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O ne good thing about being away from home is the ability to realize how much normalcy I crave. Often times JD will have to hear me bemoan the everyday hum and drum of life—wake up, pray, email, workout, edit, blog, lunch, edit, client care, dinner, tie-up loose ends—but being away from home forces me to realize just how blessed I am to do what I love.
And to be around those who love me.
Taking a break from the fast lane of life is much appreciated, but I sure miss my boys at home. The male species who allows me to kiss, cuddle, squeeze, and bite at my discretion. I miss the nights of JD complaining about my infatuation with The Hills (yet he always seems to watch it with me!?) and the late night runs for frozen yogurt. You know, the everyday hum and drum of life that makes each day beautiful.
Here’s a couple of pictures I snapped of My Favorites the day before I left to Mexico:
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I'm leaving Mexico this afternoon and returning to Orange County late tonight. I've had such an AMAZING time here in San Miguel de Allende, but I'm also looking forward to the hum and drum I dearly miss! :)
In other news...something very, verrrry cool is happening on Monday morning, so be sure to check back read all of the juicy goodness! |
    
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San Miguel de Allende, Day Three
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I hail from a family of five children, with me being the eldest by one long minute. As a child, I’d tote this notion like an expensive purse, Being the older and wiser of your children, Mom and Dad, I think you should listen to ME! It drove my twin sister nuts.
Of the five children, there is none more like my father than me. For some reason, God thought it’d be funny to create a female carbon copy of my father, complete with his mannerisms, humor, and brain chemical codes. Specifically dealing with the latter, the older I get, the more I realize I’ve inherited a few of my dad’s not-so-finer qualities: Anxiety and Hypertension. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s the reason my father invited me on this trip with him. A couple months ago, I experienced something I’ve never dealt with before—something I’ll call The Episode for sake of blog ease—and it radically changed my life. In retrospect, I realize they were a series of panic attacks, but at the time I felt like my life was flipped upside down. Moments when I couldn’t breathe, bouts of desperate crying, and panic-driven calls to JD. I was a textbook anxiety case. The only reason I know this is because I’m reading The Anxiety Cure by Archibald Hart. The Hart pretty much described my life in the first two chapters and I’m learning so much!
Since moving past The Episode, life has resumed normalcy. JD and my family are working hard and offering support when needed…how I love them! Speaking of support, my father has passed me the proverbial peace pipe by bringing me to his hometown. While he claims he brought me to San Miguel to exploit my photographic ability for a new headshot for his upcoming book, I tend to think the trip was two-fold: Headshots and Headchecks! ;) I’ve come to understand and appreciate my roots, and further understand that taking time to relax and smell the churros is just what a person needs to see life for all its beauty.
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Papi, thank you for unconditionally loving me. Though there are times when I try your patience, I know deep down you want me to avoid the potholes and stay true to the course of life. Thank you for challenging me…for teaching me…and giving me everything you never had or dreamed of. With all my heart, I love you. You’re not only the bestest dad a girl could have, you’re one of my best friends.
And, at the risk of sounding totally cheesy, I felt it befitting to say: Viva San Miguel de Allende! |
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San Miguel de Allende, Day Two
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Y esterday was such a fabulous day! My dad and I woke early and joined a group of Americans for a walking tour of San Miguel de Allende. Now, I’m not a judgmental person, but I totally understand why American tourists have the stereotypical depiction they do. The unspoken uniform in our group today was black socks neatly folded over the lip of an old pair of Birkenstocks, a large floppy hat (just covering their white sun-blocked noses), and a fanny pack. When my dad and I joined the group, there were a series of confused looks: What are these locals doing in the group?...Why are these Mexicans wearing American clothing?...Why did that girl MARRY THAT OLD GUY?!
The walking tour was amazing and I feel like I understand so much more about the socio-economic dynamic of this eclectic city. I love history, so learning about the revolutions of 1810 and 1910 was fascinating and thoroughly insightful. Our tour guide was a former New Yorker, so hearing him speak Spanish on occasion was awesome…think a cocktail of Jewish, New Jersey long-shore man, with a splash of tortilla. Oh-La…benveneeDO a Mexeeko! Carl Stein rocked my world!
After the tour we shopped a bit then spent the remainder of the afternoon at a day spa. We spent hours in natural hot springs, getting massages, and just lounging in the sun. If you ask me, I need to come to Mexico more often!
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| I've been trying to be very careful about what I'm eating while in Mexico...as I KNOW it's easy to return to the States ten pounds heavier! ;) However, last night I didn't give a rip about calories or carbs. Because, well, life is just too darn short! We dined at Bella Italia for a warm meal and listened to Spanish jazz (which was just spectacular!) and later walked to San Augustin to grub on FRESH and DELICIOUS homemade churros and hot chocolate. I know I probably made every dietician cringe with my food choices, but I'll just lick my fingers and blow the left-over sugar in their faces because it was SOOO worth it! ;) It was truly a wonderful evening! |
**UPDATED TO ADD**
With many thanks to my good friend and fellow fabuphotog, Michael Norwood, I discovered my email wasn't receivable. He's such a sweetheart for texting me here in Mexico and letting me know! If you've sent an email in the last 38 hours, please resend it and I'll get back to it once I return to the States. Thanks! :) |
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San Miguel de Allende, Day One
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I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve been to Mexico before, but strictly beachside tourist traps like Cancun and Puerta Villarta. As my father and I walked through the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, the balmy breeze kept the clouds low and the sky a deep blue color. Everything is beautiful…everything! The homes are insanely gorgeous, the architecture is to die for, and the city culture is palpable. I find myself staring into residential courtyards in awe, and wonder who can live in such decadence.
San Miguel de Allende is home to SO many Americans and I have to admit how nice it is to see cafes and stores catering to the multicultural breakdown of this artistic town. I suppose the only way to describe this city is to compare it to an American parallel. Although coast-less, this city reminds me of Laguna Beach—the over abundance of talented artists, upper class families, and gorgeousness at every corner.
Yesterday we arrived to Las Terrazas San Miguel, our bed and breakfast, and it’s simply charming. I love it! The owners are American (a doctor and chef from Napa Valley who decided to semi-retire here in San Miguel) and have made our stay just amazing. I just want to lean over and hug them! We have a casita to ourselves complete with multiple rooms, terrace, kitchen and other American-style amenities. It’s the perfect blend of feeling at home, yet experiencing a whole new country.
We spent the day walking around town and seeing the places where my father spent his childhood. He touched walls, pointed to stained glass windows, and smelled the floating aromas of Mexican delicacies with pride. I know my dad is happy. Happy to know he can now return to the country of his birth and share in the memories that carved him into the man he is today.
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Off to Mexico...Aye aye aye!
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As strange as it may sound, my father planned a spur-of-the-moment trip for he and I to visit his hometown of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. It really happened quite fast and the next thing I knew, I had plane tickets and a casita reservation. That’s my dad. Totally crazy and fun. How I’m his off-spring is beyond my comprehension because if I had three years to plan a vacation, I’d use every minute of it. If we didn’t have matching big heads, I’d wonder if we were even related!
My internet access will be scattered at best, so I’ll be responding to email as soon as I return…and recover from the beans&tortillas overload. However, in the mean time, I'll try updating each post throughout the day with pictures!
Happy Tuesday!
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