JULY & Balloons

As July wraps up, I'd like to reflect back...

Its been one-hell-of-a month. So far this is turning out to be the best NYC summer of my adult life.

The combination of both the perfect weather and the people in my life have contributed to fabulousness all around. Also, I have a special summer work schedule-- I get out at 3pm, three days a week and 1pm, two days a week! NICE!

Here are my July excitements/highlights:

• kayaking on the East River
• dancing under the stars at the South Street Seaport
• running a half marathon
• watching the fireworks on a beautiful breezy evening
• my boxing class!!!
• my new and old friends
• BBQ's with my father and brothers
• My new step-family was welcomed in
• I took tons of naps!!
• I played powerball
• Soccer games/sporting events
• I had a Spanish visitor! :)
• The East Hamptons: yacht clubs, beaches, pools, and private model parties
• One of my best friends moved next door (a blog to come soon)
• I redecorated my home!
• I painted my nails funky colors, all to match my moods :)
• I went to the beach to play paddle ball almost every weekend!

I also had a balloon releasing ceremony with my friends, where we think of something that is holding us back and release it with the balloon. It helps us have better lives and be stronger. It's been working so far.

MENDOZA HAS SOLE: Queens Half Marathon, 2011

Yesterday, after running for two hours and two minutes I crossed he finish line at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, for the Queens Half Marathon. It felt GREAT, I was so proud of myself! I ran the best I could and I really enjoyed it. As my feet were hitting the pavement, I had time to really think about my life, and instead of thinking through and solving my problems as I normally do, I thought about how strong my body felt and how if I can accomplish this race then I can really accomplish anything in life and I also thought, I really have no problems right now, haha! 

I felt so blessed to have even made it that far to run for so long. I am constantly challenging my body and mind. You have to in order to keep the muscles working and the mind young.

It takes spirit!

Running

The five S's of sports training are: Stamina, Speed, Strength, Skill and Spirit; but the greatest of these is Spirit. -  And boy-oh-boy do I have some spirit in me!
--Ken Doherty

I'm beginning to mentally prepare for the QUEENS HALF MARATHON that will take place this Saturday morning. I'm focusing my mind and relaxing my body. I'll do an easy two-miler today, then take tomorrow for myself before the big day. (breath-in, breath-out). All of the training that I've done over the past three months is going to pay off now! I trust in my mind, my body and my soul. I have guts, and thast what I'm going to use to complete the 21K, 13.1 miles in Flushing Meadows Park!

“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.” -- I've traveled a great distance, mentally and physically!

“Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”  --This is with every area in life. I need to remember this.

Vision without action is a daydream.  Action without vision is a nightmare. -- Definitely true. Think about it.

-Japanese Proverb

GO MENDOZA GO!

NYC Marathon 2011-- raising money for the American Cancer Society

Please support my effort to raise money to help fight cancer by running the NYC Marathon!

This is personal and emotional for me, please help if you can.

Click here to like this cause on Facebook

Click here to donate now

physical fitness, life time-lapse and layers

Click here to help me save lives
A lot has been happening recently. I feel like my whole life is like a time-lapse, speeding by, I'm living day-by-day/ non-stop. There are so many layers and elements to it. If you peel off the top layer, there are about 43 more layers that could be peeled before you get to another element. Each layer and element is an exciting new texture. I feel like I want to be in all of them at the same time, I want to do everything, I want to experience everything. Crazy. Most of my weekday evenings and weekends are taken up with physical activities. The summer time in NYC brings lots of opportunities to get active. 

Element # 11 Superficiality, I've been on my physical fitness game:

I've been going to my boxing class four times a week. Its one of the best classes that I've had in my life. Its non-stop hard core training by a professional. Its also cool because there are lots of beautiful nice people in the class and we all are forming great relationships. I also have one of my friends going with me, she's my ab partner.

I've been working towards training for the Queens Half Marathon which is next week. This morning I went on an eleven mile, (about 19K) run through Brooklyn, it was SO HOT and torturous, but when I was done (as always) I felt fabulous-- like I can accomplish ANYTHING! I felt absolutely amazing! I'm ready for next weeks 13.1 miler! BRING IT ON! 

Every weekend I try to make it to the beach to play paddleball with my girl. Yesterday we went and spent about an hour playing. Can you believe that its one of the only activities that makes my body sore?-- All that running after the ball, jumping up to hit it and squatting to pick it up really does a body good. Then we had a nice little swim. 

I've lost 15 pounds in four months. Not too shabby. I'm happy with the way I look, and more importantly, I am satisfied with my activity level and happiness factor. You have to love what you do otherwise you wont stick to it.

Here are before and after pictures! CRAZY!

and the time-lapse continues to play out...


Please donate to my marathon fund: 
Click here to donate now and help me save lives

onward and upward-- another transition

When bad things happen to good-hearted people, that means that better things are on their way. I'm not just saying this to say it, it has been my experience through-out my whole life. Anytime I was down about something, better things came along, whether it was a better boyfriend, a better job, a better travel experience, a better friend. 

Out of every loss, I ultimately gained.

The bad things are actually blessings in disguise. There wasn't enough room for the better thing, so something had to be taken away.

So now, with the loss of my husband, I know that there was a reason for that.

So far, since he left, I've developed a great relationship with a long-lost friend of mine (I'm pretty sure that this happened because I let go of a negative friend in my life and this opened up a positive relationship for me). She is one of the nicest people ever and we have so many common interests! :) 

I've been offered a promotion at my job, instead of directing one program, I was offered a position to direct all of the programs (like an idiot, I was considering not taking it, because I thought there was a possibility that I would reunite with my husband, but that was just a dream, a fantasy). I'm now sure that I will take it. 

The next step is finding a life partner. I need time to heal, but soon I'll start going on dates to see whats out there. Its been seven years since I dated in NYC. The game has changed, I'm sure. Now I'm an adult with a lot more to offer. I've been in non-stop relationships since I was 23. This is going to be the first time I'm single in a long time. I'm not going to look, but I'm going to take any opportunity that is presented to me to meet someone new, you never know, they could be the one that I was waiting for!

I need to stay positive to get through this. But one thing is for sure, I'm moving on with my life and I'm open to anything!

ONWARD AND UPWARD- thats my motto.

Please help me saves lives by making a donation

I'm hosting a Spanish cocktail party in an exclusive location for anyone that donates $100 or more.
I'm hosting a BBQ for anyone that donates $25 or more. 

Please help.

Click here to donate now

Any and all donations are GREATLY appreciated.

Monday morning, work.

Back to work this morning, I'm really not feeling up to it, but its not so bad because we have an artistic film shoot in South/East Manhattan, on the water front. YAY!

Click here to donate now and help save lives

A possum in Brooklyn--ahemm... in my apartment

Click here to donate now and help save lives

I spent a pleasant afternoon with one of my best and long-time friends in my backyard yesterday. The weather was nice, and so was the company, but who could have foreseen what was to come...

While we were out back, I left the doors open to my apartment. That night I was awoken at 3am to rattling sounds. Me being a Brooklynite, I immediately thought someone had broken in, so my quick reflexes catapulted me out of bed, I grabbed my cell and was about to call 911 when I noticed that no one was in the house. I looked all around... empty. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I watched E!, Chloe & Lamar was on! SCORE!

Then about 30 min later, the sound happened again, the whole recycling garbage can had tipped over. I went to check it out and I came face to face with beedy-little eyes! I froze, then  RAN OUTTA THERE SO FAST!!! I woke up my neighbor and he came with a broom.

I thought it was a baby raccoon-- since I live near two huge parks, we constantly see raccoons around (they are ugly mofos). 

After 10 minutes of me hiding and shivering from fear and my neighbor shoo-ing it out, all was well again in my world. I clicked off Chloe & Lamar, and enjoyed another four hours of sleep.

Who would have thought that an afternoon spent in the backyard would lead to a night of terror and beedy-eyes in the dark. Ahh... Brooklyn Stories... maybe I should start a new blog about that, "Brooklyn Stories" hmmm...

Speaking of Brooklyn stories, I just found out that Possums were let loose on purpose to kill rats in Brooklyn, check out this NY Post article:

 http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/rat_bastards_f5onjzgcqxm0fu3RFz3ySL

summer time

Click here to donate now and help save lives

Playing sports, swimming and dancing salsa on the beach, no better way to spend my summer days!

The NYC stool

I found the most gorgeous tiny piece of furniture while walking through Manhattan yesterday. Myself and my fundraising crew :) were heading out for a few happy hour cocktails when my eye met the mini stool (or foot rest). I had to have it-- so I carried it through Union Square with us-- all the way to happy hour at one of my favorite spots, Cantineros!

When we needed to stop to discuss where we were going, we used it as a seat. WE DIDN'T CARE- WE ARE NEW YORKERS! It was pretty funny.

look at the guy laughing at us in the back, haha

Now I have a new addition in my cozy studio. It fits in perfectly, just like it did in Union Square!

Inner Peace: What I'm going towards now

I've had inner peace for quite a while now, and have recently lost it with the devastation of the loss of my husband. We are currently working things out and I want to keep in mind that inner peace, or peace of mind is so important to me. I know who I am and live my life by that. I know how to handle problems/issues that arise, but the problem is that sometimes I have a hard time making decisions. If I follow the guidance of professionals, or inner peace experts, I feel that I can become better.

If the pursuit of success or any goal leads to loss of inner peace....  what's the point of it all?

When you remember that inner (your state of consciousness) is primary, outer secondary, you have already succeeded in the game of life (and become a much better player).

-Eckhart

Dr. Wayne Dyer introduces "10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace":

1. Have a mind that is open to everything and attached to nothing.
2. Don’t die with your music still within you.
3. You can’t give away what you don’t have.
4. Embrace silence.
5. Give up your personal history.
6. You can’t solve a problem with the same mind that created it.
7. There are no justified resentments.
8. Treat yourself as if you already are what you’d like to be.
9. Treasure your divinity.
10. Wisdom is avoiding all thoughts that weaken you.

 This is my journey. My life is a journey and all I want is happiness and bliss. Next step, to write my personal life statement.

                                                  

                                                      

RUNNING TO SAVE LIVES

The American Cancer Society

Click on the link above to donate. I'll be running the NYC MArathon this November and need your help to help me save lives.

Kayaking in Brooklyn

I found out that all around the city there are free Kayaking sessions. The one that I was so excited about was at the Brooklyn Bridge Park at Pier 1. 

I was SO nervous for some reason to get on it!

But I did.

I was paddling and paddling, the waves were big at times from passing boats. The more I paddled, the greener my face got, the sicker I got, and I had to go back and dock. It was too much for me. HAHA!

I wish that I would be okay on boats, but I get such motion sickness, its horrible.

It was definitely a GREAT experience despite me getting sick. Who gets to kayak on the east river with all the beauty of NYC around? COOL!

ugh... early mornings...

My new summer work schedule is kicking my butt. I have to be at work at 7:30am every day. Its horrible, because on summer nights I like to stay out late. Last night was a stay out late with a big group of people kinda night and I regret it today. I know it was Wednesday, but in the summer, you have to enjoy every second of nice weather you can get! ha.

Too bad my face is puffy this morning, I hate when that happens (lack of sleep), because my head is already so big! hahahah

Anyway, so tired today, but the good thing is that I get out at 1pm! HOLLER! I'll take a little nap and do it all again. :D good times.

This is a lot of randomness, I know... sorry.

Video blog coming soon. Its long overdue!

roof-top BBQ: 4th of July, missed spanish guy, but I'll be okay (longest title ever)

So, I have to admit, I was really sad this fourth of July. Its times like these that you remember what you were doing last year and who you were with. I was with Spanish guy. I was crying all morning, but still managed to write in my journal, get a coffee, go to the supermarket and make a bangin fruit salad, not to mention go for a run (the first time since my accident). 

Then I headed over to a roof-top BBQ on the West side, it was perfect, unobstructed views of the fireworks. They were sweet this year, there were smiley faces and flowers. I felt a combination of sadness and empowerment when the fireworks were displayed. I was thinking about SPANISH GUY, but thought, "if he doesn't realize what he lost, then I cant do anything about that". I'm a good catch, and I've been realizing that more and more these past few days of freedom that I've had. Theres a world of fireworks out there ready to be seen and experienced! cant wait!

My 4th of JULY 2011. New memories are forming:

winding down at the Hamptons

Straight from the party to the town, with coffee in hand of course! EAST HAMPTONS was so beautiful! I wandered through the lake for an hour at 6am. It was so serene and I really had an eye opening experience about my life (or maybe I was delirious from lack of sleep, ha).  I saw how priceless my experiences were and how much people cared about me and liked me upon meeting me, it was very comforting.

 cool people, new experiences and new memories are priceless and exactly what I needed, currently need and will need and what I'm going to get!

 adorable little coffee shop/bakery in town

 zero sleep and freezing, the ocean breeze was nippy at sun rise. The coffee place opened at 5am, lucky me, nice hot coffee!

 sunrise.

 turtle crossing the road. reminded me of my time in Spain with goats! LOVE IT!

 the crew comforting me when I most needed it. sweethearts! 

Hopefully I'll be back a few more times this summer. I was already invited back this weekend!! :D YAY! New vacation spot!!!!

Hamptons #1, 4th of July weekend

I took a spur of the moment trip to the Hamptons (I was supposed to be in New Orleans, but had to cancel-- ugh). Its cool because it was on my list of things to do this summer. We went in the BMW droptop to Montauk! We had VIP access to a yacht club, we had free access to a Victoria Secret Models party and we met so many GREAT people! I LOVE life and I LOVE these spontaneous experiences! 

 the Yacht club, with the ladies (and Jose, hahahaha):

 my friend since Kindergarten:

 4th of July weekend!!!! HOLLER!

 when life gets difficult, find the simple luxuries and run with them, thats what I'm doing:

the girls: xo

 The boys: xo.

 sushi and veggie burgers in East Hampton, everything was FREE, we were rolling with big dogs, lol

the Model party, absolutely AMAZING!:

 foto shoot with a famous fotog: (I think I met the love of my life this night, hehe)

craziness, this party was MAD! This was at 9pm, lol

xo

Hamptons #2 coming soon. 

Que duro es la vida a veces, pero with good friends by your side, everything is easier.