"Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants II"

Yesterday, some time between lunch and work, I fit in a movie: "THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2". Absolutely loved it! I got so emotional while watching it...which made me realize how much I miss having a close knit, a sisterhood, like the girls in the movie have. In high school, I had my sisterhood; in college, I had one too...but now, in REAL LIFE, I can't seem to find my 'adult life sisterhood'.

With the 'high school sisterhood', the love remains untouched. However, our realities have moved so far apart that we don't seem to connect the dots anymore. The 'college sisterhood' feels more reachable, emotionally speaking; our life experiences together happened more recently, so it's easier to reconnect. Nevertheless, we have gone our separate ways, LITERALLY speaking (we've all moved to different countries and states).

(right: part of my 'high school sisterhood')

I think it's so important for one to feel a sense of belonging, a sense of community with the people you feel so close to. You feel that you can be your TOTAL self with them, that you can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING with your close knit...there's love, there's appreciation, there's respect and companionship...you are never alone; and even when you are, you know it's because you choose to, not because there's not an option.

I tend to spend a lot of time alone. My friends know this about me and respect that, although they're never too happy about it. However, for the first time in my life, my lonesome moments have become a bit too much. Now, when I'm alone, it's not necessarily because I choose to, it may be more like, I don't have an option. It's kind of sad, really. Some days, I feel this NEED for girly moments and I call Lemay, one of my 'highschool sisters', and tell her, "Let's meet! I need some girly time!" Sometimes it's hard to coincide, but when we finally do, it's pretty amazing how fulfilling these moments can be.

I am so aware of how my life is changing...of how growing up sometimes means growing apart. But now, instead of getting all sappy and frustrated about these things, I accept them (with a bit of nostalgia, of course), looking forward to the sisterhood or brotherhood I will bump into in the future. Soon, I will move to a new place, I will get married, I will construct my own little comfort zone (once again), and hopefully, at some point, I will find that magic instant that connects you to someone effortlessly and inevitably...I will find my 'adult sister/brotherhood' along with my hubby...isn't that cool?! Can't wait........


"That is the best: to laugh with someone because you think the same things are funny!"

Note: mmmm, I HAVE found somewhat of an 'adult sisterhood' recently...two pretty ladies at the symphony have made me quite happy lately...THANK YOU, my girls ;)

"WitTy ButToNs"

There is something that has been fervently on my mind lately: OPENING MY OWN ETSY SHOP! How exciting is this?! It is so cool to find something that brings out the passion for action! I hadn't felt like this in a while...

So, I already technically 'opened' my shop, but still have to set it up with a name, a banner and actually post listings of what I will be selling. I've deciced that the main material of my creations will be BUTTONS. I will make button bracelets, button earrings, button rings, button necklaces, button covered frames, button bouquets, button fascinators and headbands...button THIS, button THAT...basically, anything I can alter with buttons! I love buttons! I love button shopping, hunting for button treasures in my grandmother's sewing closet, and crafting with buttons. Therefore, I think a focus on button creations is THE way to go for my etsy shop!

Here are a few samples of what I will be making (these are made by me)...

BUTTON BRACELETS:



BUTTON BOUQUETS:

I've been thinking of names for my shop, and so far I've come up with the following list of tentatives:

BUTTONFLY, BOTONES, UNBUTTONED, WITTYBUTTONS

I think I like WITTYBUTTONS best! What do YOU think? Please comment ;)

As far as the banner for my shop, I've found some nice ones on etsy. I can do it myself, but for starters, I think I'll buy one. I can focus on making my own banner later on, depending on the course and the shape that my shop takes. Here are a few samples:









I like them all! It's so hard to choose! The first one is my absolute favorite, though...please, DO comment ;)

Anyways, yesterday I got a little downer. International carriers like FedEx, DHL, UPS are relatively new in DR. Therefore, the fees are ridiculously high to ship to USA! I found out it would cost aprox. US$50 to ship a bracelet to New York!! It's impossible :( Therefore, I figured I will have to wait until I move to California to start my shop...BUMMER! I was so excited.........wait a minute! Have I written about me moving to Cali????? Mmmmmm, next posting ;)

"Fascinated with FASCINATORS"

Thanks to Etsy and searching for wedding ideas, I have become totally FASCINATED with FASCINATORS! It all started with Whichgoose, but I have found other such beauties on Etsy! I'd want to have like 10 weddings so I can wear a couple of them ;) (here are just a few from Whichgoose)



Fascinators have this egocentric, groundbreaking, breathtaking, chic rebel, charmed wit, boho flair, peculiar, airy feeling to them!



Imagine a fascinator themed wedding, where you ask all your guests to come wearing their own! Wouldn't that be so much -WHIMSICAL- fun?!

I'm so FASCINATED!! Go on etsy, search and...BE FASCINATED ~~~ ;)

Fragment: THE Birth DAY!

I don't know why, but for some reason, I've been hesitating to write about my birthday. It's been 6 days already, and I hadn't felt the need or the desire to write about it. The weird thing is that I had such a beautiful day, and at night time, I got EXACTLY what I'd wanted! So why wouldn't I want to share with you guys how my birth DAY went? Now that I think about it, I might have the answer...but that must be kept ;)

Well, in sum, my niece and nephew woke me up at 7:30 am, calling to sing "Happy B-day"! What a wonderful way to start the day :) Then, my sister asked me to get ready so we could go have breakfast! Yes! Had she read my blog? That was exactly what I'd wanted first thing that day: have breakfast at a nice cafe. WISH GRANTED! My sister, my lolos (niece+nephew) and I went to PANAVI; a cute little cafe with country charm and city glamour ;) There were baskets full of different kinds of breads, and the sound of the coffee machines blended in with the chattering of the privilegded guests. So, between the freshly baked bread and the brewing coffee, you could imagine the smell in this place was to die for! We had a wonderful breakfast!

My aunt called me while having breakfast, and I told her we'd go visit her and grandma. We spent a nice couple of hours talking and just spending family time.

At one point, my cousin arrived with a cake, so I got to sing "HAPPY B-DAY" and even blow a candle! I didn't think I'd get to do that this year :) I didn't make a wish, though :-/ My mind went totally blank before blowing the candle...Is that bad?

We left my aunt's house to go have lunch at the mall. Then, sister dropped me and my lolos off at my house. We watched ANNIE! What a great little girl :)

My good friend Smaydin picked me up at 8pm, and we headed towards my "planned" part of the day ;) I looked exactly how I'd wanted to look: a sweet short dress, tall boho sandals, butterfly headband, and a faux-pearl necklace wrapped around as a bracelet for some whimsy ;) I asked Smaydin to also wear a short dress and a headband, and she did! I love her! I gave her a wristlet made out of tulle topped with a white feather butterfly.


We had an exquisite meal, a wonderful bottle of french wine and non-stop CONVERSATION! It was such a girly moment...just what I needed :)

The restaurant closed at 12am, and we still hadn't stopped talking and laughing! So, Smaydin suggested we get more wine...GOOD IDEA! We got another bottle of wine, 2 plastic wine cups, sat at a park and talked 'til there was no more!

It was a fun, relaxing and interesing day, as my brother had wished for me ;)

Fragment: B4 25...

You guys, I've got a couple more minutes b4 25! What an event! This feels more climactic than 15 and 21 put together! Hold on, that would be 36, NEVER MIND! You get the point, I hope ;) (Left: me right now, UYY!)

Anyways, to celebrate my last night of being 24, I went to see "Nights in Rodanthe" (tonight instead of tomorrow) which I'd been anxiously waiting for! I went alone, alone, totally alone. It might sound sad, but it actually isn't. I really enjoy going to the movies by myself. I can take everything in better (whatever this may mean).

Now, about the film...I feel like it's not my place to critique movies in public like this. I mean, I feel like such an ignorant in this matter. But I mostly go by feelings; what emotions did this movie bring out in me? And from there, I guess, I form an opinion. You see? Nothing too technical, more like a super-personal comment.

However, I do feel the storyline in "Nights in Rodanthe" was kind of weak, like it was missing something. I read the book by Nicholas Sparks a couple of years ago, and loved it! I got hooked to his books after watching the movie "A Walk to Remember", one of my absolute favorite movies, by the way! Anyways, I remember the book was fabulous.

But there's SOMETHING peculiar about books that are made into movies. I think you either have to read the book and NOT watch the movie, or vice-versa. The thing is that one of the two will always lack what you are expecting! If you read the book first, you'll find that the movie doesn't show enough, because book stories give way more details. Also, the images you may have created in your mind, although guided by the author's descriptions, are really your own-unique creations; when you don't see them (YOUR 'imagined-images') on the big screen, you become subconciusly disenchanted. Moreover, if you see the movie first and then read the book, your mind is going to be already 'tainted' by what you've seen, and you will be expecting to 'see' what you already 'know', and totally miss out on the personal imagery process that takes place in READING.

Nevertheless, I will give this movie a chance. I remember when I saw the movie "The Notebook", also based on a Nicholas Sparks' novel (you see, I was hooked!); I had read the book first, and when I saw the movie, I felt empty. I was so full of expectations because of having read the book, that I couldn't appreciate the movie simply for what it was. Today, I own this movie. I came up with this theory of mine, and decided to give it chance. I love it now! I can watch it over and over again, and even cry *sniff, sniff*...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEEEEEEE ;)

Good night.

NOTE: coffee ring

Good day, readers! So, I got excited AND freaked out when I saw that the coffee ring on etsy was sold almost immediately after my posting. DID ONE OF MY READERS BUY ME A B-DAY GIFT?! (excitement) or DID A STRANGER COINCIDENTALLY BUY IT EXACTLY WHEN I WAS WRITING THAT POSTING?! (freaked out).

It's such a cool ring! I'm totally fascinated! Now, I don't know what to do...I'd like to buy it for myself, if nobody else does ;) but how would I know if it was a reader or a stranger that bought it? Anyways, for my tranquility, I logged on to the shop again today, and the seller, "alwaysamy", has listed another ring just like it! Here's the new link: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16932528

I love her shop! It's so inspiring for me, especially now that I've been button shopping (so many cool ones!) and thinking about ideas to make my own creations ;) While browsing at her SOLD ITEMS, I saw that she has sold several of the coffee rings, which means that there are much more! So, I'm not as freaked out anymore...if nobody bought it or buys it for me, I'll get it myself ;) Many people have bought it, see how cool this ring is?!

Well, HAPPY PRE-BORN DAY FOR ME!!

Fragment: OBAMA/politics

I don't really follow politics...and I am so aware of how bad it is to be apathetic in this matter. I mean, politics has been tainted by corrumption and selfish human mistakes, but it still is the system of organizing and taming this crazy society comformed by the human race. So, I guess I should start caring a bit.

I have never voted before; never have even considered it. Not in Dominican Republic (my home country, where I was born), nor USA (where I became a naturalized citizen). However, for the first time in my life, I've caught myself watching political debates, and actually being interested in what was being said. Without being too aware of it, I began making up an opinion of my own about the upcoming elections in the United States. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that HISTORY was about to be MADE. I can be apathetic to politics, but this time, it was different...we were all READY for CHANGE.

I feel so bad about not having voted. Although I'm not in USA, I found out I could've easily voted at the Embassy of USA here. But it's ok, HE WON anyways... (Pushy voted for the 1st time, YEY!).

I was watching CNN last night for the results, but fell asleep sometime before 12AM. It wasn't until this morning when I woke up and checked my e-mails that I read a message from my brother saying: "We have a black president, Neny! So, STAY BLACK! Peace, Alex". My heart jumped...YES! I went on search engines to find out more. I found and watched a clip of the most relevant moments of Obama's acceptance speech. I got goosepumps and teary eyes. How AMAZING is this, you guys?!

HISTORY being made right in front of our eyes, in our lifetime...I think this is so special. We read, heard our teachers, studied for exams, tortured ourselves learning facts to pass HISTORY class for YEARS...and to now actually LIVE history...it's pretty amazing!

While watching the clip of Obama's speech, I couldn't help but think about Martin Luther King, Jr. He made history fighting so hard for civil rights. He desired something so simple as to black people being able to normally sit in a bus with whites...and LOOK now! His dream has gone beyond what anyone could have even imagined (don't know if he dreamt THIS far)...

45 years later, not only has our society integrated beyond race, but for the first time in HISTORY, a black man has become the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA!

Wow...
Wow...
Wow...

It was so beautiful to see these two families, Obama's and Biden's, on stage; hugging, laughing together, cheering, showing signs of affection...black, white, yellow, pink, blue, red! Who cares?! What a wonderful picture...your DREAM has come true, Mr. Luther!

And not only as a motto or cliche, but FOR REAL, with faith I say, "GOD BLESS the United States of America"...and may He guide Obama in the huge challenge that lies ahead; because after the joy, celebration and beautiful historical pictures, comes RESPONSIBILITY. May God bless Obama with wisdom and His loving grace.

???!!! (*#$!#^$!)

Ok, so I'm as DOWN as I could be...

I got a FRAUD done in my bank account...I've lost $$ today, and guess what I'm doing?!?! I'm "window shopping" at ETSY! I'm telling you, it's the only thing keeping me sane right now...can't even talk to Pushy. Hope God isn't minding my 'patheticness' (is that even a word?).

Sooooooooooo, if somebody is interested in purchasing a B-day gift (I guess this goes to my followers, the 5 people that read my blog, jeje) for me, I would soooo LOVE this!! I'm a coffee lover; so, this gift is cheap, meaningful, looks like me, and it's from ETSY! There you go, it CANNOT get better than that ;)

(If interested, go to this link http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_9&listing_id=16888699)

See? Etsy makes me feel better...........

I felt nauseaus before I started writing. It's just that the evil in this world is SO unbelievable. I've witnessed it in such little amounts, and it hurts so much, imagine those who........ok...you get the point. God have mercy of the idiots that stole my earned $$.

P.S. My niece made me a b-day gift today! This definitely lifted my spirit up a bit (and seeing my nephew, too). Kids have this effect on me, or on everybody, I believe. She made a b-day card for me; it had ME drawn on it, with my curly hair and golden streaks :) So funny! And bonus! She wrote me a poem!!!! It's in spanish, so bare with me; I NEEDED to share this. note: not only cuz my brother-in-law said I would ;)

EL MUNDO (The World)

El cielo azul, con las nubes The blue sky, its clouds flying
volando que resplandecen mis ojos, make my eyes sparkle,
los paises son verdes igual que countries are green as are
las plantas. the plants.
El mundo es maravilloso. The world is wonderful.

-Anelia Arias

Ok, so I have a concert in a bit! Better go...I guess, apart from ETSY, this blog is also doing wonders... :)

"If you're a bird, I'm a bird"

Ok, so now I am hooked to searching for movie excerpts on youtube.com :) I just HAD to share this one...I absolutely LOVE this scene! Somehow, it reminds me of Pushy and me...what we have, how we are when we're together...when I'm in a good mood, that is ;)

"IF YOU'RE A BIRD, I'M A BIRD"...awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

(also from "The Notebook")

"Kiss, kiss, kiss"

I was watching "The Notebook" the other day (for like the 100th time) and the kiss scene in the rain is just, so.....ohhhhhhhhhhh AMAZING! I got goosepumps all over again! And looking for the trailer, I came across the MTV awards that got them the BEST KISS AWARD! So well earned, Ryan and Rachel!

So, this reminded me of a great poem I heard back in college a couple of years ago (yes! YEARS!). Another amazing thing worth sharing...ENJOY! or INDULGE ;)

THAT KISS (RATED R jeje)

I want a kiss...

I want a deep in the throat,
make me wanna holler, make out kiss.
Tongue rolling,
gliding across my lips, your teeth,
tongue kiss.
I want a kiss that slips from my fingers like
dripping juicy mango tropical kiss.
Not just a French kiss,
I want a Puerto Rican (Dominican) liberate my mind kiss,
make me wanna stay at home makin' babies, kiss.
A humid, soaked in sweat,
while the sounds of waves
crash on the shore
making us misty kiss.

I want that, sweating on a hot tar roof
in the summertime, kiss.
A forbidden kiss dealt on the top landing of
a fifth floor walk up,
slipping ice between our mouths.
I want a kiss that sucks on my lips,
has me pulling you by the waist,
by your belt loops,
got you grabbing on the back of my neck
to get more of my tongue, sucking kiss.
A run my fingers through your hair,
blow in your ear,
old school, slow jam kiss.
A barely touch your lips with mine
make me beg for it kiss,
a slickety slick make my panties drip for it kiss.

I want a kiss...
that keeps me all night writing
about a kiss,
makes me touch myself when
you ain't around,
that kiss that smells of leather,
of ssssteam like ssssound.
Wasabi jeaulous,
that kiss makes the top of my
head blow,
lifts the hair on the back of my
neck real slow,
fingers cringe,
butt cheecks squeeze,
that kiss yanks the cord on the brain screamin'
"Move out the way 'cuz I'm coming through."
That kiss stops me in the street when I think
about you.

Forget about PMS,
that kiss keeps me ovulating all month long,
floods my heart with light,
ignites my spirit with flame,
feeds my cinderella fantasy.
Yes,
I want the kiss that makes the lips between my
thighs grow wings
and fly into the rays of you, son
of a mother
who bore you from such a kiss
dealt in butterfly fight.

Any offers?

-SANDRA GARCIA RIVERA
(Miss you Pushy!)

Fragment: CLUTTER-MINDED

My mind is cluttered at the moment. When this happens, I get stuck. It's like, I CAN'T MOVE...I can't DO anything.

At least for now, Etsy is keeping me sane...how sad is that :-/ ? I feel like buying EVERYTHING! It's like, when you feel you don't have control about all the stuff in you life and in your mind, shopping gives you a feeling of power; a decision that brings instant satisfaction, a result that you can immediately see and appreciate...YOU HAVE THE POWER! You see it, you want it, you have the money, you decide to get it, you buy it, you receive it in your hands, and there, it's YOURS. It's yours because you knew exactly what to do, you did it, and it worked out instantly...you got what you wanted!

How pathetic. If only everything else worked out this way.

I feel dark...and it's kind of scary, because I hadn't felt like this in a while. I hope it's just......................what the heck? IT'S ME...CLUTTER-MINDED ME.

"Fior di Loto"

It has been almost a year since I spotted Fior di Loto Hotel in Juan Dolio (a beach town 30 minutes away from the capital) and immediately knew I needed to check it out someday. Pushy and I were heading towards the beach when we drove by a mansion-like white house with colorful paintings hanging on the outside, and a sign that read HOTEL FIOR DI LOTO-Rooms for Rent 10 20 30 and 40 US $.

Yes! Looks like my kind of place!Low-budget travel, adventure, small place, small beach town, colorful! And soooo close to home! I kept it in mind for any weekend I'd just want to escape...and so that weekend has arrived! I called my friend Wendy, asked her if she'd want to go away with me, and she did, so we drove to Juan Dolio last friday, checked into a $20 room at Fior di Loto, and spent 2 full days at the beach...it was fabulous!

We spent so much time at the beach that I couldn't fully take in the hostel's juicy details (more like a hostel than a hotel, I think). But I did notice and appreciate a couple of things...some, I adored; others, I didn't really like. The hindú décor in the bedrooms and the common areas was fantastic! There were lots of fabrics and pillows of different colors, patterns and textures everywhere; lots of lamps hanging from the ceilings; random things scattered on the floor, hanging on the walls and from the ceiling; a small reading area (which I forgot to photograph); a kitchen and bar that served as the reception desk, only served food for employees not for the clients (huh?); dogs and cats popping out everywhere (ewWw!); bedrooms were great for the price (nice decor, decent bathroom, TV with cable, closet space, a full bed, a twin bed, a fan).


All in all, a great place to spend the night with a girlfriend...US$20 for the room meant only US$10 for each person; a great value to stay 100 mts. away from a beautiful beach, and a street full of tiny restaurants serving great seafood, and lots of italian (not sure why?).

"Enjoy the little things...one day you may look back and realize they were actually the BIG THINGS!"