Free Up Close and Personal With The Sea Lions

This stop was one of my favorites on my California trip. I had been a few times before to California, but never really felt like I was one with the hidden gems the West coast has to offer. Want to thank my Orlando brother Phillip for putting us onto another A1 spot. Check below what fun there is to do, and where to go.

The drive to the location alone is too cool. Pictures really do not do this place much justice. They have a diversity of beach fun, rock adventures to the sea lions and even a grassy field to relax and lay out.

You are able to take the kiddies to jump in the water, or put some goggles on for an underwater adventure (wet suit not included). Make an adventure out of hopping from rock to rock, seeing how close you're able to get to the sea lions. Or you don't even need to touch the sand; there is a field of grass with trees spread out for some shady comfort. Had Maria even climb one for fun as ya'll see below. I appreciated the space and trip so much. Being such a paradox, it was my favorite to be around such a huge body of water AND mountains in one. God is beautiful, and mother nature is always showing out.

Being from Orlando, the closest you're able to really be to these beautiful animals are via Sea World or Zoo. So it was nice to see them be in their natural habitat and not behind a glass window. Not to mention that even though you're able to touch them and all in Sea World you also have to drop big bucks to do so. So being that this is an inexpensive blog, I figured I'd show ya'll how to see this gem, in California's "gem' La Jolla. So down below I have the location. Also check out the pictures below, tell me how ya'll like this place. Show me your own pictures if possible. All feedback from ya'll, my awesome supporters are always welcomed. Thank you for continuing to show me so much love on all my social media platforms. I will be graduating in just a couple of weeks, I can not wait to show my blog some extra TLC. New merchandise for #MarsMadness is also on the way. Remember to always Love and allow to be loved. God and hard work Xoxo

La Jolla Cove

Type it into a GPS, park up and have fun.

Pray for Orlando

First and fore most, I want to give my condolences to all the families who lost someone early Sunday morning. A huge, devastating tragedy has hit my city, my home. My heart is heavy for all the lives lost at Pulse night club. So sad to see us living in a world filled with so much hate still. I can not fathom how someone can just kill so many people for absolutely no legitimate reason, I want to ask you all regardless of your God, to pray for the lost souls, and families in this madness. 

I can not believe that something this big happened where I live. I always pray for scenarios like these to stay away from me and my loved ones, we see them all the time on the news. We have came untied to heal all these wounded people. I am in so much love with everyone around Orlando right now. So many people in line donating blood, food, and support. Lines were out the the hospital doors and onto the streets filled with young and old people wanting to help and donate blood. I hate to say that something so disturbing like this event made us come so together, but happy at the same time for the great love we have gained from it (bitter sweet).

I want to make something clear too, my background is Catholic and I praise Jesus loud and proud. He is my savior and who I thank for keeping myself, my family and friends safe. But I also know, and love many Muslims. I respect their religion and what they stand for. I am a very open minded person and always appreciate learning. So I ask of you all to not judge a couple bad, soggy apples in a basket of fresh, crispy red ones. 

I hope we all can continue to come together in this time. Let Orlando rise from this, and NOT let the enemy win. We will grow stong and fearless from this. Below I have some locations that are still allowing for people to donate blood. All donations are being taken for people standing in line. Even if you can not do one or the other, at least pray. Keep the victims and their loved ones in your prayers. I hope that this makes us more aware of our surroundings anywhere that we go. Let us always tell the people around us how much we love them, and try to keep good vibes with everyone around. Too much hate around to not want to shine compassion and love every chance we get. Thank you all for the continued support, and remember to always Love and allow to be loved. Xoxo

Blood Donations

Orlando West Michigan Donor Center, 345 W Michigan Street, Ste. 106, Orlando, FL 32806

Orlando Main Donor Center, 8669 Commodity Circle, Orlando, FL 32819

Oviedo Donor Center, 1954 W. State Road 426, Oviedo, FL 32765

Asbury United Methodist Church – Bloodmobile 220, West Horatio Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church – Bloodmobile, 4851 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819

Metro Church – Bloodmobile, 1491 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, FL 32708

 

Appreciate Your Freedom

This entry is very different from anything I have done before, so bare with me. This week as opposed to going out to get something to eat, or to do an outdoors activity to blog on, I went to visit my friend in prison. We have been writing back and forth for years now, but this weekend was the first time I went to actually visit him. This was my first time in a prison environment so it was all very new to me, but I was open and excited to see my friend.

So first off, for those that have never been to prison, it is an equivalent of airport TSA on steroids. First off the dress code, no tight or revealing clothing. Skirts and dresses have to be a specific length. That's really it, they don't want you to dress like you're about to shake your ass for a dollar. Then comes the search which is TSA on steroids, the pat down, shaking of the bra, opening your mouth to make sure nothing is coming in blah blah. It was really simple to me, I've had a few "random" stops with TSA so I know how anal (no pun intended) they can be sometimes. Next is entry, you get a visitor number which stays with you whenever you go visit anyone at another prison. You have to take a picture, wait for them to let you in then head in to the visitors area. It is really just a big area with a lot of tables, and different paintings on the walls. The Correctional Officer tells you to hand in a paper with your picture, and the person you are visiting on it. They then assign you to a table, and let you know that you are able to go outside and walk around. Then comes the waiting game for your loved one. 

I have not seen this friend of mine since I was like 18-19 years old, I am now 24. He is serving a 10 year sentence and has already completed 5. His name is James, and he is one of the smartest, most positive and funniest people I have met. On days when I myself am out here wanting to rip my hair out with school, and crap with life, he gives me an extra form of reassurance needed to keep going. We are all humans, we all make mistakes, some big some small and one way or another we all learn from them. He made a mistake, he took responsibility and is now doing his time for it. This speed bump life threw at him is not going to determine who he will become after it, it will only allow him to grow and be successful when he comes out. I am a firm believer that being incarcerated will either, make you or break you. You have to be a mentally strong person to endure such things. 

Our visit was so nice, and very much needed for us both. We were both laughing it up, catching up on things on the outside, him telling me how things are in there. We were munching too. They have what's called a canteen, this is where you just go up to a window that they sell all types of snacks, drinks, and picture tickets for when you want to take a picture together. We walked outside, it was a beautiful day with blue skies and limited amount of fluffy looking clouds, great temperature and all. We played cards, he taught me how to play blackjack. We will continue to practice on my next visit for sure. I need to hit the casino and show off my skills one day. I was new to everything. They have rules you have to follow, if not that may mess up your visitation privileges and theirs too. No arms around the shoulders, no sitting side by side, cant hug too long, etc. But honestly in my opinion they were a little more lenient than I thought. I have never been in jail, like I said never even visited someone either. So I was very ignorant to the rules that were to be followed at this establishment. I was able to spend a couple of hours just relaxing, having great conversations and learning from each other. We took some awesome pictures that are down below too. He was so thankful for me writing him, and making the trip to visit him. He was so genuinely happy to see me, to talk to me and just to be around someone new with such positive vibes. Little does he know, I took so much more with me too.

The reason for this blog is to shine light on our loved ones in jail, or prison whatever. This is also for our older family members in nursing homes or rehab centers. If they are still around, contact them, help them get through their tough times, and learn from them as well. Reassure them that they still have a support system out here. As for my people that ARE out here and free, take into consideration the wild advantage that you have available. You are able to do whatever it is you want, you have all the resources to be successful and to reach every galaxy out here. This visit to my dear friend James just made me want to be there for him more, and to just strive harder than I have been for my dreams that I WILL make a reality. I am so grateful for everything I have out here, especially my freedom, my family and the ability to do whatever it is that I want. This trip really made me look at many things differently. If you are religious, or spiritual send good vibes his way. Hopefully he makes it home sooner and can begin to build his empire. He has already started from the inside, with things like reading and planning. He will be coming back home a new man and ready to take on the world. I hope you all know how blessed you are to have all that you do. Remember to always "Love and allow to be loved" xo

This post is dedicated to James (Bootsy) with love.

Working Overtime

I want to make it a habit to write a personal or update blog of myself every few months. I feel that you all deserve to know a bit about the things going on in my personal life. I am always open to answer emails, or messages on social networks about your lives, or even mine. I want to get better acquainted with my supporters.

An update of my life, I am still very much single with no plans to get into a relationship anytime soon. I have (thank God) not returned to the dark place that I spoke of in my last personal blog "Hardships Turned into Blessings". I went to Denver recently as you all saw on my last couple of blogs. It was my first out of State blog entry. I had such an awesome time being somewhere new, with all types of different people. I passed out a lot of business cards, and spoke one on one with lots of locals. That was just the beginning to all the networking I will be doing along my trips, and days in general.

 I have been a little overwhelmed with school as of lately. Last semester I only took two courses which was a breeze and I passed with great scores. But this semester I am taking a total of 5 classes. I am taking things like Micro-Economics, Political Science, Humanities, Mathematics, and a Science course. I feel like I have 3,749 tests every other week for a different class. I am constantly in a textbook, reviewing notes or back on campus with a tutor. All of this PLUS my job that gives me an average of 35 to 40 hours a week. So I go to class Monday through Wednesday and I am at work Thursday through Sunday. Needless to say, I feel SWAMPED. At times I just want to stay in bed and turn my phone off for a whole day, but I know that this is my time to work my a** off. This is my time to get all my priorities in order, and kill the game anyway that I can. I am very determined and very motivated by MYSELF. I have positive influences around me thankfully, but at the end of the day I look up to the FUTURE me. I look up to what I can and WILL become with dedication and consistency. I am very grateful to be single, and have no kids in a time like this. I have so much that I am doing for myself, nowhere in this madness can a lover or child fit. 

I was looking into the process of egg donation. I am someone who is always willing to help others. I love kids and family oriented folks all together. I came about it randomly, it popped into my head, and like anyone else in this day in age, I paid Google a visit. I read legitimately about 16 articles on pros and cons of the journey. I have never been pregnant, but I know how beautiful life is, and how much joy children can bring to your life. Some see it as a giving your child up, others see it as something very brave. I am not doing one or the other. I am merely thinking about it, because I would love to help a couple make a family of their own. To make it quick and simple I will tell you how it goes down. They basically take a few eggs from my ovaries, insert them into a tube, insert the fathers (or sperm donor) sperm into my egg, then let it start up, followed by allowing it to be put in the mother, so their baby can bake. Now technically of course their child will have my DNA, but that is the couples CHILD. I am hoping to get more information on this from an actual doctor. If all goes well, maybe I will go through with it by the end of the year. I am in good health, young, smart, full Dominican, and  have a great personality. What parents wouldn't want my eggs?

Something else I want to start (this is for sure) is working out again. I want to get in shape. I want to teach myself how to eat healthier and stay consistent with it while in the process. I know I have a lot of things on my plate, but somehow I need to see where I can fit this in too. I need to be svelte for my upcoming birthday March 13th in addition to the rest of my life.

Next upcoming trip in the works will be Toronto, Canada. This will be my first time in Canada and my first out of the country blog. I will more than likely hit this trip up solo dolo, but knowing my spontaneous friends, someone may hop on with me. I want to do site seeing things, national parks, maybe a couple of bars, see some animals, find the good food around the city, go to a museum, and just see where else the locals send me. If you or anyone you know have been to Toronto, let me know the fun things to do while I am there. I will be taking this trip in March, so be on the lookout.

This is more or less an update of where I am at in life currently. If you want to know anything else in depth, please do not hesitate in contacting me. Also if you want to just vent, and ask advice I am totally open for it. I may not reply the same second, but give me 24 hours TOPS and we can talk. I want you all to know that you have someone in me that is very similar to you. I am just a 23 year old girl, finding herself, trying to build greatness and travel all in between. I want to tell you that whatever it is that you want, GO GET THAT SH**! No one will ever hand you anything but excuses in life. You have to know what it is that you want, make a plan, and start the move. Slow steps are still steps. I hope you all are growing in one way or another, and that you are allowing yourself out of the house, and into the beautiful world. Get fresh air, see some paintings, have cheap food, catch a free movie. Point is to get out and have some fun out of your ordinary routines. Remember that when I say "Love and allow to be loved" I mean that for everything around, not only people. I mean this towards yourself, your God, your goals, your career, your life. If you love these things or people, and allow them to love you back, nothing but greatness will evolve from them. I am living proof of this. I love you all, and appreciate all the endless support. May you all continue to strive for happiness and success.

Love and allow to be loved. Xoxo

Barber Park Farmers Market

Farmers Markets are the go to for bargains, handmade or from scratch products and a great environment of amicable people along the way. Every first of the month Barber Park holds their own farmers market open to the public, they do not open for December, but they will resume this the first Sunday of January.

Like most farmers markets, they have just about everything available for sale you can think of. A lot of the eateries have samples to reel you in just a little more. They have from fatty foods, to veterinarian foods, to sweets galore. They have a lot of jewelry stands, a place where you can adopt animals, handmade candles, and honey too. All while listening to live music as you shop and mingle around.

First place I made a pick up at was a very delightful candle making business by the name of "Juliet Scents." A very lovely couple who helped me find just what I needed. I enjoy light, lavender scents and they pointed me to "calming" the perfect mix to melt in my home. Her products are all natural and dye free, also she makes them all by hand so it gives it an extra sense of warmth and love to them. She makes different salt and sugar scrubs along with oils for sensitive skin. The pampering is endless for your home, and your body. I grabbed 6 wax tarts for $7

Next pickup was a sweet treat. A gentleman named Mark, helped me taste a few dabs of honey from his "Happy Bee Honey" collection to see which would be my favorites. There were so many options, so I decided to leave with two and even that was hard. I chose the "Nutty Amaretto" and "Cinnamon" honey. Both were amazing. I actually cooked with the Cinnamon honey on Thanksgiving and my family loved the flavors I incorporated into the dish. They have so many products that they make with their amazing honey. They have body butters, walnuts and honey,cream and salt soaps, they even have raw wasabi honey. Needless to say, they can add their honey to just about anything. I paid 2 for $5 deal on the products.

I will put these couple of companies I personally enjoyed down at the bottom, that  way you all can enjoy them for yourselves. I hope to get you all out to the farmers market the first Sunday of January to mingle with other people around the city, as well as get some great food and goodies for great prices.

Barber Park

3701 Gatlin Ave Orlando, Fl 32812

407-254-6860

Juliet Scents 

Email: Julietscents@Gmail.com

Facebook.com/JulietscentsLLC

Phone: 407-913-0394

Happy Bee Honey

Trish.HappyBeeHoney@Gmail.com

www.HappyBeeHoney.net

407-733-7514

Hardships Turned Into Blessings

I want everyone to take this title as literal as they come. If you are not taking something good from a horrible situation, you need to keep the hunt going. Letting you all into my personal life is never for pity, its so that others are able to see that I am human and have my lows just like you all do at one point or another. I hope that someone will be able to relate to something I go through someday whether it be good or bad and just better themselves in general.

This was all back in about May to about July of this year. I lost my job, lost my lover, and the worse loss of all my faith in God. Even if it was for only a day, it was lost. This isn't in any way a blog to shove religion down your throat, but Jesus is my savior and he has taken me out of so many deep holes and I am grateful for how merciful and giving he is with me.

Moving along, back in about April I had suddenly been let off from my job. It was very unprofessional, distasteful and in my opinion unfair. If you have been let off from an employer in Florida you know that they do not need a real reason to let you go anyway. I was literally told by someone who is not even legally part of the company "you are great with what you do, I enjoy how you treat my customers, but the gossiping of others led you to lose your job." Correct me if I'm wrong but I do not see how that had anything to do with how I work or how well I treated my customers. But at the end of the day it is all good, relationships were broken but all is forgiven on my side. So at this point I am jobless and soon to be (at the time) moving cross country to move in with my lover. So I am stuck babysitting, giving driving lessons and helping my mother at her beauty salon just to make credit card payments, have gas and save the tiny bit I could for my big move.

Now I am due to leave to Los Angeles for early July so I am trying to scrape up my bit of money and get all my things ready for my big move. So as I get closer to making my big move, my lover at the time begins to get very hostile, disrespectful and distant with me. I decide to call off my trip for obvious reasons. I was in a verbally abusive relationship where I was taken for granted and did not have any emotional support. If you are not being respected in any type of relationship then you do not need to stick around. He was always extremely controlling and I at the time thought it was just his way of showing how much he loved me. When in reality he just wanted me to change everything about me, while also putting me down every chance he got.  I get that trust is always something that is built, but belittling should not be part of that process. I learned that distance never hurts a relationship, lack of trust and respect does. So I called it quits. I opted out of my relationship with a man I thought would someday be my husband, and the father to my children, along with my life long dream of moving to California to expand myself. Nothing is worth you being unhappy all the time. So now I have no job, little to no money and the man that I was in love with is non existent.

At this point I am feeling very weak and overwhelmed with my current events, my future with school. I am 23 and have no idea what I really want in my life. I did not like my career choice, how long I've been in school already, just all of it. I fell in a pool of depression for other internal feelings and family issues. I did not want to talk to my family or friends, having a horrible attitude with everyone and having horrible devil sent thoughts. I found myself questioning my God. I was absolutely believing that all the things that were going on with me were to break me down. I had an ending of the whole depression ordeal and just got up and allowed the devil up off of me and let my God in instead. I allowed positive motivation and God to give me the strength to get up from my dungeon of a room and get better mentally, physically, and emotionally. The blessing in it all was that is just had to be DONE! I needed to be broken down so that I would be able to build back up stronger and more focused than ever.

I began to reevaluate my career choice, my job choices and my loved ones around me. I started to research things that I was able to do long term that would bring me happiness and money all in one. That is when I stumbled upon a career in communications, which has many different fields I would be able to join in. I made up my mind to make this website to network and to express myself all while helping others too. I started a part time job with an amazing company that works with my school schedule and taking time off for trips too to allow me to blog on. I got closer than ever to God and begged for forgiveness, guidance and overall love. I needed love from him, the universe and my family whom I had been neglecting because of my own demons trying to ruin me.

I am now so grateful for every single downfall I went through because I got up, got better and got stronger. You can't blame yourself for the downfalls, you can only blame yourself if you choose to stay down. Petty parties should never be accepted, you grieve for a while and then go back to wearing bright colors with a smile on your beautiful soul and face. Always look for what healthy outlets you can find to become a better you. We will always go through ugly points in our lives, some uglier than others but we have to be able to find loop holes to get back on top of the world. No one in the world can help you get better and ahead than yourself. Hardships really do turn into blessings, some in a day, or a few months or even years. Just know that it does not rain forever, your sunshine will always come out. Make sure to always believe in something and hold on to positive energy all around.

Remember more than anything to "Love and allow to be loved." xoxo