I'm one lucky gal

So I had a fabulous Sex and the City-esk dinner with a few of my lady friends from High School in the City last night (I haven't seen them in forever). We were talking about girly things (of course) and we started talking about my Fiance and I. I told them that he was moving to NYC to live with me and their reaction was like: "WHAT!!!! THAT IS HUGE!!! He is leaving not only his town, but his whole country to be with you!" and continued to splurt out with excitement in their voices, "ANYONE that leaves their country must be so deeply in love with you!"

I guess for me, I do it so often, that I dont think of it like that, to me its a normal thing. But they helped me realize that what he is doing is so BIG and such a HUGE sign that he is 100% committed to me (as if I didnt know this before)!

So today when I woke up I gave him a call and thanked him for everything. He's still in Spain now packing up the place and having going-away gatherings. But he'll be here in a few days.

I cant wait to see him and live out our NYC dream!

Me and my HS ladies last summer ( look at my hair, DAMN!) lol

CONEY ISLAND MERMAID PARADE!

It was my first time attending in my 28 years of life and I LOVED IT! Its just a bunch of people dressed up in super cool costumes trekking around Coney Island. I enjoyed it because its for the people, and very politically minded people are involved. Its great.

Me and my brother went, it was nice to have a day with him, since we haven't really been so close over the last few years. Maybe I can build a closer relationship with him now that I'm back. That would be nice.

xo

So I finally have a free night, and thats only because tomorrow is my first day of work.

I've been seriously going non-stop, having dinners, dancing, playing sports, going to the beach, EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS. I have to admit, I like this type of lifestyle. It's very unique. I love being outside of my home, in large groups of people! I AM SO A PEOPLE PERSON and NYC is the perfect place for me to express myself and meet new people. It's GREAT.

I cut my hair and I feel so much more confident and free, and just really really different. I feel like not a lot of people have the confidence to rock a short haircut, its a difficult thing, I realize it, BUT I LOVE IT!

I guess this blog has no point. I'm just feeling a little guilty because while I was living my life so HUGE AND HARD (ha) I was neglecting a part of my life that has been a constant for the past 2 years...

this blog.

Puerto Rican Day Parade, 2010

When I was a young girl, I was in a Broadway show, and because of this I was asked to sing and dance around the city at different venues. One year, I was asked to be a part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and it was a memory I would never forget.

But I would have never expected that two days ago I would be asked to represent the Hispanic community, as a successful Latina role model, in the Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade! And that I did.

IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING MOMENTS OF MY LIFE! No exaggeration. I was up on that float, waving the flag and dancing, and NO ONE could take that smile off my face. I was surrounded by Proud Puerto Ricans to the left of me and to the right of me. They were all screaming, trying to get my attention, taking pictures of me, blowing kisses, and just straight out representing their culture! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!


Before making our way down the aveneue, we had to wait for a few hours to let the other floats through. I just so happened to be on the same block, 45th street, as the HOT 97 Float, one of the most popular hip-hop radio stations in NYC, and low and behold, who did I see? P-Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Cassie, and Fat Joe.
theres Diddy:
there's Busta with my girls cousin:
Fat Joe and his entourage seemed like they were having a good time, just chillin on the block so I jumped in and started BS-in with them. They accepted me with open arms, which I was surprised about because I didn't know them from a hole in the wall (but now I do, I'm going to have some great connections this summer!). They were talking about going to the BX for an after party and asking me where I was going to go after... i was like, WHAT??!!?? lol.
there we are:
Anyway, cool times indeed!

Afterward me and my girl and her family went to a restaurant in Spanish Harlem, everything was free! The restaurant was closed down for us, PRIVATE AFFAIR! Then, off to the Bronx to a place called Mi Gente in Castle Hill for some night time salsa dancing.
Can wait til next year, it's going to be bigger and better!
VIVA PUERTO RICO!

NYC living

I have everything a girl could ever want, a fabulous fiance, a great job, the best friends in the world, freedom to do what I want without being responsible for anyone or anything, I'm in shape, nice hair, etc

BUT...

I'm HOMELESS!

I don't have a house to live in. I've been hopping around peoples houses since I got back, which is not so bad, it's kind of fun actually, BUT I would like to have a place to put my things in, a place I can start decorating, a place I can call HOME.

Here's the problem:
NYS law protects tenants as if they were babies, which I think is ridiculous (usually I'm all for tenants rights, but the laws now are CRAZY!), I can't move into my apartment because the guy that was suppossed to move out wont leave and he hasn't paid in 6 months, SO I came back from Spain to hook the apartment up before my fiance comes and I cant even get into it! The guy can't be put out, it's a long process to get him out, Landlord Tenant Court and all that, so who knows when I'll be able to move in PLUS NYC apartment prices are through the roof, ridiculous!! I don't know WHO can afford to live in NYC anymore!! geezzz...

Well, for now I'll keep my fingers crossed that he'll be out in the next few days, cause this hopping around is taking a toll on me. I want a bit of stability right now.

I guess this is NYC living... we'll see what happens...

NYC

So I'm back in NYC. It's been kinda crazy I have to admit. Some not-so-nice things have happened, and some SUPA DUPA COOL things have happened so far too AND I haven't even been here for more than a week yet! I forgot how much I love NYC, there's always something to do. EVERYDAY I have different plans with different people. It's GREAT!

I've been studying a lot too; I took a huge government exam this morning, so all of my days have been spent reviewing American History, Economics, The Constitution, Math, Languages, International Politics, and English Grammar-- And starting NOW I'm finally free to do what I want, YIPPIE SKIPPIE!

I'm starting with Happy Hour at Cantineros tonight! For me, that symbolizes the start of SUMMER IN NYC, it's my spot, I'm there almost every week after work!

More blogs documenting Mendoza in NYC (me) to come. HOLD ON TO YOUR HATS! I think I'm in for a roller coaster ride through NYC this summer!

good bye Spain.

my next post will be from NYC. Im heading to the airport now.
I'll miss my love... :(

exams

I PASSED MY SPANISH EXAM! IT WAS THE HARDEST TEST OF MY LIFE AND I PASSED, I'M SO PROUD OF MYSELF!! I FAILED THE FIRST ONE AND I PASSED THIS ONE!

AIRLINES!

This is RIDICULOUS! I've been living in Spain for just about 2 years now, so naturally I've been accumulating things, so when it comes time to pack, I'm like DAMN, I can only bring 2 suitcases! So I had to choose between one of the first picture frames I bought from Zara home when I first got here or a picture frame that I brought over that I had for years (just to name one example of the decisions I have). I want to have some familiar items in my new place, AND I want to have at least one nice dress, outfit, my super cool/funky winter jackets, and summer shoes, sandals, winter boots, and not to mention all my antique jewelry and jewelry I bought while I was here (I'm a bit obsessed with jewelry, especially big earrings)

WELL NOW, COME TO FIND OUT, I can only bring one suitcase! I knew that a few airlines were changing their rules, but I didn't know all of them changed them! GOD DAMNIT! AND I'll be damned if I pay 50 freakin euros to bring an extra suitcase on board when I'm, already paying out the ass for my plane ticket!

UGHHH... now, I have to cut all my stuff in half... maybe it will be okay. I guess it just means that I have to do a little shopping when I get to NYC, but to be honest, I don't really like to shop, actually, I hate it, especially if there's a lot of people...

oh gosh, well, I'll get back to packing now!

I decided that I am NOT a fan of ANY AIRLINE expect JETBLUE because I think they are the only airline that doesn't charge for the 2 bag.!

wow.

An era is coming to an end...

In 3 days I will be back in NYC.

I have experienced so much during my time in Malaga, I got over a heartbreak after crying for hours and hours, days at a time, alone in my bed with no one there for me in the world, then four months later, I met the man I will spend the rest of my life with I BELIEVE IN FATE. I struggled with and learned a new language (the language of my ancestors) and immersed myself in a foreign culture. I experienced what it was like to live as an immigrant, to experience injustices and prejudices. I cried, I laughed, and I met some amazing people. I shared my time here with one of my best friends from the states and we traveled around Europe together to build our bond.

I learned the habits and abilities of children and experienced first hand the European educational system. I was loved everyday by my students and collaborated with the teachers. We ran together in the playground and flew paper airplanes together.
Spain is an amazing place and I will always hold these experiences close to me. The crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, the welcoming mountains, the outdoor parties, sports, and the cuisine and MOST OF ALL, I was welcomed into a new family, my soon to be in-laws. I love them!
and my friends, wow have I built some really strong bonds with them. It makes me sad to dejar all these relationships... I have to stop writing now...

Don't worry Spain, one day I'll be back to make new memories, but for now, NYC is calling.