Happiness Comes From Within

In a couple of days the year twenty-eighteen will be nothing but a memory & part of the past. Twenty-eighteen was personally a blissful year filled with so much discovery, travel, hard-work, love, laughter and of course some obstacles but who doesn’t have that. We all suffer from time to time on whatever it might be but let me tell you that YOU are the only thing stopping your happiness. Let’s start the new year with lots of ambition, style, confidence & happiness!

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”
-Andrew Carnegie

Take a peak at some of my 2019 Happy Goals. I specifically put the word Happy with stars because my goals will consists of nothing but things that make me HAPPY. I created sort of a digital vision board for you, in hopes that this could encourage you to think about your New Year Goals. I know most people don’t like to plan or even think about New Year resolutions but I want to inspire everyone to put Happy words into actions! & it all starts with a goal or perhaps a physical vision board. This will help your inner self be more inspired!

Happiness is key

Be with Nature

I love being outdoors. It lets me breath in fresh air & feel so in tune . I am my happiest in nature.

Tune into my Spirituality

This has to do with finding what I believe in. To live peacefully & consciously. Discover Energies / Vibrations / Meditation

Take a camping trip somewhere

I’d love to go camping somewhere in the mountains. Something about bonfires calms me. But most importantly being in the middle of nowhere and away from civilization is relaxing.

Read 10 Books in 2019

Reading physical books with my hands is traditional for me. I enjoy reading actual books & just looking for the right one. Reading is my friend so we must converse more often in 2019.

Meet New People

I honestly want to connect with more people in 2019. I am a listener simply intrigued by romance, stories, culture, adventures, etc. Meeting new people with the same ambitions & respect could become friendships of a lifetime.

Go on Road Trips

I want to go on three or more road trips next year. Road trips are a lot of work. But I am also a sucker for beautiful views & sunsets so this is perfect!

Get more Tattoos

I’ve discovered a love for the art of tattooing. I plan on getting another or maybe a few for sure -throughout the new year, no doubt about it.

Travel !

I love traveling! I can’t explain how excited & happy traveling makes me. I have a huge trip coming up which is going to change me & teach me so much. I also can’t forget all the little trips I’ll make along the way 🙂

Learn More Songs on the Piano

Playing the piano has always been a hobby since I could remember. I plan on challenging myself to play faster & regularly.

I want to write more often

The calligraphy pen is what I want to master. Ive been practicing my hand-letter/calligraphy for over a year now & see progress. I also plan to continue writing in my journal everyday.

Wear More jewelry

Jewelry compliments your body parts. It is only right that I allow jewelry to become part of 2019.

Inspire others

Doing what we want isn’t always easy. People are tied to jobs, school, bills & other things that might not be what they really want to do in life. I’ve been through so much to know that your life shouldn’t be spent doing things that make you unhappy. I created this outlet to also inspire you, who is reading this to go out and travel! Get away & follow your own unique path. Sometimes it takes just the right amount of inspiration to start.

2019 Happy Goals

In a couple of days the year twenty-eighteen will be nothing but a memory & part of the past. Twenty-eighteen was personally a blissful year filled with so much discovery, travel, hard-work, love, laughter and of course some obstacles but who doesn’t have that. We all suffer from time to time on whatever it might be but let me tell you that YOU are the only thing stopping your happiness. Let’s start the new year with lots of ambition, style, confidence & happiness!

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”
-Andrew Carnegie

Take a peak at some of my 2019 Happy Goals. I specifically put the word Happy with stars because my goals will consists of nothing but things that make me HAPPY. I created sort of a digital vision board for you, in hopes that this could encourage you to think about your New Year Goals. I know most people don’t like to plan or even think about New Year resolutions but I want to inspire everyone to put Happy words into actions! & it all starts with a goal or perhaps a physical vision board. This will help your inner self be more inspired!

Happiness is key

Be with Nature

I love being outdoors. It lets me breath in fresh air & feel so in tune . I am my happiest in nature.

Tune into my Spirituality

This has to do with finding what I believe in. To live peacefully & consciously. Discover Energies / Vibrations / Meditation

Take a camping trip somewhere

I’d love to go camping somewhere in the mountains. Something about bonfires calms me. But most importantly being in the middle of nowhere and away from civilization is relaxing.

Read 10 Books in 2019

Reading physical books with my hands is traditional for me. I enjoy reading actual books & just looking for the right one. Reading is my friend so we must converse more often in 2019.

Meet New People

Go on Road Trips

I want to go on three or more road trips next year. Road trips are a lot of work. But I am also a sucker for beautiful views & sunsets so this is perfect!

Get more Tattoos

I’ve discovered a love for the art of tattooing. I plan on getting another or maybe a few for sure -throughout the new year, no doubt about it.

Travel !

Learn More Songs on the Piano

Playing the piano has always been a hobby since I could remember. I plan on challenging myself to play faster & regularly.

I want to write more often

The calligraphy pen is what I want to master. Ive been practicing my hand-letter/calligraphy for over a year now & see progress. I also plan to continue writing in my journal everyday.

Wear More jewelry

Jewelry compliments your body parts. It is only right that I allow jewelry to become part of 2019.

Inspire others

Day of the Dead in Coyoacan Mexico!!

Mexico Travel Diary

                                 III.

On November 2nd, I visited Coyoacan in Mexico City. Coyoacan is translated to be the “place where Coyotes abound.” THERE is where I found SO many restaurants, theaters, markets, churches, museums and a great deal of local vendors selling everything from sugarskulls to freshh flowers!!

The town held a huge event that included several art galleries, plenty of awesome ofrendas, entertainment & lots of pan de muerto -which was delicious! Thats how I started the day, some coffee and my favorite pan de muerto in Coayacan. Hands down my favorite food items in Mexico!

*9:03am El Beneficio for breakfast in Coyoacan*

Coyoacan Celebration…

After breakfast, we went down to the main plaza and spent all day celebrating Day of the Dead. Everything we ended up buying was handmade, drawn, painted, carved, & braided by hustling artists, which I think is very personal & unique. Each item tells its own story that way.

Day Of The Dead?

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican Holiday celebrated throughout Mexico to pray for and remember friends and family that have passed. Day of the Dead is very similar to Halloween back in the states, but to the Mexican culture its a tradition. Other traditions include building personal altars called ofrendas, praising local parades / festivals + the whole city is covered in bright orange Marigolds.

The ofrendas honor the dead by providing the spirits with their favorite foods and beverages in the afterlife. Dia de los Muertos becomes a huge celebration in Mexico.

Halloween in the states is on the 31st of October while Dia de los Muertos goes on for three days, starting on the 31st till November 2nd. The celebration starts with children circling shopping centers and homes for candy, another is spent with loved ones that have passed, and the last day is to actually celebrate- I had a great time exploring the beautiful city of Mexico & really diging deep into the traditions and colorful holiday.

La Roma Norte: The Coolest Neighborhood in Mexico City

My Favorite Places

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On October 29, 2018 I stayed in La Roma when I visited Mexico City. La Roma Norte is known as the coolest neighborhood in Mexico City because of its safe environment, amazing restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, libraries, and clubs. Back in the day, La Roma was where the majority of the aristocracy lived so now it has a very European vibe(French), that is still well-kept today.

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The city looked like a magical forest! It took my breath away! La Roma in Mexico City took me by surprise with its beautiful architecture, style and people. I definitely look forward to staying in La Roma Norte in the future and finding more hipster-run coffee shops/good food!

Check out these cool spots I found in the city

— like a retro looking Coffee Shop called Boicot Cafe and a three story book store with a music venue on top named Cafebreria El Pendulo. I also discovered a modern Mexican marketplace named Mercado Roma that had a 3 story building filled with several bars, good quality restaurants and a rooftop beer garden.

Boicot Cafe

La Roma Norte, Mexico City

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I fell in love with the artistic ambiance. The coffee shop zig zagged inward like a huge hallway, where you can find more chairs and tables to work on. Not only was this Cafe beautiful, the food was bomb! I enjoyed a matcha latte with a shot of espresso and a stack of pancakes, but the menu did offer way more than expected. Also, the coffee and matcha in Mexico are to die for! I have yet to find a better cup of coffee anywhere else in the world!

Cafebreria El Pendulo

La Roma Norte, Mexico City

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This three story bookstore/coffee shop was beautiful and only a block down from where we stayed. The bar and venue at the top was something unique that you don’t see in the states very often or even at all. The Cafebreria could definitely be my chill spot because of how close and cool it was inside.

Mercado Roma

La Roma Norte, Mexico City

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So this is probably one of the coolest places to hangout with friends on a weekend, or if you’re in Mexico then any day! We visited the Mercado Roma on a Thursday and the bars were pretty crowded. Once you enter, all you see is small food stands (similar to the Anaheim packing district or FoodLab in Riverside) and towards the back is the bars.

This place was huge, the second floor had an elegant restaurant but the third floor was my favorite because it was a biergarten. P.S. If you decide to go on a weekend, the top floor hosts dj parties.

There is no better way to explore Mexico City than by foot. I found these cool hangout spots by simply walking around and getting familiar with the city. But I encourage anyone to visit the beautiful and artistic city of La Roma Norte, Mexico City. Thank you for reading!

231 Year Old Castle In Mexico City

◊ Chapultepec Castle & National History Museum ◊

The Chapultepec Castle (or Castillo de Chapultepec) sits on top of the biggest hill in Chapultepec park, which is known to be the largest city park in the Western Hemisphere. The castle is located in the heart of Mexico city and known as the home of the National History museum.

Chapultepec means “Hill of the Grasshoppers” in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. The site of the castle was an important landmark to the Aztecs who first inhabited it and the Spanish who overthrew their empire. Later, a Spanish viceroy, Bernardo de Gálvez, ordered a home to be built there in 1785, but he left and the place was eventually auctioned off.

In 1833, the new nation of Mexico decided to create a military academy there but when the Mexican-American War in 1847 started, the Americans approached. According to legend, six young cadets known as Los Niños Heroes or “Hero Children” of the war, remained at their post to fight for their country. One of them, Juan Escutia, wrapped himself in the Mexican flag and jumped off to his death from the castle edge, denying the invaders the honor of removing the flag from the castle.

In 1864, Maximilian, a young European Prince, became emperor of Mexico. Him and his wife “Carlota” lived in the castle which he had modernized and rebuilt for their luxury. The castle was beautiful inside and out with marble floors, fine furniture, city views, gardens, paintings and large gold staircases. Carlota used different rooms of the fortress as a tea room, bathe room, music room and of course her bedroom that overlooked the entire city.

After 1876, Porfirio Diaz came to power in Mexico. He took Chapultepec Castle as his official residence and many more Mexican presidents did as well. But in 1939, president Lazaro Cardenas Del Rio declared the castle to be home of the National History Museum. The history museum included huge colorful murals & paintings, horse-drawn carriages, gardens & courtyards, interesting statues, a pure jade room, and the exact set up and items of Emperor Maximilian and Carlota.

This museum was my favorite of all the museums in Mexico City because of its long history and gorgeous ambience. The National History museum is only $70.00 pesos which is about $4.00 USD. But if you are a student or teacher from any part of the world or under 13 years old, your entry is free. I highly recommend you check out el Museo Nacional de Historia, Castillo de Chapultepec whenever you visit Mexico, City.

“I cannot bear captivity 4 I would rather be stricken blind than 2 live without expression of mind.” -Tupac Shakur

5 Ways To Be A #GIRLBOSS

S
ophia Amoruso, the Girlboss herself, is the founder, CEO and creative director of Nasty Gal. Sophia went from a dumpster diving, petty thieve into a badass millionaire businesswoman. Nasty Gal started as an online vintage clothing store on eBay then turned into a major brand. Sophia is obviously not your typical girl which is why she wrote #Girlboss. She wrote this book so girls alike can use the hashtag as motivation to live an awesome life that encourages girls to do anything they desire.

Sophia believed that being successful isn’t about going to college or pleasing others, but instead identifying your weaknesses and playing to your strengths. This book will tech you to learn from your mistakes & others, learn to quit & ask for more. It will teach you to ask questions & take nothing at face value but most importantly realize that there is a certain iron to life. After reading #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso I learned valuable life lessons to being a Girlboss that I’d like to hare. Here are five inspiring ways to be a Girlboss! **Check out the show on Netflix, its great!

“I remember being a little girl and watching with fascination as my mom used an eyelash curler.”

To Selena, With Love (written by a Widower)

I

s a book written in 2012 by Chris Perez, her husband before her death. Chris had finally decided to write a book about his perspective on his life with music superstar Selena Quintanilla Perez. He talks about their young friendship, forbidden intimate relationship, marriage, family and sadly his tragic loss. Chris also shows Selena in a very personal light, not only as a talented singer but as his wife & that’s exactly why he wrote this book.

“She deserves to be remembered not only for her beautiful voice and talent as an entertainer, but as a real woman who loved the ordinary everyday things..Selena loved as hard as she lived. We loved her in return-her family, her friends, her fans, and me, her husband, who felt like the luckiest man alive every time Selena said my name. This book is for her.”

-Chris Perez

WHO IS SELENA?

Selena was a Mexican-American Singer, song-writer, dancer, actress & fashion designer. She started her career as the lead singer of her family’s band named Selena y Los Dinos. Although Selena knew very little Spanish, her father(manager) made her sing in that language to fit in with the Latin community. Selena & her music became very popular to the point where she was known as the “Mexican Madonna” & “The Queen of Tejano Music.”

Selena was also considered Gold Status meaning she sold over 500,000 records, won a Grammy for Best Mexican-American album(1993), Best Female Vocalist of the Year(1987), Performer of the Year(1987) & many more that would lead to an English-language album. Selena then married her lead guitarist CHris Perez in 1992 & planned on having a future with him. But on March 31st, 1995 Selena was shot in the back by Yolanda Saldivar. A “good friend” & also founder of Selenas Fan Club. She killed the singer at only 23 years old.

Selena was an inspiration to many Hispanic-American people including myself. I have been a Selena fan since I was a little girl and still admire the person she was and what she could have become. Selena was a very talented woman who broke many boundaries for Women, rebel teens with conservative parents, school children & Mexican-American Artists. She believed anything was possible & you can be ambitious without leaving your family behind.

She did not deserve to leave us the way she did, but I was glad to read ‘To Selena, With Love’ because it showed me more of who she was off stage & everything that happened behind the scenes that most people dont know about. You get to see Selena froma different perspective which I think is very unique. I am very glad Chris put out this book because it helped me see Selena as a spontaneous, courageous, sexy and humble young woman. Its such a tragic love story. I cried multiple time reading the book & I still cry everytime I watch the movie.

This book is for anyone. Chris pours out his heart in this book and most importantly shows how much he loved his wife very much. Althought the story has a sad ending Chris shows how he managed to get through the hard times with music and the true meaning of love, taught to him by Selena.

There is one part of the book I recall when Selena begged Chris to come over and listen to her record a song which was ‘Dreaming of you'( in the studio) but he was very busy and was unable to go. Little did he know that she would be gone the next day. Selena wrote that song for him, so I loved how he ended the book saying “Selena, I’m still dreaming of you.”

This book made me fall in love with Selenas personality & her relationship with her husband Chris Perez.

Selenas memory will live on forever.

R.I.P Selena Quintanilla Perez

To Selena, With Love

I

s a book written in 2012 by Chris Perez, her husband before her death. Chris had finally decided to write a book about his perspective on his life with music superstar Selena Quintanilla Perez. He talks about their young friendship, forbidden intimate relationship, marriage, family and sadly his tragic loss. Chris also shows Selena in a very personal light, not only as a talented singer but as his wife & that’s exactly why he wrote this book.

“She deserves to be remembered not only for her beautiful voice and talent as an entertainer, but as a real woman who loved the ordinary everyday things..Selena loved as hard as she lived. We loved her in return-her family, her friends, her fans, and me, her husband, who felt like the luckiest man alive every time Selena said my name. This book is for her.”

-Chris Perez

WHO IS SELENA?

Selena was a Mexican-American Singer, song-writer, dancer, actress & fashion designer. She started her career as the lead singer of her family’s band named Selena y Los Dinos. Although Selena knew very little Spanish, her father(manager) made her sing in that language to fit in with the Latin community. Selena & her music became very popular to the point where she was known as the “Mexican Madonna” & “The Queen of Tejano Music.”

Selena was also considered Gold Status meaning she sold over 500,000 records, won a Grammy for Best Mexican-American album(1993), Best Female Vocalist of the Year(1987), Performer of the Year(1987) & many more that would lead to an English-language album. Selena then married her lead guitarist CHris Perez in 1992 & planned on having a future with him. But on March 31st, 1995 Selena was shot in the back by Yolanda Saldivar. A “good friend” & also founder of Selenas Fan Club. She killed the singer at only 23 years old.

Selena was an inspiration to many Hispanic-American people including myself. I have been a Selena fan since I was a little girl and still admire the person she was and what she could have become. Selena was a very talented woman who broke many boundaries for Women, rebel teens with conservative parents, school children & Mexican-American Artists. She believed anything was possible & you can be ambitious without leaving your family behind.

She did not deserve to leave us the way she did, but I was glad to read ‘To Selena, With Love’ because it showed me more of who she was off stage & everything that happened behind the scenes that most people dont know about. You get to see Selena froma different perspective which I think is very unique. I am very glad Chris put out this book because it helped me see Selena as a spontaneous, courageous, sexy and humble young woman. Its such a tragic love story. I cried multiple time reading the book & I still cry everytime I watch the movie.

This book is for anyone. Chris pours out his heart in this book and most importantly shows how much he loved his wife very much. Althought the story has a sad ending Chris shows how he managed to get through the hard times with music and the true meaning of love, taught to him by Selena.

There is one part of the book I recall when Selena begged Chris to come over and listen to her record a song which was ‘Dreaming of you'( in the studio) but he was very busy and was unable to go. Little did he know that she would be gone the next day. Selena wrote that song for him, so I loved how he ended the book saying “Selena, I’m still dreaming of you.”

This book made me fall in love with Selenas personality & her relationship with her husband Chris Perez.

Selenas memory will live on forever.

R.I.P Selena Quintanilla Perez

Coba Mayan Ruins *Largest Stone Causeway Of The Ancient World

C

oba is located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It has one of the largest stone causeways of the ancient Mayan world +plus it has one of the only pyramids you can still climb today! The history of this place is magnificent! The ancient Mayan people first settled between 50 BC and 100 AD building stone pathways that connected clusters of residential areas that lead to the main pyramid Nohoch Mul meaning “large hill” & a couple lakes nearby.

The Mayan Ruins also had two well preserved slanted ball courts, which consisted of bouncing a heaving rubber ball through stone rings with their hips. The ruins still has numerous species of animal wandering through the jungle which I should note. It is estimated that Coba

had a population of over 50,000 inhabitants & was once the most powerful in the region.

•Nohoch Mul•

Exploring the most significant attraction of Coba included climbing a very steep 120-foot high pyramid! It was not an easy climb-well if you are afraid of heights like me. Thank goodness for the long rope that assisted me up the huge pyramid because It helped me keep my balance.