So Thankful

I just can't seem to grasp it but it is November already. This year is going by so fast. So much to do in such little time. School and work has occupied mose of my time. I have been so MIA from everything but this world had embraced my crazy life. As we get to eat that lovely turkey, stuffing and pumpkin crunch...there is so much to be thankful for. Despite my never ending list of things to improve or want, I'm grateful for everything this holiday season.



I'm thankful for my family. They are my foundation and the core of my existence.
Thankful for my parents because I know that I'm not a great obedient daughter but thank you for raising me to be as strong.
Thankful for my friends. Like a second family that seems to add a new member constantly, thank you for your love and the memories. For the ones that I have known since the first grade to the ones that I have met on my many random trips, thank you for inviting me into your life. For the lessons learned to the lessons soon to be learned, we have helped each other get through it because that is what friends do. My goodness the list goes on and on.
I'm thankful for my health.
I'm thankful for a job that I love because times are changing, people are facing economic hardships during these uncertain times and I'm grateful that I have something to help pay the bills.
I'm thankful for my education because some people around the world don't even have the freedom to learn about the world around them. I'm grateful for having the opportunity to have met and learn from people from all walks of life, teaching me priceless knowledge.
I'm thankful for the hardships & heartache because the the sweet aint as sweet without the bitter, practice makes perfect, and better things fall apart in order for better things to come together.
I'm thankful for this life and for everything in it. I know that there are people around the world that have greater and worse circumstances but in the end, I'm grateful.


Eat it up, drink it down. :)

No Ring = Free Game

So I had a discussion with one of my co-workers. She said that her mom had told her that if a guy was not wearing a ring on the ring finger, he's still available. There is some truth to it because although there is a commitment when a person is in the boyfriend/girlfriend phase, things can change. Marriage is something that is written down in state records and is an oath that you take before the man upstairs. So if you got no ring on the ring finger, you are still considered "free game."

I mean I'm not promoting to fish for guys with girlfriends or to play out the Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz ordeal but things can happen unexpectedly. I understand that feelings form unexpectedly and it cant be controlled sometimes. I know there are situations where a guy tells a girl that the current relationship that he is in is not working out, edging the girl on, giving off the possibility of having something or vice versa. I have had friends that have gone through this, falling in love with a man that is not available and some of friends experiencing it on the other end, being cheated on. However there is also that saying...sometimes people want to push to see if they can try to obtain something that they know they can't have, just for kicks.

Either way, I think that things should be handled in truth. This means that even though the ultimate goal is to obtain happiness, people should not be deceived and everything should be laid out in front. I just don't understand how people can lie to someone that has given a piece of their heart.

I have a girlfriend that fell in love with a man that was married and had a kid. She would go to great depths to visit this guy who I knew was not good for her. However sometimes you can tell someone your opinion and it is their choice whether they want to take your words into consideration. He did not treat her like the way she deserved but she still went back. Although shouldn't that already be a sign? When you base the relationship off a lie, what good could come out of that? He is lying to his wife and kid to be with you, what makes you think that his apparent "truths" aren't lies? From that last that I heard, they werent seeing each other but god knows that she will always have a relationship with that guy. This girl is beautiful and smart but yet she believes all the lies that he spills. He tells her that he is gonna leave his wife and that they will both live the life that they always talk about but after how many years, that hasn't happened yet.

I also have another friend that cheated on his wife and son to be with another woman. What started off as a friendship developed into a something more. The way he and his mistress interacted were incredible. They seemed to be more perfect than he and his wife. Even though I knew about this, I did not say a word because it was not my place to say and this guy was one of my boys. He told me how this girl was everything that he wanted but could not break it to his wife that he wanted out. Why you say? Simply because he knew that he was ashamed of what he had done and was afraid that everyone close to him would find out. He was also financially and mentally comfortable with where he was at. Although men should never underestimate a woman because my boys wife eventually found out and the mistress--she up and left as if they never happened. Till this day he says he is still not happy.

I understand that infidelity happens but I just wish that people would realize and change it up into circumstances that are legit. Just so that it doesn't hurt the people that truly love them.


..How long will you wait so you dont have to lie...

Beyond Your Limits

It was my brother's birthday and we havent seen each other in a hot minute. He was the one that held my hand as I bought my first guitar. Let alone taught me how to play my first song, “more than words.” Taking pictures of Humpback whales with him back in the day was not easy at all for me but he is the reason why I love photography so much. He saw me at my worst, picked me up when I fell, and most importantly told me the truth even if it made me cry more.

If I were to describe him in one word, “generous.” He lives a busy life. Putting on different hats as a photographer for one of our local newspapers, musician (plays in 3 bands), and boyfriend to his girl. Although even with his busy schedule, he still makes time to reach out. Every time I needed to vent or in his words whine, he was there. Since he is getting older and have been experimenting with his cooking skills, I always seem to see his pictures with wine in hand. It reminded me of his annoying saying after every talking session, “do you want cheese with your whine?” So what did I get him for his birthday you ask? One bottle of red and white wine. Haha.

From career to personal life issues, it was always great to hear his perspective on things because mind you, he is a wise ol’ man that has seen and experienced a lot of things. Lol. However whatever decision I have made, whether good or bad, he has stood by me to see me make it out through the storm. I can honestly say he has been the only one that has pushed me over the borderlines of what I thought was capable. I thought to myself for a second that it could be because he has known me for so long and has seen what I could do. He has seen me grow up and has seen me when my will had been defeated yet has seen me glorified during my triumphs.

It was not until I met someone who is also in the media industry as well. He works with a different medium and different market from me. When I first met him it was a shaky start but once I found out he was in the industry, we hit it off real quick. During these uncertain economic times, it is hard for media folks to hold on to their jobs. Its been rough for a lot of people. People having to deal with layoffs, pay cuts, or even losing the entire organization as whole because of financial instability. However people in the media industry are not intimidated and are making ends to survive.

The new person and I have conversed about future plans. We look at the positives of not being totally immersed as we used to because in the media industry it is a love and hate relationship. Always learning something new, everyday being inconsistent from the previous, being in the know, and working with great people that are dedicated to their craft—now that is what we love about the industry. Having to cancel appointments or decline RSVPs, the sleepless nights, always on the go, and not being able to spend quality time with the loved ones—that is the dislike. Now that we are out of the loop a little, we are able to catch up on all that we have missed these past years and realize that what we had been missing was taken for granted.

We are both on the same path to make it in this world despite the given circumstances of our industry. This person barely knows me yet is totally in sync with my mind set. From work representations to exemplifying good character, I know in my mind that this person is going to make it. That is why i say that things happen for a reason. Who would have known. He has made me see things in a new light and we both know that in the end...even though some things aren't guaranteed, we will be fulfilled just by knowing that we gave it a shot. Together we have encountered so many opportunities and have exchanged hesitation with encouragement.

It got me thinking, everyone has that one person that pushes them to do just a little bit more and a little bit better more than one time around. Whether a stranger or a life-time friend, who knew that having patience and taking the time to listen could go a long way. If you got someone that has done this for you, let them know that you appreciate them for believing in you when no else did.

“Nobody knows your limits better than you do, but every once in awhile somebody will question all you know and they will push you for the better.”

*My brother's photography blog

*One of my all time favorite mixes by DJ Elofader (click regular download)