time...

"What very mysterious things days were. Sometimes they fly by, and other times they seem to last forever, yet they are all exactly twenty-four hours. " ~ Melanie Benjamin, Alice I Have Been, 2010 ~

Looking back on the past few years of life, this quote rings so true...so much time has passed since I have opened up my beloved blog to write. Truth be told, It seems like a lifetime ago. Since then, I have gotten married to my best friend, traveled the world (including a 3 week backpacking trip through Europe), finished writing my thesis, graduated from grad school, and have gone through countless ups and downs of life.

The last few years of life have been hectic, yet I feel myself stopping and making it a point to slow down a bit. Amongst the to-do lists, I find myself enjoying the small things in life more, like a beer on the deck with my hubby as the sun sets, singing off-beat in the car at the top of my lungs just because, and "forgetting" my cell at home as I aimlessly walk the dog until we are both good and tired.

On the flip side, as I type I feel a bit torn when it comes to time. Now that grad school is officially behind me and work has substantially slowed down for the season, I find myself with more free time than I know what to do with. In comes more books (this time for pleasure reading), countless knitting projects, and journaling...as I type I have 3 windows up, each rimming with possible ways to fill in the gaps. First up to bat: volunteering at a no-kill animal shelter, taking a photography class, enlisting in a yoga training program.

So I ask myself and the the world "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME?!!??" Up into recently, I would have headbutted and drop kicked someone to get just a taste of some of peace of mind and relaxation. Yet, here I am, receiving all the R&R that I so desperately wanted, and yet, I am on the prowl to just fill up my schedule all over again.

As I review this post, I realize I am blessed beyond my comprehension. I should be thrilled that with all the pain and the sorrow in the world, being bored or too busy to smell the roses is the biggest problem I have...and yet as I look as the blinking cursor in front of me, I feel empty.

no they didn't...

OH YES, they did! Yesterday while perusing the television channels, I stopped channel surfing to stare in horror at the "Special Edition" Chia Obama head on TV. At first I thought it was a joke; like a MadTv spoof. But alas, they are selling this as a real product...to be diplayed proudly on your desk or at home...phhtt! The sad thing is that this product probably is flying off the shelves.

It's a sad, sad day in this country when our president has been dubbed a Chia Pet. A sad day indeed.

return from the dead

It's been 8 months since I last wrote...and what an 8 month's its been.

~I've gotten a new job at a kick ass non-profit that trains and certifies teachers, preparing them to work at "high-needs" schools at CPS. I work hard, but I feel like I am really doing what I was meant to do with my life. The only drawback is that they block all the fun websites: facebook, youtube, flickr, anything blog related, etc. I am still going through withdrawals.

~ I am FINALLY this close -->[ ] to finishing my coursework for my masters degree. It's been 2.5 grueling years but I have just one more quarter to go. Now, I have to get to that thesis!

~I have gone from planning a destination wedding, to an outdoor wedding here in Chicago, to saying "F@ck it...let's elope to the keys and just do it!!" Big weddings complete with elaborate color schemes and the whole white dress thing just isn't for
me. Plus, I couldn't rationalize spending so much money on one day...I just couldn't. We are getting hitched on our 7 year anniversary at sunset on the beach...nice :)

~ After 5 long years, I finally moved out of the ghetto! Me & the honey bought a new house and finally moved in together this past November. It's been a long time coming and while our place does need a lil work, it has a huge backyard with a enormous deck ....I love it. Plus, I finally have grown up furniture...no more jacked up futons for me! Whoo hoo...the biggest disagreement we have had is over a painting. I wanted to get a huge Frida Kahlo painting to put over our couch and he didn't want the boobs to be the first thing people see when they come in..I say..who looks at this picture an thinks of boobs??!! Am I right??

~ Last but certainly not least, this past November, I was actually proud of this country for the first time in almost a decade...Our country has gone to shit, and I sincerely hope Barack can step up to the challenge and live up to his expectations.

The last year has been extremely hectic for me. I have constantly found myself with less and less time to do everything I had to do. Actually, this is the first weekend in recent memory where I am NOT running around with errands and a long ass to-do list which seemingly never-ends. In addition, its been one COLD and SNOWY winter here in Chicago. But I wake up today to 50 degree weather and a glass of tea, and I feel great and just high on life. There's nothing like being a lazy bum every once in a while. AHHH..that's the life!

Humboldt Park murals

In my ethnographic research in Humboldt Park, I simply fell in love with the murals that lined the streets. Their dynamic color...their symbolic meaning..and their public displays of resistance and Puerto Rican power. These are just a few of my favorite.

blissful announcement

I am now officially engaged to my best friend...

:}

only in chicago...

will you experience the joys of all the 4 seasons in one day. Rain and spring-like in the morning, sunny and warm mid morning...windy and chilly in the afternoon..making room for sleet and snow by midnight...Tis' the winter that refused to go away!

I so need to go on a vacation...BLAH!

Picture from Flikr

two weeks notice

I will not be put down
By you & your status quo
Not again
For, Like the sun
I will rise
Think again
Cuz there will be no demise
Of my soul...
Can't you see
Through conformity and obedience to you
I fail me
I am more than your depiction of a pale reflection
I got soul
I got heart
I got mind
Robustly beautiful and refined
All to which you were blind
I stand before you
Unafraid to be me
and I’m proud of what I’ve grown into
I’ve left a woman...
Strong to the core
A female who won’t take this shit anymore...