a warm climate

OMG! This is my first time LIVING in a country with a warm climate and I am loving it! Summer is over, so all the Spaniards don't even go to the beach anymore, which makes it all the better for someone like ME that doesn't care what season it is, as long as its HOT I'm THERE! So almost every evening I take a walk on the beach, put my feet in the water, write in my journal or read a book. Sometimes I run by the beach with my bathing suit under my running gear and I strip and take a dip. It feels so great because the sun is so strong and when I'm running, all I want to do is cool off and what better way then to jump in the cool Mediterranean Sea! ahhhh... this is THE LIFE!

Two years ago I lived in Northern Ireland where it was about 50-60 degrees all year and rain and clouds almost everyday. I loved it there, but the weather did not cooperate with what my lifestyle is, OUTDOORS, SPORTS, SUN, NATURE, GOOD HAIR, etc!

So I am living the life right now. Thank you Spaniards for not going to the beach in the fall even though its 80-90 degrees, because I have the whole beach to myself! And I am SOOOO appreciating my life right now and NOT taking it for granted! ahhh...

Columbus in Spain

So I am here is Spain for Columbus Day, which they celebrate with a big parade in Madrid, and a national day off on Monday. Similar to the US. I found out a tid-bit of information yesterday that i'd like to share with ya'll.

There's an ancient cathedral here in Malaga, its only 3 blocks away from where I live. Yesterday, a spanish woman that i know and myself were talking about today's holiday. She told me that Christopher Columbus was in Malaga, but he didn't have enough money to fund his voyage, so he was looking for ways to travel and discover the new world. At the same time, this huge cathedral was being built. SO- the rulers of the city gave Columbus the money that was originally going to be used to complete the cathedral. The Cathedral eventually got finished, BUT there is a missing column inside because there wasn't enough money to finish it all!

i thought that was a great story that I wanted to share and for all of you who thinks Columbus left from Italy, it's BS cause there is a map in a museum here with the voyage route that he brought back in 1493. Anyway, no one can know for sure unless we were there, right?

spirtuality

So I have been to many places, know people around the world, I have loved and been heart broken, I've learned new ways of communicating, I have hurt people and I have made people happy.

My whole life has been a spiritual journey. Everything in my life has happened for a reason, every person I have ever met had an impact on my life in some way, whether small or large. Every single decision I have ever made touched me in one way or another and everything I have ever strived for I received, and not because I wanted it but because I believed in it and there were people there along the way to help and support me.

I had the sudden urge at this moment to write this, maybe its because someone will read this and feel encouraged, maybe someone at this moment is feeling sad or depressed? There is always a way out of unhappy situations, just trust in yourself and others.

A few people over the past yr have asked me why I still have photos of people I am no longer in contact with. They find it strange that I keep memories. I simply tell them, if I were to delete the memories in solid form, they will still always be in my mind because these people and these experiences touched me in a way that could never be replaced by anyone or anything. My goal is not to replace anyone, only to make new memories and learn from the past. The same is true today. In the past 2 weeks I have met so many people, each with their own life story. Some of their souls were hurt, others were happy, some were not aware of the way things work in the world, but either way, the conversations we had, the laughs and stories we shared, they places we went were all for a reason. I believe this to be true.

Looking back on my life, I sometimes wonder, why I did something, or why I ever even bothered with someone... I sometimes doubt myself, but its only temporary, I know why I did it, I know why.

I also believe that people are insecure beings. They do things to prevent something else from happening, they stop their BF or GF from talking to someone or seeing someone, or they don't want to leave their job because they are scared they wont find another one. The truth is, things will happen no matter what you do, You cant stop someone from remembering or thinking about someone else, and you cant make yourself happy if you cant take yourself out of an unhappy situation.

It may sound like I'm rambling, but those who are in tune with themselves will understand this, everyone else has some exploring to do, and that's ok, we will all get there in time.

roomies

OK, so I just got back from dinner and drinks with my roommates, its the first time we all went out together! They are SOOO funny and nice, I spent the whole time laughing, OMG, hlarious! THEN I find out they are both LEO's! (I know there are skeptics out there about zodiac signs, but I'm a believer) Leos are my second favorite sign (behind Sagittarius of course). Leos are the most outgoing, cutest, friendliest ppl. I am so lucky to have found these two girls. Its the start of a strong friendship and a great yr together! Ill post pics of us three soon!

Cheers to the fire signs!-- Leo, Sagittarius, Aries.




ONE of the convos we had (en broken espaniol y english):

my roommate: "whats the difference between closed and close?"

Me: "Closed has a d"

my roommate: "a what?"

Me: "a D, like dog."

my roommate: "un perro?"

Me: "si, exacamente"

my roommate: "and what does closed have?"

Me: "a D!"

my roommate:"entonces, what does close have?"

Me: "nothing."

my roommate: "I thought you said it had a D!"

Me: "no, closed has a d, and close has nothing, no D"

my roommate:"but how can it have nothing and a d at the same time?"

ART-- museoPICASSOmalaga

I went to the Picasso Museum in Malaga today. This particular museum has the 3rd largest collection of Picasso paintings in the world. I think it should be the biggest, especially considering that Picasso was born in Malaga! Anyway, I guess it's not the cultural capital of the world like Madrid or Paris. I went in the middle of the day when most people were having lunch or taking a siesta, so not many people where there. it was great to be in an empty museum. Coming from NYC, its rare that you ever get to experience anything cultural, alone, without the company of a million strangers, so it was a perfect experience for me.

There was a temporary exhibit with work by Max Ernest. I hadn't heard about him before today, but he is such an amazing artist and his life story is so interesting! I hope to live a life like him, jet-setting around the world, making new friends, attending international parties and making art. I think I have a good start so far :)

I bought an artists pencil at the gift shop and have been practicing some abstract art so far. It makes me feel good to create something. Oh and bought a bunch of postcards, so for my ppl in NYC, keep one of your beautiful eyes on your mailboxes!



In spiritual and artful solidarity-
C L Mendoza

And the winner of the Best Boyfriend in the World goes to...

OK OK OK, I warn all of you reading this, you might get nauseous... now everyone knows Im not one to boast about things, especially not men, but I think this time there is an absolute need to announce that I have the best man in the world. Now I know a lot of people think that they do, but I'm pretty sure that I do, here's why:

After being together for over a year, I decided to move to Spain for a year, so I applied for a job, got it, and here I am. Before I get into the current relationship, lets rewind a bit to the last 14 months...

Here's what he does for me ON A DAILY BASIS and I am not exaggerating:

He gives me a nightly foot rub (both feet, ha)
He cooks dinner for me (vegetarian meals focused on veggies even though he eats meat)
He comes running with me or if he's too tired, he rides the bike with me
He cleans the house and washes the dishes
He picks me up from the gym (its a few miles away from where we live)
Writes me love notes and leaves them for me every morning
Calls me all the time


OK, if you're not convinced so far that he should win the prize, here's a bit more of what he has done for me:

Helps my mom (and family) with whatever she (they) need.
Pays all the bills (yes, I do work full time and make a good salary)
surprises me with dinners out
brings me to the beach at night with wine, cheese and bread
always talks about how great I am with anyone and everyone
Made everyone clap for me when I sang Karaoke because I am his girl
Stole the champagne glasses from the bar we were in on New Years Eve in Quebec City so that we can have them forever
He buys me jewelry
AND he doesn't do drugs (I have to mention this because you can only imagine what I've been through in past relationships...)

OK, so lets get to the current situation:
I'm in Spain and he is in NYC. The first day I got here, he bought a phone card and calls me. He sends me pictures via his iphone so when I wake up every morning I see him. He is constantly in touch, not giving me any reason to think about anything that naturally goes through peoples mind when they have a long distance relationship AND if he cant get in contact with me, he gets worried and thinks something happened to me. ALSO, he sleeps on the couch because he wants every night that he sleeps in the bed to be with me (I don't agree with this , I want my baby to sleep in the bed!)

OK-- Maybe I wont convince everyone with this story, BUT I really believe I am blessed to have Johnny in my life and I will NEVER find anyone better than he is and who will treat me better!! JOHNNY, You are a blessing!!!

PS-- sorry if anyone became sick while reading this, lol.

arriving in Malaga

So today is my 3rd day in Malaga. Here's an update so far:

I have the two nicest room mates in the world! One is from Venezuela and the other is Spanish. The Venezuelan speaks really good English, but we speak in Spanish most of the time. I made a promise to myself that i will learn Spanish fluently while I am here no matter what it takes.

I live on the foot of a mountain. My bedroom window faces the bottom of the mountain, so I see nothing but trees, hear birds singing all day and have plenty if sunlight coming into my room. its great. There is also a soccer field near by, so I occasionally hear the guys playing soccer, maybe I should join them one day? We have two bathrooms, a modern Kitchen, a flat screen TV and three balconies (we live on the corner piso of the building) It's a gated community, and I didn't know until I got here that it's one of the best places to live in the City.

I live 5 minutes away from the beach (on the Mediterranean Sea), a 2 minute walk into the center of the city and the bus station, and like I said before, on the bottom of a mountain, there is beauty, both organic and man made all around me.

I went running yesterday evening up the mountain (there is a cute but steep trail), when i got to the top, the view was amazing! First of all, there is a ruined castle on the top that is open for free to the public, not many people go up there because its hard to make it to the top, but there were a few couples up there having a picnic or just looking out over the city. On one side of the mountain I can see straight into the Bull fighting arena and a beautiful view of the miles and miles of beaches and sea, on the other side there is a gorgeous view of the WHOLE city and huge snow capped mountains beyond the city. Its absolutely amazing. This is my favorite part of the city (so far). I plan to go up to the top of the mountain as much as possible, to relax, write in my journal, have a picnic or just for exercise and to clear my mind.

Also, one block away, there is a roman theatre. Centuries and Centuries ago, the Romans conquered Malaga, Last year, construction was underway to make a building on this particular site, while they were digging, they discovered the Roman theatre. Since they found it, they left it there and made it into a sort of museum. There is someone there to answer any questions you may have about it. Its so unique and interesting. I walk by it everyday and imagine the Romans using this space so many centuries before I was there, Its weird to think about it. People can also go to the top of the theatre and sit on the top row of seats, pretty cool.

I've been lonely here the last few days, One of my roommates is studying for an exam and the other has been away on business. I've been doing everything alone. I am happy today because I met a girl yesterday and we are going out tonight for some Cervesas. we plan on having a language exchange 3x a week. She speaks good english but wants to practice more and I want to improve my spanish, so it works out.

Tomorrow night me and my roommates are heading out, Thursday is the hottest most poppin night of the week here.

So, these are just some updates and thoughts about things here. i am so happy, but of course I miss everyone at home, especially my family and Johnny.

xo

getting ready to move & saying goodbye.

wow, so I remember 7 months ago, when I knew I was going to move to Spain, i said, geezzz... the day will never come, NOW, it's only 4 days away. CRAZY!

The super crazy thing is that I've been through this before, but saying goodbye to people and not knowing if something will happen to them while I am away is a sad sad thing to have to deal with. People tell me that i should feel used to saying bye, but no, its not something that you ever get used to, EVER.

So, with 4 days left until I leave, I hope that everyone I am leaving behind will be happy, healthy and well for the next year. Please stay in contact and I'm looking forward to sharing all my adventures with you all via blogger!

anniversary at Coney Island

So I went to Coney Island on Saturday night to spend a fun evening with my baby for our one-year anniversary weekend. It wasn’t a traditional night at all for an anniversary, but that’s because we aren’t traditional people. We are weird; we are in a weird relationship. Everyday is a new adventure, we wake up and so many unexpected things happen and we spontaneously go to random places at night, ie: Pool parties with no water in the pool, last minute road trips to Maine, Pennsylvania, and NJ, we sleep and camp out on the beach, we call people we haven’t spoken to in years and stop by their house, randomly…
ANYWAY, I went off on a tangent there for a minute…


The point of this is that on Saturday night, we planned to ride the Wonder Wheel together because he never went on it and I haven’t been on it for a while. So after spending 3 hours watching the sun set and drinking on the beach, we went on the bumper cars like a million times, played games, won tickets and traded them in for friendship rings, ate super size cheese fries from Nathans, and finally, we bought tickets for the Wonder Wheel.

While we are waiting in line, he starts saying, “I don’t want to do this, I’m scared” (I’m like, “yeah ok”) and then he wants to switch to the stationary cars (we were in the swinging cars line) I said “nope”.

To make a long story short and get to the point of this shit, it’s our turn to get on the ride, I get in the car first and he stops and says he too scared to get on, then walks away. The ride guy shuts the door and I am stuck on the ride alone, LOL.

I wasn’t even mad cause it was such a spiritual experience. I was up there hanging all alone, looking at the spectacular views and thinking about my life, how my mom used to take me and my brothers there when we were young but couldn’t afford to put us on the rides. I thought about how free-ing the ocean breeze felt in my hair. How I have so much to look forward to in my life and how lucky I am to be where I am in the world at that particular moment, happy, healthy and content.

When I got off the ride, He was sooo sorry. I brushed it off and kept the magnificent flashbacks and awakenings to myself. It was the best anniversary ever.


Just one of my many reflections on the small things in my life.