Mother Land

I wish time would stop going by fast!
Last week was very special, I did something that changed my heart in a way that I cannot explain here. I just hope I can keep up with it. I also went to a new forest close to my house and I was able to see the city from there. It was beautiful!

I'm grateful for my parents efforts, I feel happy they are still alive and that they can spoil me. They are the greatest representation of my Heavenly Father's love. I can now there is a God and that He is my lovely Father because of my parents.

Father, I Hear Thy Call

Father, I hear thy call, I turn my thoughts to thee, forsaking all;

Recalling promises we all must keep. I put my hand in thine and go to feed thy sheep.

Lead me to those who seek, and give me faith and strength to boldly speak.

In humble dignity I will proclaim, that men may come to know and love thy holy name.

If there be trials, Lord, to help me grow, if thou wilt guide me I will conquer, this I know!

I will go and do the things which the Lord commandeth, for I know that He giveth no commands to His children, except He prepare a way.

 

 

I Tried to Find You

Well, I got to say I did my part. 

I tried hard to find you and I almost got lost, good thing I found cool things to do during the journey of trying to get to you. 

Cars, trains, cities, and smells... Rain on my face and the wind blowing my hair.

Luck is action's best friend.

A Letter for You

Dear: Xxxx

I hope you are doing great, I bet you are making your dreams come true wherever you are right now. I always believed in you and it makes me happy to hear that you are succeeding in life.

Life is being great over here, I like going to school. I really love learning, I have found many challenging things that have put my mind where it should be. I have had hard days and some disappointments every now and then, but in despite of how bad I have felt, I have never got discouraged. That means a lot to me because it is hard to keep going on these days. I feel I'm taking life more serious than before.

I used to feel that somehow life would work out just fine by just working and going to school... Until I turned 22. I used to believe I would be married by that time and that I would have to work a new life for the man I would love and for me. Okay so I put my feet back on the ground and thought that I might be single for a long time and that I would probably start having children until I'm 30 or later. Yeah, that could happen to me, I would not discard that probability. Of course, there is nothing wrong with it, but it is just that I had to think more in the life I personally want to have for myself in the meantime.

Wow! Really? Is this real life? Now I will take my dad's counsels about money more seriously. Once I start my professional career out there, I am seriously thinking about saving a big part of my salary and invest.

What about going back to El Salvador for living? You know what, I really think about it and I can see myself living there because I'd love to be closer to my parents. They are so great, they make me very happy, they are in their 60's and I would so love to take care of them and be there when they get sick or need something. I know they miss me a lot and that kinda breaks my heart. I have been reading many articles about families and really, I should take advantage of my time with them on this earth. I feel I didn't get to spend as much time with them before because I was busy with school, sports, and music and they were working. Now they are retired and I would be just working when I finish school.

People tell me about the money I could make here and the money I could make down there, but you know what, spending more hours at work or making more money do not compensate the happiness we can receive from precious times with our family. I have come to strongly believe in that from what I have seen here so far.

I would love to hear more about you, keep staying busy and don't ever forget me :)

Sincerely,

Claudia R.

Giving Back

I stop and stare at my world, then I can see more clearly how much I have been given. Instead of me paying the consequences of some decisions, someone else is being used as an instrument to make my life better and happier.

I recognize how easy and fast is to forget the most important things when I get caught up by other important things. I read the other day that the greatest lessons we can learn in this life are lessons "that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not." I always see myself  having more time to do the things that make me happy and spending more time with those I love, but that is in an "illusive and nonexistent future." Instead, I want to find joy now and I want to do what makes me happy now. My family makes me very happy, serving others makes me very happy too. It's time to give back. My family is more important than anything else, I will travel home on May to spend time with my family instead of working to save up more money for the future. I understand I have responsibilities as a woman who is preparing herself for her future family, but life is now and sometimes that is hard to understand or accept. 

Who have you rescued?

I want to be successful like many people out there but I want to use my education, talents and other abilities to bless others who are less fortunate. I really want to be the change I want to see in the world, I don't want to think only about me working in Wall Street or in a big city; I want to see myself making others happy.

My greatest happiness will never be the amount of titles I held as a professional but my greatest satisfaction and happiness will be the people I could rescued.

I hope I can join organizations that help to fight poverty by using business tools,  I had a class today about microfinance and how that has helped in the development of many communities in different countries around the world. I know I can help in so many ways and that I will figure out for sure how my gifts and abilities can benefit a community. The poor are poor because they lack of opportunities.

The reason why I have the opportunities I have so far is because someone with desires like mine decided to hire my dad, who never attended high-school. This person always looked after my dad's family and helped my dad to develop himself in what he was good at. My dad became an entrepreneur and he was able to give his family better opportunities for life. He is a wise man.

Going on a mission

I have decided to serve a full time service mission this fall, now is the perfect time. I don't care how old I am or how old I will be when I get back, the future is so uncertain that I should not care about what the future may have for me, my present is flying by and my life has to be used for something more at this time.

I want my life to be useful for others. 

Take Risks

Future

And this is how I feel about my future. It is now or never.

A Little Bit of Everything

As it is

Almost end of semester. I am petty much done with all my classes now I'm getting ready for finals. I am in the point where my body is so exhausted that it is even really hard for me to get up every morning for the last 3 weeks. I did not have a problem getting up at 5 or 6 AM every day but now it is ridiculously hard.

I had a good day so far. I went to bed at like 2 am and I went to work from 8 am to 1 pm with one class in between. I was so hungry when I got off work but I did not have time to eat because I had to finish up a presentation for my next class. I did that right on time, I presented and it went really well. I talked about something that means a lot to me and that I had researched carefully. Shortly after that I ran to grab something to eat really quick and went to the TA for help in one of my classes, then I went to my other class. I was dying, I started to feel so sleepy. One of my classmates asked me to go on a date tomorrow. He seems to be a really good guy, I hope to get to know him more.

Right after that I went to the math lab and I realized that I could not keep going, so I stopped and laid down for a little bit. I had a 30 min nap and then I went to the math lab for help in one of the problems I missed in the last test. Dang! I have to become more effective when studying. I am getting used to the system here and I have to improve because I don't want to be a mediocre student. It is hard and requires hard work.

So far until today I have accomplished many things in my life.  I have ended up accomplishing other things without having them in my plans but I feel satisfied until now. I have a lot of time ahead I dare to say and I want to go for more.

I have also been thinking that I should give back. I have received so much. I really want to give back. I think I will follow my bishop's counsel: "Make it a goal." If I plan to serve, I will do it no matter what and I'll stop postponing it.

I'm here back at the library to study and try to figure out my homework, I went out to get something to eat and drink. I called my mom to let her know I was cold, hungry, tired and with lots to do. It feels good to know that she is always there for me. I'll miss her so much when she departs from this earth.

This is a lil bit of how I roll... Very good days so far. I'm alive and protected. I'm loving and smiling.

One of my professors told me today: "Your smile will change lives." I don't pretend to mention this in a cocky way whatsoever but I always get compliments from people about my smile. Of course, it cost me 4 years of braces! True thing is that laughing hard and smiling is my thing baby. That's what I'm talkin' bout!

People say I am crazy in a good way. Yeah, I accept that description and I love it, I'm crazy in so many ways but once someone gets to know me it's a completely different story. I keep myself authentic, I am crazy here and there but I am also very serious. I do a little bit of everything and I am a little bit of everything.

When I die I want to be buried right next to my husband and I want to have this phrase engraved on our tombstone, "always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name..." (Murder in the city, The Avett Brothers). If tattoos were not bad for my body I would totally have that tattooed in my back.

Good break, buh!
Back to it!

To the South. Picture from last weekend.

My Craziness

Making someone laugh : ) Hah!

Going To New York City For The 3rd Time

I went to NYC for the very first time at the end of March 2012, it was an incredible adventure and I had a really amazing time. Some of the coolest things in this adventurer life happened to me and they made me very happy. 4 months after I went again with one of my best friends, and I got to see so many other things that I could not visit the first time I went. Now, 4 months after I'm going again but this time is for a different purpose. I'll be there for a leadership conference in the big apple. I'm very excited to visit NYC again, so many things to see and do. I love NYC! I wanna dream like New York.

If I get murdered in the city
Go read the letter in my desk
Don't worry with all my belongings
But pay attention to the list

Make sure my sister knows I loved her
Make sure my mother knows the same
Always remember there is nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name

Life Goes On

When I ponder about my life I always recall memories from previous years. There are a lot of people and things that I wish they had remained the same until this day but transitions are part of life. What was part of my life once, it is not anymore.

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost. I want to take advantage of the time I have right now to laugh hard, to build strong and long lasting relationships, network, love much, do the things I love and enjoy life in a good way.

My parents will pass away someday, I will miss them more than anyone in my life. I have many good friends that I love and I know they love me but knowing that one or both of my parents are gone will really make me feel lonely. It will be very hard I know and I hope I do not have to go through it by myself. Hopefully I'm married and with children by then.

I have done a lot of things in the last three years that have made me grow and I have also met people that I have come to appreciate a lot. Time is flying and I am about to finish another period in my life. After that, I will move far away to start another part of my life. Then in 2 or 4 years I might be at the other side of the world making my dreams and life happen.

I will keep leaving things, places and people behind. They will never lose their meaning. But life goes on, and so do I.

10 Years From Now

I talked to my friend Fer this morning and we were talking about how different our lives are now compared to 5 years ago and that we will never be together again because we both are looking into taking advantage of  every opportunity that comes and experiencing other places around the world before we both have to settle down with someone. We miss each other a lot and we have shared many special moments together that have strengthen our friendship for 8 years now. He is a great guy, he deserves all the good things in this world.

I have taken a different path in my life that has taken me very far away from him. I wish we lived closer, we need each other. Our friendship is very sincere and beautiful.

10 years from now I will probably be married and with 2 children at least haha! If not, I should be working very hard, traveling, making a difference, managing my non-profit organization, experiencing different cultures, and looking for a husband. Just that simple.

25 Facts People Don't Know About Me

1. I love airports and the smell.
2. I always shake my foot whenever I'm sitting.
3. Liking seafood has been a process since I was a little girl. Fish, salmon, tilapia, shrimp, crab, lobster and sushi is what I have eaten so far and I love it.
4. I had two surgeries at once.
5. I do not buy anything sugary when I go grocery shopping.
6. I like to spend time with myself.
7. I have nephews and nieces that are older than me.
8. I don't compare myself with others.
9. I am very romantic.
10. I talk to myself out loud (not in front of people).
11. I was a great video game player since I was little until I turned 11.
12. I am very positive.
13. I never tell people the things I do not like about myself.
14. I am a big fan of cheese.
15. I daydream a lot.
16. I love meeting and talking to random people on the street, specially when I travel.
17. I keep myself genuine.
18. I never leave my house without making my bed.
19. I drink soda every once in a while, not a big fan. I love Italian sodas though : )
20. I love trying new food.
21. I sometimes do not measure danger.
22. I love cranberry sauce in a turkey sandwich.
23. Laugh attacks come to me when they shouldn't. 
24. I have a big collection of Sanrio (Hello Kitty, Badtz Maru, Keroppi) notebook pages.  
25. I love myself.

Grateful

Grateful for this year.
Grateful for every new year.
Grateful for the unknown.
Grateful for what makes me happy.
Grateful for them.
Grateful for her.
Grateful for him.
Grateful for those.
Grateful for not being there yet.
Grateful for dreams.
Grateful for what is joyful.
Grateful for this.

Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?

Mine is the endless summer, right before the leaves begin to fall as my dreams... I shall compare thee to a summer's day, bright as your dreams and as joyful as can be...

It Is So Simple

So many good wishes in a heart that yearns a happy life, make everyone around happy, be busy changing the world, get a lovely job, etc. How easy is to be full of good wishes...

Life is full of simple things that take people to accomplish complex things. No need to get to the complexity first without dominating simplicity.

Fall

What a great sensation of happiness and inspiration fall season brings!
It was a very beautiful afternoon, went up to Millcreek canyon. Brought a blanket, found a place to lay down. It was followed by inspired words from General Conference plus the sound of the birds, the wind and the creek. What a great feeling! I felt invincible!

Things I Didn't Say To You

Xxxxxxx,

Life is great but challenging. I have been thinking a lot about you and in all the things I learned from you so that is why I decided to write to you and thank you for encouraging me to be persistent with Morganne, I didn't understand the real meaning of visiting teaching until my experience with Morganne and your focus in doing visiting teaching. I will remember that for the rest of my life. I really want to help lift someone up and I could understand what Visiting Teaching really is thanks to you.

Also, thank you for all the knowledge you shared with me, I got a lot out of it. You've been a great example of how to magnify a calling. I'm grateful that the Lord gave me the opportunity to serve with you and learn from you. I believe that callings are not given to us necessarily because we are faithful or good people, I have learned that callings are given to us because the Lord wants us to be better and help us keep ourselves in the right path.

I love you and I miss you.

-Claudia R.

I know, moving on is just part of life!

.

I Think It's Been Enough, Now I'm Ready

I'm a dreamer, lover of life&adventure. I'm a free spirit and 

I have an unafraid and adventurous soul.

I played sports&music, danced, did snowboarding, went

backpacking&rockclimbing and now I want to fall in ♥


I think it's been enough, now I want to and I guess I'm ready 

Waking Up in New York City

Back in NYC. Yes! After long walks exploring cities and good stuff I am back in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, and where the lights inspire you.

It was about time to take it a little bit easy so we took our time to get ready for the day so we started by walking a few blocks down and buy some food for the days we have left. The best thing of our morning was the Salvadorian breakfast we had. It was so yummy! We were happy!

Later in the afternoon we went to see the Juilliard school, so pretty! Only legit people go there. Afterwards we went to get some yummy fro-yo from "16 handles," sooo god! 52 cents per ounce! I highly recommend it! It also seems like people visit this place quite frequently. Right after that we went in the hunt for some serious shopping : ) and then we went to the Manhattan temple. It was a good experience to enter the temple, that's always a great choice. We felt very happy when we got out from the temple. We can tell the difference.

Then we stopped by a few shops and walked a lot towards times square. We got to talk to some cool people as well and I like that a lot. People from all around the world. My favorite was the Turkish guy, really cool! He provided me with one of his artistic products for free haha! Real funny!

I'm glad we went to the temple! I need that spirit of peace. I want to be better. I need to be better!