follow the leader

Nowadays that my husband is working from 9am to 6pm I usually get home before him and the cats are all outside, by the door waiting to be fed.

But the thing is that the dogs are also upstairs waiting to be walked.

So, I usually go upstairs first, leave my handbag, change into my flip flops and proceed to walk the dogs first, and then on my way back go and feed the kitties.

Well, lately I've been walking the dogs on a [sort of] empty lot next to our house, part of it's empty but there's also a small house in mid construction phase.

But to my surprise, the past couple of days during our walk, we seem to have acquired an entourage!!!!

The very first day it happened, it was only Shadow (the black cat) and Al (the white one).

But yesterday all the other 4 joined in and walked with us, all of them keeping their distance

It was so fun to see them following us...

The dogs are not acting aggressive about them anymore and although I like to think that they are getting used to seeing them and perhaps the cat smell on us is making a difference. Still I don't fully trust them so I keep them on a short leash and they never leave my sight.

Isn't it cool how the cats are walking with us? I love it and it makes me so happy to see them around, so yesterday on thanksgiving I added yet another reason to love walking my pets!

Happy Weekend :)

practice makes [thanks] perfect!

Although I do like the concept of Thanksgiving as a holiday, I think this only makes sense as a celebration, if we practice gratitude every day of our lives.

So how can we thankful for everything, everyday? Easy, just be!

You know the saying, "practice makes perfect", right?

If there's many people that are way less fortunate that we are and they still make the best out of life, and perhaps are even thankful for it, so can we!

In fact, "We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, why did this happened to me?... Unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way", right?

But if we still having trouble been thankful for what we have and the life we are living, maybe we should think about this more often...

So now, let's all celebrate Thanksgiving every day in our hearts and in our daily life, counting our blessings and subtracting our sorrows.

Happy Thanksgiving to your and your family, may you always have many days and many reasons to be thankful for!

finding my inner artist

“The world is but a canvas to our imaginations.”

Henry David Thoreau

On Monday night during my short visit to Cayman Brac I saw my dear friend Aidan, he is 7 years old and I know him from 5 months old, around this time...

He has grown so much since then, now 7, he is a very imaginative boy that loves animals, the ocean and it's a fantastic swimmer as well.

much recent photo of Aidan

But he is also in that phase when he is shy at the first encounter, even though he knows me, he always plays is it "hard to get" at the beginning, until a few minutes later he grows out of that and he is himself again.

Well, Monday was not an exception, as soon as he saw me, he covered his face with his sweatshirt, of course, I still grabbed him and hugged him.

So his Mom (and my friend) Liesel said to him: aren't you going to ask her what you want?

Minutes later, he found his "not really lost" courage and we had this conversation :

Aidan- "My Mom says you are a pretty good artist, would you paint me something for Christmas?"

Me- Well, if I can, sure! What would you like?

Aidan- I want you to paint me a American Bald Eagle, flying on top of some pine trees, with flowers, grass and a house, mountains.... [and he kept on going with a whole bunch of things, that I can't even remember].

Me- Oh my, not sure if I am that good of an artist, but I could try!!!!

Now, I'm in trouble, because I really don't want to disappoint him by not doing it for him, but also I am afraid to disappoint him by not doing a good job with the painting...

Anyway, I am going to try my best and do it anyway, hopefully he will love it and with this I will be able to find my inner artist once again!

Will share my progress and the final work of art when I have it!

Happy Wednesday :)

Brac & back!

Just got back from Cayman Brac this morning it was a [way too] short of a trip.

Got there yesterday at 3pm, got ready for the documentary presentation at 6:30pm.

After we were all set up for the show, we managed to squeeze in a little island tour as my boss and his wife never been to this island before.

Here are some picture of my favorite part of the island "the lighthouse at the bluff".

path to the 180ft bluff drop

the edge

I am so glad I found that my camera phone has a panorama mode on it, cause I got this awesome shot, click to enlarge and the full panoramic view experience...

the bluff view

And for today's sunrise [well, "sort of "sunrise at 6:30am!], view from my room.

Like I said short too short but sweeeet! Wish I was still there.

Happy Tuesday!!!

Pretty Pots Project

With Christmas just around the corner, sometimes we think that finding that personalized and unique gift for somebody, is either too difficult or simply just out of the question.

But what if you could take the "blah" out of something and turn it into a cute little present for you or anybody special? Here's a fun little project that might just be what you were looking for.

All you need is:

Terracotta Pot (medium, small or large)
Fabric (about 1/4 yrd for a size showing below)
Fabric Mod Podge or Cold Silicon Glue
Brush & Scissors

So, with those materials you could go from this

To this....

With the fabric Mod Podge and the brush, glue the fabric to the pot, making sure you leave enough on the top and bottom edges. Also make sure that you spread the glue well enough with the brush just so there's not big amounts of it that might go through the fabric.

If you decide to use a fabric like the one shown above (with white background) you might need to do two layers so no terracotta color can be seeing through the fabric.

Now, all you need is to find the right fabric.

If using cotton and you want to put a plant in it, make sure to buy an indoor plant so the fabric doesn't get wet in the rain. But, you find a nice outdoor fabric then you can use for an outdoor plant.

But, if you are given them away as a gift, the possibilities are endless.

Instead of a plant, buy some seed packets (or pods) and put those in there, or perhaps if the person is really into gardening, buy them a pair of garden gloves and a garden tool [this is the part to get creative].

Aren't they pretty? I love them and I'm giving one to my brother and sister in law for their new apartment, I hope they are going to love it too!!!

On another note, today in the afternoon I am going away for the night to Cayman Brac, as we are showing the Grouper Moon documentary. I am very excited to go a see some of my friends and although I will only be there for a few hours I will take it over nothing!!!!

Happy Weekend!

Feline Friday

Yesterday I had some stomach problems so I stayed home.

The afternoon was beautiful and since it's been a while that I've used my Nikon camera, I decided to go down to the back yard to see if I could find some kitties to take pictures of...

Well, not only they were all there, but also they were very cooperative with me and my camera, let me show you...

they were all there, and I managed to capture 4 out of 6 in this shot 
(from left: Goldie, Shadow, Al, Lee)

Al, playing hide and seek

Goldie, being Goldie!

"Little One" likes to pose for the camera

"BTK" trying to pass as "incognito"

I love taking pictures and with such great models, it's even better!

Have a happy weekend!!! >''<

Photo of the Day

Who can remember each day of their life for 18 years? Perhaps none of us can, but somebody could, well that's if he was still alive.

I am talking about Jamie Livingston (October 25, 1956 - October 25, 1997), who was a New York-based photographer, film-maker and circus performer. Between March 31, 1979 and October 25, 1997, the day of his death, he took a single picture nearly every day with a  Polaroid SX-70camera.

Jamie Livingston self portrait (source)

After Livingston’s death, his friends Hugh Crawford and Betsy Reid put together a public exhibit and website using the photos and called it PHOTO OF THE DAY: 1979-1997, 6,697 Polaroids, dated in sequence.

March 30th, 1991- his collection of photos inside suitcases

The physical exhibit opened in 2007 at the Bertelsmann Campus Center at Bard College (where Livingston started the series, as a student, way back when). The exhibit included rephotographs of every Polaroid and took up a 7 x 120 foot space, apparently the pictures that are just dates aren’t Polaroids — they’re placeholders for days when there was no photo, or the photo was lost.

I find this story amazing, how a single human being can record a life of 18th years to perhaps share it with the world, but life and God had other plans for him, so now, more than 10 years after his death we are here, still able to watch her every day for 18th via his own view of it.

If you would like to visit his website please click here.  I must advice you that this is not a sophisticated, modern looking site; full of links and gadget, there, you will only find a list by year and each one with a photo he took- but even this simplicity of website, to me each photo symbolizes a little piece of his soul that once walked on this earth and the way he saw his own life.

Jamie Livingston, RIP (Oct 25, 1959- Oct 25, 1997)

Wisdom Wednesday

Perhaps we sometimes wonder and have doubts about the reality of our dreams.

Now, here's the thing about happiness and dreams; yes, they both have to start withing ourselves and by doing so every day we have an opportunity to work towards keeping happiness around and orchestrate our dreams. 

But then that's with reality kicks in. There are many situations and external factors in life that make us change, happiness sometimes is questionable and at times we might feel as we've been "kicked" out of the circle of successful dream living.

Well, even if we are not living our dreams to the fullest, that doesn't mean that they are death.

Perhaps we are focusing too much on the unattainable ones and not giving a chance to others to be born, grow and evolve?


So my point is, even if we are not living our dreams [and some might never come true at all], every day is an opportunity to keep pursuing them or create new ones, but we should never give up, and remember.

Dream as if you'll live forever

Live as if you'll die today!

Happy Wisdom Wednesday!!!!

Parade Pics Part 2

Here are more pictures of the Pirates Parade, these one taken by my bosses camera.

before the parade started (from left: Mrs. Harvey, Kennedy, Me & My Boss Guy)

With the girls from the store (from left: Jessie, Wally, Sabrina- on top: Guy & Me- back: Emmanuel & Sylvia)

Another with the crew from the store & Kennedy (Guy's Neighbor)

One more!

most of the crew and our star driver (David)

the float behind us

And the last picture I will share, was taken by my friend Gerardo.

I have to say that I did see this guy from far away, unfortunately not close enough to take my picture with him... Although, the celebrations continue so hopefully he is still around...

Can you guess who he looks like?

Happy Tuesday!!!! Arrrgg.....

Pirate Parade

As of Saturday I have one more item to check off the bucket list "Participating in a Parade".

Pirates week started in full force and I am so happy we put on a float cause it was packed and so much fun.

Here are some of the highlights of the event.

almost ready to start

my boss on the left (with the long necklaces) and his friend

and we are off... crowd is pretty big

confetti all the way

the busiest part of the parade

little pirates

arrrgh u having fun yet???

My boss took many more pictures that I will share as soon as I get copies.

Today is a holiday so I am home but getting ready to go to the gym. Happy Monday!!!

Parade ready

It's Saturday and the whole island is getting ready for the 2011 Pirates Week Landing and Parade.

Yesterday we pretty much got our entire float ready (see photos above).

I think it looks fabulous and it's going to look even better in the parade.

Will try to get some pictures of the event but being that I'm goin to be in the actual float I'm not sure if I would be able to...

Happy Saturday!!!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 Mobile

One Love Day

Today is 11.11.11. and although some people think that 1 is the loneliest number I think that it only takes 1 to make a difference in somebody's life, to love and make the world go round!!!

So today, let's celebrate the love for others but specially the love for ONEselve... 

And let's also celebrate that it's Friday and the weekend is already knocking at our door, yey!

On another note, tomorrow is the 2011 Pirates Week Parade and as I am in charge of the logistics of our float, I will be working on that pretty much all day... Tomorrow will post some pictures of our float.

Anyway, Happy 11.11.11 to all!!!

staying a float

photo by Patrick Weir

If you are reading this is because I'm still alive and able to type.

And in case you are wondering; no, that is not me on the photo [insert silent crying here]

I am typing but mostly feeling like a confused zombie writing a medical paper on the anatomy of a working heart... LOL!

Kidding, it's not that bad.

But yes, I am pretty exhausted, still. I am working today but deep inside my entire body is really yearning for some lounging time!

Today I have one of last school visits to promote the protection of the Nassau Grouper.

At midday I am meeting a friend at the airport as she is going to Costa Rica so she has agreed to take a little Christmas package for my parents.

Tonight we are having some friends over for dinner, finally an event that I am really going to enjoy because it's not a work/public affair, yey!

Well, other than that, just barely trying to stay a float.

Have a great Thursday!

Story of my life

No, this isn't a huge long post where I recount every single year of life where, where I've been or what I've done.

Instead this is just an expression people use to describe something that typically happens in their lives.

So, story of my life: either I don't have ANYTHING going on; no events, dates, invitations, work projects or everything happens around the same time and then I feel as if am not going to have enough time or energy to pull it all off.

But this week, story of my life [again], I have events every night but last night that I managed to get my self to the gym and squeezed in about 45 minutes or extenuating exercise, so I feel less like this

And more like this

Tonight's event is a corporate thing at the Ritz Carlton, should be a nice set up because it's in front of the ocean, unfortunately I will be there to work and not as a guest of the event... still will try to get some pictures to share.

Tomorrow we have some friends over for dinner, they live in Bermuda and come visit every year, this will be the first time to come by the house.

On Friday is the official opening of Pirates Week Festival 2011 and we have been invited to go on a boat to watch the fireworks from the water, that is going to be awesome...

Saturday is the world famous Pirates Week Landing Parade, this year the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation is putting in a float on the parade and I am in charge of design, set up, decoration and to be there that day... It's going to be fun to be so much fun!!!

And finally on Sunday I would be in bed, barely breathing and asking for an IV!!!!

How about you, any event coming up?

Happy Wednesday :)

Tasty Tuesday

Looking for an easy and tasty appetizer to impress not only your taste buds but your family and friends?

Well, you are reading the right post then, today I am sharing a delicious and super easy "Cranberry Salsa and Cream Cheese"recipe that I am so sure you and those around you would love (and perhaps love you after that!).

Ingredients:

1 12oz Fresh Cranberries
1/4 cup of green onions (chopped)
1/4 cup of cilantro (chopped)
1 small jalapeno (chopped without seeds- use gloves or plastic bags in our hands so you don't get them burned)
1 1/4 cups of sugar
2 Tbsp of lemon juice
2 8oz cream cheese packs

Put cranberries in food processor (or blender; if using this method make sure to move the cranberries constantly inside the blender with a wood spoon until they are all chopped- careful not to chop the wood spoon as well- just be patient!).

Once Cranberries are all chopped mix them with the rest of the ingredients (but cream cheese), mix well and refrigerate covered for at least 4 hours (or more), the more you leave it, the better cranberries will absorb the sugar.

When the salsa is ready take the cream cheese out of the fridge so it can get softer then use a plate to spread the cream cheese and then put the "salsa" on top of it, serve with crackers or wheat thins and enjoy!!!!

In another note, last night film festival was really good, very interesting little films were featured.

I participated on the Lobster lotto and won a $25 dollars gift certificate to one my favorite kitchen stores on the island, 2 dives with gear and scooter included and also a lunch at a local restaurant, yummy!

My favorite part (besides winning some prizes) was the presentation by Michelle and Howard Hall who is a couple of award winning Natural history photographers and filmmakers that are world renowned for their underwater IMAX films like Into the Deep, Island of Sharks and Deep Sea 3D, his films are amazing!

Here's one of the short films that they shared last night, it's less than 5min long and very worth watching

Isn't that footage amazing and mesmerizing? Well, if you would like to watch even more amazing shorts, please visit Howard's website at www.howardhall.com

Happy Tasty Tuesday!!!

it takes two days...

Batteries are charged and I am ready to start another week.

our dogs "chilling" on the weekend

Two days off made quite a difference and I am feeling somewhat better, but my battle is still not over, I am still feeling very tired in the mornings, but improving.

Can't stop going to the gym because that does make a difference on my energy level, so I will have to keep it up, no matter what.

The weekend was great, had time to rest but also kept busy with other fun stuff.

Yesterday we attended a bbq party at my brother's party, had a great time! I made some "Cranberry Salsa" that was just to "die for", everybody liked it so it's definitely a way to go for the holiday's, I will share the recipe tomorrow.

photo taken on the way to the bbq party

Tonight we are going to an "Underwater Film Festival" although it's above water, LOL! Kind of a weird name but I guess it's because the movies feature have all to do with underwater related themes!