Cheers to whatever you want to cheer to!

December 31, 2013November 22, 2015Leave a comment

Truth is we are all a little afraid, we are all a little reluctant, but we still raise a glass and cheer for a new year to come. Years are only human creation; it’s what we do during those years what truly makes a difference. We can hope and wish for new things to come our way during this New Year, but it’s really up to you to make things happen. Of course, favorable conditions are always preferred, but don’t let everything become an excuse.

So don’t go all crazy just because that 3 turned into a 4, let’s keep having a good time and striving to be better people. God knows I am far from my end result, but who said we can’t enjoy the ride?

Buckle up, or don’t, it’s really up to you.

Peace, Love & Diet Coke.*

Image Credit – http://bit.ly/1kZ8jXh

Things that I am tired of doing & other realistic musings on the new year…

December 30, 2013November 22, 2015Leave a comment

I have a love and hate relationship with new year resolutions. On one side I think it’s good to take the time to look back on what you wished you had done and look forward to try to accomplish whatever is next on your list. I love making lists and I actually enjoy sitting down and jotting down my resolutions. On the other hand, I hate when I sound all full of cliches and end up being redundant with rolling unaccomplished resolutions that stare at me with a dubious look.

So before I post any resolutions or end of year happy thoughts, I wanted to share what I’m tired of and wish to somehow change for the new year. Come on, I know you can relate to some of these, so let’s feel guilty together and make a change.

Criticizing everyone who does stupid stuff online – Sure, they look ridiculous, but why pain myself with embarrassment? It’s none of my business. It only wastes my energy. Have a good laugh and move on.
Making excuses for myself – This means hitting the gym and being realistic about it. I’m not going to go every day, that just can’t happen, but if I’m paying a monthly fee that does not mean it equals a monthly visit.
Saying that I’m going to hang out with someone and never coming through – This is not entirely my fault, it’s tricky for everyone. I do want to be able to make more time for people I care about. I need to stop being a “let’s do something soon” slut and start committing to concrete dates.
Complaining about money – This might not stop entirely, but I figure if I have a good plan under my sleeve I won’t feel as miserable every time I need to have tomato soup for dinner.
Caring about people that don’t care about me – Take it as you will, but it’s tiring. I care a lot about people and go out of my way to help people out and make sure they are happy. I’m tired of not being appreciated or at times, even acknowledged. I want to surround myself with people that care about something else besides themselves. This goes for #3 as well, why bother trying to meet up with someone who does not want to meet up with you? Not worth it.
My milk going bad before I am able to finish it – Or any other food for that matter. I’m wasting money and creating false hopes of a full and yummy fridge. I can work on this, I believe in myself.

I figure if each year I leave a little bit of the bad stuff behind, I can make some progress in a few years, right? Life’s too short to carry negative stuff around, it’s like carrying your heavy suitcase through NYC public transportation.

Cheers!

Vacation mode, not that I’m bragging or anything.

December 27, 2013November 22, 2015Leave a comment

Still in vacation over here. Enjoying some time in my beautiful Puerto Rico, can’t really complain.

2014 is right around the corner, but right now I’m enjoying the “now”.

Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico – Seriously one of my favorite views in the whole island.

Up in the mountains of Adjuntas, having lunch with a sweet tropical breeze.

Delicious mofongo, stuffed with skirt steak and other wonders. Basically, plantain gloriousness in a plate.

Playa Sucia in Cabo Rojo. “Sucia” means dirty, but believe me, this beach is far from dirty. Guess we like irony?

So basically, been busy with family and tropical adventures but I shall be back in the tundra that is New York and face reality. 2013 has been pretty sweet, so some stories are in store.

Cheers everyone, Happy Holidays! (At least in Puerto Rico it’s still the Holidays)

City Facades

December 17, 2013November 22, 20151 Comment

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Lost in an eternal daze, dazzled by the city lights,

Faces fly by, in this city governed by night

We claim pieces of concrete, unpolished fairy dust,

Seeking shelter on this land full of unbalanced trust

Entitlement corrupts free spirits, crushing dreams one by one

As the sun falls, our fears and walls become undone

A city of expectations, fueled by the purest form of irony

Nothing is required, but presumptions dampen any clarity

Walls guard secrets untold, keeping them safe in the clouds

Hands shaking, smiles rising, money flying, all because we’re too proud

The city of shine and sparkle, an eternal masquerade

Everyone’s invited, but not everyone can make it

You’ll need more than a mask, what are you willing to trade?

Even the shadows dance in here, will you join this masquerade?

– Cristina Nogueras ©

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Image Credits:

http://www.freehdwall.com/2013/08/new-york-city-street-night-lights-hd.html

http://musicgivesasoultotheuniverse.tumblr.com/post/69909743789

Breaking Standards, Savoring Irony

December 13, 2013November 22, 2015Leave a comment

They say we are young and restless, but some days that’s not how we feel. We are lost in a sea of loans and bills, looking out at the stars with all their glimmering cheer. We dream of places far away, our thirst unquenched, our fears unlisted.

We want to go places but we know we can’t fly. We are tied to the puppeteer, but we always want to dance. Time is unknown, just something we’ve heard of.

We are easily inspired with a fleeting desire that gets lost in the city lights.

– Cristina Nogueras ©

Photo Credits:

http://enjoythefood.tumblr.com/post/69846548946

http://parisfog.tumblr.com/post/69743392968

Wordless Wednesday: Once Upon a Time in France

December 11, 2013November 22, 2015Leave a comment

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Somewhere in France, Fall 2010 – Photos by Cristina Nogueras ©

On buying houses and other things I am not ready for…

December 10, 2013November 22, 2015Leave a comment

I keep saying I’m poor. I know this is an exaggeration, true poverty implies the absence of many things that I am truly blessed to have. That being clear, I need to coin a new phrase for my financial state.

Anyways, last night I was watching House Hunters for the first time. For those of you who do not know, House Hunters is a TV show from HGTV in which people are looking to buy houses, rent apartments or anything along those lines. Let me tell you, I know nothing about real estate.

I’ve been really lucky with finding my past three living arrangements (in New York City and in Hoboken). Well, lucky minus the fact that one of those places flooded. I’ve been happy with my first choices during the hunting process and I’ve been lucky to have everything approved when needed. I obviously rent my place. I am in no way ready or even capable of purchasing a home.

While watching House Hunters, instead of feeling inspired like my roommate did, I felt a wave of panic cursing through my body. How do people have thousands and thousands of dollars just laying around ready to be invested into a property? Oh yeah, I guess it’s called saving and making good life decisions. Well, I’m sorry that I’m too busy trying to pay off my student loans and trying to make it in New York City.

Conclusion, if I’m purchasing any property soon, it will be a plastic house for my future puppy… and even that is a far stretch.

Wordless Wednesday: Playa Crash Boat, Puerto Rico

December 4, 2013November 18, 2015Leave a comment

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On giving thanks… with a side of puppies.

November 28, 2013November 18, 20151 Comment

Source: http://www.loveitsomuch.com/

Giving thanks…

Remember? Thanksgiving? The whole reason you eat turkey?

I know, it’s hard to remember when all you see is Christmas lights and black Friday deals. I know Thanksgiving is supposed to be about giving thanks and all that. To be honest, for me it’s all about being with family and people you love. If you think about it, that’s a reason to be thankful, so there you have it. No matter how you wish to look at it, you have to be thankful during Thanksgiving, maybe it’s because you are off work or because you saved a ridiculous amount of money on something you did not even need to begin with, but you are thankful and you know it.

This will be my 7th Thanksgiving that I spend away from home without my family. Sounds tragic, but I’ve been blessed to be able to spend it with special people each and every year. Whether it has been with my friend attempting to cook a turkey in Boston freshman year of college, abroad in France with my amazing host family or even last year with another friend roaming the streets of NYC looking for a place that was open for cheap turkey feasting (cheap being the key word).

That’s what it’s all about, feeling that warmth from the people that you love and being able to say: “Woah, I’m lucky to have people that love me.” Distance sucks, but even in the distance I know I have SO many people that love me and care about me. Sure, I can be thankful for so many other things in my life, but I’m gonna let myself be cheesy and this year I’m going to be thankful for love in all of its forms. Whether it’s my mom’s morning text, a friend’s hug, a lover’s kiss or a puppy picture in my phone’s background.

However, just in case you still need some reasons to be thankful today, here are some Thanksgiving themed puppy pictures.

Source: http://puppypicsonline.com/tag/thanksgiving-puppy/