Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

In the past few months, I've had my nationality questioned more than once. I've openly stated that I was born in Cuba and consider myself to be Cuban. But I also believe myself an American. Sure, I wasn't born here, I don't even have citizenship here, but this country is as much mine as it is yours.
Something that annoys me is knowing people who live in this country, make use of its benefits, and constantly criticize the way it is ran. If you have an issue with the democracy of the country, then deal with it or move out, but don't go around bragging about it. I'm not writing for or against any government. I'm writing in the hope for decency.
I once met an immigrant who lives in the United States, yet constantly criticized American traditions and beliefs. I find that astounding- how a person can be so hypocritical that such a situation comes up. If you love your country so much, then go live there. Yet they stay here soaking up the red, white and blue.
Another predicament came up with a peculiar individual who criticizes each and every word that comes out of this government through a social medium. I'm all for freedom of expression, but I've always heard that there are three things that shouldn't be touched upon in public: religion, sex and politics. Unfortunately, this individual wasn't raised in the same household I was.

What is the point of my incessant ranting? You don't have to be born in a country to love it, and you don't have to analyze every bit of the government with your private opinions to prove your love. I was born in Cuba, and I may or may not agree on half of the things this government concludes on. But I am an American.

Because Life Doesn't Stop Moving

Things I've learned in the past year:

1.  Yoga really works. Due to school and work I've been really stressed. I started practicing yoga once a week and I felt a weight lifted off my shoulder every time the session was through. Stretching out my muscles and relaxing in a silent room was....refreshing. Learning to breathe in whenever I felt a tug or pull on my muscle taught me to relax and breathe in when faced with a tough time. The next time you feel stressed or like you just can't take it anymore...breathe in and relax. 
2. Confidence is beauty. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who knows how to stand tall and believe in herself. A woman who knows where she stands and has plans for herself is one who deserves respect from others. Women have come a long way throughout history and now is not the time to back down. We must accept who we are with a smile on our face and the attitude to guide us through tomorrow. 
3. Everyone deserves a second chance. Life gives you second chances quite often and it is very important that you take advantage of them. I met someone who misused his first opportunity. As expected, he was granted a second chance, and is now making the most out of his time. You can do the same. Remember, no one's ever heard of a third chance. 
4. Life keeps moving. This earth moves daily, and you are one small person. It won't wait for you to be ready, you must adapt yourself to it.  In the blink of an eye we go from being innocent children to mature adults who must accept their wrongdoings. We must learn to be courageous and brave, forget about the past and the ideas that did us wrong. Move on, after all, life doesn't stop, why should you?

If I Could...

"If I could, I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes; give you courage in a world of compromise. If I knew, I would try to change the world I brought you to. " -Celine Dion

My nephew Aidan was born on November 1st, 2009, at 33 weeks as a premature baby. It is never easy for a parent to leave their newborn baby for a couple of seconds. My brother and sister-in-law had to leave baby Aidan daily in the hospital as he got healthier. With the help of God and his doctors who stuck by him, Aidan was soon at home by his parents' side. Today he is a healthy and happy baby at 5 months old.

I had always done the March of Dimes/March for Babies, but this year it means something else to me and my family. We're not only walking for all the preemies and their parents, but we're walking for one of our own. As its mission states, one day all babies will be born healthy, but we have to help them get there. A donation, as small as it is, is a GREAT help.

If you would like to donate, please visit http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_pag
e.asp?SeId=1415606. The donations will be made to our team, Aidan's Crew, and will go toward the March of Dimes fund for premature babies. 

Live Before You Die

"When you're young you always think the sun is gonna shine. One day you're gonna have to say hello to goodbye.  Shout it out; let someone, somewhere know that you're alive. Take these words, wear them well- live before you die." -Bon Jovi


No, this isn't another mushy gushy post about love and all its wonders (sorry Babe). This is the real thing. Life is short, and it ends pretty damn quick for some people. We have to make the best of it. Make the best of the people you have around you, and the chances we are granted in our years here.

My eyes opened up today for reasons that shall remain silent. I noticed that I'm so lucky to have a handful of people in my life. People that others would only dream about meeting. I'd say my life sums up to being pretty good, in its 15 years of existence. I mean I have a good bunch of friends who I'd like to think would do pretty much anything to see me smile. My family is to die for. I spend a good portion of the day laughing and coming close to tears because of them and their, well their uniqueness. And then there's my boyfriend who I'd be lost without. Sure, plenty of girls have boyfriends, but I don't know he's a lot more than that, very different.

So now that I'm done blabbing about the positives of my life, let me just tell you this. A shitload of bad things happen to us in this world, but if we're still here- living, breathing, laughing and loving- then there has to be a reason for that.

I want you to look around you at this moment. Maybe grab a pencil and sheet of paper. Maybe do it on this blog as a comment. Tell me three things that you love about your life. Three things that make you happy. Not just smiling and laughing, but really, TRULY, happy. And don't come to me with said bull about what happiness is. You know exactly how it feels. That little tingly feeling inside when everything is just right and that snicker on your face cause you feel lucky and even selfish because maybe you feel that in a few seconds this feel of perfection will be gone. What things do that to you?

Photocredit: PaperTissue 

This Is The Story Of My Life

So these past few months in Psychology we had to write an autobiography and in honor of that autobiography I'm posting my "playlist" (or so Jeannie likes to call it). The songs which were good enough to be quoted by me in my autobio...

Everything is Alright- Motion City Soundtrack
The Future Freaks Me Out- Motion City Soundtrack
No Day But Today- Rent
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds- The Beatles
With Me- Sum 41
A.O.K- Motion City Soundtrack
Newport Living- Cute Is What We Aim For
New Soul- Yael Naim
Someday- Nickelback
Sweet and Low- Augustana
Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)- Billy Joel
Best Days- Graham Colton

And although I didn't remember the song before i turned in the autobiography, I really wish I would have added Story of my Life by Bon Jovi....

"This is the story of my life and I write it everyday. I know it isnt black and white, and its anything but grey. I know, that no I'm not alright, but I feel ok cause anything and everything can happen. That's the story of my life. This is the story of my life and I write it everyday, and I hope you're by my side when I'm writing the last page"

There you have it. Now I can't wait until Ms. Pino hands them back and we have that big bonfire to burn our past. Here's to the future!

Show Me What I'm Looking For

You asked me to show you how much I really liked you, how much you meant to me. And although I may put my uttermost effort into this, I don't think that message will ever get through. It would be like someone explaining the taste of water, or the feel of a first kiss, or explaining emptiness to your soul. All these things are inexplicable, so I'm gonna try.  

"Its all your fault, you called me beautiful. You turned me out and now I can't turn back again." -P!nk

Before I had you in my life, not as a boyfriend but as a friend, I never had someone I could go to for advice, advice that would actually help me in whatever I needed. I never laughed as hard as I do daily, usually to the point of tears. I never had someone who would stay up with me when I was crying to see me smile again, even if sometimes we went until four in the morning.

I wake up daily smiling to myself because I have someone there for me to listen to all my problems, to listen to all my questions, everything. I have someone on whom I can confide in to be my best friend, someone who I can trust with even my deepest troubles. I have a lover who keeps my heart racing and butterflies flying against the walls of my stomach. And each day before I go to bed I make sure to turn to Charlie and inhale your scent with hopes that you'll stay with me throughout my dreams. 

"Every long-lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms. This much I know is true- that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you." -Rascal Flatts.

I don't know what else to say to prove my point, I just hope you understand that I need you in my life. 

Photocredit: PaperTissue

I'm Gonna Love You More Than Anyone

"I'm gonna love you more than anyone. I'm gonna hold you closer than before. And when I kiss your soul, your body'll be free, and I'll be free for you anytime." -Gavin DeGraw.

Its been a while since I've posted anything. In a few months it will have been a year, but there is still time to catch up. I just noticed that this thing doesn't let you be grammatically correct when typing up paragraphs and such. The tab button doesn't work. Ehh, I'll get over it, I guess.

Ok so I'm currently a sophomore in high school, getting the days to pass along and such. Last time I said anything I mentioned my best friend and hoping for things to work between us. To keep it short and very, very simple- they did. Sometime around August we were at a mutual friend's house in his pool and throughout the course of our conversation there was some flirting going on (that NEVER happened between us before I let him know how I felt), and eventually a kiss occured. A kiss I barely remember the details of, except for how it felt like after. That was in August.

September first was my birthday. He got me this really pretty gold necklace and gave it to me the day of. That afternoon, I cut my hair. He hates short hair, absolutely hates it. I made him prove to me that he still liked me, and then he asked me out. Just like that!

To make a long story short, we've been together for almost six months, and I've never been happier. I mean I can see myself going places with this kid. And you don't go places unless you're happy.

And he's probably gonna read this, so Babe if you reading this, I hope it makes you smile.

I'll be writing some more later today, I have to get back to class. Toodles to ya'll.

Photocredit: PaperTissue