Posts in Personal
That inexplicable burst of love

It's been 4 months since I got married.  Four months of happiness.  Of see-you-later kisses before departing for work.  Four months of compromise on who is going to wash dishes, which movie should we watch, and laughing until our stomachs hurt.  There are those moments however, that are much bigger.  So big they fill your heart with inexplicable bursts of love.   

I can't seem to describe it at all, what I do know is that when it happens, it's incredible.  For the first time in our marriage, at four months, I experienced it.  My husband ran his first 10k and I felt like the proudest wife in the whole world.  You see, my husband is actually really good at following his dreams and reaching his goals, so this proud moment shouldn't have been new to me.  But for some reason, at 7am that Saturday morning, I couldn't stop telling him how proud I was.  And still am.  

 

Where I go when I dream

Sometimes, I have dreams of putting my camera and a few changes of clothes in a backpack and closing the door behind me.  Never looking back because adventure is forward.  Because sometimes you need cool mornings in the middle of a forest, a jump into a flowing river, and a warm tent to sleep in.

This is where I go when I dream... What do you dream of?

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Beautiful Sunsets + Random Thoughts.

I love where I live.  My apartment has these three huge floor to ceiling windows and the sunsets have been amazing lately.  I can see how the world around me is turning from summer to fall.  When I open the windows, the cool air makes it perfect for a cup of coffee and a good book.  I've been trying to read more.  Almost done with my first book since getting married three months ago.  Three months... can't believe how quickly time is going by.  I feel like we just got married!  Making our place feel more like a home.  Framed photos are next.  Photos of our wedding, of our travels, and bits and pieces of inspiration to keep the spark alive.  The spark of love, of life, and of our soul.   

© Jackie Lamas Photography

Every love story has a beginning...

My love story may be a difficult one to believe.  Meeting someone and within minutes knowing that somehow, some way, this person was put in front of me for a reason.  That reason only God knows about.  He tested us, seeing if we really wanted it.  Seeing if we were willing to do what was necessary to stay and work hard for this love.

Every love story has a beginning.  Mine will start the second that I say "I do" in a few months.

My beautiful custom made engagement ring that my fiance had made.  It's beautiful in all of its simplicity.

On a personal note...

This may be the most personal post I have ever written.  Just a warning in case you want to skip ahead to the photos and maybe go back to stalking others on facebook.

About five years ago, I was sitting in my car crying.  I had gone through a really horrible breakup and I was sad, among many other emotions.  Long story short, I sat there feeling so helpless, as one normally does during those trying times, and I began to pray.  I put my hands together, closed my eyes, and said, "God, if you exist, please give me some peace.  I am tired of feeling like this and want it to be over."

It may have been a small gesture at first but I found peace that day.  The tears stopped rolling down my cheeks and little by little, I began to see that when I prayed, magical things would happen.  I then shifted from saying, "God if you exist..." to "God..."  And slowly, my faith began to grow.  I never had religion or faith in my life before.  I never had anyone tell me to believe one thing or another.  I was just a person who always tried to live a good life.So when I began to see changes, real tangible changes, my faith grew.  It was something that I kept to myself at first.  Something that I didn't really reveal to others or mention for fear that they would criticize me in saying that why, or how, because I wasn't known to be much of a believer.

About three years ago, my mother told me something that I, at the time, wasn't ready for.  That I needed to go to church because this way, I was only living my faith halfway.  Which at the time, I thought that having a relationship with God was such a big step that I didn't want others to ruin it for me.  Simply, I wasn't ready.  Fast forward to two  years ago, I began to feel like she was right.  I needed guidance so that my faith could grow, so I could know more about God.

Last year, I went to church.  I felt this burst of heat in my chest blast me with so much love.  I don't know how else to describe it... Love seems to be the only thing I can compare the feeling that I got.  And it was then that I went, talked to a priest, and began my 8 month journey to where I am now.

This Saturday,  I will get baptized.  It has been such an incredible journey learning so much about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and becoming a part of a community where I feel I belong.  In a place where I can put my faith to work.  On Saturday, I will become new, begin again.

This Saturday, my life will change.

I don't normally share such personal things on my blog nor do I write often about my religious views... however, I believe that putting this out there for the world to see makes it that much more special.  This is a special and one of a kind event for me and so I wanted to share my story with you, and everyone else that may have gone through something similar.

Some behind the scenes photos from a recent shoot :).

Pinterest Weekly | Inspiration for All

Oh

Pinterest

never disappoints.  From home decor to fashion, to places I would love to be in, it has something for everyone... 

Here is this weeks inspiration :)

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Ah, Pinterest nunca me deja sin querer ver mas.  Desde decoración del hogar a la moda, hasta a los lugares donde quiero estar, tiene algo para todos.  

Aqui esta la inspiración de la semana :)

1.

 Someday...

2.  

It's raining men meme

3.   Wilderness (the link I have is broken, anyone know where to find the photographer?)

4.  

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

5.  Simple everyday outfit (no link to the site)

6.  

Garden for small spaces...

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Living in Mexico

It has been a great while since I've written an update on how living in Chihuahua has been so far.  I think the last time I wrote was a year ago when I reached the 6 month mark.  A lot has happened from that time to now.

When I visit my friends back in California, the first question I usually get is "How can you live in Mexico?  Isn't it scary/unsafe?"  To which I usually explain that since I have been here, over a year now, that I have never seen or been a victim of any crime.  Other than really bad driving and horrible customer service.  It's really been good here.  I have discovered many great hole in the wall places to eat and have a beer.  There are still many, many places to explore and see.  And if I'm ever feeling homesick, good ol' McDonald's does the trick, ha ha!  

In all seriousness though, I've had many great experiences!  I was able to travel to different parts of the state as well as the country.  It seems as though the people here have more time and willingness to travel, even if they have limited resources or not. This is most surprising because in California, it always felt like I was on the go and never had enough time nor money to go anywhere further than Malibu or Vegas.  Or so it seemed that way.  In retrospect, I probably could have traveled a little bit more within the country, I just never saw its appeal.  In the year that I've been here, I have seen these amazing places:

Majalca, Chihuahua 

Namurachi Canyon, Chihuahua

Rekowata and Creel, Chihuahua

Huapoca, Madera in the state of Chihuahua

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon

I will also admit that it has been a tough.  There are times when I get home sick for the familiar.  For example, waking up in my old room with my family and doggies during the summer mornings.  Or the pad thai from the restaurant on Spruce Street.  Or miss having chips and salsa and beer with good friends at the local El Torito.  Let's also not forget all the beach time that I've been missing out, especially during the winter!

The internet has been such a great gift!  Being able to skype/facetime with friends and family during the time I've been away has been such a great help in not feeling so left out.  Because that's what happens when you leave your home, you lose contact and when you visit, you feel out of place.  Like so many things have continued to happen and you are not informed or otherwise just out of sight out of mind...

This adventure continues to surprise me and the more time I spend here in Mexico, the more I have accepted that this is now my home.  I am also very fortunate that I'm much closer to home than if I lived overseas.  I'm one long bus ride from being home.  And that, always makes it much easier.  Knowing that I can be back home from one day to the next.  Having family here is also another big help.  Being able to have people that I grew up with to help and support is always a plus :).

That's all for now... I'll keep you updated as time goes on!

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Pinterest Weekly | Inspiration for All

Do you PIn?  First, I hit like on everything... then weeks later I pin what I absolutely think is divine.  

I have this obsession with interior decor.  That's all I really look for when I'm on Pinterest.  Desk spaces, living room spaces with lots of color, do it yourself spaces and projects.  Oh, and women's fashion.  I must admit that Pinterest has helped my wardrobe come alive the last year or so.  It's great to see new and inspiring things...  all kinds of things.  

This new installment of my blog will be for the pins that I love week to week along with their respective link to my Pinterest.  So we can keep the inspiration going :).

What have you pinned this week??

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¿Tu haces pin? Cuando estoy en Pinterest, le hago click "me gusta" primero... luego semanas después hago pin lo que yo absolutamente creo que es divino. 

Tengo esta obsesión con la decoración de interiores. Eso es todo lo que realmente busco cuando estoy en Pinterest. Espacios de oficinas, espacios  de sala  con un muchos colores, los proyectos y espacios que uno puede hacer solo. Ah, y la moda. Debo admitir que Pinterest ha ayudado a mi vestimenta el último año. Es muy bueno para ver cosas nuevas e inspiradoras ... todo tipo de cosas. 

Esta nueva serie de mi blog va a ser para los pins que amo semana a semana junto con su respectivo enlace a mi Pinterest. Así,  podemos seguir compartiendo la inspiración :). 

¿Qué has hecho pin esta semana?

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Monterrey, Mexico

We spent a few days in Monterrey, Mexico.  My first time being there.  It's huge, the most AMAZING food ever, and lots to see and do.  We packed two backpacks and a camera and explored the city. 

We went to the following places: centro, macroplaza, museums galore, santa lucia, parque fundidora, chipinque, planetario, pueblo santiago, cascada cola de caballo, and even made some new friends :)

I love traveling...

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Feels a lot like Christmas

The other night, we walked around downtown to snap some photos of the decorations.   We were especially fascinated with the reindeers :).  

Counting down to Christmas has begun!  Happy Friday!

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