OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD!

I haven't posted in a really long time, but this is a very special occasion, I guess.

Yes, I have just watched the live streaming of Obama's statement. Quoting the U.S. President:

The United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, leader of the Al-Qaeda.

As millions of people around the globe, I'm thrilled and relieved and scared all at once. It's been almost 10 years since 9/11. And then, I remembered Joe.

Five years ago I decided to take part in this chain of memorials for 9/11 victims. Each blogger would write about a 9/11 victim.
"My guy" was Joe, and for about a month I got to know him, and even managed to get in touch with friends of his to write the memorial. Here's the link to it.

Today is a great day. I know this will not bring all those people back, but as U.S. President Obama said, "Justice has been done". I guess lots of moms who lost their children will sleep better tonight.

To Joe Anchundia, Judd Cavalier and all other 9/11 victims' families - justice has been done.

Leaving Las Vegas

So this was my last Saturday in the US. What better way to say goodbye to California than to come to Las Vegas? (I know, I know, Vegas is in Nevada, but soon it will be a bit more than just a short drive from home).

It's been fun, I guess I don't do what people typically do when they come to Vegas (I don't go crazy shopping or gambling or going to shows, I just like to relax, really), so I've been cherishing moments... having fun, laughing, trying to remember to take pictures (the past few times I came here I didn't take pics since it felt like same old, same old...). For the most time, I'm having fun, but then there's a quick moment I remember that it is the last Friday, or last Saturday, that in a week from now I won't have my kids to hold anymore... and just the thought of that crushes my heart and makes me cry. So then I try to think of something else.

Boyfriend (who is now fiance, but I'll just keep referring to him as "boyfriend" until he becomes hubby hihihi) has been trying to give me support... He doesn't really know what to say when it comes to the kids, and I guess I shouldn't say this but sometimes I feel like he is a bit jealous of them... but he tries to make me see things "on the bright side". Like, hey, next week you'll get to eat some traditional Portuguese pastries!!! Of course eating a traditional Portuguese pastry, as delicious as it is, does not begin to compare to having the kids in my arms, hugging and kissing and randomly reminding me that I am loved by them.
It doesn't make for Ariel trying to kiss my boo-boos away, or Alisa getting into my closet. It's not the same thing as Ava telling me everyday, when I'm leaving for work "I love your outfit, you look so pretty", or having Alec fall asleep in my arms while I lullaby him.

Anyways, I'll get to see Mom and Dad... all my siblings... pretty soon I'll have my own house with Boyfriend... but how do you go from taking 2-week-old triplets in your arms and raising them until they're 4... and then not seeing them turn 5? I wonder how the next day will feel, knowing I'm not gonna be the one taking care of them anymore, for good this time. I'm not gonna be the last person to kiss them goodnight and sing them to sleep, ever again.

If anyone knows how to do that, please tell me, because I am guessing I will have some trouble coping.
Oh, I am also taking tips on how to drive myself to LAX after saying goodbye to them.

A Year In The Past, Forever In The Future.

In case you don't know, this is the title of a song I love, by a Canadian band called Grade.

It begins like this:

This is the time in my life when everything is falling apart, and at the same time... it's all coming together.

This is very much how I feel right now - somehow conflicted.
Don't think this is all that bad though! Leaving California (yes, it's true!) is being one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through, leaving my babies behind... even though I didn't bare them, I have been there since they were born (literally), nursing, caring, loving... and nearly 4 years have gone by, so yes - they are my babies, but ones I can't take home with me. That breaks my heart so bad, more than it has ever been broken.

On the other hand, I can't help feeling excited about getting together with my family again, spending time with old childhood friends, spending a birthday with Mom, Dad, my brother and bestie - which hasn't happened in 12 years.

Over the past couple of months I've been getting lots of messages from high school colleagues I haven't heard from since..... high school. Even my Philosophy teacher found me on Facebook and added me. So going back to my very roots makes my heart feel warm too.

And then there's the future, oh promising future.
Starting a new life from scratch, with boyfriend - who is now fiance or soon-to-be-hubby. Making plans, executing them, building a home, doing family stuff. Visiting my grandparents on the weekends, having our own dinner parties at home... starting a business, taking risks... those are all exciting things to look forward to.

It's just too bad that, in life, you can't always have everything you want.

When You Call Me From Beyond

I remember once, when I was little, my sister and her best friend came home from a dinner party breathless, pale, totally freaking out. They said from the moment they left their friend's apartment, a tall man wearing a brown jacket and hat followed them home.

A couple of days later, my mom had coffee with their friend's mom, and noticed hanging on the living room wall the picture of... a tall man, wearing a brown military jacket and hat. After all, he was the friend's dad... who had passed away over 10 years before the event. *creepy*

Mom said that all the widow lady talked about was her late husband and what a great man he was, and how much she missed him. The fact that she hung on to him made him linger... it's weird.

But I do believe that, when 2 people have had a strong connection, one can hear the other call, no matter how far, and I've experienced it, and I've seen it happen to other people.

The only thing is, if these 2 people are apart, it happened for a reason. So maybe calling is not such a good idea...

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Chapter 21

"You must be very patient," replied the fox. "First you will sit down at a little distance from me - like that - in the grass. I shall look at you out of the corner of my eye, and you will say nothing. Words are the source of misunderstandings. But you will sit a little closer to me, every day..."

The next day the little prince came back.

"It would have been better to come back at the same hour," said the fox. "If, for example, you come at four o'clock in the afternoon, then at three o'clock I shall begin to be happy. I shall feel happier and happier as the hour advances. At four o'clock, I shall already be worrying and jumping about. I shall show you how happy I am! But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour my heart is to be ready to greet you... One must observe the proper rites..."

I've been sitting here for about half hour now, just looking at the screen and thinking of a way to complement this post... but there's just no complement to "The Little Prince". All that could be said is there.
Amazing how every time I read this book, I learn something new.

The Marketing of Love

You know, the thing about having a blog and keeping it is just... being read. Sometimes, when you have things to say but feel you're not getting through to people, it just feels better to keep to one self, and maybe that's why I've been quiet for so long.

This Saturday, June 12th, was the day that Brazilian people celebrate "Valentine's Day", or just "dating day", since it's obviously not Valentine's but yes, the eve of St. Anthony's day. I personally think this is just a marketing holiday, since the actual Valentine's day is in February and Brazil is overwhelmed with Carnival at that time of the year. But this is just me ranting.

Anyways, I've never celebrated this date, so it really doesn't mean anything to me, I can hardly ever remember that it actually IS "dating day".
The 6 years I lived in Brazil (and up until now), I was either single or away from my beloved one on this date.
I then decided to, from now on, sabotage "dating day" in Brazil - boyfriend and I will only celebrate the actual Valentine's Day and, on June 12th, we'll just act as if it were any other day - in fact we might even pick a fight!

So, opposed to leaving a heart warming message, I thought I'd post instead a video with a song that has the power to break my heart by my just thinking of it.
It is so powerful, so sad and full of memories, that each time I listen to it I can actually feel all the pain and disappointment it once made me feel - talks about a love that is as big as it is uncertain.



I actually prefer the version sung by Evan Dando, but that's virtually impossible to find, so Amy Whinehouse does the trick. I don't care much for her, but she's amazing in this cover.

So please feel the pain in this video, and expect a more glittery happy post from me soon :)

trivia: did you know that this blog was once called "Will you still love me tomorrow", after that song?