Hello 2017!
Well 2016 is done and I am pretty sad but hello 2017! Unlike the hundred of people who wanted 2016 to be done because the amount of bad things that happened, I actually didn’t want 2016 to end because I’m not ready for the bad things that could happen in 2017. Anyways… I usually do our year in review and I think 2016 was pretty freaking awesome. I debated whether to write this in English or Spanish, but figured more people will read in English.
Anyways here’s a short recap of our year.
January was amazing because we celebrate Glenn’s and my moms birthday and we finally booked our first trip to the west coast. I have never been to there so planning it was pretty fun.
February was a bore.
March: OMG March was AMAZING. Like AMAZIIIIIIING. We traveled to LA. I had the chance to go to We All Grow and see my brother (who is an awesome tour guide BTW). During our time in California, we did soooo many things. We visited Long Beach, Los Angeles, I got to see the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica Pier, we drove to San Diego. During our time in San Diego, we visited Old Town, Julien and my favorite the Imperial San Dunes. Seeing a dessert was beyond an incredible experience and being there during a sand storm was beyond cool (although dangerous). Of course, we couldn’t go to California and not visit Disneyland Resort. I have so many mixed feelings about our visit. I have yet to expressed them in written form.
April was just great because is always great to celebrate another year married to an incredible man. 2016 marked our 15th year together and our 8th year married. I can’t believe I love this man so much.
May: May brought news. Some sad news and some good news. Sad news: my sister was moving away mid-summer, not close by- but to Texas. This is my best friend, and the mom to the only 2 nieces and 2 nephews I have. But on the other hand, my brother, was trying to come back to the East Coast.
June was CRAZY! My little sister, my baby was graduated high school and my birthday and my first-born graduated kindergarten. Like, when did this happen? Duh, June. It happened in June. Oh and yes for the first time I participated in the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Not participate as in go, but actually be part of a float, thanks to George Torres, the Urban Jibaro from Daily Sofrito and Capicú.
July: I said by to my sister and her kids. And in the process, died a little. I am extremely attached to my family, not having them close has been devastating for me. Oh and for the first time I took the kids to the beach in NYC. And it was amazing to see their love for the ocean. It filled my heart so much that they loved the water and the sand.
August: Holy SMOKES, my parents have been married for 35 freaking years! Like that is amazing. And not only that, my first-born turned 6. It was in August, that my awareness became heightened. Having a black husband and the political chaos of the elections is starting to mess with my mind. We also enjoyed our annual trip to the lake. Going to the lake is always so much fun and it gives us a little time to breathe. It’s always so relaxing to be by the water and in the clean air of the mountains.
September: WHAAAAAT? I officially have 2 kids in school- FULL TIME. First grade and my second born started pre-K. And I was so worried for him, but no, the dude LOVES school. Even has groupies. September also took me back to my beloved Island. And uff, the feelings were beyond what I’ve felt in a loooooong time. The last time I was there was 2013. I was pregnant with my baby girl. I was there for a funeral. So, this trip was MAJOR. I was going by myself, for the first time. I went to check out PR BloggerCon.
October: DISNEYYYYYYYY, by myself. Ok, well not Disney but LATISM, which was at Walt Disney World Resort. To say the conference was amazing is an understatement. The conference was full of great information on how to use social media for SOCIAL purpose. Focusing on the elections and the importance of the Latino vote. It was also a great moment to connect with new influencers and to spend some quality amazing time with some lovely people. FYI, Disney was AMAZING! Got to meet Elena of Avalor and cried! Seriously cried. I couldn’t even hold my composure. It was such an epic moment. I felt the connection. It was, dare I say, magical!
November: Can we not talk about November.
December: this December was the definition of an emotional roller coaster. I had no idea I would be so affected by the election results and would be so political about the state of our country says the political science major! In happier news Grace turned freaking 3 years old. Like, how did this happen, I just birthed her!
As everyone was ready to quit 2016, I wasn’t ready. It took forever to write this post, even though I started it over 2 months ago. I figured, better late than never. These posts serve to remind me of our year. And see it with different eyes and compare it. Each year, does keep getting better. So even as I struggle to see the positive to come in the political and social area, I can see how our family is living each moment to the max. At the end of the day that is my main purpose. We could be gone tomorrow so I want to enjoy today.
There is so much left to do. So many goals not accomplished last year. But it is with the most confidence I can say, we did everything we possibly could. Every day was lived and enjoyed. Everyday included smiles and hugs and love. And is my wish to continue to live this way into 2017.
Happy New Year from our family to yours!
