Where have I been?

It's been a while since I wrote here. I did a little bit of baby steps early in the week just to get myself used to it. I haven't been myself lately. Chaos is unraveling in my little island. Uncertainty and injustice rules the day and I can't help to feel sad.

Apart from my personal situations, I have to say that I'm grateful. I have a job, that sometimes I complain, I have health, which I take for granted, and I have an amazing family (both real and by choice).I went to NYC and back and had an amazing time. There is some special kind of love for me there. I laughed, I ate, got kissed (it was sweet) and watch some tennis and the September Issue.

After that, I have pretty much stayed home.I have enjoyed the quiet nights with Carmela, the laughter of my Mia and the silent complicity of my sister while watching a chick flick (poor figu!).I have been spoiled by the Guy Upstairs when I complained that I was missing some makeup essentials (another post).

Now I'm preparing myself to help Jennifer get married for good ( bachelorette than turned into a wedding-you got to love her). I'm happy because she is happy.

October promises to be hectic, but I'm ready.
Psalm 23.4

The plan

“Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer."~Denis Waitley

That is exactly what I will do

Hope over Fear

When sis Tania told me she was doing the 4:00am-5:00am shift in her corporate pledge in Relay for Life 2009 my first instinct was telling her " you are crazy". After continuing our conversation I decided to buddy up with her. Recently cancer is striking close to home and since it really doesn't give us a break, I was not giving it a break either. After a quick visit to my friend's Joel small summer get together ( it was either that or tried to sleep) I met my sister at Parque Central. Let me tell you at 3:00am , it was happening. As many walked or jogged many cheered. ALL THE TIME.

We were supposed to relay Patty, Tania's co worker and friend. She was running and I bet that while doing that she was mourning her mother who passed away barely three weeks ago to the disease. We meet Tania's colleagues who were kind enough to let me crash their party. We started, people cheered. Every now and then you would see a person wearing a purple shirt.A survivor.The walk was nothing. Tania ran. Patty was still running. It was inspiring.

All different types of people and groups participated. An Army squad walked proudly in formation, in silence, with their respective flags. Firemen wearing their heavy uniforms. Kids and teenagers walking in socks due to blisters. Tania told me that Darth Vader's white soldier squad (a Star Wars club)was supposed to come soon, which I found hysterical. Our relay came and Patty joined him to run ( or did he join her?). We had breakfast. I was honored to be there. I crashed a party and it turned out to be the best thing I did over the weekend. I could have done more. Oh well, next year I have the best idea. So to those out there, this amateur blogger chooses hope over fear. Together we will end cancer

* Dedicated to Titi Nena and Priscilla

Inspiration at its finest ( this apartment is to DIE!!!)

Ace, past USTA colleague and Apartment Therapy fan, send this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G post of a house tour in Los Angeles. You have to understand that when when Ace sends you a link, you need to oblige and open ( he's great: he'a nice Indian fellow with a love affair with everything Mac,owns a Mini Cooper and a serious design buff). So my fellow blog readers, this apartment house tour is a gift from Ace to you.

Enjoy!!!

Bedroom inspiration

My bedroom needs some loving and looking into AT Maxwell's* daily newsletter I found some great inspiration. I love white sheets and lots of white light during the day ( I do love pitch black darkness to sleep). I don't want excessive pillows and accesories, just the basic, simple to have a quaint and calm bedroom. Since my bed in command central in my life ( besides sleeping, I read,think,write this blog, pray, talk/text/IM on the phone, style my wardrobe,"exercise" in it) I like a plush matress and soft textiles. Of course, being a art/architecture buff some elements need to come into consideration for this upcoming project.So brace yourself people, Carla is coming with new inspitation in the bedroom in 2009!!!

Shoe porn-courtesy of the nice people from Neiman Marcus

I died and went to heaven

Words to live by

For the past few years I have been a fan on an amazing blog called Apartment Therapy, Maxwell its founder have given great advise to people on living on simple but meaningful lives. So I share w you his words on a daily newsletter he sent yesterday.

"While the daily financial news couldn't be more dramatic
(is someone writing this stuff?), and here in NYC there is a palpable sense of disbelief in the air, I have no doubt that the fall out from this crisis will touch every one of us in some way. But, unlike many, I think this may be a good thing.I believe that we're being handed a tremendous opportunity to refocus and rise to a new challenge, for as horrified as folks may be, there is no one in the financial business that I know who is surprised. These problems have been coming down the road for a while now and, if nothing else, it's a clear signal that it's time to change our style.At AT, we've long believed in the value and
gratification of getting your house in order, living with quality (versus
quantity) and creating a home that supports you in all of your roles:
professional, personal, spiritual. Now, then, is the time to slow down, work off debt, de-clutter, simplify and pare down to those things that are most important. It's a time to focus on happiness and spend more time at home.It's a time to buy flowers and to start cooking again.If you remember, we went through something much more devastating not long ago in 2001, and people's response to that crisis here in the city was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life."

PS-that is NOT my room

Race for the cure

Tania, my sister, completed her first 5k marathon. Her inspiration for running The Race for the Cure was our beloved aunt, Titi Nena who is dear to our hearts and is battling cancer. Tania sets a goal and she goes for it while juggling a wonderful toddler, an amazing husband and a promising career. In the process she inspired us all with her determination to do this. In the pic, Tania in pink shirt, ran with Patricia, her co-worker and dear friend. I'm making my public commitment to do it next year....