Opa!

Over the weekend I attended a wedding in Galveston, Texas.  Two good friends of mine were finally getting married.  The majority of the wedding party and guests live in Houston or Greece, so traveling to the island or G-town, as I so affectionately call it, was  not only mandatory but necessary as well.  I'd never been to a Greek wedding, and wanted to bring out my inner Greek, so what do I do? Why watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding over and over, of course!  Didn't really teach me that much, other than those Greeks like to party almost as much as my Hispanic family.  Oh and of course, Greek men are well, hot.  Which brings me to the my next little anecdote.

Greek God
So while we were all gathered outside of a a quaint little Church, waiting for the wedding party to arrive, guests mingled about, hugging, laughing and talking.  I was engrossed in a serious conversation about the best looking male actor was of all time, when one of the women that I was speaking with, gasped.  She was facing me, but her eyes were looking behind me.  The other two people who were also in the conversation began to laugh.  Which naturally made me very self-conscience.  "Do I have something in my teeth???"  *Lucinda, the girl who gasped, grabbed my hands and said, "Jesus is here!"  to which I looked at her nodding my head slowly, "Yes, Jesus is here, and in the church and he's everywhere..."  The couple standing with us, busted out laughing hysterically.  "No, Yvonne.  Jesus IS here. Turn around."  To which I did. And low and behold,  there he was.  No not the real Jesus.  But this guy, he could have given Jim Caviezel a run for his money.  Serious.  The minister was standing outside, speaking to guests, mingling with the crowd.  He was standing at the foot of the stairs, leading into the church.  The doors were open, and by I don't know if it was divine intervention or just a great photo op, but the light coming out from inside, made it look like there was a halo over the priest's head and that there should be harps and trumpets playing in the background.  Which only made my friends laugh even more.  Now, I've seen my share of good looking priests in my day.  -What? I'm a woman, we notice these things.  But this guy, wow.  He wore the long black dress, was about 5'11, thin, had shoulder length hair (think heavy metal rocker), had the most incredible grey/green eyes, chiseled chin equipped with dimples, when he smiled.  Yes ladies, Greek Gods do exist.

The Wedding
The ceremony was beautiful.  One thing that I noticed right away, was that they do everything in threes.  It is said that they do it so as to symbolize the father, son and the holy spirit.  For instance, the priest blessed them, "The father, son and the holy spirit", but he repeated it three times.  He also spoke about love and respect, and unity.  Very emotional and thought provoking I thought.  The newly weds performed traditional wedding dances and included the wedding party.  It was so much fun to watch.  And of course, there was the obligatory after-party at yours  truly's hotel room.  Did I mention they upgraded me to a suite, (with a fully stocked bar) when I checked in? Yeah.  So needless to say, I was a very popular girl last night.  We partied like rock stars.

The Other Stuff
Thursday morning I woke up to pain.  As soon as I got out of bed, and walked to my dresser, my right ankle cried in pain.  Or maybe it was me that cried.  I looked down and saw that it was as swollen as a football.  So limped around all day like that.  I iced it down at work, kept it elevated, tried to not to walk on it if I could help it.  All the while trying to remember if I fell or hit it the day before.  I had not.  I have no idea what happened.  So Friday comes around and my ankle is still swollen.  Again, I massaged it, elevated it, wrapped it.  And Saturday morning, it was still swollen.  Of course, I'm freaking out.  But do I stay home and miss the wedding? Uh, that would be a negative.  I pack my clothes, reluctantly also pack my ugly flats to wear to the wedding, as opposed to my sexy high heels.  I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but wearing a dress with flats, makes me feel so under-dressed and frumpy.  Bleh.  But I did what I had to do. I rocked the dress though and that's all that matters. :)  Tomorrow morning I'm taking myself to the doctor to see if he can figure out what in the world is going going with my ankle.  I have no time to get sick or get side-lined, I've got Christmas parties to attend this week!  It's also game day for the Texans!  12-1 would be oh so sweet.  Everyone say your prayers!!!

What about you? What did the weekend bode for my bloggies?

Today and Always...

I miss you
still.
So much left unsaid
questions left up in the air
assumptions
resentment
regret.

Moving on was not and is not
easy.
Going through the motions
numb
empty
robotic.

You crushed my heart
but it will mend
slowly
carefully
and I will love again

I miss you
still.

Sappy Tuesday

My heart so full of love 
it overflows 
I long to share with you
but you are not here
Life can be cruel -yvonne

Is it me? Or do the holidays make you super emotional and sappy? -more so than usual.  No? Just me?  Figures.  Well I am, super emotional and extra sappy these days.  Not really in the "woe is me" kind of way. More like, "When is it my turn?" kind of way.  What am I rambling about?  Why, life of course.  And men,  And relationships -with myself and with others.  And self-fulfillment and being happy with yourself and your life.  That's what I'm talking about.  This time of year, for me, is always about taking inventory of the past year and asking myself if I was successful?  Did I reach my goals? Or if I failed, did I learn from my mistakes?  Did I become a better person, daughter, sister, friend, lover? Oh come on, doesn't everyone ask themselves these questions?  Wait.  Don't tell me.  And oh em gee, do I get sappy!  I'm crying at the drop of a hat, everything is so sweet, so romantic, so ridiculously happy.  And that's when it hits me.  I'm alone. I'm not in a serious relationship with anyone.  I guess this time of year just reminds me of that little fact of my life.  And it bugs the hell out of me. I try to get past it because let's be serious, living your life every day in a tizzy because you're not dating anyone is just ridiculous, wouldn't you agree? Yeah, me too.  Ugh.  See what I mean?  I should go hibernate with the bears and resurface in the Spring.  Or whenever they come back out.  I don't even get this way during Valentine's Day.  But not to fret my friends, this is only a temporary bout of insanity.  I'll be fine after the new year.  

Alright.  Enough of that.  It's the first week of December and you know what that means right?  It means starting this coming Saturday, I will turn into a social butterfly until New Year's Day.  This month is always a busy one for me. As some of you may know, lawyers love to party in December. (well, pretty much all year, but in December they go into overdrive)  My boss has given me my list of parties he would like me to attend and "market" our firm, not to mention all of my own parties I plan on attending, strictly for pleasure.  So yeah, it's about to get C-R-A-Z-Y up in here.  Which leaves little time to wallow in a pity party, wouldn't you agree?

I actually feel a lot better having written down my feelings.  Sometimes, that's all you need to pick yourself up.  This is why my blog is so important to me, it's my sanctuary.  Comments or no comments, it's my reasoning in this world of confusion.

Thanks for being so great!  Do me a favor, go out and so something amazing for yourselves.

And remember, Santa's watching.

The Art of Forgiveness

It's been said that in order to be of healthy mind, body and soul, we must first let go of all that is standing in our way.  This includes forgiving all those that have in some way or another, hurt us.  And while I agree that yes, we must forgive in order to have a shot at a normal life,  if we don't forgive ourselves, then everything else, remains the same.  I don't know about you, but I struggle with forgiveness sometimes.  It's easier said than done.  But it is doable.  I was reflecting on my life over the weekend and how I've done thus far and how far I have come and how far I have yet to go.  And I realized that had it not been for me being able to forgive myself, that even if I had forgiven all those people/circumstances that wronged me, I would be a total mess right now. (more than I already am)  And that's a huge deal for me.  The hardest thing about forgiveness though, is that sometimes the ones you love the most, are the very ones that inflict the most pain.  That can be in the form of a family member, a spouse, a significant other, a friend.  Some people are just not able to forgive.  They hold grudges.  They remain angry.  And soon, their anger and negativity starts to trickle down to those around them.  I know someone that is harboring ill will towards their loved ones, and this person will not budge, will not be the bigger person, will not just forgive them and move on.  I'm fairly close to this person, someone I care for very much, but their unrelenting and unforgiving anger, is taking a toll on our friendship.  I simple do not want to be around it.  Is that wrong?  I have talked to them and given them advice and suggestions as to how to go about extending an olive branch to their loved ones.  But it all falls on deaf ears.  So what do I do?  Remain the ever supportive friend? Or bail on them?  Well I didn't actually bail on them.  I mean, I'm still very much their friend, I'm just not as available to them as I normally would be.  While some reading this may think it's a selfish move on my part, I don't.  You know, life is so short to be wasting energy and time on something that just needs to stop.  It just does.  If I continue to stand by this person's side, I will spiral down the same path.  Their anger and bitterness is a like a double edged sword, draining and contagious.  It took me a very long time, years actually, not to mention countless and countless sessions with a therapist, to forgive the person that molested me. But it took me even longer, to forgive myself.  I realized that if I kept the wounds open, they'd be susceptible to more pain.  So I closed them.  I wanted to move forward, to live my life and not carry all of the anger and bitterness that was beginning to consume me.  I was lucky, not everyone can get to that point.  Take my friend for instance, they are quickly isolating themselves from those that care for them the most.  But as many have told me, I can talk the talk and walk the walk and give them all the advice in the world, but until they are ready to let go, nothing I say or do will make a difference.

What about you? Is it easy to forgive?

I've done my share of hurting others over the years and though my actions may not have been intentional, they were hurtful.  It's not something that I'm proud of.  But I would be a hypocrite, if I didn't acknowledge this little fact about myself.  Some of those people that I hurt are no longer in my life, and yet, some still are.  It was not a good thing for my ego, when I realized that I'd been "shunned" from certain people's lives, but I got why they did it.  You see, we can forgive, but that doesn't mean you get to remain in our lives.  And I learned that the hard way.  Was it a bitter pill to swallow? Of course it was.  But in the end, I understood why it was done.  I hope my friend, realizes this, before it's too late.

gobble gobble - the aftermath

I ate too much on Thanksgiving.  Didn't everyone?  (I'm talking to you America) Ugh.  Why do we do this to ourselves? I mean really.  I literally prepared myself for the over indulgence of food that was going to take place later in the week.  I ate like a bird Monday through Wednesday but come Thursday, oh it was on!  Not surprisingly, Friday morning I woke up at the crack of dawn and headed to the gym.  It wasn't pretty, but it had to be done.  I emerged two hours later, drenched in sweat, but proud of myself for sticking to it and not giving in to my inner voice that kept tempting me to leave the gym, with visions of my comfy bed and pillows waiting for me at home.

I had a great holiday!  Enjoyed the extra days off from work and spending time with family and good friends.  Lots of laughs, lots of dancing, lots of adult beverages and a few parties over the weekend, made for an awesome weekend.  Didn't step one foot into any retail shop of any kind either.  Unlike my friends Michelle and Maricela, who did their part to help out the economy by buying out most department stores in the greater Houston area.  -No lie.  So Turkey day 2012 is done.  Was it everything you wanted it to be?
Now, everyone is rushing hastily to get into the Christmas spirit.  But not this girl.  I'm still in post Thanksgiving delirium.  Kinda like right after you have sex and you're just laying there, trying to catch your breath, basking in the "after glow" and enjoying the moment.  Yeah, that's what it's like for me right now, minus the sex part.

Moving on.

How about those Texans???  Good grief!  Last Sunday they went into double overtime and four days later, they do it again.  I'm going to have to start taking my anxiety pills right before each game if they keep playing this way.  Talk about stressing out!  But hey, I'm not complaining.  10 - 1 is ridiculously AMAZING!!!

To your surprise, or delight (it can go either way)  this is all I have tonight.  I know, I know, you're sad. I totally understand and feel your pain.  But I'm exhausted and need to go to bed before I pass out.  You understand don't you?  Thanks, I knew you would!  I promise to have my A game with me next time.

It's a new week kids, make it count!

On my mind...

The Rant
What is the hurry with holidays this year?  First it was Halloween in August.  Then it was Thanksgiving before Halloween even passed.  And now Christmas is all over the Internet, the tv, the department stores, my friends' homes. (yeah, they've put up the tree and decorated already)  What the hell happened to Thanksgiving???  Everywhere I turn, someone is sticking a reindeer or a snowman in my face.  Enough already.  Enough.  What happened to the times where we waited in anticipation of winter break, of holidays, of special occasions?  No one wants to wait anymore. Everything has to happen now.  Ugh!  I want off the insanity train, please.  Thanksgiving is in a few days, and already Christmas music is blaring, Frosty the Snowman is going to air.  TOMORROW.  It's insane.  Don't misunderstand me, I love, absolutely love Christmas.  I love pretty much all of the holidays.  Heck, I'm still having Halloween parties flashbacks.  But I also love to savor and enjoy each one, at their own time.  I don't appreciate nor care to celebrate them all at once.  Does anyone else feel this way? Can I please enjoy Thanksgiving in peace?  I'm pretty sure baby Jesus will not mind.  Really.  And for the shoppers, seriously? Already camping out for Black Friday?  Why? Haven't you heard? Black Thursday is now the norm.  Retailers or as I have come to lovingly call them, "Ebeneezer Scrooges", have decided that their employees must work on Thanksgiving, because closing in observance of this day, will no doubt cause them to go bankrupt.  P-U-H-LEASE!  What's next?  Is nothing sacred anymore?  Personally, I'm going to enjoy spending time with my family and loved ones, and getting my turkey-on, and watching the Houston Texans kick some more ass. And I will not be shopping on Friday or Saturday or Sunday.  I get that life is short.  I get that some of you may be doing all of this out of fear that the Mayans were right in predicting the world will end in December.  But come on y'all, take a moment and breathe.  Take a moment to hug a loved one or  help your neighbor.  To say please and thank you.  Take a moment to live.

Grateful
I just wanted to take moment to tell all of you that follow my blog, how grateful I am to each and every one of you.  This blog is my escape and my sanity.  And all of you have at one time or another, have helped me through some pretty crazy times in my life.  Whether you realize it or not.  So I wish a wonderful Thanksgiving and blessings to all!

Football
In case you haven't heard, the Houston Texans are now 9 and 1 baby! The huge sigh of relief and elation could be heard throughout our fair city when they finally beat a pretty bad team, the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Today's game brought heart palpitations to all new high and drove some of us me to drink (more than usual). Our defense sucked. Everyone saw it. But in the end, we pulled out the win anyway.  Thank God.  We get to do this again in four days, when they play on Thanksgiving.  I think we are going to need defibrillators for that one.

The End
There.  I think I got everything off my chest that I wanted to. (for now)

Have a great week! It's a short one, make it count!

Gobble gobble.

A Night To Remember and A Day To Forget

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
take these broken wings and learn to fly
all your life
you were only waiting for this moment to arise" -Paul McCartney/The Beatles

I was on the receiving end of a double dose of bad news today.  One from a dear friend of mine, who was diagnosed with something that may or may not be cancerous.  Her biopsy is scheduled for next week.  She is a bundle of nerves and  I am scared for her.  Then there is my sister.  She is hurting right now.  Not physically, her wounds are emotional.  She is teetering on the brink of despair and I feel so helpless.  I am worried about her, about both of them.  I wish I could take their aches away.  But I can't.  Not these kinds of aches. Life is just unfair sometimes.  I don't get it.  I mean, I try to "get it", and most times, I do, but in instances such as these I just mentioned, I am  at a loss. Today was a sad day.  But I'm certain that tomorrow will be full of hope and new ideas and endless possibilities.  And laughter.  Laughter works miracles.

You know what else works miracles?  Music.  Last night I attended the most amazing concert, EVER.  I was among the forty thousand something fans who braved an open roof stadium, on a crisp, cold, winter night, to witness a legend give a performance of a lifetime.  Paul McCartney came to town!  This was my first time seeing him perform.  The last  time he was here was in 1993, where he played at the Astrodome.  I remember that I had tickets to that show, but my appendix decided I didn't really need to go see some guy from Liverpool, but instead, needed to go to the hospital.  So I missed it.  And now, some twenty years later, I found myself squealing like a school girl, singing along to EVERY.SONG., and witnessing some pretty fierce talent on stage.  In typical celebrity style, Sir Paul McCartney was fashionably late.  Like 45 minutes late.  Which really isn't that bad, considering Madonna made us wait 2 and half hours for her arrival.  Anyway, back to Paul.  He took the stage and immediately started belting out his signature songs, one after another after another.  The guy has this energy and presence that not only entertains you, but mesmerizes you as well.  After his first set, he took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves of his white business shirt, and got down to work.  Jokingly, as he removed his jacket, he told us that that would be the one and only wardrobe change for the evening.  Which drew resonating cheers of approval from the crowd.  The evening wore on with hit after hit being sung to us.  At McCartney's insistence, the roof to the stadium was open.  Normally, that would not be a problem, but last night it was freezing cold in H-town.  Ok, maybe it wasn't really freezing, but you have to understand, we don't do cold weather here, anything below 70 degrees is cold to us.  Actually, last night we were hovering at 30 degrees, coupled with the high winds, uh yeah, it was freaking cold!!! Especially since yours truly only wore a very thin turtleneck and no jacket.  What? I had no idea that roof was going to be open!  Paul needed an open sky so he could shoot off pyro during "Live and Let Die"  One of  my dear, but sarcastic friends told me last night, "Wow! There haven't been fireworks in these parts since the Astros won the pennant in 2005!"  Everybody's got jokes.

I thought I'd share some pictures that a friend of mine took at the show.  Enjoy them.  Or not.

Tomorrow is FRIDAY peeps!  Make it count!