the extra mile and be friendly and helpful... I love it!

Anyway, Happy Birthday to me... May you all enjoy MY special day!!!

Driving by...

While in Costa Rica a few weeks ago, I sometimes would ride on the passenger side of the car and just random shoot photos...

Here are some I like to share with y'all today!

Old Mercedes Benz parked near my parent's house

beautiful new lots selling near my parents place (love and miss Costa Rica's sky!)

New highway, drove on it for the first time

Old and abandoned train station

Nicoya Peninsula dirt road

Sharing the road

Made it to the beach by sunset time!

Today is a holiday here on the island and although I was supposed to have the day off, I ended up working but instead will have the day off on Friday, so 3 day weekend, woo-hoo!

Happy Wednesday!!!!

Did u know?

Since my last visit to the Dolphin Discovery interactive center here in Grand Cayman, I have to say that I've learn a bit more about dolphins (specially the Bottlenose species).

Did you know?

Dolphin sheds their skin every 2 to 3 hours (and us humans about once a day- in some cases maybe more if your don't moisturize, LOL!), to keep their body shinny smooth and be more aerodynamic to swim fast.

Did you know?

Dolphins have only one set of teeth for life, so instead of chewing their food, they swallow it whole in order to protect their teeth.


Did you know?

Dolphins have no vocal cords, all the noises and "whistles" they make, come out of their blow hole, which they also use to breath.

Did you know?

The largest dolphin is the killer whale (Orca) which also sometimes can kill and eat other species of dolphins...

And on a side note...

Did you know?

Our dog Sheba has amazing skills with her paws, she can hold a tennis ball while trying to impersonate a dolphin- well, she doesn't really try to impersonate a dolphin, but she can hold that ball...

Have a great day : )

my natural habitat

Monday is back on track.

The weekend was nice but as always way to short.

Saturday I got some housing cleaning done and then spend the afternoon in our fabulous "ool" which I decided to rename "my natural habitat".

But why "my natural habitat" you might ask? Well, because whenever I am in there I just feel as if I could live in there forever, so thinking about it, if God would have decided for me to be anything other than human, I am sure He would have made me a fish...


Anyway, to tell you a bit more about my weekend, yesterday Yanique and I participated on a group outing for "Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Cayman Islands" at the Dolphin Discovery (same place we visited for her birthday a few weeks ago).

It was an activity with the purpose of taking a video to promote the program and hopefully get more volunteers.

But other than interacting with the dolphins (kissing, dancing and more)...we got chosen as the interviewed "matched couple" to be in the video!

"Copernicus" giving me a smooch...

So we did, got interviewed and everything went really well. At the beginning Yanique was very nervous as she calls herself "shy" (but who isn't shy at 11 years old in front of a camera, right?!). Well, she is kind of a natural and really nailed all the questions they asked her...

The best part was at the end question when they said: Yanique, is there anything you would like to say to your big sister? And Yanique answered, "That I love her with all my heart and that we have fun together"... Awww, how sweet is that?

Dunno when the video would be out but if I could get a copy to share, I will definitely do.

Sorry I am not sharing more Costa Rica photos for now... I will get around to do it in the next few days, promise!

Have a great week!