Bridge training, Brooklyn to Manhattan & Back

I ran the NYC Bridges yesterday. From Sunset Park down along 3rd avenue to the Manhattan Bridge over the river (and through the woods-- sorry, I had to, lol) into Manhattan. Then through Chinatown to downtown. Over the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn, through Cobble Hill, and back to the hood. Nice LONG TOUGH run!

The feeling I got as I was running up the incline was incredible. I was thinking of the people that passed away from cancer and how they will be with me during the marathon. I also thought of the magnificence around me, the environment, and how I'm healthy enough and in good enough shape to be able to even run at all. I teared up about three times along the way...

I don't know, I guess I was just sad and inspired at the same time. I had my iPhone and was snapping shots along the way. Here's my documentation:

NYC MARATHON-- I'M READY!



Click here to like this cause on Facebook

Click here to donate now

Hispanic Heritage & MTV: NYC Life

One of the luxuries of being in NYC is that you're in the heart of the world, you're near all of the people you see on TV and in movies world-wide, you're in the middle of a production set when you walk down the street. Growing up here you dont realize it, but when you leave for a while, it puts everything in perspective.

I, personally, am milking this experience. A good friend of mine works at MTV, so she invited me to the MTV Hispanic Heritage Event they had in their Times Square studio yesterday!

There were lots of famous Hispanic artists representing and performing. Among them, the only one I recognized (although they were all pretty great!) was DJ TONY TOUCH! I went over and chatted with him, like I knew him my whole life! haha!

Another great inspirational NYC experience!

Mendoza & DJ Tony Touch

on writing

I'm a struggling writer, trying to find my literature-ly place in this world.

I've been working on a report for two months that really isn't too interesting for me to write, but I need to finish it ASAP, and I just can't bring myself to get into it. I'd much rather write creatively. After this report I'm done, I'm taking myself out of the struggle! OUT I SAY! OUT!

NYC marathon training

I've been having a hard time training this week. I was supposed to run ten miles yesterday and was only able to go two miles. Its horrible, and with six weeks to go until the marathon, I'm having serious doubts.

I think it might be the change of time zones, my body is still adjusting. Crossing my fingers and keeping positive... I hope thats the reason.

:/

**sigh** Spain Sept 2011

I reunited with my husband after six months. I met him in Malaga for four days, the day after his birthday. We spoke, touched each others faces, kissed, laughed, ate, swam, walked hand in hand, slept, and drank together. It was beautiful that we still had such love and passion for each other despite everything that happened (long-distance relationships-- especially SUCH a long distance are H-A-R-D!) We realized that when you still have such love, respect and compassion for someone after six months apart, that kind of love is special and one of a kind!

And the fairy-tale continues.

My husband will be back soon.

Now about Spain:

It was as fabulous as it always has been! Warm, dry weather, not a cloud in the sky, merry people. It was just lovely. I spent my days in cafe's writing, I visited my former students, and walked around Spanish guys pueblo. I went to the beach and ate all my favorite foods: Berenjena con miel, patatas bravas y con ali oli, bocadillos con queso manchego, aciete y tomate, and of course aceitunitas!

On Saturday night we went to the pueblo que se llama Guaro, they had the Luna Mora, which translates to arabic moon. Every year a select few pueblos shut off all their lights and only use the lights of candles. Various shapes and figures are placed around the town-- lights along windowsills, and in the streets. Arabic food is sold, and music is played through out the streets-- this goes on all night until the sun comes up!

Me, as an American, was like, isn't this a fire hazard?!??, but the Spanish didn't seem to care, so neither did I, I went with it. I had falafel, hummus, arabic tea, sugar cane juice and pipas (haha). It was so special and such a unique experience for me. In my two years living in Spain I didn't get to experience the Luna Mora, so I'm happy I went at that moment!

We went with my in-laws, it was nice to spend quality time with them. All was/is okay...

I'll be in NYC for one more year with Spanish guy (living the life and saving money), then hope to start a Spanish life with my husband in Spain. How lucky we are-- two cultures- two hearts, experiencing both.

HAPPY MENDOZA

Still in Spain...

Oh, how I've missed Malaga. 

I'm in Madrid now for one night, but will be back in Brooklyn tomorrow.

This was the best decision I ever made!

Detailed blog to come.

^^ la costa de Fuengirola ^^

talk about last minute...

Today:


At 11am I arrived at my office.


At 1pm, I decided I wanted to go to Spain.


At 3pm I left work.


At 6pm I arrived at JFK airport.


Now its 8pm and in one hour I'll take off.


In 8 hours I'll be back home in Spain.


crazy.

xo.

End of Summer BBQ Fundraiser

I had a BBQ fundraiser this weekend, I didn't raise as much as I had hoped, but It jump started the donations again. 

My mom brought out and put up a picture of my aunt that passed away from breast cancer recently, hopefully she was looking down on us and proud of all the work we were doing... I know she was.

Please, if you're reading this, donate today.

Click here to like this cause on Facebook

Click here to donate now

why?

I still don't understand a lot of things... but thats life.

love, life, summer and sadness

The world works in mysterious ways. Although so many terrible things were happening in my life this summer: my marriage ending, my mothers illness, and preparing to move, 

the universe kept me safe and happy.

I know that there's still three more weeks of summer, officially, 

but I want to reflect on my summer so far.

I made so many new friends, my stomach hurt everyday because of all the laughing fits I had! 

SO FUNNY!

I did things I never thought I would: kayaked in the East River. Took a road trip 11 hours away, alone. Went to Miami, twice! Drifted along the Delaware River. Spent a few days in the Hamptons, SWAM- PARTIED- LOVED- DANCED- HUGGED- SLEPT- ENJOYED THE SUN- PARTIED TIL THE SUN CAME UP- SPENT TIME WITH FAMILY- SAW MY GRANDMOTHER- SKIPPED- RAN A HALF MARATHON- RAN SHORT RACES- BBQED- ROLLERBLADED- RODE MY BIKE- AND LOVED LIKE I NEVER LOVED BEFORE.

I also survived a hurricane! WOW!

Although I have been sad because of everything that has been happening, I am so proud of myself for staying positive.  There were so many devastations in my life the past three months, I could have just given up, melted away into the universe and wallowed in my sorrows. Instead, I continued on, I went out, I exercised, I spent time with loved ones and I never missed a day of work because of my sadness.

If I can get through all of this, I can get through anything in life! I will persevere and I will continue to live my life to the fullest! People have tried to knock me down, people have done some horrible things to me, BUT I AM NOT A VICTIM, I AM A HAPPY SOUL. Nothing can keep me down unless I let it.

On to a fabulous Autumn, hopefully with a new boyfriend and more unique experiences! ;-)

boogie boarding at the rockaways

Last year I went boogie boarding in Spain for the first time, and it was AWESOME! A whole year later, yesterday, I went again and it was just as AWESOME as before, BUT BETTER! Because there were HUGE waves, everyone had a boogie board and I was with experts! 

We went to a part of Rockaway Beach that is only for surfers and boogie boarders, so we were immediately part of the community! :D

There were six of us and we all went in, fighting the fury of the waves and flipping our fins. My friend was helping me and teaching me and I caught some good ones! They taught me that the wind speed determines how consistent the waves are. Yesterday it was 20-25MPH winds, so the waves didn't take us to the shore, so when you catch them, you only go half way, then go back out and do it again.

It was so nice, I wish I've been doing this all summer!

I decided that this winter I will become a SNOW BOARDER!

afterwards, we enjoyed some sangria on the boardwalk, a perfect ending to a perfect day in NYC. ahhh...

Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see.

The Delaware River and French Town, NJ

Relaxing, and quaint. Picture perfect.

 With my friends from High School. 

We tubed down the Delaware River, it was a 4 1/2 HOUR RIDE (I WANTED TO SHOOT MYSELF) I have too much energy to sit in a tube and go down a slow river for even 30 min! I had to keep on shifting positions and squirting bugs with my water gun! Thank god for the hot-dog man: an outdoor restaurant in the river! It was sick, we sat on benches while the river went by under us. Definitely a unique experience! That was pretty awesome! 

Then we had lunch, iced-coffees and took a stroll through French Town, NJ, a charming little town where everyone was happy and relaxed. I wanted to stay there for a few days-- it was so nice! sigh...

My vacation is almost over, four more days! ahhh!!