In the islands of Waikiki

Island Paradise 

As the year started, you start to reminisce on the past year and how you can change your outlook for the better for the next year to come. Last year, a friend of mine planned her family vacation in February and asked if I'd like to come along. After having a rough year myself, I decided this would be the best way to begin my year of change. We went on some awesome adventures around Oahu and Waikiki. Here are a few of the adventures that I wanted to share with you. 

 

Flying into Oahu, Hawaii

 

Our amazing view from the resort

 

I made it to paradise!

 

The water had turtles that would swim right next to you

 

Went on an awesome hike that ended with a beautiful waterfall

 

Hawaiian shaved ice is a must!

 

Stop making broken promises

Lenten Promises

Let me start by saying that I understand and respect other cultures. With that being said, I hope that this post can be eye opening for those who feel the same. Now I got it off my chest... I'm Catholic. 

My super cute Abuelita and Abuelito at their wedding 

Not a Bible thumping, preaching in your face Catholic. I'm probably not even a great example of what 'Catholic' is supposed to look like. I will tell you, my grandparents came to the U.S. from El Salvador and they needed hope. Both Guillermo and Emilia (my beautiful grandparents) grew up in very, very, very, VERY Catholic families. That's what they knew and wanted to instill the same beliefs to their children. My Mom put me in a private Catholic school growing up (the education wasn't the best, but I met some of my best friends there) and I quickly realized the answer to any question resulted in some form of; 'Jesus loves me & stop sinning'. Beyond the classroom, I personally wanted something to believe in, something bigger than what the world has to offer. Some say that they find themselves being spiritual, but cannot get behind the ideals of any specific faith. For me, all I knew were the ideals of Catholicism. I am 110% behind certain ideals and others, I question. At the end of the day, I want to be a better person, surround myself around good people, have morals and faith in something bigger than what is in front of me. 

Lent. Lent is a time for Catholics to 'give up' a bad habit for 40 days. This represents the idea that Jesus gave his life for our sins to be forgiven. We must 'give up' something bad in our lives or introduce a positive habit in our lives to bring us closer to God. Now at the end of the 40 days doesn't mean we win a prize, it just means that we can understand humility, patience and our will to change for the better. Imagine this being a time for 'New Year's Resolutions'! Most people ditch those Resolutions around mid-February anyway, so here's a time to restart. When I was younger, I would give up soda or chocolate. Now that I'm an adult, I felt like I should take on a bit more responsibility. Two years ago, I decided letters to 40 people who have influenced my life. I mailed all 40!!! 

This year, I decided to make a daily checklist. A great man named Michael Jackson once said, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror/ I'm asking him to change his ways/ No message could have been any clearer/ If you want to make the world a better place/ Take a look at yourself and make a change". 

All I want to do this Lenten season is to bring better habits in my life for the future. Start small for a bigger impact down the road (like investments!) So here's my list, let me know what you think, let me know what you have up this season or let me know what your New Year's Resolution was and how you can bring it back into your life today! 

                                                 Be more meaningful
                          Time is valuable, spend it with those who matter 
                                                 Never stop learning
                                                       Love more 
                                                       Give more 
                                           Work smarter, not harder 
                                    Make an effort not to flake on plans
                                                       Plan better 
                                         Learn how to forgive & move on 
                            Have a better attitude about life because it's too short  Be happy with who you are and trust that God has a bigger plan for you (patience)  

 

Moraga Steps

Moraga Steps 

I'm a fraud. Yes, I said it! I recently moved to San Francisco in December and although I say that I'm 'new' to the city... I've over extended my tourist days here in this foggy metropolitan city throughout my entire life. So yes, I'm a fraud by saying I'm 'new' to this city.

I've lived in the Bay Area my entire life. I went to college an hour away, worked in San Francisco post college and even dated a few people from this city. I've driven over the Golden Gate Bridge more times than I can count, went to Alcatraz for field trips, drank in Dolores Park, partied at Outside Lands Music Festival, attended Night Life at the CA Academy of Sciences, hung out with the elephants at the SF Zoo, had a bonfire on Ocean Beach... I mean, you get the point. 

I've done the touristy, fun things that any new transplant to the city should definitely experience. This city will always be my home, but I've been dying to find new adventures in this city because there's a part of me that needs change. Well, what do you know... I found the Moraga Steps just a few blocks from my house! 

These steps were meant to replicate famous mosaic steps in Rio De Janerio, Brazil. Much of the effort was taken upon the SF neighborhood association to create a project to enjoy the view that only the people living in the Sunset District could find. They were finally finished in 2005 and have been a tourist attraction just 15 minutes away from Golden Gate Park. 

Happy New Year from Vegas!!!!

Well here we go... Another year for the books and another one to get it right. 

As another year approaches and the mantra in minds alike continue to be, "New Year, New Me". As I constantly find this to be such a silly phrase to live by, I can't help but find aspects of my life that reflect this once a new year comes. I look back on 2015 and think, "damn, that's not how I wanted it to go". I may also be very pessimistic, so I have to look at the past year with a fresh set of eyes, thinking to myself, "what baby steps have I accomplished this past year, that gets me closer to the bigger goals?" I have such big aspirations for my life and I realized a few things have helped me get there. I moved to the city, I have a stable job, a second job that I love, great support team and craving for creativity and adventure. I might not be where I want to be today, but I'm working on it and continuing to work hard for it. 

Although this may seem like a diary entry, I hope that some of these phrases ring true to your life as well. Although you're not where you want to be in life today, make a few baby steps to get there. As my Mom tell me, "things don't happen overnight and some people need to work harder than others for it." I may not have had the easiest route in life, but I'm loved by others and love others openly. So for that, I'm ready to take on 2016 and make it my B%#?&. 

I'll leave this post with one phrase, always be better than you were yesterday. Continue to question, have a sense of adventure, be open to loving others. "Smile & the world will smile back at you". 

Outfit details: 

Gold Dress : Sammydress.com // Red Dress: Agaci Clothing // Nude Shoes: Sam Edelman