FMM- Twelve in 2012

I wish I could have had a camera this week to show you what I see each day on my work walks. Yesterday was a quiet Rainy Sunday, the subway was not as packed, people where playing Christmas music in almost every stop I got off. I saw more kindness from others, it felt good to be walking in the rain...until I got to 34th street and people where going nuts about a new shoe release. Really? beats me. I sure hope Santa can afford to give me a camera soon.

Anyways, I am joining FMM again!

How do you feel about 2012?  Let’s discuss it, shall we?

Now…If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Twelve in 2012

1. What was your greatest personal accomplishment in 2012? uhm, perhaps getting a home again but that means that loosing our home was the biggest failure ever.

2. What’s the best thing your did for your health?  Probably getting to walk TONS. It was hard and painful at first, but now I do it like a trooper. My scale does not look much different but ALL my pants are falling off and need a belt. What's up with that?

3. Share one thing that caused a significant change in your life this year.  Moving to NYC. A shocker at first, I hated it and I cried a lot, now I kind of like it.

4. List a few things that you experienced for the first time at some point over the last twelve months.  

- The Belvedere Castle @ Central Park.

-Does going on the subway by myself and not getting lost count?.

- Our first NYC apartment and move! (if you ever do that, I beg of you to pay someone)

5. What was the coolest place you visited? So many, all NYC related: seeing more of Downtown, the stores, other parts of Central Park, new restaurants, etc.

6. If you could change one thing about the last year what would it be?  I would have much rather have a smooth move instead of being homeless, not have our stuff broken or stolen, but I have to say I DID learn something out of it and it force us to re-evaluated lots of things and prompted us to move to NYC.

7. What is the best meal you ate this year? a Burger I ate at Big Nicks NYC.

8. Tell us about a new friend you made.  well, the only real new friend is my my ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend :) but I have reacquaint with many old one's that I have not seen in years, thanks to living in New York.

9. What did you hope to accomplish this year that you did not?  Loose 20 pounds :(  I am not even going to get into it

10. Share something you learned in 2012.  I learned that 80% of people around you do not give a flying fuck about you. That of the other 20% only 10% would do whatever they can to help you, guide you and be there for you. That Money may not be important to me, but it certainly is for some people and that I am glad I got to see their true colors, finally. But not all is bad, some people really are angels!

11. Share an odd and unexpected thing that you experienced this year. Nothing odd per say, just a lot of odd people, I do live in NYC after all

12. How do you think 2013 will differ from 2012?  I believe that I will make good changes for my health and weigh now that we are getting settled. I will focus on the important things and not sweat the small stuff/people. To live to be a better me, no matter what others think. And to focus on giving back the love and support I received.

Happy Monday, now I'm off to make Brownies

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Making a Home- NYC

Helluuuu there.
So I have been thinking (applause) about the things I want to do in the house, so many little projects, things to replace, things to paint and reorganize, give away, etc.
Since our disaster move, where things got stolen or broken, half of our stuff is hanging with glue and hope. Some other stuff we can wait (and will wait) for them. I am getting in a new mood and feeling.

I don't want to sound ungrateful, because I am, I realize what not having a home can do for one's soul, I hope you never have to. But I digress, I learn that no matter what my home looks like, it is MINE and is loved, and happy, and it keeps us safe and warm. So yeah, there is more important things right now, but that does not mean that we wont work hard to be and get better, so one day all those little projects can be accomplished. One little step at a time.

So, for purposes of making my own project list, I will show you some of our rooms and what we plan to do in them.

 First the Kitchen. I do like it, I like having the table in  a breakfast nook, sitting with my coffee and looking out the window. First we will paint, ass some shelves in the wall next to the fridge (ceilings are about 12ft)
Next to the stove there is actually more space, I want to paint one side of the wall with chalk paint.
You see this to the right of the entrance.

This is part of the entrance, is shaped as a reverse L so this would be the long part. Kitchen entrance is before the tree.
We want to take the shelves of the bookcase and put them higher with brackets so we would have space underneath it for a small Ikea Desk and situate the computer here. (hallway leads to bedrooms, bathroom, and there are 2 closets on the opposite wall of the frames)

kind of too look like this (we believe paint will do miracles!)

aww, the tree on the other side, and yes we get molding all thru out the house too-see the living room wall to the left?

The living room actually gets tons of lights, therefore new curtains, get rid of all the scrapbook including the tower pf paper, the corner desk is broken and being held only on one side, so it will go once the entrance gets redone. Sorry for the dark picture and the mini Indiana Jones wanna be kiddo.

Then this one needs a LOT of upgrade

You can see the mess of us getting ready behind me, hehehe. Ok, better girl, better :) This is my Work Day I-don't-look-like-I-have-makeup-on-but-I-do look

So that is just some of them, the bedrooms also need some work, some paint, some new storage, curtains, but all in good time. Just being at home has been a good treat but I look forward to the days when I can start decorating again.

Over & out

Friend Makin’ Mondays: Thanksgiving Edition

I am going to make it short and sweet. I have so much to be Thankful and slowly but surely I am changing my mindset to be in the moment and to be present, to be grateful. So here we go.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Thanksgiving Edition

1. Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?  If so, please share them.  Nope, none, back in the homeland we do not celebrate Thanksgiving. Over hear we just get together with family, have a big feast and dance the night away.

2. List at least three dishes that are on your family’s table every year.Well, for the family that is here: My MIL Famous Turkey (and the only turkey I will eat), Potato salad and Roasted Pork.

3. Do you prefer pumpkin pie or pecan pie?  neither. We never have this for Thanksgiving, usually we do our typical cake or cheesecake.

4. Will you watch football on Thanksgiving Day? Ok, I officially suck at this because we do not do any of these things. We usually just dance :)

5. Do you plan to exercise Thursday? nope! I work all week walking around NYC. Enough :)

6. Do you prefer ham or turkey?   ham unless is my MIL's Turkey.

7. Will you shop on Black Friday?  If so, where will you go first?  Nope, I have not done that in years and right now we have other priorities. I cannot foresee getting trample on for a TV. That's just me, I rather do Cyber Monday.

8. Do you take a nap on Thanksgiving? No, I have to get ready since I have to meet family.

9. Share one dish that probably won’t be on anyone else’s table. Moro (rice with green peas) and probably the Roasted Pork.

10. What are you thankful for today?  My home. Same answer for the last few months. Also my and my family's health...My Brother is really sick with Cancer and I know how difficult his life is; makes you have more perspective...

Now it’s your turn to post the questions on your blog!  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday, and happy early Thanksgiving!

The Liebster Award aka The Oscar's for me!!

I want to thank my Mom for supporting me, even thought she hates 99% of my decisions, my dress maker, the people at MAC, etc... OH MY someone was crazy enough to give me an award.

I found out on my last post that the lovely Jenn has nominated me for a Liebster. Follow her link so you can see what is all about (sort of like paying it forward kind of thing).

Since I am up late searching for comfortable walking boots at Zappos I took a break and decided to do it!

Here it is:

The Rules:

1. State 11 personal facts. 

2. Answer the questions from the person who nominated you. 

3. Nominate 5 bloggers who have less than 200 followers (no tag backs) and ask them random questions.

4. Complete your post.

5. Link up your post on the originating bloggers post. 

Just the Facts:

1. I have a favorite finger hehehe
2. I cry ginormous sobs when I found out Michael Jackson died. I love him. True love last a lifetime. End of story.
3. This one is bad. I find most of the people around me incredibly stupid. I know, that is horrible to say but I do. I have a very inquisitive mind and I love learning new things. To me someone who doesn't even bother to know where Cuba is just because it does not relate to them is ignorant. 
4. I do some sort of prayer everyday, I talk to what I believe is God in the most random places, walking around, in the subway, etc. I don't think anyone knows this because I don't think I am religious at all.
5. I don't like licorice, gummy candies, twizzlers, hard cookies, pickles or cucumbers
6. I hate when people say that someone's  behavior is acceptable because that's just how they are. (i.e: "Oh don't pay attention to Sandra's hurtful comments, that's how she is") what a horrible excuse.
7. I positively hate taking pills.
8. I love to help people. I love making someone smile or making their day better. It gives me a great feeling when I know I can be of service
9. I do not like modern art.
10. I avoid confrontation at all cost, even when I know I am right. Specially because I can't never forget what others said and do to me. Forgiveness does not come easy for me...I will treat you with respect but I will never forget.
11. Even though my life has been very hard at times, I do believe it will make for a great story to tell my grandkids one day. 

Questions from Jenn to me:

1. If you were president for a day, what would you do/change and why? 

I will give each family $5,000 it would not solve many problems but I know people can do a lot with unexpected money and help with any immediate need they have (or save it if they are fortunate enough)

I will also allow any immigrant that has been here for over 10yrs to get his US Citizenship.

Harder punishment for parole violators.

Gosh, should I keep going????

2. Who do you admire the most?  And why? Can be someone living or deceased, real or imaginary. 

Besides my parents (They raised 6 kids, no loans, no credit cards, all attended private schools, build their own home, they are HEROES to me) I would say The Character of Lorelai Gilmore because she always did and said what she meant

3. What is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate that holiday?

Halloween in first place and Christmas in second.

When I had a home I used to go all out with fog machines, strobe lights, a Big Halloween party. Now is more simple since we have a Halloween Movie night in which we do some fun trivia. For Christmas we are planning to do a Hot chocolate gathering but I also love doing all the decor for the Holidays and walking around seeing all the pretty homes and stores.

4. What are you most afraid of?

loosing my home again

5. If you could choose a new profession, what would you do?

Makeup artist or translator, again because I would love to help people, plus makeup is so much fun!

OK, so most of the people on my list are also over the 100 mark but I will nominate this very special lady:

Jodi from And in my Corner- because she rocks!

My questions are:

-If you could go back and be any age for 1 year, which would it be and why?

-not including your family, which 5 people would you invite for an amazing dinner party? (could be famous, dead or alive)

-name 3 pet peeves

-your dream vehicle, make, model, color and why

-You have one week to go away, by yourself and $10,000 to spent on that week mandatory, where would you go?

Over & out

Meanwhile in NYC

We survive this crazy Sandy. And I'm gonna tell you the truth: I had NO IDEA it was this bad. We didn't have cable, internet or phones; our apartment is in the back garden which shapes like an U, our front trees where moving a lot, it was breezy but being from the Caribbean it did not look that bad. I actually slept with my window open (I kid you not).

By Tuesday when we got the connection back and saw the news I was " what the heck?! where were we?!
We did not loose power or water and now we know how incredible lucky we where.

I went to work on Wednesday, so I check and the buses have been re routed, the main road is full of huge trees so I though, uhm, maybe some branches where down...instead I got this:

Basically a huge trees fell down the road, one fell on FOUR cars crushing them (excuse the lack of detail since my dear teenager took these). Then another one fell across the street to the house, they took down to light post along with electricity for that block. It was just one block down from us. Not only we got lucky because our complex is not so expose to the trees as the ones you see in these pics, but also we got everything back and they are still in the dark!


Getting around has been challenging  especially Wednesday. Overall we are not complaining and actually grateful for the things we take for granted.

I believe and I know things will recover and people will heal. Also my beloved NJ where I lived many, many years...so scary...so sad.

With the state of things we thought Halloween was cancelled, and since we had our Halloween Movie night Saturday we didn't think much of it, but when we went for a walk our little guy saw other kids dressed up so he wanted to join them. We Trick or Treated for a little while and he got his pumpkin filled in just one block. So thank you to all my neighbors who where in the spirit of celebrating still and making it festive for the kids.

Hope you all are staying well.

Over & out

Where the Streets have no name

Apparently this is the only way I get to write here. I am so over tired by the time I get home from walking all day the streets of New York, then is home life and cooking, making a tower with Legos, racing cars while multiple episodes of "the Land before time" are in the back ground.

I do cherish these moments too much and therefore have none to spare right now. I only wish I can get a camera faster because the beauty of this city is worth keeping a record of. Even the ghetto parts.

The one magnificent thing is I am in dire need of pants, all this walking has made me loose some hefty pounds (no idea how many since I have no care of weighing myself) but I look utterly ridiculous pinning my pants and pulling them up all the time.

Let me give you at least this:

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

1. Choose three songs that would be on the soundtrack of your life. So unfair to pick only three...”Fix you” by Cold Play, “Moon over Bourbon Street” by Sting. "Cruz de Navajas" by Mecano (I do know that Ironic by Alanis Morissette has to be my intro...for sure)

2. Share the details of one project that you’re currently working on. NONE. I am being lazy and enjoying it. I have a million ideas for this place...eventually.

3. If you could learn to do one thing overnight what would it be? Two things: Learn sign language and horse back riding like a pro. 

4. If you could be a fictional character which one would you be?  a toss between Lorelai Gilmore from "Gilmore girls" and Miss Marple from the Agatha Christie's books.

5. What’s your favorite thing about the month of October? Everything. The fall scents, the hot drinks, the rainy days, but mostly HALLOWEEN :)

6. Share one TV show that you’re embarrassed to admit you watch.  I am not embarrassed, but other people are of these: Jersey Shore (yeaaaaah buddy) and My big fat gypsy wedding.

7. Name one friend that you’re thankful to have in your life today.  Kelly. She has been my friend since I was 7 and she has kept out relationship alive, she is always there for me and always has time to listen to my none sense.

8. What was the most relaxing part of your weekend? not working. not walking. and catching up to some of my shows.

9. Do you like to dance?  Yes, I do.Salsa, merengue, Bachata, Pop, rock, bring anything on! .

10.  Share one thing that you’re looking forward to before the end of the year.  getting settle and used to being in NYC, making memories of family gatherings now that we are closer, getting this place together and feeling like home.

Now go to visit Kenley and join this so I can go snoop on your answers. Go. shoo. shoo.

Over & out

On the streets of NYC

I am not even going to say sorry. I just had no time to write anything these days. The good things is that I have become a sort of expert on taking all kinds of public transportation in this HUGE city. I actually KNOW where I am going, all by my self (ok google helps me a tad before I go out) and have not gotten lost  :)
I am so happy.

The great news is that I am working again, even thought I miss being home with the kiddo, it is very flexible, I am actually a secret shopper and have to go to several stores during the day (the actual Co. pays me- not an agency) and I can make my schedule too. Yay. Yay for paychecks. Yay for getting store discounts. yay for getting paid to shop (no, I don't keep what I purchase).

The SAD  part is not having a camera right now for me to go around. I've been to Harlem, pass the Apollo Theater, sat today at Bryant Park @ 5th Avenue, walked around the fashion district.

This is where I was doing my work today, sitting here filling out forms. hard work, huh? Let me shut up now 'cause winter is coming and walking around in the cold is not my forte. ..ahhhh so many beautiful views and no camera to show you.

But don't despair, my good fellows at Nikon have an awesome new little camera that I think will do for what I want/need now.The Coolpix S01 3x.

It is tini tiny.

I love that I can put it in my pocket and not worry about it. Do I still want the 1J? yeap, but is not realistic right now, so I am going to be a good little girl and save up for this one instead. 

Now if only I can find a classy, comfortable, cross body handbag that does not make me look like I'm still in college, THAT would be golden.

Over & out.