My Little Bootsie

On the left is the newest addition to my two person family. She is annoying and adorable. Her name is Bootsie and her birthday is June 5, 2009 (yes we made that up after a quick calculation of how old she was when we got her).

She loves to play with my hair, putting one paw on the right of my head and one paw on the left, like she is holding a bowl. She does this mostly when I'm doing some sort of exercise on the ground. Though it can be bothersome, it is cute too.

She loves sleeping with Faustino and I, on either one of us or the spot we moved from. When she is trying to get comfortable she kneads our chests and licks until she feels like she has had enough. When she is done licking and kneading she curls up into a ball, usually under our necks. Then she repeats the process, sometimes she completes the routine 5 times before completely settling in. She also loves to walk on Faustino's face when we are laying down and normally she is careful not to claw.

She hates being left alone and will cry and cry when we both leave to go somewhere (we can hear it all the way down our hallway). When we get home she races to the door to greet us, she then proceeds to walk in the hallway only to come back 5 seconds later.

She hates being left out. HATES it! If we lock her out of the room when we are having alone time she cries at the door until we let her in. If one of us is doing something in the kitchen on the counter that she can't reach she cries because she can't see what we are doing.

I think she has a dual personality. She is feisty and calm. She is crazy and mellow. And it all depends on the day and time. During the day she likes to play and claw. At night she likes to lounge and cuddle.

So, to say the least, she is so damn spoiled. But what can you do? She is our baby (she really is). In the end we love her and we are happy to have her. She is the cutest addition to our family and home.

Inspirational Reading

About a year or two ago, I met a woman who said she read around 100 books a year. I could not believe my eyes (she had at least that many under her desk) or ears. 100? That is more than 8 books a month. How did she have the time? I could understand reading a lot because I have always loved reading and getting lost in books and their characters but never felt like I had enough time to read. Last year after a series of unfortunate events, I began to read in order to get my mind off of everything. Off of my life, work and most importantly reality. I read every second of the day and I barely slept some nights. I even began to neglect one of the most important people in my life, Faustino. He had been right next to me during those trying days, that turned into weeks and then months. But I couldn't help it, I kept reading like a mad woman.



Finally after a few months and one great vacation I began to return to my old self but I didn't stop reading. I could not stop reading. Now, almost 8 months later, I still read 1-2 books, maybe 3 per month. BUT, I can now say that I'm not avoiding life and reality. And I no longer neglect that person who helped save me from months of depression.


During this past year, I have read multiple great books and a few that were so-so. Just yesterday I finished a better than decent book. Though it was not my favorite it was a book that made me think and want to do something. To take action. If anything else, it inspired me. What book you might ask... The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton. The book is about a group of 5 housewives in the 1960s who begin to become self aware and want to do something with their lives. And so, what do they do? They begin to write and create their own writers club. The book is about their bond, how they make each other better, and how even though the odds are against them they succeed. One becomes an editor, three get published and the last keeps writing and having fun. In a time when many women weren't working unless they needed to, they went above and beyond and made something for themselves.


To understand how this book inspired me, you need to understand my passion and hobbies. My passion is traveling, thanks to my grandma who provided me with the opportunity to roam. I would travel every day of my life if I could afford it. And, two of my main hobbies include cultures and photos.


For years I have loved to take photos. And for a while I had thought about buying a high quality camera. I finally had the opportunity to purchase a DSLR in January and so I did. This was the first big step into what I have decided to pursue. After my trip to Argentina, I found photo classes that were being taught at night in Hayward. It was starting to come together. I was learning about my camera and snapping some decent artsy photos. While taking my photography class I began thinking...what do I want to do with this? Where do I want to go with this skill I am learning?


And like that...a bright light popped into my head. Travel writing. One problem...I'm not a creative writer. Sometimes I don't believe I have one creative bone in my body (those talents went to the others in my family). And though it was just an idea in my head, I didn't really think I could actually do it. This is where the book comes into play.


After reading The Wednesday Sisters, I thought "hey I can do that too." I can start writing. I have something to say. I have a voice and a strong one at that (I really hope you are not one of the unfortunate few who have heard me sing...its not pretty). So there it is. Inspiration from a book that I was not even sure I wanted to buy in the first place. Now all I need to do is buy a small journal I can take with me in my purse and write. Write about anything and everything.

Just keep swimming...

How is it that one day you feel like your flying, like everything is going exactly as you planned and then the next day you feel as though your a million miles away from what and where you want to be in your life? Is it mood swings? Being too emotional? Depression? Tell me what it is...

Truth is nothing is just black or white. There are many gray zones. And no one gets to do exactly what they want the first time around. So why do I get down on myself when I haven't achieved what I thought I would right out of college?

I realize that we often forget where we want to go because the path isn't clear, but I have to believe that eventually I will be able to be where I know I belong. It just might take me a little longer than originally planned. In the end, I just have to concentrate. Concentrate on myself, concentrate on my goals. And, one day I will get there. In the meantime, like Dory, I need to "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming."

Booked

Its booked. Their booked. I'm booked. And its the greatest feeling in the world. I haven't felt this excited or alive since I lived in Spain. I haven't travelled this much since that wonderful year abroad. And though its costs a pretty penny it is well worth it.

I am truly a wanderer and am not fully happy if I can't see my next trip, big or small, in the near future. Traveling or planning my next adventure is the only time I feel at peace and true to myself. Tonight, after speaking with my ladies, I have a hint of that peace that I have been seeking for what seems like years. And its all because we booked our hotel.

San Diego in August with my lovely ladies of Spain will no doubt be the highlight of my summer, followed by my first of many trips to Seattle to see my big brother, his girlfriend and my auntie. Possibly back to Seattle for Christmas and then Las Vegas for New Years. What more could I ask for of this year?