New Decade

Happy Womb Emancipation Day to me!

Not much to be said, everyone knows how I feel about days like this. But I supposed I should mark the occasion as it is the beginning of a new decade. We'll see where it takes me or rather where I let it take me. Everyone says, this is the time for big decisions and where life starts to look more like what we imagine when we are young and enjoy the free of responsibility life. Stay tuned for an update on where that goes. In the mean time, here is some advice I was given today. I already see myself implementing a few of those points. In fact, I can't wait to do so.

Smile

Say yes more often

Take in the moment and enjoy the good times

Don't lose sleep over anything

Love your family

Always keep learning

Be honest

Be open to criticism

Plan for the future

Be open to taking a different path

Recognize who your mentors are and take advice

Always make time for self care

xo,R
©2017

Quote of the day

"In business and in life -you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate."
-Chester Karrass

xo,R
©2017

Master Plan 2017 Edition

Truth be told, not much has changed from last year's goals.
Last year, I finally managed to finish paying off my car which allowed me to finally travel again. I want to do a lot more of that this year as well as go to more concerts. I want to focus on experiences rather than material possessions.
I want to continue building on the healthy habits I created last year.
Some things haven't changed in a while more than goals, they are habits.

• Write more
• Be more active
• Read more
• Eat more veggies

I still need to figure out the whole house purchase situation. House prices have skyrocketed again and that has put a serious hold on that goal.
But in the being an adult realm, I still need to open the IRA and start investing.

Finally, since I now have a computer, it might be the time (FINALLY) to start the podcast!

xo,R
©2017

Farewell 2016

Let's start at the beginning: Good Riddance 2016!

There isn't really much that is good to say about 2016. It was mostly a bad year. It seems like nothing really materialized as far as goals and expectations.

I managed to have breakfast about 98% of the year and that is a huge accomplishment for someone who used to pride herself on not needing to eat breakfast.

I decided it was time to go back to the gym even if it was at the end of the year and then boom! I get the worst flu ever and the gym stops. I hope I am back to healthy quickly so I can get back on that.

I traveled again! It was such a thrill! I had definitely missed those days of wondering around a new city and eating new foods. I missed that moment of just enjoying the view and being thankful.

I definitely should have worked harder. I thought I was, but clearly I wasn't. I hope to have learned a lesson from that and make next year the year where I actually get things done. 

Farewell 2016! Here is to 2017 being the year where I finally live for the moments that can't be put into words.

xo,R

©2016

Quote of the day

A pedestal is as much a prison as any small, confined space.
-Gloria Steinem

xo,R
©2016

Quote of the day

To reach a port we must set sail -Sail, not tie at anchor. Sail. not drift.
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

xo,R
©2016

Street Art Colombia Edition

Some of the street art I found in the streets of Colombia... 

Cartagena

Medellin

Medellin

Santa Marta

p.s. I am seriously wondering about the weird shapes of these. What is wrong with my phone?

xo,R

©2016

Tayrona

On the way to Tayrona, we stopped in Santa Marta.
It was really nothing to be seen. I was a bit sad that a trip to Aracataca didnt happen for obvious reasons. But there wasn't much time here before heading to Tayrona the next day.

It is like she is always taking care of us...

Of course we had to try it! It was surprisingly soft...

Relaxing pool night before heading to the jungle...

The jungle hike was intense to say the least. Sweating was very real. The beach was definitely the clearest I have ever seen.
While it didnt rise up to expectations, it was a great experience to have.

We were fooled when we saw this view... we really thought we were almost there. We weren't even halfway...

So we thought we were close now... and we still weren't...

About 3 hours later, we made it!

The water was just CLEAR as can be! Not sure if it comes through in the photos, ha!

Wild passion fruit flowers!

xo,R
©2016

Medellin

Next stop: Medellin
There is so much to say about Medellin starting for the contrast to the coast. Antioquia is green and has mountains upon mountains. The smell of pines was a sensory overload on the way from the airport to the city.

The hotel was in Poblado, which turned out to be quite the rich area of the city or so it seemed in comparison. It was clear and there were so many trees. It was just beautiful.

The food in Antioquia wasn't really all that to be honest.

I was not a fan of the bandeja paisa. It was just so blah. But now I know. One would think I would have been excited about that avocado. But though avocados are the size of a baby's head in Colombia, they seem to be tasteless. They are like water down versions. It was the weirdest thing.

(T:Whatever didnt cost us anything, let's turn it into a party)

Of course, the cable cars were a must and they definitely made sure the experience was rounded. It was easy to see that somethings don't change: the marginalized people are the same everywhere in the world.

We went all the way to Park Arvi, of course and I caught me looking really happy and I was.

Plaza Botero

Snapchat photos because I forgot to take real photos but these empanadas definitely deserve a mention. They were my favorite thing to eat in Medellin!

xo,R
©2016

Playa Blanca

Second stop was Playa Blanca. 

While I will admit I have seen clearer as well as warmer waters, Playa Blanca was just beautiful.

For a change, I went in the water and stayed there for hours.
Also, to my surprise and everyone else's, I got a tan! I was so excited about it but it is starting to get  a little disturbing. I am just not used to it and it is lasting quite a while.

We had coconut rice and fried fish. That coconut rice was so good, I am on a mission to learn how to make it even though I know it will never be the same....

The come and go of the waves was just so relaxing...

S and I. I am so excited that now she wants to travel. Here is to many future adventures!

I would like to disagree here. I believe that is what mezcal is for....

Here I am contemplating that life is better by the ocean...

xo,R
©2016

Cartagena

After a very long traveling hiatus, I made my way to Colombia!
First stop: Cartagena

It is not a secret that I have wanted to go to Cartagena for years now. I, of course, owe that desire to GGM. Upon arrival, I couldn't help but notice that the smell of guavas he spoke of was nowhere to be  felt. But the heat and humidity were definitely in abundance.
The people in the coast were so nice. I found it suspicious at first, but then I realized that is just how they were. It gave me a little hope for humanity.

The Walled City was just so beautiful...

Of course, walking on the wall itself was a must

So I decided to post this photo because I tried to take a picture of GGM's house, and what do you know I took a picture of the wrong side. What should be showing here is the house on the right... epic photography fail... 

Mandatory sunset on the wall... it was just so beautiful and so surreal when you look a map... 

I forgot to touch her boob... does that mean I won't ever go back to Cartagena?

On the last day, we finally got a coconut!

xo,R
©2016