Love. Self. Entirely.

I Left My Heart In Rio de Janeiro

While in Rio (I sound like I'm a jet setter) I stayed in a hostel called the Mango Tree - it was quite nice (in terms of a hostel). Yet, being that I was on my monthly "friend" at first I didn't want to go out of my way to be social. Besides, it seemed like most of the habitants wanted to stay inside or go to the bar (which I like too) but…HELLO, I'm in RIO  - no indoors allowed, por favor! So out, I went...and out I stayed for as long as I could. 

Being a lone female traveler I was quite wary about what would greet me in Rio. The murders, the crooked cops, prostitution, mugging – oh my! What would I do?

Well, act like you have some sense first of all. One thing in my favor that with my little hoodie pulled over my head I often looked like a local much to my amazement and probably to the other persons befuddledness as I often stared back wide eyed or spoke in jarred Portuguese that I'm sure was detrimental to their ears. I did get a lot of friendly smiles and help – mostly from the men and one lovely female bus attendant who made sure I got off at the right stop for Corcavado. I didn't even ask her directly; she must have heard my question of "Corcavado?" to the bus driver, which set off "GRINGA" in her head.

Still, I tried my best not to fall on what's familiar and try to make people speak English.  Call it the naïve "When in Rome…" mindset but even though my grasp of the language in itself is horrendous  I will stutter my way through a conversation even  if I have NO idea what I'm saying – which was most of the time.

I do understand the love affair that many have with Rio, though. It's quite an interesting juxtaposition; imagine the hustle and bustle of NY or DC traffic with the laid back vibe of Hawaii that would explain Rio's greatness.

I honestly wouldn't mind living there for a year maybe not forever but a year wouldn't be too bad. I think was a beach comber in a past life because for someone who can't swim at all; I love to be near water as much as possible.

The water was blue, the sand was white and I was there walking along the cobble stoned pathway being stopped ever so often by a local artisan or sand sculptor showing off their new artistic endeavor.

I didn't understand it all but I didn't care. Some things are better left unexplained and as I wandered the streets of Rio that's how I liked to keep some of those things.

After all, not everything needs a direct translation.

(This picture was taken on top of Corcavado - where Christ the Redeemer stands and looks over Rio de Janeiro, it's one of the things I've always wanted to see - it was truly breathtaking.)

It's Fresh...It's Meaty...You know what that means!!!

I have to prepare myself to be more bruised, more sore, more...well, you get the idea.

I'm back from Brazil! I will gladly discuss my thoughts on it later but I have to report after not skating for 9 days, after passing out for most of the weekend and skating one time that I have passed first assessments! That means, I am now...FRESH MEAT! 

So I get to skate for 3 more months, hopefully becoming more bad ass and passing the second assessments come early next year. 

We shall see but hey, at least I'm passed the first hurdle.

How is everyone holding up lately? I'm glad to be back!

I'm Still Here...Checking in from Porto Alegre, Brasil

I have missed you all and this blog checking in from my hotel in Porto Alegre. Tired of flying, so far 3 flights in the past 3 days...I'm tired of jetsetting!

Sending a brief hello, I'm too pooped to even type in English which I should be dying to do since I have read, heard and briefly spoke all things Portuguse since I've been here.

 

This homen (man) was flirting with me in Portuguese and gave me a big coconut...I wonder if there was a hidden message? By the way, coconut juice rocks straight from the source...coco agua in the bottle is nasty!

Friday Meme

I'm so overwhelmed at work that I can't concentrate! So today, I bring you a meme about blogging!

Here are the rules:
1. Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.
2. link back to the person who tagged you
3. link back to this parent post 
4. tag a few friends or five, or none at all
5. post these rules— or just have fun breaking them

I'm breaking these sucka's like no one's business!

Blogging has affected me...

1. Positively. My writing skills have improved, I'm not sure how much so but I know I am definitely better.

2. Negatively. It eats into a lot of my time! And being that I'm cramped as it is at times, it's hard. But I love it! 

3. Positively. Has kept me accountable and honest even when I haven't wanted to be. It has made me question what I believe and how I've come to think the way that I do. 

4. Negatively. I do address my negative qualities and at times I worry about alienating people because I'm very, um, graphic.

5. Positively. I think it's cool that people read what I write and I've found out about so many blogs out there and have learned so much. It's tres cooool. :)

So, how about you?

We Shall Never Forget

Even 7 years later, this day is still tragic. I’m thankful to not have any one in my direct circle be affected but it’s still such a tragedy nonetheless.

It reinforces that life is really too precious and you have to live each day like your last.

I’m listening to a clip montage and you forget how real it used to be or how real it used to make you feel. I’m not sure I’m making any sense.

I remember our town being on lockdown and not being able to go anywhere; the candles being lit, people playing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless America” and uniting under one cause; standing as one as this crazy tragedy engulfed us all.

Each year that goes by reiterates how America had to change and how we have to keep changing – in a positive way.

Yet, sadly our egos still seem to get in the way.

I’m not a gun-touting, hardcore lover of all things red, white and blue but I am proud to be where I am from and I’d like to think I (alongside others) showcase the positives of living in this country.

How is everyone feeling today? Do you do anything special to commemorate this horrific event?

Politics & Work Don't Mix.

Today is my usual Wednesday rant. The topic today is about people who feel it’s “owed” to them, what exactly does that mean – you may ask yourself.  Well, to me it means that you feel that you deserve something OR you don’t have to follow certain guidelines because it’s “owed” to you.

For instance, I don’t go too much into politics in this blog – mainly because this not a political blog and I’d go crazy dissecting politics every day. I realize I have a varied readership and I’m sure there are some differences of opinion across the board and that’s fine; politics is NOT my passion so it doesn’t come into play as much.

Now, I’m old school (at times); for the sake of everything being quiet, I feel there are certain places where talking about politics would be acceptable to me, WORK is not the place. I don’t care if we may be voting for the same person or just because we may be the same ethnicity doesn’t mean that we are on the same political wavelength or that I feel the need to discuss it with you.

I talked to another friend and we both felt he same way. Work is work; you keep all that stuff outside because that’s not what they are paying you for.

I don’t feel the need to rally together while on the clock to discuss the happenings of the election; I’m not focused on it and please, don’t venture over to me to talk about it and please don’t get mad if I have to keep reminding – albeit nicely – about that fact.

We are not friends, we are not family, we aren’t together in any possible way; we are co-workers and that’s it.

It’s not personal; it’s business. 

I don’t know about you all, maybe I’m being too strict but I really can’t stand people who just want to talk about the election “just because”. Not when I’m at work (especially now, when I’m stressed) and I have 10 million things to do. Just because we might share something in common does not equate to a personal invitation to discuss things like that at length.

It just really burns my wheat toast!

What say you all?

Wild Vs. Tamed

“Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free till they find someone just as wild to run with them."

”Some days I wonder if I’m truly the “single” type. Not in the woe-is-me-can’t-find-anyone-will-die-a-spinster type but that I really enjoy the solitude of being alone.

Do I get lonely, sure. Do I want company, sometimes but I also don’t want to be smothered by another person; I don’t want to see or talk to you everyday – I’ve been like this since the beginning of time – and various other things that I realize I would have to shuck if I were to be in a long term relationship.

If I’m honest with myself, I do like being part of a couple but at the same time; I love having space. Finding someone who understands that (male or female) isn’t as easy as it would seem.

I joined a dating site a few months ago – thankfully, I purchased it on a steep, steep discount because I haven’t really utilized it as well as I should. The people that have approached me on it haven’t really piqued my interest or weren’t that attractive (I wouldn’t consider myself vain but looks are important). Some days I wonder if I’m too picky: I don’t think I am but who am I to say maybe that’s something someone else should answer.  I do know that I’m not ready to be involved in this particular dating site – they seem to be on the “marriage” tip and that’s not my forte at the moment.

The truth is: I don’t know what my complete forte is but I do know that being shackled to someone till “death or divorce” do us part is not my idea of a good time…right now.

I have realized that I need to find stability within myself – which I have down to a certain degree. I want to go outside my comfort zone more, which I am but there is still ‘something’ missing. Has anyone else felt like this and how did you find it? I know that I don’t want to be on this search for the missing ‘IT’ for the rest of my life but I feel more centered than I did before.

I plan to stick out the rest of my time with this online dating service maybe my feelings will change; I might try another one that seems to have more types of options – who knows?  

Persistence Is Key, My Dear.

"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not through strength, but through persistence."

Buddha

 

Persistence thy name is Cynthia. If there were one word that describes my character to the “T” – well, er “C” that would be persistent. I have been called that since I can remember and up until recently, I never gave it another thought – I thought it was another deviant trait of my personality.

Until I realized that my persistence has shaped me into the person I am today and the one I aim on becoming.  Sure, having things done to you or for you shapes the way you view the world – it has for me, anyway. Yet, I can’t help but realize that every significant change (minus my mothers passing) that has come across me is due to my going for the gold even if I fall on my proverbial butt.