Vanilla Glaze ✻ *

Winter time is a magic time! I really like this season. Maybe because of Christmas, gifts, the whole family together, "cheesy words"...whatever the reason, I'm so exited this year. Even more because as each year for a different reason, it will be unique.

It's being a special winter, and big part of it is the snow, the beautiful white covering everything.

If it is true that in my country there is no snowfall, this goes beyond, it's about enjoying every time and every thing as something new. Never lose the sense of wonder.

And I'd like to emphasize this, because is not about be ignorant or to amazed with "any" thing, it's to know appreciate the life, the nature and its changes, its little or huge things that reminds us that we do not know everything, and that even the smallest thing has something new to show us. Have you lost your sense of wonder?

Almost Christmas holidays!! =)

Silly moment =)

“It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what's cool.” C.H.

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping." B.D.

Shopping and (not) growing up collide!...i love my new watches...and i want them all! Hahaha, I just got them from my happy meal (this is not sponsored haha). The good part of this is that i really enjoyed as a little girl (hello kitty lover) excited about the surprise gift, eating junk food and having a good time. A silly moment, a happy time! =) Have a good day!

while reading...

I found while reading this lyrics, i haven't heard the song before, but I liked what it says about sense of wonder...something that I want to write about later.

“There is no life - without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;

But when you come and I am filled with wonder,

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.”

“I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,

That you get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger,

May you never take one single breath for granted,

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed.

“I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens,

Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance.

“Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter,

When you come close to selling out, reconsider,

Give the heavens above more than a passing glance.”

Diversity*

Accepting people regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability or religion means to respect and understand that each person is unique. As a concept might sound deep and beautiful, but the truth is that this has been the most difficult issue for humanity. How to understand or value something that you do know? That’s the problem.

Many times the same culture to which we belong, don’t allow us to accept something different to us, but who has shaped the culture? People who didn’t dare to see beyond of the end of their noses, missing the opportunity to enrich their minds. In short, I can say that I've had great experiences knowing people from a different culture, helping me to understand and see things beyond what might seem at first sight. I am thankful to have these people in my life!

I'm green...and not ecologically speaking!

According to the True colors test online, my personality is Green. This mean that I’m an inquisitive person, who always wonder why things are like they are, or is trying to find an explanation to everything most of the time. Also, it says that this personality is not very social, they prefer to be with themselves than social events, incompetent people, etc. I think that could be a little me, but I don’t consider myself antisocial! I love to spend time with my friends, parties and all that... although I must admit that I really enjoy to have a moment alone, thinking or doing relaxing things that I like.

Green personality is logical as well. If this is true, I’m not good receiving constructive criticism, and my attitude is not the best when challenged. Because of the way Green act, people may also think that they are too independent, and unable to control their temper at times. I definitely agree with it even if that could sound like something negative. On the other hand, they value their intellect and capabilities above all else. That is true, I think that make you feel comfortable in these areas creates a sense of personal security! My second one was orange: power and adventure, and blue: calm, loyalty and sense of belonging.

Maybe the results could seem contrasting, but I believe all these make a person complete, don't you think so? =)

Keep on moving!

Let’s get moving for the health of it! The regular physical activity is essential and one of the most important things you can do for improve the quality of your life. As part of the Physical/health dimension, all of us in the class had to take with us a pedometer during a week. It would count or steps. It was really interesting to know how much you physical activity you could have (or not) in a day. These last months I have been working out more than I used to do it, and this activity helped me to feel motivated to keep up. It was a surprise to me win the “healthy pack” to be the person who walked the most. I liked the activity and it definitely made me realized how important is the physical exercise…keep on moving.

My small but special list.

Hi people! How is it going? Hope everything is going well...almost Christmas! Yaaay!

You know! Weeks ago I did a class activity called "Coat of arms", and actually it was harder than I thought, especially when I had to talk about my loved ones.

I realized that despite knowing many people throughout my life, when I question myself who really is always there for me, the list gets smaller. I know there are more people that I appreciate, however I am convinced that my family and my three best friends are my support in hard times; they make me feel loved, happy and blessed.

My Life Lessons

--= Live like there is not tomorrow.

This is the top on my list and I try to keep it on my mind all the time. We make plans all the time, always thinking in the future and speeding things up. Many times we need to go to that extreme to appreciate the opportunity given to us and that sometimes is wasted. I believe it’s really important to enjoy each moment of our lives as if it were the last.

--= Find a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

I heard this quote years ago and I really liked it. I thought how true it was because it is not only talking about a job but any activity that you really enjoy. When you do something you like, you can spend a long time on it and it doesn’t matter, because it’s almost a pleasure for you. Also, it is an important part of feeling whole as person.

--= Many of the most valuable things are in the simplest things.

Watching a sunset or the sea, smelling aromas in nature, feeling the wind in your face, enjoying the food, taking a nap, love, friendship or a simple smile, these and many more are things that could seem simple or common to us, but they really make us happy and if we learn to appreciate them, then we’ll be living fully.

--= Opportunities knock only once, so take risks.

Sometimes life confronts us to situations that we don’t have to let pass, because represent an opportunity that doesn’t happen every day. Although, situations or things that are not the best or could cause a problem to us are always there, waiting for us. That is when we need to make a decision, and whatever you make, the important is to learn something from the experience.

--= Always keep a smile on your face.

When you smile, automatically your mood changes positively. Smiling costs you nothing and gives much to others. In daily life, always so fast, to find someone who gives a smile means a lot.

--= What goes around comes around.

This is a Karma quote. It means that whatever you do in your life to others, whether good or bad actions, the same will return to you. It’s something natural just like every action has its own reaction. I like to treat people in the same way I would like to be treated and think well before do something that could affect someone else.

--= Always tell the truth and you will not have to worry about having a good memory.

You’d better have a good memory if you say lies often. I think this makes no sense, because lying just complicates your life. On the other hand, honesty makes you feel quiet and in peace with yourself and others. I really appreciate honesty in people, that’s why I always try to be honest no matter how easy is lying.

--= Believe in yourself.

Many people constantly doubt their abilities, talents, opinions, and even their physical appeareance, all those things that make them who they are. That usually happen to me, although I try to keep on my mind I’m able to do whatever I want as long as I do my best to achieve it. Trusting yourself is essential.

--= Do something new.

Life tends to become a routine. Sometimes this is necesary, althoug is not allowed to stop doing something new because of fear. You'll never know whether something likes you or not if you don't try it. It can be something simple, the important is to dare. There are plenty of things in this life that I would like to do, so day by day I try to do something new, no matter how insignificant could seem.

--= Big changes begin with little steps. Begin Today!

Nowadays, when the world is suffering the consequences of human decisions, especially the nature, we need to take a stand for the protection of our environment. Little actions in our homes or our attitude can make the big difference. Also, changes in habits, routines in life or mentality can change if we begin with something small, little by little.

HOMEsick...are you?

Do you miss home? ...what about your friends? I do. Most of us (if not all) miss home when we are far and that make us feel sad, but it's important to keep in mind that traveling is an excelent option nowadays.

We feel homesick, no matter how fun is the place where we are at that time, because we miss what we know, and I think it's the most normal! Home is a special place, our environment which we belong. Belongingness is the human need to be a member of a group, whether it is family, friends or maybe a team.

The reasons to be away are not always the same, and it's harder when this reason is something that we didn't choose. Although, being far from your loved ones doesn't have to be something sad! For example, an schoolar internship or a trip are a great opportunity to expand your horizons and open your mind.

I think traveling is incredibly important. It increases tolerance because you actually meet people from different cultures and learn that they are not so different from you. It's amazing how interesting is having a talk with people from a different culture and how many things you can learn of it.

In short, seeing the world, meeting new people, learning about things you never knew existed and broadening your view of the world make traveling the most interesting thing you can imagine. So, bye bye sadness!

By the way, that adorable dog is my little Lila ♥ =)