5 things I learned this year

This year has been hard. If I had to resume it all in one story it would be like this: picture you are a child waiting for your Christmas present, then Santa comes along and brings you that present with a slap in the face. Oh boy you will remember it.

Yes, that is what 2016 was like. But, as all bad comes with something good…I have to say that it also brought lovely things…still with a slap in the face.

I learned a lot of things the hard way in 2016 and I want for 2017 to be a little more gentle with everyone this year (like please please please.)

What I have learned:

1. The Universe cannot care less about your timing. The Universe has its own timing and you have to accept it just as it is. You cannot control it or modify it, just flow with it. I had plans for my Summer people. I had like a whole agenda for the rest of the year planned to perfection for me to vacation, then come back film our videoclip, finish our record and then go through a plan of promotion. Nope. Like a big fat NOPE. Broken arm, endless physiotherapy and paused plans for everything else.
2. Friends are like stickers; some stick like there is no tomorrow…others stick at first, unglue themselves and then leave an unpleasant residue. I did my best this year to be more social and be more patient with a lot of people but I learned that sometimes true friends are not the ones you know your whole life, but the ones who enter your live and stick forever. Thank you to the ones who were there for me this year and helped me through bad times.
3. Your body can endure more pain than you can imagine, it’s your mind you have to convince. I broke an arm and also I broke something inside me that I thought would never go back the way it was. The broken arm was just the beginning; my mind started to play an important role in the whole healing process. Even if it sounds crazy I was not allowing myself to heal. I still have to work on that.
4. Relationships are like plants; you have to take care of them…if not, they will eventually die. (Enough said).
5. If you are not feeling ok nothing will be ok. Stop convincing yourself that «when ____ happens I will be ok, when I’ll accomplish _____ I will be ok, when I’ll have ____ I will be ok». No you will not be ok if you don’t start working on feeling ok NOW. Then when whatever good happens on top of you being ok…it will be like the cherry on top of the ice cream. See? Getting wiser every year 🙂 )

So I hope you guys learned a lot this year and I hope that 2017 will bring you amazing things. Have a wonderful 2017!!! 🙂

November: you have been kind to me

This month has brought so many good things that I am starting to forget all the crappy ones that happened this year. I guess this is a very good way of ending 2016 and waiting for 2017 with open arms and a big smile.

I have to confess that this time of the year I get a little nostalgic and I scan my year to see what I have accomplished and where did I fail. I try to always point out the positive but the negative is there to remind us that we are human, that not everything turns out the way we want and sometime that is a lovely thing.

Lately I have been bouncing from one physiotherapist to another and finally found a place near home that is good and helps me with my arm (yes, my elbow has seen better days). Just to keep you guys updated…we have finished recording most of our songs and now are working on filming the video of our single called «Bailame» (Yaaaaaaaas).

Thank you November, you have been really kind to me.

 

Lately…this is what’s going on

(This picture is from our trip to Greece in June)

It’s been almost a year since I left my old home in Venezuela and moved to Spain. I remember all the stress and chaotic moments involved. Everything has changed so much since last year, that I have no words to describe how blessed and grateful I am to be here.

This last six months have been a real challenge. We were flirting with the idea of moving to Barcelona because we got a real good offer to sign our music and make some more videos there, but Madrid was holding my hand really tightly and I felt I did not give this amazing city a real chance. Jimmy and I discussed this back and forth until a lovely event made our decision easier: we found an amazing producer and started recording our new album right away.

After searching like crazy for a new apartment, we finally found one with an elevator and a big balcony. Late this month we will move and I can’t wait to show you guys the before and after of the place.

So don’t think for a second I have forgotten about my blog and all of you who make it possible. The Golden Limoncello is getting tons of new posts and lots of giggles and smiles.

Madrid….you haven’t seen the best of me.

I hope you guys are having a lovely Summer ❤

 

June: 5 things that make this month amazing

For me May is an exciting month because I know that June is going to arrive soon with my birthday in it and the lovely warm weather. I am excited to spend my birthday in Greece and that I get to travel not only for business but also for pleasure.

May has been packed with tons of work and new exciting projects. My parents and my sister are coming to visit! I just can’t sleep counting the days until they arrive!

I can’t be more grateful for all that is happening: I finally finished the first draft of my book! I have been working so hard on it and finally it has some kind of structure. I battled with ideas and got inspired with a new ending. It’s a fiction novel that I have been working on in the past two years. I have really no idea when it will come out (or if it will ever come out) but I have my hopes high that someday it might.

1) Celebrating my birthday on June 5th.

I have to go to Greece to start an exciting project that we are working on (more details in the next couple of months) and I will get to spend my birthday with my family in Greece. How fun is that?! I have never spent a birthday there and I think it is going to be amazing having my grandmother and my family next to me.

2) Finishing the first draft of my book.

It may sound crazy, but I have developed a very strong relationship with my main character Thomas. So when the last page was being written I felt I was loosing something very close to me (I tried to explain this to Jimmy but he looked at me like I had lost my mind).

3) Finally going to the beach. 

We managed to squeeze in a little weekend get-away to Valencia last week since the weather was getting warmer. Unfortunately when we arrived the water was really cold but we got to soak in some sun and unplug ourselves from work for two days. I am thrilled for my trip to Greece because I will definitely make time to go to the beach and swim a lot!

4) Mastering my paleo bibimbap recipe. 

Jimmy loves this dish and after reading tons of recipes, I finally found the one that we both like. I make his with rice and I make mine with cauliflower rice so it’s paleo. This month I want to master the recipe and invite some friends over to try this veggie filled plate. Obviously the recipe is coming soon to The Golden Limoncello!

5) Flowers everywhere. 

We went to see the annual rose contest at La Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste. It was spectacular and breath-taking. I think this is officially my favorite place in Madrid.

May you all have a lovely month! 🙂

 

So far, but yet so close

Happy birthday to my gorgeous Mom. 

She is always there when I need her and I miss her with all my heart.

This picture was taken the day before moving to Madrid and I get really nostalgic when I see it.

We are far away but yet so close. 

May you have a wonderful birthday Manula!

I love you dearly. 

It’s time…

Photo by Jose J. Figueroa

This year I’ve decided it’s time.

 It’s time to embrace what’s around me and start to open my eyes.

 It’s time to focus on what matters and leave in a drawer what is not important. It is so hard to let go of the things that bother us because we have gotten so accustomed to feel uncomfortable in our own skin.

 It’s time to stop obsessing over the mirror and not make a big deal out of the fact that last month’s jeans are a little tighter.

 It’s time to stop comparing yourself to…anyone.

It’s time to make a list of the things you love because, somehow when they are written down they feel more real.

 It’s time to say I love you. It’s time to let “that” grudge go…and allow yourself to heal. It’s time to cry a little and let it go.

 It’s time to become the best version of you…because if not now, then when?

It’s time to smile to yourself and pick up the pieces from the floor.

 It’s time to shine darling…

 

The light of my life: my little sister

When I was a child I loved to play alone; being social was not my forte. But eventually I dreamed about having a little sister. I visualized dressing her and doing her hair, putting make up on her and having her as my best friend but I knew that at 11 years old I wouldn’t be getting a sister and that I had to accept the fact that I would be an only child for the rest of my life.

 Boy was I wrong.

My mom came into my room as I was figuring out how “the internet” dial-up connection worked (yes, internet is not that old). She sat on my bed with a big smile and for some reason I knew the news were big.

 My sister was born on New Year’s Eve 1998. One of the happiest days of my life.

I stood there and watched her from the hospital’s nursery window thinking how perfect she was. The first time that I took her in my arms my heart was beating very fast: I was afraid I would drop her. She opened her eyes and stared at me deeply. I knew in that exact moment, that I had just met the light of my life. 

Just let them know

I am used to be the one who says I love you first.

I am the one who lets you know that I appreciate you. People always tell me I should not be like this because eventually others will take advantage of me (eventually they do).

Have you been backstabbed and lied to? Have you been mocked and been hurt? Do you feel like you should stop being so kind and loveable? Don’t. Please just don’t. If you do, you let them win.

Life is too short and too precious for holding back love. I think we get to spend so little time in this earth and with the people we love that is a waste of time to “hold back”.

Hold your loved ones hand. Take a good look at the people you love because believe me, they will not be there forever. Call someone, don’t just text. Be brave enough to compliment people when you see them instead of just leaving a “like” on their Facebook.

Don’t forget to let your parents, grandparents and family know how much you appreciate them and how thankful you are for the things they have done for you: remember that as you grow older so do they.

 

 

 

10 Things I loved about my latest trip to Greece

Here 10 things that made this trip a very special one:

1) I learned to play scala 40. I am telling you: this game is addictive!

2) I hugged and kissed my yiayia every-single-day: my wrinkled little princess.

3) I visited my grandmother’s sister aunt Eleni (sweetest lady on earth).

4) We had a big delicious family meal on Sunday at my cousin Babis’ house.

5) My aunt Tasia made «cremidopita» and it was amazing!

6) A lovely purple good-luck necklace I am wearing right now from my aunt Agni.

7) My aunt Rena made me laugh all day…everyday.

8) I saw the most beautiful sunset of my entire life.

9) I got to have a heart-to-heart conversation with my cousin Leon.

10) I visited my grandfather’s grave and missed him even more.

 

By the way…I just joined Bloglovin…oh yes…better late than never. If you wish to follow me (please do, it’s fun I promise) click here.

Thessaloniki’s photo diary

There is a special place in my heart for this city. I have childhood memories that fill my heart with joy every time I think about Thessaloniki. I came back just a couple of days ago and even though the weather was cold, my heart came back very warm from seeing my family. 

As you guys can guess, I have a very big (and cool) family. In this past post you can see some more pictures. I stayed at my aunt Tasia’s home that is just above my grandmother and aunt Rena’s apartment. So I was going up and down the whole trip sharing with all of them.

I also visited my aunt Agni’s home and she cooked some delicious spaghetti that night. I shared a lovely meal with my aunt George and my cousin Leonidas (whom I love with all my heart).

We had a big and yummy family meal on Sunday and I got to see my whole family together.

I can’t tell you how happy and thankful I got to spend some time with all of them. I know my grandfather Kiriakos would be very happy is he saw us all together like this.

The most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in my life

Quick trip to the farmer’s market

My sweet yiayia

I ate siropiasta like a crazy person. I am not allowed to eat this kind of sweets due to my migraines but I made an exception just this once.

Vintage pictures of my grandparents (how stylish is the left picture??)

Amazing family meal at my cousin Babis’ house

I fell in love with these vintage brass candlesticks

My first magazine editorial under the desk’s glass at my grandmother’s living room

Downtown

Kalamaria’s orthodox church

2015: I am waiting for you with open arms

I normally wait for the new year with a bubbly enthusiasm because it means a fresh start and time for changes. But this year it has been different. I feel like I have accomplished so much this 2014 that I will feel a little nostalgic about it ending. When I started this blog almost a year ago, I had no idea I would take it so seriously and that it would mean so much to me. It started like a small escape from reality, like a vessel to another dimension and it became my little personal space to share and post and connect with you guys.

You have seen all of my 2014 and all the beautiful changes that came with it. I feel like I have been accompanied through the whole year even though I can’t see you. Thank you so much for all your support. Thank you for your kind comments and your suggestions. Thank you for making me smile and for letting me know that there is someone (other than my lovely sister) who reads my blog.

I can’t wait to continue sharing and knowing you guys a little better.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

May this 2015 bring joy to your life. May it bring happiness and tons of smiles. I wish that I could meet each and every one of you and let you know how thankful I am that you take the time to read what I post. I hope with all my heart this new year will brighten every day and make you realize how special each and every one of you is.

Happy 2015! ❤

 

 

Resolutions achieved! 2014 edition

My very first post on this blog was about 2014 resolutions. I thought that it would be a pretty nice thing to accomplish what I had wished for this year and surprisingly I did.

In the past, my resolutions were kind of big and sometimes I would get frustrated that I couldn’t make all of them happen. This year they were simple and they added a very nice touch to my year.

70% of the year I ate like I was supposed to: trying to avoid dairy, gluten and the other items of my no-no list. I have my migraines under control and I am feeling pretty great. I used to have them every-single-day and now with my special diet I am having 2-3 migraines a month.

I really did something new every month; I finished my creative writing course, I took screenwriting, I moved to Madrid, I saw Britney’s Las Vegas concert and so much more.

I exceeded my expectations regarding my exercise routine; I never exercised less than 3 times a week. Sometimes I did more but never less. My body is thanking me for this achieved resolution.

My small vacation was incredible! I had so much fun in Las Vegas with Jimmy. We seriously had a blast and laughed so much. That also includes my last resolution that was to smile more. I smiled everyday!

🙂

Did you guys accomplished your resolutions this year?