Goodbye 2011

As 2011 draws to an end, I have sat down to assess this year: my mistakes, my successes, my growth...
This year has been incredible in many ways and it has also been full of challenges and surprises.
I have been very blessed with health and the love and support of many people who have also lived to see another year. I have grown much closer to God, which I can say with all honesty is the best feeling in the world. I am officially engaged to the love of my life. My cousin and his family have finally moved to the US and the prospects of reunification with the rest of the family that I have left in Cuba are very encouraging.
My first semester as a philosophy major was also my hardest. I had never in my life studied so much or dedicated so much time to school. I had almost no free weekends, practically lived at the library and had so many all-nighters that I can't even remember how many they were. However, it was my most rewarding semester at FIU and for that I am grateful.
I changed my hair color to what, apparently, suits me best. I was constant and determined in my diet, which along with the support from my fiance, led me to success.
I was more adventurous, took more risks, had more fun, lived bigger and louder...
Finally, I grew closer to some people who have become very important in my life and, for one reason or another, grew apart from others that I still love very much. The latter situation I highly regret and hope to fix in 2012.

Well, what else can I say? I just can't wait for 2012: my wedding, graduation, family reunification, my 6th birthday (yes, there will be February 29th)... I know it is going to be my best year yet. :) 

Happy New Year!!!

Beautifully Flawed

SOMETIMES WE MUST LEARN THAT BEAUTY CONSISTS NOT IN AESTHETICS, BUT IN FUNCTION. LOVE YOUR EVERY FLAW, THERE'S A REASON YOU HAVE IT: IT'S THERE TO SERVE YOU!

I love my big eyes that let me appreciate the purple hues of sunset, the vibrant greens of the forest and the depth of the sea.
I love my feet and their high arches that bring me pain at night because the soreness is a reminder of the places that I’ve been to and a lesson of humility that makes me understand how critical the support of others is in everything I do.
I love my bony knees and robust thighs because they allow me to run to my destination.
I love the scars on my skin because they tell stories of days that will never come back.
I love the expression lines that have begun forming in my face because they are witness to my humanity.
I love my heavy breasts—which will one day feed my children—because when they bring me pain they also talk about the mysteries of motherhood and the joy in sacrificing everything for the most sublime of loves.
I love my broad back and shoulders because they are willing to carry the weight of the world.
I love my strong jaw because it shows my determined character.
I love my small hands because they keep me in check by never letting me grab more than I need, while being soft enough to transmit love in just one touch.

I love my body because it’s a product of God’s design, a house for my soul and a shrine for Him. Yes, it might be imperfect, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Great Expectations

Buddhists say that human suffering is pretty easy to explain: people suffer because they ignore that everything is impermanent and because they want things. I'd say that people suffer because they expect too much.

We expect to be recognized for the great job we did on an assignment. We expect to be reciprocated in our affections, or simply, even if we don't do things implicitly expecting to receive something in return, we would at least like it if someone showed some gratitude or at least satisfaction with what we have done for them. But life acts in curious ways and usually the people that you expect the most from are from whom you should expect the least.
Prepare yourself for disappointment, because in life that is what we are all set for. And if you should expect something, just expect the unexpected.