Friendships and Age

Friendships:

Last week all of my girlfriends and I went out to dinner. I was a little early and as I sat waiting for my friends I started thinking about friendships. I have a close circle of girlfriends that I am very close to. Every month we get together for dinner. It is great to catch up and exchange boyfriend/ husband stories as well as update each other on our lives. As I sat waiting; I thought to myself why do we grow out of certain friendships. Why is it some people remain our friends yet others just disappear? I like to think as we grow and mature we assimilate and “hang out” with people that share our interest, views and social economic status. Now that last one can be considered my opinion but I think if you hang around a group of people that always take vacations and you can’t afford those vacation after some time you will grow apart. Now many people can say money has nothing to do with it and if you dedicate time to the friendship it will flourish.  So is it that we are meant to evolve as we mature. Could it be some friendships evolve because they are meant to and others just fade away. I do believe all friendships serve a purpose and all those friends we have had in the past have taught us something and have helped us become who we are today.I believe our friends are a reflection of who we are at a certain point in time. What do you think?

Hispanic? Latina!!!

Hispanic? Latina!!!

Hispanic

1. Of or relating to Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin America.

2. Of or relating to a Spanish-speaking people or culture.

Lat·in (ltn)

a. The Indo-European language of the ancient Latins and Romans and the most important cultural language of western Europe until the end of the 17th century.

b. The Latin language and literature from the end of the third century b.c. to the end of the second century a.d.

2.

a. A member of a Latin people, especially a native or inhabitant of Latin America.

These are the definitions of Hispanic and Latin in case you are wondering what the difference is. I am Hispanic and being of Hispanic origin in California is quite the adventure.  As long as I can remember every summer I would go to Guatemala to visit family. Both my mother and father are from the beautiful land of Guatemala. I have fond memories of burning fireworks, being able to buy so much with “American Money” and the most amazing food my mouth has tasted. I had so much fun during those summers. I grew to love my heritage and for some time I actually wanted to live in Guatemala. Before I decided to go to Pepperdine; I actually thought about moving to Guatemala and going to college in the city. I had my quincenera in Guatemala and many of my great memories are in Guatemala. But what changed? Why is it that the land I once longed for has become a place I only visit once in a while? Is it I have matured and realized I can now only go two to three weeks in Guatemala before I start missing the comfort of home? Or is it I have grown to understand that my parents land is not mine and their culture is only half of who I am.

Bella, Bella!!!

Bella Bella!!!!!!!!!!

The summer I found myself travelling in Europe was the summer I discovered many new mindsets and I learned to see the world through different eyes. One of the things I will never forget is how women were treated in Europe. As an American Girl at first it bothered me so much that men would yell things out to me; to gain my attention. I could not even smile at men because they assumed I was being more than just friendly. But as those summer nights passed; I learned that Italian Men call women “Bella” which means beautiful. The more I heard it the more I got used to it. I found myself loving the idea that I was beautiful. It was as if I had not been called “Bella” enough times back home! Was it that American Men feel they cannot call their women beautiful as much as Italians do?  Or is it that appreciating love and beauty is much more emphasized in Italian Culture. What do you think?

Travel Observations

 Summer In Europe Lesson Learned

My sophomore year at Pepperdine I was lucky enough to spend a summer in Italy. I was a young 20 year old American girl who did not know what awaited her. I learned so much and spent 3 1/2 months discovering this world. I learned as an “American” I walked very fast and did not appreciate my surroundings. I had many incidents where I was impatient with how things were done in Europe.I am sure my old roommate remembers the incident where we got stuck in the bank because I was to impatient to wait for the revolving doors to open. I learned so much but one of the things I will always remember is the culture. It seemed Italians sat down for dinner for hours. At first I would grow so impatient because I was not used to these long dinners; but Pepperdine tried to instill this tradition in the Villa. At the end of the trip I grew to love the 3 hour dinners. Looking back I have always valued sitting around the table having great conversations with my family, friends and loved ones. How many of you appreciate these dinners and find yourself wishing our daily lives presented more opportunities to sit around the table and have these deep conversations?

About ME

A tiny bit of who I am

I am a 27 young Latina girl born and raised in California. My parents are from Guatemala and I carry the love for Guatemala in my heart. Being a young Latina in California has brought many adventures but also many opportunities to observe the world around me. This blog is for me to share some of the fun adventures and insights to my world as I see it.  I am a young teacher and was blessed to receive my Credential from Pepperdine University as well as my Bachelors. I received my Masters and am currently finishing up my English Authorization and have cleared my credential. With all these degrees you would think I have no difficulty getting a job; sadly I decided to become a teacher at the wrong time. But I have not given up I am going to follow my calling to teach. I have been blessed with having a contract two of the five and a half years I have been teaching. I love to travel and observe the world around me and I hope many of you find my observations as well as my adventures interesting.