"The best mirror is an old friend." - George Herbert

Most people graduate from high school thinking about every single thing they hated about it and the million reasons they would never go back...
Most people believe high school is a nightmare and they are simply glad it's over.
I know this because I have done it too. I, too, have thought about a thousand things I hated about HS and all I can say is "Geez... I'm glad it's over."

The truth is, I AM glad it's over, but not just because I don't have to get up at 5:30 every morning, or because I don't HAVE to take classes I don't want or like.
I'm glad HS's over because HS brought these 3 girls into my life and was the place where an amazing friendship started...
People say there's always something that reminds you of yourself when you pick your friends... I have not been able to prove that theory just yet. I don't know if my friends are like me, but I do know they are what compliments me to some extent.

After HS, life took us all on a different path, we don't see each other every single day anymore, we don't talk every day, we don't do homework together, we barely party together anymore... But it's not really that big a deal: there's still that little something that makes it right whenever we see each other.

We may not be there 24/7, but we are there for those moments that matter...
We are there for birthdays, holidays, random going-out nights, weddings, and now the first baby shower.
We have been there for some sad moments too, but we're not going to spoil this entry remembering those...

Truth be told, no matter how many NEW friends each one of us makes, or how many people become our good or new best friends... there's always a place in my heart that will forever belong to the 4 of us.
No matter how far away we are from each other and no matter where the path may lead us, we will always find a way back home, to us, to the 4 of us...
Or so I hope.
Thanks for sharing the great and the not-so-great times...
Your friendship means the world to me, and I know for a fact I would have not gotten out of some deep black holes if it hadn't been for you.
Thank you again, I love you all.

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart"

Your money (or your cell) or your life...

According to the latest UN report, Guayaquil is the 14th most dangerous city in Latin America; Quito is the 17th one.
Anybody who lives in Guayaquil knows just how dangerous it is to drive around the city, or even worse, to walk around no matter at what time...
There has always been crime, granted, but I know for a fact it had never been this bad before.

3 nights ago on my way back home from school, this little boy -- 12-14 years old tops -- tried to mug me. Luckily, my window was almost all the way up and he couldn't reach for my phone, my watch or whatever he may have wanted.
The kid had a knife, and even though he was 100 lbs. lighter than me (if not more), the fact that he had his knife against my skin made him 100 times stronger.
It's impossible to describe that feeling: that precise moment when somebody's yelling at you telling you to give up your phone, or your wallet, or he will cut your arm, kill you, or God knows what. This whole thing may have lasted no longer than a minute or 2 total, but it sure felt like hours of uncertainty and desperation.
It's the second time someone's tried to mug me, and all I can say is I'm TERRIFIED there will be a third one.

I'm terrified to leave my house because I think someone's going to try to kidnap me to steal my car and maybe even kill me in the process...
What ever happened to Guayaquil? When did we become the perfect spot for crime?
What the hell was the president thinking when he decided stealing up to $600 was not a crime, or forbid any kind of mistreatment and/or abuse against thieves and/or murderers?
What's next, Mr. President? Thieves will get a reward for stealing?
I am sure he won't realize just how bad he's hurt his country until someone points a gun directly at his head and threatens to kill him for his money. Sounds horrible, I know... But that's the sad reality we've come to now...

People always give me dirty looks when I say I miss Fl and I want to move back. It's not that I don't love my country or my city... I do, and I do think this country has so many beautiful things, so many beautiful places to be explored, the people are so nice, friendly and welcoming that makes you want to stay here... I know that. I'm aware of it... But all those beauties we have to share become absolutely nothing when you can't offer safety to its citizens, let alone tourists.

It's a shame we've come to this point and I think I can honestly say even though I love my city, I can't wait to get the hell out of here.
Not trying to be mean here, but I need to be somewhere where I don't worry about being mugged, or stabbed or shot every day when I leave my house. I know how bad it sounds, but I'm not making it up, the UN backs what I said...
I hope one day things change. I hope one day when we have a smarter president we can enforce our laws and thieves can be punished even if they steal a piece of gum...
I hope one day we can all walk around, no matter the time of the day, without any type of worries...
Until then, I'll stick to my house-school-house route...
How awesome is that? Thieves not only try to steal my phone or wallet, but now they also steal my social life. Thanks a lot, jerks. I hate you all...

"Single and ready to mingle"

Have you ever stopped for a minute to actually think about what being "single" means?

Probably in many other countries, the word single simply means NOT having a boyfriend and/or husband. Period.

In our country, however, it seems to have such a horrible connotation that people seem to run as far away from it as possible.

Being single has been stigmatized and people believe you can only be happy if you are in some sort of relationship...

There are people who are miserable in their relationships, but they would still never break it off because they refuse to be single.

I know there are people who think I'm just a love hater. I'm not, believe it or not.

I do like being in love and I think it's probably the most wonderful feeling ever.

However, I'm a very realistic person. Those daydreaming days are long gone and there is simply no more room for stupid utopias. Love is what it is. Life is what it is.

I have to admit I HATE seeing people settling for less than they know they want and deserve, out of fear of being alone.

Since when does being alone mean being lonely?

Why do we have to think that we can't find happiness if we are alone? Why do we have to hold onto someone else or base our happiness on someone other than ourselves?

How can we look at ourselves in the mirror every morning and truly smile and say I AM HAPPY?

It's taken me exactly 2 years and 4 months to get there.

I think I can finally look at myself in the mirror with a smile on my face and say "I'm ok. I'm happy."

Why should I hate myself for being single?

Why should I be sad or depressed because I don't have someone to call me 24/7 and monitor every single one of my steps? Why should I be sad if I don't have someone to get jealous because I talk to a friend? Why should I be sad if I don't have someone who will break my heart?

People only see being single as the worst thing that could possibly happen to them. Instead, they should embrace that status. They should do what fulfills them. They should go out and party, maybe hang out with friends, go for a walk, go to the beach, read a book, watch a movie, or simply do things you never got around to because you were always busy with somebody else.

I have been in love before. I, too, have felt that kind of love that makes your legs shake and your conscience fly away with a simple kiss. I have felt what ultimate love and passion is.

And that is the one and only reason I refuse to settle for less than that.

I refuse to hold somebody's hand if I know that person doesn't own 100% of my heart. I refuse to say I love you to somebody if I don't feel it 100%. I refuse to share a life with someone only because I'm afraid I won't find somebody else.

I refuse to waste my time and make that person waste theirs.

I refuse to settle for less than perfection.

If this means I have to be single, so be it.

I'm a smart person, I'm talented, and one day I will be a freaking awesome and successful translator who won't need somebody else's approval to find ultimate happiness.

I refuse to be afraid to be alone.

I refuse to be like everybody else...

I'm stronger than that. I'm better than that...

Being single doesn't mean you're not good enough for anyone. It means no one is good enough for you.

NASCAR

When I first moved to the US my knowledge of Racing didn't go beyond F1.
One day, at work, the race was on TV and since I was holding the door, I pretty much had to watch it... I have to admit the first couple of times I watched it, all I could think about was "Who the hell watches this? Could it get ANY more boring?"
I used to think NASCAR was only cars going around in circles, which is what a lot of people think. Fortunately, there was this one manager who was a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge NASCAR fan and he took the time to explain to me how everything worked... It turns out, it's a lot more complicated than most sports - at least when it comes to points and stuff - and surprisingly, it is anything BUT boring.

Ok, ok, if you sit in front of your TV and watch a 5 hour race without even taking a potty break, you will most likely get sick of it and change the channel... (Trust me, I used to do the same)
However, if you ever have the chance to actually go to a race, your whole perspective about racing WILL change... That's not a question, it's a statement.
The very first minute you walk into the speedway and you see thousands and thousands of people walking around wearing their favorite driver's stuff, I swear to God you get chills down your spine...
You see people walking by you, carrying their team's seat cushions, their beer koozies, t-shirts, coolers, bags, backpacks, tents, you name it, they have it!
Everyone drinking beer, having barbeques, tailgating... It's absolutely awesome! The atmosphere is just amazing!
Then you have an amazing singer performing the national anthem, then you have jet planes flying above you giving you goosebumps with every mile they advance, then the Grand Marshall who is usually someone famous as well saying the magic words "Gentlemen, start your engines!" as you hear how every single one of the engines starts running...
And then the race starts... The cars flying by are soooo loud but not loud that hurts your ears - or maybe it does, but there is so much adrenaline you probably don't even feel the pain - the sound of the engines and the smell of the burning tires is beyond describable...
The huge smoke cloud that forms whenever there's a crash is sooo nerve wracking and yet soooo exciting at the same time you just want to jump over the fences and see what happened!
(Meanwhile, you're chugging down beers left and right, of course...)
And then, just when you think your favorite driver, who's been leading the past 100 laps, is going to win the race, somebody touches him and he crashes... Another big wreck and your poor driver is pushed back to last place and the guy you hate the most wins it...
Interestingly though, even though it is not YOUR driver who won, the burnout is soooo freaking phenomenal that you just don't care at one point... You just want to be there and see it live! And see the driver splashing champagne on everyone, all the confetti, the fireworks... Oh man, it's quite a show.

In the end... you realize it's not just cars going in circles... As a matter of fact, there are no round tracks, they're mostly oval, but there are some other shapes as well, except for circle ones :)
After hours of watching it and following it every week, after keeping track of your driver's point standings for 9 months, you're a NASCAR fan too before you even know it...

I remembered just how much I loved races tonight because the Coke 400 was on. Unfortunately, I had to watch it in Spanish and Jimmie did not win, but it was pretty awesome. It certainly brough back some memories, which was good :)
I had forgotten just how much fun races were :)
Hopefully one day I will be able to be at one again :)

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. ~Josh Billings

I can't think of a year of my life when I haven't had a dog around.

Ever since I was born, I have always had the greatest luck to have a dog as a part of my family.

Every time I've lost one, it's taken me forever to get over the loss...

I've had people call me crazy because I've always shared my bed with my dog... Up until 7 1/2 months ago I did with Coca, now I do with Mia...

The truth is, dogs have never been just "dogs" for me. They have always been part of my family, one of us...

This brings me to the reason why I'm writing this entry...

I went on a short road trip to this little beach town with some friends from school...

One night, when we were on the beach having some drinks, this beautiful dog walked up to us and sat next to us...

He smelled like beach. He was a little wet and he was shaking... We came to the conclusion that it was some sort of brain-related problem, because his whole lower body kept shaking even when he was sleeping...

We named him Décalage... T&I related... Not really important.

Anyway... He walked up to me and I started petting him... After a few minutes I decided to pick him up and let him sit on my lap...

The poor little thing was shaking so bad but he soon laid his head on my arms and fell asleep... Whenever I moved him, he would wake up and then went back to sleep right away...

At one point, he basically crawled up on my chest and fell asleep there. I could hear him snore... He was perfectly comfortable and he had his arm on mine... He looked so peaceful and happy...

I could tell he had never been held like that before... I could tell no one had ever pet him like that before, and even worse, no one had ever rocked him to sleep before...

As I type this, I can still picture his little face in my mind and it breaks my heart to know there are evil people out there who see dogs like him, in desperate need of food, water, shelter, but most important, of love and simply do nothing about it.

I wanted so bad to bring him home with me, but I knew my mom would've killed me...

I don't understand how people have dogs and just kick them out and throw them on the street like they're a piece of garbage... I don't understand how you see a dog walk up to you, obviously hungry and begging for food, and you just shush them away in disguise.

How can you have such a cold heart? How can you deny a little dog something to eat, or 5 minutes of your time to pet him and make him feel loved?

It broke my heart to leave him there. It still breaks my heart to know he's out there, lonely, walking along that beach, hoping someone will give him some shelter...

I wish people understood just how amazing having a dog is... I really do hope one day we can drive around the city without having to see hungry stray dogs everywhere...

I hope one day I have enough money to build my own shelter, where I can bring not only Décalage, but all his friends too...

I have said this before and I know people think I'm crazy and they choose not to believe me... But one day, I will have my own dog shelter... Even if it's not huge or fancy. Even if I have to have it in my own garage... I will have my own shelter.

I owe plenty of amazing and happy times to these animals, and one day having a shelter will be my own way of saying THANK YOU and giving something back to them...

I have set my mind to a lot of things my entire life but this is my OWN dream I've kept since I was a kid. I will fight whoever I have to, but I promise I will have my own shelter.

I know I can't change people's minds and there will always be stray dogs... But all I know is I will make that difference. Even if I only get to help a small percentage of doggies that need help, I will be that one person who helps them and loves them...

One day, I will make sure no more Décalages walk around begging for food.

One day I will be able to give dogs a tiny piece of the incredible love and happiness they have brought into my life...

DOG SHELTER: COMING SOON.

Note: The dog in the picture is Décalage. Picture taken by Vicky Buitron :)