Snow Angels

The only thing better than a weekend is a 3 day weekend! So thank you snow for adding another day of peace and rest to my week.  Well it wasn't all rest I might add. Yesterday as I attempted to shovel my car out of about two feet of snow, I couldn't help but almost give up. I was tired after a meager 5 minutes of that mess that was the snow, slush, and ice. So I asked God to send me an angel so I wouldn't have to do it all by myself ( I could just picture me there for at least another hour and I wasn't happy about it!) And wouldn't you know, a few minutes later my angel appeared. He was a man about 5' 2" with a good pair of gloves and sturdy shovel. He answered my prayers. He didn' speak English, but he understood that I needed help, and in less than 10 minutes  I was out of the snow and on the road to Jersey to go see my boo! I gave the guy $25- well worth it and he deserved it.  God brings you what you need! Now how is that for an Angel? This is just another reminder of the joy that is lent. Be thankful for the small things and always have hope and faith.

Lent: A new beginning

Lent. A rebirth, a time to reconnect with your God, a time of sacrifice and selflessness, a new beginning. I have chosen this time to find my faith again and I feel better already. No one has to go to church to have faith and pray, but it helps me by giving me a place of worship and sanctuary. I especially enjoy the 7 p.m. Iona College community Mass at the Arrigoni Center on Mayflower Avenue in New Rochelle, NY!

So every year I give up something for lent; one year it was candy, another year: cheese, last year: meat. It's the idea that by sacrificing something you enjoy or may indulge in, that you are resisting temptation and turning away from sin right? Well, I think that was the idea. So this year I will try to give up road rage and texting while driving (I know this is really bad and I will give it up permanently!) But more important during lent is that we do something kind for others or maybe even to better ourselves, instead of simply giving something up. This lenten season I want to be more patient. I am most impatient with the people I love the most, my mom, my boyfriend, probably my sister as well (sorry Paige, I am working on this.) So I'm going to try and be a better listener, be more patient with the small things, try not to jump down someone's back when I don't necessarily agree with them or their opinion. This is my hope for myself and in turn it will help me to show kindness towards others.

So if it's hard to think of something to give up this year, don't fret! Isn't it easier and more beneficial all around to do something for others while trying to be our best self?

I hope this post wasn't too preachy, "Holy rolling", or offensive to any of my blog followers, but I do have a real appreciation for the lenten season and maybe in a future post I will tell you why, but until then I hope you enjoyed it anyway! Happy Lent everyone xoxo

The American Dream..what you don't know!

Today I met with my oldest and best friend, Jessie, for some delicious sushi. We have been friends since we were about 5 years old and I am so glad to still  have her in my life. Even though we have drifted apart at times in our life we always find our way back to each other. And when we get together we know how to have a great time. The thing we love to do the most is go out dancing, but most of the time we just hang at my moms for some good conversation, and a lot of the times for a good meal!

So we went to one of our favorite sushi restaurants, Aji 53 in Bay Shore. I had been there before, but today she introduced me to two new rolls: The demon roll and The American Dream. And to get to the point, I am still dreaming of the American Dream. It was the most delicious sushi I have ever tasted. (even though I can't remember what was in it!) Just goes to show you that old friends can bring new things into your life! And for me today that was sushi. If you couldn't tell by my posts so far, I do have an affinity for food! Good food though. Unlike my sister, who isn't too fond of eating. But what she does like is sushi and I can't wait to introduce her to the American Dream.

Who says life has to be about big cars, big houses and lots of cash? I am totally satisfied with good friends and good food!

Happy Valentines Day!

Whenever Valentine's day comes along I always think of the simple pleasures I once relished. They would be sandwiches in the shape of hearts my mom packed for my school lunch, giving out Valentines to my closest friends, a really enjoyable couple's massage, etc. This year I started a new tradition. My boo and I went out to Max Brenner's chocolate restaurant and oh was it divine! Everything from the "falling in love" martini and the Sergeant Peppermint white chocolate martini to the Sharing dessert plate of chocolate fondue with mixed fruit, chocolate banana waffles, and other delectable sweets! I love that you can find the most indulgent treats in New York City, just a train ride away. Oh and if you may be looking for a whimsical Valentine's flick I highly recommend Chocolat with Johnny Depp. It's about a nonconformist woman who opens up her own chocalaterie in a small village in France during lent. It's a real "feel-good" movie! Other things I like about Valentine's: I made my own chocolate covered strawberries today and ate them guilt-free! So even though V-day is a hallmark holiday and we should be showing gratitude and adoration to our loved ones each and everyday, it gives us a reason to do that little bit extra to make it that much more special. So celebrate your love today- may it be by just sitting around watching a movie together, making a brunch of all his favorites, or spending a few extra minutes in bed together. Remember it's all about the love you give. And to quote my yoga teacher "The only way you can love and embrace love is when you love yourself!"

letters from Capri...

For my first blog I wanted to get inspiration from something amazing, something I could think about to take me away from the dead of winter for a few moments...so I decided to peruse through pictures from my trip to Italy, more importantly, my day trip to Capri. What a breathtaking destination it was. As I sit here listening to the strong February winds blowing I can't help but revert to the warm breeze on my back as I strolled the streets of Capri, shopping (and purchasing what may be my favorite piece of jewelry I own...A Capri watch), eating (I remember it was a mouthwatering margerita pizza that day and a lemon ice later on!!!), taking in the beautiful sights of the cliffs, the blue grotto, the immaculate garden in the middle of the island, and then swimming in the Marina Piccolo (there is something about the Mediterranean water that is just so soothing!) So even though I am suffering in the brutal cold this winter with no plans of vaca in the near future, I know I can always escape and turn my thoughts to the summer of 2009 where I spent the most peaceful, unparalleled time of my young adult life. I could only hope that my potential trip to Greece with my sister will be as magnificent as this.