Category: Thoughts

Dear Cheese, We Need to Talk

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Dear Cheese,

You know my love for you is true, but we need to talk. All I’ve ever done is praise you and treat you with love and what do you do in return? You hurt me. You hurt me when I least expect it and it drills a Swiss cheese hole in my heart.

You know I want to be with you every waking moment. I want you in my breakfast, as my snack, with my lunch, before dinner and for dinner. You make me happy in so many ways and you’ve given me some amazing times I will cherish forever. Your versatility provides for unexpected delight in different situations. Melted, hard or spread, you’re still amazing.

But Cheese, you’ve been hurting me too much lately. I can’t fathom the idea of life without you, the mere thought is too painful to bear. Still, my love, I think we need to spend some time apart. I’m not going to say goodbye forever because that’s impossible, but I think we need to see a little less of each other for a while.

I know you mean well, how can’t you with all the cheesy love you have to offer? You bring smiles to everyone who is lucky enough to encounter you, you make boring meals so much more exciting and even on your own… you are a wonder.

We’ve both seen what you can do to me. I know you’re sorry and you don’t mean to hurt me, I still love you in spite of the pain.

This is not farewell, it’s just a “see you soon” (and in smaller amounts).

Forever yours,
Cristina

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A Quarter of a Century: Thoughts on Turning 25

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Here we are, one more year.

Older? Yes. Wiser? Surely hope so.

Today, I’m turning 25. It’s a weird age, in my opinion. You’re absolutely not a kid anymore, but you have a hard time admitting to yourself that you’re an adult. You’re not old, but you’re not super young either, or are you? It’s a confusing age.

It’s easy to freak out on life and aging, everybody feels differently and everyone has a strong opinion about it. To some I am still blossoming, to others I am ancient. I’m going to say that I’m actually excited about this in-between, silly age.

Some things to look forward to:

  • I can rent cars without any stupid fees, hooray!
  • I still have 5 years to decide what I want to be and where I want to be by the time I’m 30, that’s still a thing right?
  • Hmm, that’s all I can think of…

The thing is, turning 25 is not supposed to be a big deal. It’s just another year, right? For some reason, however, every year in your twenties holds special significance and shows you what you have been able to overcome and achieve. Life in your twenties is ever changing and it can be scary and exciting, all at once. I’m halfway through this roller coaster, but what does that even mean?

Some things I learned:

  • Waking up somewhat early is not the end of the world- There’s actually some beauty to waking up before noon on a weekend and beating the crowds for brunch
  • Sometimes you’re going to have do things by yourself- It might feel weird, but you shouldn’t say no to great opportunities just because you don’t want to go somewhere alone
  • If you don’t ask, the answer is always no- I’m still learning that one. I’ve seen people around me get what they want only because they’ve dared to ask. If you’re afraid that the answer is “no” you might be right, but then again, you might be wrong
  • Family is everything – At the end of the day, they’re the ones that are going to be there for you, even in distance. You may not always see things the same way, but love is stronger than everything else and you will get through it together
  • People are selfish and sometimes, it’s ok for you to be selfish too – This one is hard for me, my instinct tells me to make people feel happy and comfortable but there are a lot of people out there that don’t really care about other people and you need to learn that’s ok. There’s nothing you can do to change that, so try caring a little less about them
  • Your wonderful metabolism won’t last forever- Yes, sadly, this one is true. My stomach has been super rude lately, sending me signals that I shouldn’t be having so much cheese. At first it felt like the world was ending. Heck, it still feels like the world is ending, cheese is EVERYTHING
  • Find that balance between believing anything is possible and losing all of your faith in humanity- I find any of these extremes to be extremely annoying. What is that balance, you may ask? I have no damn clue. There are days that I want to conquer the world and then the next day I want to run away from it
  • Love is awesome and it’s complicated – Love just is, right? Well, love is one of the greatest ironies of life. It can be the most complicated, simple thing in the world and it still makes us go nuts. I hate when Big in Sex and the City says that, “at the end you just want to be with the one that makes you laugh.” I hate it so much I didn’t even want to include the quote, but it’s not too far from reality, even if I don’t like his character (yes, I said it). Life is full of adventures, obstacles, challenges and restaurants. Find someone to share all of these wonders with, someone who will carry you when you’re feet are killing you, someone you can push into the water just for fun, someone that makes you smile against all odds

Let me stop right there before I get to cheesy (mmm, cheese). Here’s to getting older, crossing more places off my bucket list, trying new things and enjoying every moment!

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I have a feeling this is going to be a good year, cheers to that!

 

My First Ride

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Lights are off, I can barely see around me. The music is loud and it’s getting more intense by the second. I hear the instructor’s voice encouraging everyone to go harder and harder. I feel the air escaping my lungs, my legs are beat and I’m sweating profusely. I swear I feel like I’m about to collapse, I hold back my tears wondering why would anyone put themselves through this torture. Then just like that, it all ends.

Oh, did I mention this was my first Soul-Cycle class?

Ever since I started working in Manhattan I’ve heard people talk about Soul-Cycle and how it’s amazing and addicting. I usually try not to jump on bandwagons (I still refuse to go watch 50 Shades of Grey) but I kept hearing people that were never too fitness-driven raving about these classes and how they were just “different.”

I swear if I could have written down my thoughts while I was on the bike I would have made myself promise never to do that to myself again. Impressively, once it ended, I felt a rush, a good rush. I did a Soul-Cycle class and I did not die. I almost passed out, but I did not die. That’s an accomplishment, right?

I wanted to write this post right after my class, but I felt like I first needed to know how it felt to wake up the next day. Ouch.

Granted, let me tell you that it had been YEARS since I had taken a spinning class, so let’s just say some parts of my body were not used to it. It still hurts in places I wasn’t quite sure it could hurt. Funny thing is, I didn’t even do the class in full capacity, how do people do this everyday!?

I’m not the most athletic person, by any means. I’m a little embarrassed to say I can barely run one mile non-stop (and by barely I mean I can’t). I still don’t get people that are addicted to working out and actually enjoy it, but one thing I can say is that man, I really want to be able to do a Soul-Cycle class full out. Will this determination last? We’ll see. Soul-Cycle is also an investment, definitely not something you want to half-ass. I’ve been improving my running time on the treadmill (Thank you, winter) but I still don’t feel that urgency and fulfillment that people say to feel when they run.

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Whatever my soul-destiny shall be, I must say kudos to Soul-Cycle for having an awesome brand. I love their vibe and the way they have built a passionate (sometimes obsessed) community that attracts hard-working people that want to push themselves to the limit. Have I become someone that wants to physically push herself to the limit? Both possible answers make me worry.

Am I ready for my next ride? Probably not.

Am I going to do this to myself again? Probably yes. 🙂

Wordless Wednesday: Adoquines

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IMG_1344He patiently waits while I capture all the corners of the streets of Old San Juan, guarding my camera bag like a good sport, happily contemplating the beauty of this island we now get to explore together.

 

Is the grass really greener on the other side or is it just Instagram filters?

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We’ve all heard that grass is always greener at the other side, whether you like that thought or not, you have to admit there’s some truth to it. It’s taken me a while to understand this concept and I still struggle with it. I like to tell myself that I look into other people’s “grass” for inspiration and motivation, to see the possibilities that can also exist in my life, but I don’t think that’s always the case.

Recently, someone I love very much shared a quote that once I heard it, made everything click into place. I liked it so much I even edited it below.IMG_9632This made so much more sense than the stupid grass people keep talking about. We get tired while comparing things that don’t even make sense in the first place and the sad thing is that deep down we know they don’t make sense but we think about them anyway. It’s like looking at Taylor Swift and thinking she’s so beautiful (nothing wrong with that!). If you had the amount of people she has to make her that beautiful you would be ruling the world too. I struggle just to brush my hair everyday, let’s be real.

We’ve lost a sense of what’s behind-the-scenes and what’s a highlight reel. We live in a world where sharing on social media sends out a false sense of intimacy. You can now see “celebrities” sharing their “intimate” cup of tea, which they are enjoying “casually” in bed with no fixes at all. Sure, we know that’s not how it rolls, but we still like to believe the setup. We see everyone seems to be running the world, but do we see them when they fall down, face obstacles or have a bad hair day? Rarely. (I woke up like this? Sure.)

Why do we feed of other people’s highlight reels? We have no idea what happens behind-the-scenes in the dark corners of their lives. Everyone has struggles, doubts and fears; people are silly to pretend otherwise.

I now realize that my behind-the-scenes footage, however crazy or average it may be, is what makes my highlight reel so much more genuine and exciting.

The best part? There’s still so much more filming left to do.

Dear Summer

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Dear Summer,

I miss you. I miss the warm rays of your sun that never quite tanned my skin. I miss the warm breeze that caressed my face, as opposed to feeling like small knives are puncturing my lovely cheeks.

Where are you, Summer? Why do we have to be apart for so long? I’m sorry if I ever said I was tired of you, it was my empty bank account speaking or you maybe caught me sweating at the Subway, it wasn’t the real me. The real me loves you with a never ending passion and I anxiously await your return.

You see, Summer. When you’re away, everything is a little colder, a little gloomier. People are not as cheerful as they are around you. It’s only ok because I know they are all secretly missing you too.

Summer, remember when I used to be with you all through the year? Back in the day only a few rainy days could keep us apart. Why did I move away from you? A few months a year are not enough for all the love I have for you. I don’t think humans are meant to be apart from you for too long.

I can’t wait to be reunited with you and get sand in every corner of my apartment, even after you think you have cleaned it all. I can almost taste the fried coconut shrimp I will be enjoying by the sea or the Miami Vice I will be sipping by the live band outdoors. Yes, outdoors. I know my bank account cringes when she knows you’re approaching, but my heart leaps with joy.

My dearest Summer, we can’t be reunited soon enough. Until then, I will try my hardest not freeze in this dark, murky winter and I will look at countless summer pictures to get me through this endless wait.

Forever yours,

Cristina

Wordless Wednesday: Back to Reality

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Yesterday I flew back to real life in New York City after spending two wonderful weeks home in my warm Puerto Rico. I took this picture during take-off and felt inspired to edit it on the spot.

Can’t wait to start sharing all the great pictures I took, stay tuned!

Hey there 2015!

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May this new year be filled with things that make you smile, whether that’s visiting new places or eating cheese in your couch. May you discover new wonders and overcome obstacles. Don’t sweat the little things, unless they’re spiders. Let 2015 be an adventure, the kind that leaves you panting but with a huge, idiotic smile in your face.

Cheers!

My Last 2014 Morning

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I write this in bed, before I truly wake up, because I know that once I leave this room, things are going to start happening and the moment will be gone.

Sometimes I wish I had a personal mind recorder for those moments in which I can’t type and wish to record my thoughts. I’m not talking about one of those voice-to-text features, they never get what I’m saying.

Anyways, it’s the last day of 2014 and I woke up with an uneasy feeling resulting from some dreams I can’t quite piece together. I tend to have very active dreams and the odd sensation stays with me throughout the morning, can’t quite explain it. Whatever these dreams may or may not mean, they can’t shake away how I’ve truly been feeling these past few days… that 2015 is bound to be great.

Last year on this very day, I was happy, yet not excited. 2013 was so amazing that I felt 2014 could not measure up, so I hoped for the best and dove right in. 2014 was great, I challenged myself in new ways and opened up my eyes to beautiful things and some tough lessons.

I may be half asleep, but after writing this, I feel excited and I don’t want this feeling to go away. Maybe 2015 will not live up to the hype, but there’s something magical about this one day of the year in which everyone takes a moment to look back and forward with a wave of emotions they seek to master and a light they wish to find in their lives.

I may not know what my dreams are trying to tell me, but I’ll embrace whatever may come.

May your 2015 be filled with moments that make you smile and put your hands in the air like you just don’t care (hands in the air are optional).

Peace, Love & Diet Coke *

Christmas Morning

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In the midst of the sweet chaos that coming home for the Holidays entails, I wanted to take a second to be cheerful and cheesy. I love Christmas time, it’s really the best time of the year (besides my birthday, duh). I love seeing everyone come together, if only for a day.

I love seeing people go out of their way to come together in celebration, but most importantly, I love the magic it brings to life. I don’t even dare say what we know to be real or not, because on a day like today I like to believe that all of us believe a little more that we care to admit for. My little sister with special needs has already been told where the presents come from, but still, she left her letter with cookies as she did every year. I don’t think I’ll ever know what’s truly in her mind, if it’s pretend or not, but seeing her this Christmas morning made me very happy. She was sleepy and grumpy, but for a second we were all there in the floor opening presents together and it felt as magical as I always remembered it to be.

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