Fragment: NAPA VALLEY

OK. So, first things first! A little word on Napa, California:

The reason that I stopped blogging in the first place was because I travelled to CA to visit Pushy and spend the holidays. I went for 2 weeks and sadly spent the first 5 days SICK :-/ First, I got food poisoned and then, I got the flu (due to the weather change, I suppose). So the first days weren't all that HAPPY. My very good friend RATONCITO came with me to CA and I felt so guilty that I was sick; I kind of ruined the plans
:(

Anyways, between little moments of feeling better and feeling terrible, I was able to enjoy some amazing restaurants and a couple of wine tasting experiences ;) I must say that, just like I imagined, Napa Valley is my kind of place! Food and wine are the main characters of the valley's culture, and two very good friends of mine ;)

The views are heavenly! Vineyards everywhere, beautiful homes, mountains, lots of greenery, cozy little towns here and there. Wonderful restaurants and bars with very professional staff. Lots of wine to taste! It is certainly a must-be-lived experience.

Amongst the fabulous restaurants that we visited are the following:

COOK (St. Helena), SMALL WORLD (Napa), CHOW (SF), FARM (Napa), BOCADILLOS (SF), Q (Napa), VILLA CORONA (Napa), THE ORCHID CUISINE (Healdsburg), WASABI & GINGER (SF).


We also visited a couple of cute towns like Calistoga, Sonoma, Napa, St. Helena, Yountville, and Healdsburg. And of course, I was a happy camper every time we found antique shops, flea markets and/or goodwill stores! This gorgeaus vintage headpiece I found at a goodwill store in St. Helena. I'm so in love :)

Pushy's little home was adorable! It is soooo tiny but oh, so perfect! His home is on a farm/small vineyard; such a peculiar place to live :) I loved it! I spent lots of time making my button bracelets there while Pushy worked and while I recuperated from all my sickness. I got some good work done, so that was GREAT!

We visited San Francisco a couple of times, but only on my way to the airport did I get to see the GOLDEN GATE. However, it was night time, so I couldn't get any pictures :( Ratoncito DID get his photos at the Gate and took this wonderful picture!

As of me, I only got the toll receipt as an evidence that I crossed this super famous bridge! ;)

Fragment: DADDY

I have an oh, so thoughtful dad! He stole my heart the other day, when I sat down in my computer, tired from a work trip and found a beautiful e-mail...

(Right: Pushy, me and daddy)

It read something like this:

"Neny: I saw this video, and paid closed attention to the words and the images...and I don't know why, but it reminded me a lot of your situation with Pushy. It was like hearing Pushy or you singing this song to each other. The song is a bit sad, but it's more like a firm promise of love of a couple separated by DISTANCE. For me, this song expresses words of hope in the midst of life's difficulties, without taking away the real pain that the separation by distance can cause. (I hope you like it and that it doesn't sadden you). After you hear it, if you'd like, send it to Pushy.

I love you.

Daddy"

Oh----My----God! Isn't he amazing! I quickly opened the file holding the video, and found a very touching, beautiful song by Luis Fonsi called "LLUEVE POR DENTRO" (It's raining inside).

Watch the video here:



It is definitely OUR song for this season in our relationship...I can't wait for the moment when our hearts stop 'raining inside'...very soon, HOPEFULLY.

Daddy!! Thank you for this wonderful gift! You have definitely spoken my LANGUAGE OF LOVE with this ;)

(uuuu, gotta write about the languages of love sometime soon, it's one of my favorite things to talk about!)


P.S.: In response to my sister's comment on the LANTERNS fragment, she's so right! Here is my FIRST lantern ever, given to me as a Christmas gift lots of years ago, by her ;) Here's the photo of it...it is kind of rusty :)

"ARTe Libre"

A couple of days ago, I came across an event being announced on Facebook called "ARTE LIBRE" (Free Art-free as in freedom). I got so excited when I saw it! It appealed to me instantly, especially because of my focus on art lately, thanks to etsy :)

All hyped, I immediately told my sister about it. She then found an article on the newspaper also announcing the event, and showed it to me; it read something like this: "The gardens of the Modern Art Museum will be full of ART today! Those free spirits that feel the need to be nurtured with different art forms will find exhibitions, flea markets, performances, visuals, music, picnics and lots of fresh air at ARTE LIBRE. There will be designers such as...........such and such.....Oh! The entrance is free, and don't forget to bring your blanket to sit on the grass!" OH---MY---GOD!!!!!! This article definitely spoke to MY free spirit!

After a whole day with my mom running -her- errands (and anxiously thinking about ARTE LIBRE the whole time), I finally was free to go! I would've preferred getting there before sunset, but it was not possible :-/ However, it did not take away its charm and its impact on me!

(Right: Tabu and me)

I invited my sister, but she had a wedding to attend; I called my friend Lemay, but she was apartment hunting with her man; I would've taken my mom, but she had to babysit my niece and nephew; wow...I felt so ALONE! Pushy, where are you?! I need you here with me :( Well, Tabu came to my mind; he's a very good friend of mine that got a girlfriend recently and has forgotten about a friendship with ME (grrr)! I thought he wouldn't be available, but to my surprise, he was!! So, YEY! I finally had an option ;)

I was excited throughout the day, but when the time came to go to ARTE LIBRE, I was a bit out of it. So, I decided to go alone and check out if the event was even worth staying more than 5 minutes.


I arrived, parked my car, got out, started walking...and as I approached the garden, I was swept off my feet! IMMEDIATE CONNECTION!


There were sofas and coffee tables scattered on the grass, people laying and sitting on blankets, all dressed very bohemian and artsy, a DJ playing chill out music, peculiar-small stands of food vendors, 2 guys painting a huge mural, flat screen TV's hanging from trees, artists showcasing their art and handmade goods...It was a perfect scene...one I felt I belonged to.


"Where had all these people been hiding this whole year and half that I've been here?! Am I even in DR right now?" I felt like I just stepped into a whole new place! I was so happy, and wanted so badly to share this with someone that would FEEL me! Pushy would...but couldn't really think of anybody else, there, at that moment. I did call Tabu, though. He wouldn't exactly feel me, but I knew he would stand it and be good company........and he was :)

(Above left: the stand I spent most time at and bought most. Below right: Tabu and me chilling on grass.)


I took my bamboo mat out of the car, opened it on the grass, bought 2 beers and 2 kipes, sat with Tabu, and talked away! Of course, this happened after I bought myself a couple of beautiful works of art!!!!!!!!!

I met the girl that was responsible for this fabulous idea, and congratulated her and thanked her for providing us 'free spirits' a space of this kind, at least for one beautiful day...I had a blissful couple of hours.





(Above left: me trying on stuff, and of course, buying it right after this picture was taken! Below right: me browsing around.)

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.

"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")

"Thesaurus"

Another place that has become a refuge, like a second home to me, is the bookstore THESAURUS. It is lodged in a two-floor building, but has a very small feel. Very neat and organized, the store has a magazine stand that I directly go to when I come in. I grab one or two magazines, or how many of them I haven't read, and go directly to the second floor, where the smell of coffee and the indistinctive chattering of intellectuals draw me in like a spell.


The space of the tiny cafe is delimited by floor length windows that give the room fabulous natural lighting. Despite the windows facing one of the busiest avenues of the city, the tranquility inside the cafe is unobstructed. There are about 12 small, round tables that have a shabby french look to them. The iron chairs are black with striped (navy blue, red, green, yellow) cushions. They serve all kinds of coffee, alcohol (yes, in a bookstore!), and exquisite sandwiches, wraps, salads and desserts. Everything they make tastes so fresh and homemade...and the coffees are delightful! The kitchen area is tiny, integrated with the coffee makers and the cash register, all in the same small place. They have one of those beautiful (and super expensive) copper coffee makers which gives the tiny coffee shop a vintage feel. (ABOVE: My niece and nephew at the cafe area)


Everytime I need to gather my thoughts, whenever I have a book to read or things to write, if I feel sad or nostalgic, if I'm happy about something and feel the need to celebrate within myself, when I need the perfect place to meet a colleague or a friend, I GO TO THESAURUS!

I always order a 'cortadito' (macchiato) with brown sugar...the best in town!

(RIGHT: Pushy browsing through books in the cooking section)

"BELLA and DREAM"

I woke up so early today...it's such a cool morning, and for Dominican Republic that's quite amazing. I had my very hot coffee, mmm, and my tasty wholegrain bun. And...I couldn't help it...I had one more hour until I'd shower to go to work, so I logged onto ETSY...and yes! I've done it once again...yet another PURCHASE!!!!

I am so, super, extremely EXCITED! I have bought BELLA and DREAM from WHICHGOOSE for the wedding...Not only are they beautiful, whimsical and ethereal, but they hold meaning to the MushyPushy legend ;) Bella, which is the crown I'll be wearing, carries one of the names that Pushy calls me most. And Dream, which will be the crown for my niece, the little bridesmaid, carries such a significant word for our relationship...you all know it's all around a dream! And it is from the DREAM crown listing that I took the excerpt from Shakespeare's play included in my previous posting (WEDDING PLANNING fragment)...ohhhh, they were so meant for me! Asi lo siento ;)

P.S. Pushy, do not log on to etsy to see these things ;) you are the ONLY one that needs to be fully surprised ;) ...LOVE.

Fragment: WEDDING PLANNING!

I was supposed to visit Pushy in California but one day he called and said: "Let's not do this anymore, we've lost precious time of being together, I love u and I want to spend the rest of my life with u...but I want this forever to start already! Let's make some plans....I will need u to change ur ticket to NJ so we can talk to ur parents....would u do that for me?" WHAT!??!?!?!? In 2 secs, I had my ticket changed! And just like that, the rest of our lives has begun....

"O, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day;

Which now shows all the beauty of the sun, 

And by and by a cloud takes all away."
-Shakespeare

Spring day. Barefoot on the sand. Sunset at the beach. Sitting on rugs and pillows. Incense and lanterns. Lots of colors and patterns. Nothing too flowery, more like greenery, vines and twigs. Drums, harp, acoustic guitar. Love poems around a bonfire. Hippie headbands! Long-flowy dresses for girls. Comfortable, light clothes for guys. Dancing 'perico ripiao' (merengue) and Bob Marley all together on the sand. A family and friends FEAST! And Pushy and Mushy promise their future................

Some pictures that have served as inspiration...

For my BOHO bridesmaids ;)


LOVE IT!

"Finally..."

FINALLY.

What a journey we've had! I might even consider the name JOURNEY if we have a daughter. I met a girl once whose name was Journey, and I was so bewildered that someone had such a name! So unique; it must've held an awesome story behind it.......so I like this idea ;)

Anyways, this Fergie song "Finally" came up in the radio while I was driving to work a couple of months ago, and it's -once again- one of those things, one of those moments where connection instantly happens. As I heard her sing, my heart started to skip beats in disbelief. How could someone have read my heart and my thoughts, and written my story? The story of Pushy and me was coming out of the radio speakers that day.

FINALLY.

The story of my dream coming true, so unexpectedly, one spring day; the bumpy ride that follows when the realities of life come crashing in, and all the baggage of selfishness, insecurities, complexes and uncertainties kick in; and after the growing-up pains give way to the wonderful results of experience and maturity, we are free to appreciate what we have, who we are and the beautiful person that is still next to you, because love is pure...and it waits...

"4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails." 1 Cor 13

I waited for you long, Pushy...and, when we were FINALLY together, you waited for me so patiently. Now that my super dark period has passed, we are free to LOVE each other, "FINALLY".

I can't wait to live my life with you. I can not conceive living any circumstance without you. Te amo.

"MushyPushy fragments..."

The story about how Pushy and Mushy (me) came to be together is kind of tricky...and very long! Therefore, I will try to be as technical and direct as possible, especially aware of my tendency to give way too many details.

I was about 8 yrs. old (too much detail already?) when I first knew of him; he was my cousin's best friend. "What a dreamy boy!", I remember thinking. He seemed so free, so SIMPATICO (outgoing), so nice, so talkative and formal with my mom and my aunt...and, OH, SO GOOD LOOKING! But there was just ONE little detail: he went to high school with my cousin and my BIG sister! Soooooo, yes, it was at this precise moment that my biggest, "impossible" crush germinated.

Years passed. Other little crushes fleetingly developed and, likewise, disappeared. I grew up a little; moved to another country, and came back from time to time to visit. Every time I saw him, the exact same feeling would emerge! The vision I had of him, which created such feelings, never faded. "MY PLATONIC LOVE", I then started to understand.

Many years later, and after lots of growing-up drama, I moved back to USA, to go to college. So, COLLEGE, eh? Could this finally mean that he'd be able to see me in a different light?

As the daring little person I am characterized to be, I invited him over and confessed my infatuating love for him. He listened very attentively; I could never forget that loving face. When I finished my heartfelt speech, he said, "Ok, it's my turn to talk..." (WHAT?! I had no clue he'd want to talk!). He went on to say how he'd always cared so much for me and my family, but that he'd never thought of me in such a way (nah, really?! BUMMER!). But then, he pronounced words that held so much truth: "But who knows what can happen in the future; the world turns, and it turns a lot!"........ *sigh* ...he gave me hope. What more could I have asked for?! That was more than enough for me :)

Thereafter, we kept in touch ever so often; holidays and other random days. Some flirty e-mails and phone calls were exchanged, and even a couple of encounters...but nothing ever held. He'd always end up disappearing, and I would keep living my life making myself believe I was mature enough to understand the HINT: he disappears = wants no committment.

And then, one spring day, 13 years after I'd first met him, the world had apparently turned ENOUGH...............and Pushy made the phone call that changed our lives forever. And so, he turned a rainy, gray day into one of the most colorful and cheerful days of my entire life!

Three springs, and a fantastic, bumpy ride after, Pushy pops the big one, and slides the *bling, bling*. The rest of our lives together will begin in SPRING (of course!) '09.

Note: tried to keep it short ;)

Fragment: PUSHY

So, this is Pushy...the man who I'm about to spend the rest of my life with!!

Does not sound scary at all. I always thought it would be, but it actually feels comforting. I feel intrigued; eager to live life with him, with all its wonders and all its sh**.

He's 32, such a positive soul, cute-bunny smile, flirty personality, addicted to flavors and spices, in love with nature, adores walking (which has caused conflicts between us), abnormally enjoys studying :), a fabulous cook (mmm, lucky me!), a dreamer (La Vida es Sueño), so devoted when he loves (something or someone), simple...natural...so reachable, when I always thought of him as an impossible DREAM! *(more on this in another "fragment")*

Te amo chulo.