inspire me

Its been tough these past couple of days. And no, I'm not having a personal, existential crisis, nothing of that sort, but I/we are in a middle of a big case at work and its making me so stressed that I'm even having trouble sleeping at night. Obviously I can't talk about it here and as much as I want to write about something else, I just can't do that right now.

So this is where I need your help. I'm trying to think happy thoughts, so if you have time, please drop me a line in the comment section about words or poetry or things that inspire you and make you happy. I would really appreciate it. Gracias.

P.S. What I wouldn't give to be traveling somewhere on a train in Europe right now. With the one I love, of course.

Photo via le love and A Cup of Jo

colors, colors everywhere

Hello friends! I know I haven't been posting as much as I used to lately but I'm still here. And I'm proud to say that in the past few days I now have: a clean apartment, a very organized closet, a somewhat organized paperwork, and a plan for the coming winter break and my 30th birthday in December *gasp* - yay!

This weekend my dear friend and fellow SF blogger Holly and I finally got our act together and went to visit a lavender farm in Sonoma County. The lavender fields is like a little slice of paradise and we had the loveliest time. I can only imagine what it will look like when everything here is in bloom.At one point, a group of ladies came by and one of them said, " you guys need little antennas". Apparently she thought we were like busy bees, the way we were jumping everywhere. I thought that was pretty hilarious considering that I was also wearing a black and yellow outfit. Here's Holly taking pictures with her Diana and me flouncing about in the lavender fields.

I've always said that I'm a summer person, growing up in an island and all, but now autumn is slowly wooing me with its breathtaking colors. We saw an artist painting in front of the vineyards and I couldn't imagine a more perfect setting.

And lastly, here's a picture of me showing off a sprig of lavender and my new mustard skirt. They make me happy in so many ways.

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P.S. How are you? I'd love to hear from you.

favorite color

Some of our first-graders write b instead of d. Reb. Red. Its all good.
By the way, Reb is my favorite color too.

the umbrellas of cherbourg

There are two movies that I go back to when I'm not feeling well or when its raining outside and I just want to stay in and huddle under the blankets. One of them is The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. I can't say enough good things about this film, its saturated colors and gorgeous cinematography, its storytelling, and its music. Everything about it is beautiful and romantic without being too overly sentimental. Its like a favorite childhood memory, something that makes you smile and feel warm and toasty inside when you think about it. And the ending, oh the ending will surely make your heart stop.

Photos from Movie Screenshots

confession tuesday

This picture was taken last weekend at Fort Baker. I am not quiet sure what I was doing here, I might have been dancing or doing a yoga pose, or simply dorking around, but it makes me happy.

You see, 6 years ago, I don't think this would have been possible. I was (and in some ways, still am) terribly self-conscious and randomly dancing/dorking around in a semi-crowded place would have been too much for me. The only time I was completely free and unmindful of what others think was when I was writing. And even then, it was only until I started this blog that I became more comfortable with other people reading my work.

Looking back, its amazing how much I changed through the years. I'd like to think that everything that had happened -- leaving my country to study and eventually living here, moving to San Francisco, literature and poetry, meeting kindred spirits both in the real and virtual world -- all of this led me to where I am today, closer to finding who I am and who I'm meant to be.

January wrote this post about her authentic self, which in turn inspired me to do the same. Things has been really hectic lately and I barely have time to sit down and write, but today I told myself that I need this, I must do this. So here it is, my personal truth, my authentic self:

• I want to live in the present moment.
• I am happiest when I'm writing.
• I am inspired by people and places.
• I want to travel and learn many things.
  
• I want to make a difference, no matter how small.
• As much as I need to spend time with the people I love, I also need time to be on my own.

And now for the not-so-good things about me, the things that keep me from being my authentic self:

• I procrastinate all the time.
  
• I have very poor time management skills.
  
• I am very indecisive.
  
• I tend to make promises that I can't keep.
• I often worry about what others think of me.
  
• I am way too trusting.
  

One of the best things that someone told me was this: we are a work in progress. And always will be. So its good to give ourselves a pat in the back sometimes, for everything that we've done, for all that we want to be.