Sleeping Attire

Day 8: What do you wear to bed?

I honestly don't think people care about what I wear to bed (or really any of the other subjects I've been posting about), but in the spirit of achieving this challenge, I'm currently wearing this pj bottoms of sleeping polar bears (which was a Christmas gift from A) and a blue tank top (which was actually A's). Top is from Fruit of the Loom and bottoms are from Oysho.

So, no. Nothing uncomfortable sexy, and currently NOT sweatpants since the weather has been more on the warmer side.

What do you wear to bed?

g.

Makes Me Smile

Day 7: Write about something that makes you smile

This was a no brainer!

Last December, some friends from Mexico City invited us to a dinner party at their apartment. The hosts cooked dinner and some of the guests brought appetizers and deserts (we brought wine and mezcal).

A's friend took out her Instax camera and snapped candid moments throughout the very pleasant evening, and that's how we got this jewel. No akward poses. No me telling A to hold me closer or tighter or anything of the sort. Just us, having fun. By the time the night ended, A asked his friend if he could keep the photo and she said yes (I think he would have taken it either way). 

We got home the next day and the photo was secured inside a notebook in my purse. A few days later A asked for it and I tracked it down and handed it to him. It was a huge surprise for me when I got home from work one day and saw that he had taken the photo, cropped it and put in on a small frame his brother had gotten us from a recent trip to Madrid and on his side of our office desk.

To think that he took the time of cropping it to make it fit in the frame and then put in on 'his desk'... It just melts my heart and I can't help but smile whenever I look over and see it there. 

What makes you smile (and your heart melt)?

g.

Pet Love

Day 6: What animal would you like to have as a pet?

Growing up we only had one pet, a doberman pincher puppy we named Spanky (we had just seen 'The little rascals'). Spanky was really hyper and enjoyed biting pretty much everything he could find. We never took the time to train him and we rarely ever took him out for walks. Because he was a living tornado, he was tied in the garage during the day, and tied inside the house at nights. Although we loved him very much, I don't think we were able to show it properly. One day, his leash got lose and he ran away. My parents looked for him around the neighbourhood but couldn't find him and we were devastated. Thankfully, we later learned he was found and adopted by a wealthy family who took care of him and gave him a home where we could run around free without being tied. I think he was happy.

Many, and I mean many years later, A got a puppy Pug for my sister, who she named Camilo. I've written about him before on the blog. Since Camilo came into our lives, everyone in the family fell in love with the Pug breed, and it became clear that at some point both my brother and I would get a Pug as well.

Three years later, that time has come for me and A. In less than two weeks, we'll be getting our very own Pug puppy!!! (he is pictured above with my mom). For a long time now, my mom has been part of a Facebook page about Pugs that live in our hometown and they are constantly selling them or looking for pairings. This little guy had been advertised for a while now and my mom told me about him back then, but although A and I have been talking about getting one for a while now, I wasn't sure we were ready.

It was fate when my mom saw another publication on the page about this cutie and sent me pictures. I showed them to A and he said we should go for it. My mom contacted the owner and it turned out he was still available. I later learned that he had five other siblings who were adopted before him and I couldn't believe he hadn't been taken. The owner said he was waiting for us.

He will be two months old by the time we get him (the same as Camilo when Gaby got him) and we will bring him home from Veracruz. We are very excited to take on this adventure because neither of us have ever taken care of a puppy by ourselves. I know it will be a challenge but I honestly can't wait to have him here with us, completing our little soon to be family of three.

So, nothing extravagant for us (at least not yet, A really wants a Mexican hairless dog), just your good 'ole man's best friend.

What animal would you like to have as a pet?

g.

Collections

Day 5: Do you collect anything?

Collection:

'the act or process of getting things from different places and bringing them together to show or study them or as a hobby' (from the web version of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

According to the previous definition, I'd say I have two collections (for hobby):

Novelty car plates/metal signs

This collection started in the summer of 2005. I was working at Disney World at the time and had all sorts of theme park maps and memorabilia on my bedroom walls. One day I was at Universal Studios' City Walk and we went into Margaritaville. I had never heard that word in my life, didn't know it was a song or who Jimmy Buffett was, but I saw a metal sign which read 'Margaritaville Way' and loved the concept of the word. I guess I figured I could nail that to the wall over my very own house bar someday (that day still hasn't come). After I got that, I pretty much started scouting for other plates/signs and then got many of them from Disney Parks. 

Through the years and traveling I've done, I've been able to collect several more plates from different places like Montreal, Miami, NYC, Puerto Rico, Paris, London, Berlin and Dublin. Others I've got as presents from friends/family who know I collect them and one I got at a flea market in Puebla.

Funny thing about this collection: it is not displayed. For many years I didn't have the space to showcase it and now that I do, I just don't know where or how to do it. Not that it has stopped me from trying to visualize what it would look like :)

My guess is I will continue to collect plates and signs from wherever I travel and hopefully one day I'll have a game room or bar where I can display them.

Notebooks

In all honesty I don't know how this collection started but it is pretty clear to me why it did. I love writing. I have for a very long time and it makes sense to me to buy as many notebooks as possible. What doesn't make sense is that I have them, but I don't use them (nonsense, I know).

I think what appeals to me is the graphic value, the cover's designs, the aesthetic. They are all very pretty and not using them keeps them that way (IMO). If I were to carry them around with me, they'd get dirty or worse, LOST, which is why I rather keep them safe in a wire basket on a shelf in my living room.

They come in all sizes and colors. Some I've brought back from trips abroad, others from novelty shops, book stores, or museum gift shops (like my newest acquisition!). I love them all equally (so much).

Other things I want to collect with A are postcards and magnets from our travels.

Do you collect something? 

g.

P.S. Although not my own, I've basically managed to create collections for both my parents by buying them cups and tequila shot glasses from wherever I travel to. I'll snap a pic of these next time I'm home.

Can't Live

Day 4: Who or what can't you live without? Explain why.

To be honest, I don't believe there are things or people you can't live without. I believe the only things you can't live without (literally) are food and water. I believe you can get used to pretty much anything, and that includes being without the people or the things you love.

That being said, there's plenty of things I like that I'd rather not live without, which include: Coca Cola, pasta, bread, and chocolate (healthy, I know); internet + something to use it (computer, tablet, phone), tv/movies and pen + paper.  As for people, I've learned to live without many people I love on a daily basis, living away from home and all, and that is just a part of life. 

And just in case you were wondering, that guy I'm kissing up there is A. I lived without him for 25 years, and then some, being on a LDR for the longest time. It's not that I can't live without him. It's just like what Meredith Grey said (told you, TV freak): 'I can live without you, but I don't ever want to.'

What do you think? Is there such a thing as (really) not being able to live without something/someone? 

Thanks for reading!

G.

Inside My Bag

Day 3. What is inside your bag? 

I love big purses but I don't always fill them since I don't really carry a lot of items. I guess it really all depends on where I'm going/what I'm going to do and whether or not I'm going alone.

The list I've put together includes things I'd take if I was going on a day trip as a tourist or was just going to be out of the house for an extended period of time (I'd usually just carry a small crossbody bag with essentials if I was running errands)

All these things I'd carry in my gray nylon Le Pliege large tote by Longchamp (pictured), which is my favorite bag I own. I bought it on their Flagship store in Soho (designed by Thomas Heatherwick), on a trip to NYC with A in 2013. I divided what's pictured into three categories:

My essentials (can't leave the house without them)

1. House keys. The first thing I grab on the way out are the keys. Even if A is coming, I'm sort of 'in charge' of them. We have many keys for different locks of the house and they are pictured here on three different Adidas keychains (presents from my brother in law).

2. Spare change. If I'm going somewhere alone I might just take the bus so I try to carry spare change (not necessarily in my wallet)

3. Wallet. This one is brand new from Mango! Got it as a birthday treat for myself last month since the one I had before (which I had also got for myself on my last birthday) was stolen a few months back. 

4. Passport. I carry my passport everywhere cause you never know when Adventure might strike. Ha! I wish! I only carry it everywhere because since my wallet was stolen I have no other ID. The passport holder is an old one from Victoria's Secret.

5. Cell phone. Brand new iPhone SE which I got on my birthday. The old one was also stolen and my dad lend me his old one which I pretty much destroyed. The case is see through from Mobo. Depending on the occasion, I'll carry the earbuds and charger along.

Other picks I carry when I remember:

6. Sunnies. Imitation black Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarers (pictured are original Rayban Classic Wayfarers)

7. Notebook. I heard once that an architect should never go about without pencil and paper, so here it is. It's helpful whenever I need to write down addresses or names of places we want to try or just information about something I'm photographing at a museum or eating at a restaurant.

8. Pen. This one is my favorite and it's from Muji (sad face because we don't have Muji in Mexico).

9. Camera. It's a Nikon d3100, which we only carry when we know we'll be taking pictures (weekend getaways/museum trips/site visits), so not a day to day item.

10. Lip balm. This is the only 'make up' I carry, but again, it depends. Flavor is Summer Fruit by EOS.

11. A book. The one I've been reaching for a while now is 'Casa Collage' by Xavier Monteys. It's an essay about contemporary practices in housing (the editorial is GG) and I like that it is easily read and basically fits in all my small bags.

12. Snack bar. Since I'm supposed to be eating healthier, whenever I leave the house I try (but constantly forget) to bring a snack bar. I've tried many flavors and brands, and my current favorite is Quaker's Stila (any flavor).

13. Anti bacterial hand gel. Pictured and currently in use is Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea.

As requested by A:

14. Eye drops. For his red/dry eyes problems.

15. Hand cream. Pocket sized bottle of Nivea hand cream since we live in a pretty dry place.

16. Band aids. For uncomfortable shoes and the occasional cuts.

17. Candy. Usually Jolly Rancher squared shape hard candy, just because.

I feel like all these stuff say a lot about me, doesn't it? or is it just me? Anyway, what's in your bag?

G.

P.S. Check what's in the bags of bloggers I follow here, here, and here.

Names & Meanings

Day 2: What's your middle name and what's its significance?

First, I'd like to start by saying I do not have a middle name, which makes this challenge kind of pointless. However, I do have a name and thought it would be appropriate to just talk about that.

My full name is Griselda. I'm pretty sure I was named after my mother, whose name I share. Now I've heard a story from my mom* saying that she was named after the heroine of a book my grandfather was reading when my grandmother was pregnant with her. What book that was? God knows. I can only hope she was a strong female lead who fought and worked hard to pursue her dreams.

Meaning:

Heroine  (at least she was in said book)

German origin 'Grishild': the one that fights/battles  (well I do fight for my rights, so I guess that's not wrong)

Characteristics:

Sociable, pleasant, entertaining, enjoyable and confident. (Is this true? tell me!)

Has great common sense and enjoys little things in life. (definitely true)

Is a great friend and cares/worries about others. (completely agree :)

Talents:

Has an impatient mind, more of a director than a performer. (true)

Could stand out as a sales person, psychologist, researcher, writer, detective, traveler, stock broker or any occupation that requires handling money. (haha I suck at handling money!)

Lucky number: 1

Love:

Loves love, not for what it gives her, but for what it is <3 span="">

Likes having a steady relationship. (fo'sure)

Is loyal and sensitive.  (I've got references)

Famous/reknown people with this name:

Griselda: name of the shepherdess character that marries the king of Sicily ('Gualtiero') in Giovanni Boccaccio's 'Decameron' from 1350. (could this be the girl my mom was named after?)

Griselda: name of the female lead in the film 'Nazareno Cruz y el lobo' by Leonardo Flavio 

Griselda González: athlete. 'Is a retired female long-distance runner from Argentina. She twice won the Buenos Aires Marathon in her native country. She also represented Argentine twice (1992 and 1996) at the Summer Olympics, before switching nationality and competing for Spain.'**

I had never thought of googling the meaning of my name but it is nice to see that is something so cool. Also, can we talk about the fact that some of the attributes that describe the name actually match my personality? Do you think the name you're given (most like your birth date/zodiac sign) defines who you are? Sorry this just really blew my mind.

What's the meaning behind your name? Does it match with who you are? I'd love to know!

G.

*I asked my mom again this morning about this story and she swears she never told it to me. But I could not have come up with it myself, could I? I'm pretty sure she just doesn't remember and if I did come up with it, good for me.

** Got this from Wikipedia

P.S. The information regarding the meaning of my name was gathered from various 'find the meaning of your name' websites.