Bluemont Fair

Today I went to the Bluemont Fair in Virgina to celebrate my mother's birthday. There are a variety of vendors ranging from antique furniture, hand crafted soap, and hand-made jewelery. Ofcourse Andrey had to try the "fried oreos" which I have to admit were pretty amazing. It taste 200X better than a non-fried oreo. When ever I come across a food vendor or restaurant I kind of get enthralled with the ambiance or the quality of the food. This ofcourse happened to me at a vendor by the name of "Mountain Momma Organics" owned by Keith and Kim Finger. The vegetarian couple owns a 100 acre farm in MacFarlan, WV but originally are from the Pennsylvania area! Pennsylvania is a pretty health conscious state so I'm not so surprised that this couple who have only been in the organic food industry less than a year were from there. Mountain Momma Organics are famous for their soups ranging from bean soups, lentil soups, split-pea and each with a different flavoring including curry!!! The couple buys majority of their organic products from California other than their fresh produce which they farm on their land. Keith also let us sample Kim's chocolate "guiness" cacao spread, in which I believe is sold online. I ended up buying the curried lentil soup, organic peanut butter, almond butter, and a orgainc granola bar. If you're constantly looking for whole good foods to feed yourself and family this is a great find that I recommend to everyone. All of their soups can be ordered online as well! I hope this company takes off in a big way and I support their mission to feed people more whole and natural foods. www.mountainmommaorganics.com for more information!

When in Rome

We flew from CDG to FCO outside of Rome, our flight came in late when Ofcourse all buses and trains were closed (11:30pm or 23:30).  All taxis are 50 euros to take you to your hotel , considering buses are 4 euros this is high high high ! Thankfully there are separate companies which drive a minivan that will take you to your hotel for less than 40euros depending on your bargaining skills! For two people Kristen negotiated 35 euro straight to the hotel! Not too bad, but it's better to try and arrive during the day! 

We stayed at baltic hotel about 10 blocks away from the main station in rome called Termini. Near our hotel was the government district with many men in Italian military attire and with their guns, needless to say it was safe! If your planning a trip to rome skip baltic hotel if you can find something at a better price! 

The food in Rome is amazing, and the prices in comparison to Paris are much lower! You can get a great bottle of wine for 13euros, not the best quality but still very very good. We found a wonderful family restaurant near piazza de spagna called "le Segrete".This area houses all of the luxury boutiques (ferragamo, Gucci, Dior, Cartier) but behind this is a hidden gem. The restaurant is so small it only seats 15 people tops! The restaurant is closed very often since everything is made daily! Kristen and I shared a lasagna , being that we weren't very hungry! Wow wow wow wow it was out of this world! We also drank a house red wine that matched well.  Two other people ordered the lasagna , than a third man tried but couldn't since they were out!! That's how we knew they were really making these limited dishes in the back! The entire meal was 20 euros!  

This is just at an average place in Rome! The food was good there too

You can't go to Rome without going to "la Romana" it's the best gelato you will ever have. Everything is made inside in a glass area which you can see. The creamery itself is very clean and chic, with the interior design of greens, whites, and wood. The employees are all beautiful women , very kind ! They all you to test the gelatto unlike berthillion in Paris. Three flavors in one cup is 2.5euros,great place. La Romana is at the end of a big street in Rome called "XX Septtembre" it's stays open late and is constantly busy! You can't go wring with any flavor ! 

They also serves other deserts if gelato isn't your thing ! 

Ootd

As many of you know I work at Nordstrom, so dressing up is a part of the job description. I know it's easy to loose inspiration if your working in a more corporate environment where you can't use you're creativity for outfits. I wanted to share some of the outfits I put together for everyone to turn to when they can't find an outfit in the morning. Throwing a statement blazer over something simple can make an entire outfit. I also threw in Jeffery Campbell pumps, that have a bow on them. This outfit would be great with a basic nude pump too! Blouse:thrift #jacket:Mcginn pants: Calvin Klein pumps:Jeffery Campbell 

Zengo (Restaurant)

First of all today January 6th is a big day! It's my best friends birthday Layal Kodsi I highly recommend you figure a way to say happy birthday to her before reading any further! Last night Hassan (Layals fiance) organized a surprise birthday party for Layal at a restaurant called Zengo, the same restaurant he took her to on their first date! Zengo is located next to the verizon center in the District of Columbia the complete address is 781 7th street chinatown NW DC. Andrey and I arrived at the restaurant around 7:15pm when walking in we were greeted by a host, behind her was white drappings. I later found out the downstairs portion of the restaurant(lounge) was being renovated. We proceeded up a flight of stairs into a bohemian/modern restaurant greeted immediately by the second host. Once seated I took the feel of the restaurant in the design was sexy but luxurious, it made you feel at ease but at the same time you knew you needed to be dressed in nice attire to really be in a common flow with the restaurant. While waiting for Layal the server came who was amazing through out the entire night! He was for sure an on point server hitting each nail on the head! He served us edame almost without even asking. The edame weren't only boiled but grilled which I hadn't tried before. The edame was seasoned well, and I thought oh yea it's not just the interior design but the food is going to be good! Their drink list was huge, they had specialty drinks that were hard to choose from, wine, sake, and beer. I ordered the BIRU drink it was based with vanilla infused vodka and raspberry it turned out to be delicious!
If you read my blogs you know I'm huge on bathrooms, if the bathrooms are dirty, not designed well, or just plain boring I'm already displeased with the restaurant. It's like when you're dating a guy or girl and they seem perfect until you walk into their bathroom and in front of you are all of their dirty belongings laying around! That's the same feeling I get when I walk into a ugly bathroom. The bathroom was on the far left in the back when entering I graced through a set of beads!!!!! I almost wanted to turn around and do it again it was that much fun! hahaha The beads were in around the 2000's we had tons of them around the house from my sister hanging them on her door, I eventually fell into the trend around 12 years old if you had beads hanging from your door then you deff. were with the trend. These beads were a little different but just as exciting
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The bathroom itself was bohemian modern, the trash can was made out of bamboo and half my size, the two sinks were bowl shaped un-attached the bamboo glass behind the sinks were translucent so the figures of the men on the opposing side were visible.
Layals sister soon arrived and I finally was able to meet the beautiful little Rima. She had to be the most gorgeous baby I've seen my entire life. Her lamb outfit and a little flower headband were to die for, I was able to get a picture of her and her auntie that I have to share! By this time she was a model and pictures were being taken from all directions! >The restaurant is a asian-latin cuisine based primarily on a tapas style dinner. They have a range of dishes from sushi to chicken tandoori. Hassan ordered the entire menu, maybe he missed two things! Cold scallops served with chips, dumplings stuffed with shrimp, shrimp tortillas, an array of sushi, thai chicken empanadas, thai shrimp lettuce wraps, peking duck, braised beef brisket, and a meat that you cooked on a hot stone yourself! The server brought out a stone, women will recognize the stone since it's the same one they use for pedicures or back massages. The temperature of this particular stone was 20X more, after he brought out the stone he brought slices of thin meat and two sauces.


None of the dishes disappointed me, each one unique and delicious! I highly recomennd you hurry over there because they change the menu! If you're in NY or LA you can also experience this great restaurant! I take it upon myself to take pictures but if you're interested in checking it out yourself this is the website. http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengodc/index.php
After the feast the cake came out, that was just as gorgeous as the restaurant. It the epitome of Layal divalicious a black bow around the bottom of a chanel cake with little Louis Vuittion, Gucci, Fendi bags sitting on top


The rest of the night I will leave to your imagination! This restaurant was a definite must!

Furrr & Burrrr (Fashion)

Who said you couldn't wear a animal print with fur?! So when getting dressed I though this is a little bit extreme zebra colored dress with fur boots, but when on I was like no it's cute :) Ladies don't ever hold yourself back from dressing out of the norm, doing something funky with your clothing can serve as a form of self expression. The dress was bought in Puerto Rico from a Argentinian women at a boutique in Condado. The boutique is directly across from the Mariott Hotel. It's one of the chicest boutiques I saw in PR. The clothing was not only up to date but trendy. Some of the items people haven't started to wear here in the states on a day to day basis. The sizes run a little smaller in Puerto Rico, not at all like the European sizes but I'm wearing a Medium in this picture, but a small at express is big on me, so it varies. The dress had the high shoulders impressioning the shoulder pad look as well as a popped collar, if you're a follower of RiRi then you know where this look came from! The shoes are from Aldo, I had the hardest time finding cute black boots this year! This was the first time wearing the boots. Aldo has three different countries that they produce their shoes, China, Brazil, and Italy these ones in specific were probably made in China. Surprisingly the fur around the calf actually were warm! I fell in love with this feature because I'm freezing all the time :)

Republic (Restaurant)

Good Morning! The date is officially January 4th, 2012 WOW PAY DAY! also, it was Kiril's birthday yesterday shout out to the birthday boy we're going to do it up this weekend :) Restaurant.com has great deals Andrey bought about 5 coupons worth $25 but it only cost him $4 to purchase them. One of the coupons he bought was for Republic. Republic is on broad street near the VCU campus, I never wandered to the Republic because it always looked creepy. My mind still hasn't changed months later because as soon as we pulled up I said "This is kind of creepy", but to each is own others may think differently! When we first step into the restaurant we are greeted by the bartender who lets us know half of the restaurant is smoking and the other half is non smoking. The bars on each sides of the restaurant are large enough to seat around 25 people. There are wooden booths/tables on either sides of the restaurant. The restaurant had many televisions about 4 on each side 46'. The Republic would be a good place to watch a sports game or to get Nachos! Their menu was an all American menu, cheesburgers, sandwhiches, nachos, authentically American haha. If you're not watching what you eat I would suggest Nachos, they are huge and can serve as a meal be aware. The people next to us ordered the Nachos and I haven't seen any that looked so good in a long time. Andrey ordered a philly sub, and artichoke dip for appetizer, I ordered the Mediterranean salad. All was good no surprises complaints or amazingness. All in all Republic is a nice spot to grab a bit, talk with friends, smoke, get a drink, and eat food that is expected of any local restaurant/bar.

Lady N'awlins Cajun Cafe

Location: 2329 West Main St. Richmond VA

Lady N'awlins a Louisiana themed restaurant with a variety of Cajun dishes on their menu. The lighting is perfectly dimmed for a semi romantic date, and for a social group. There is happy hour Mon-Fri $4 rails and $6 high tops (vodka tonic, cranberry vodka)We went later in the night around happy hour. The crowd looked like U of R students, but it's a great place to bring a date for good food and a fun young atmosphere. THE FOOD IS AMAZING! Who would think a Cajun restaurant like this would have dishes starting off at $14 going up to $18 but the price was worth it. You could start with alligator bites, oyster fritters, fried okra or fried pickles. We ordered the oysters fritters they were delicious! I limited myself to try one because they were fried and Andrey ate the other three (thank god!) Their main dishes were all authentic Cajun plates, Andrey ordered the Jambalaya which was the BEST jambalya I've ever tried. My brother went to school in Lousiana so I'm familiar with the food and that was the BEST jambalaya. It was a little on the spicy side if you don't like spicy food I wouldn't recommend it! I ordered the seared duck side of grits and tomato&cucumber salad. The duck was seasoned and cooked well. At first I had a problem realizing I was eating a little duck but once over that I was able to enjoy the dish. Their variety of desert was authentic in every way, the desert here you can't find anywhere else! We both got a creme brulee. Again the BEST creme brulee I have tried. The consistency of creme was so good my mouth is almost salivating at the thought of it.The waitress was very nice she didn't come to many times. By the end of the night there were a lot of people coming for the happy hour for us it was fun, but if you want a quite place come during the sunshine hours! If you walk in and you see this picture you know you're in the right place!

Just Chillen ;)

First of all if anyone ever has questions about traffic court I'm your girl! They continuously pull me over that I forget how many court appearances I have! But I have made a promise to myself those days are over! I'm a grown women who is on the verge of taking care of herself, so tired of giving all my money to the government. Anyways on a brighter note my last semester is going well so far. I love being more involved it leads to better grades! At four I'm attending a AMA meeting for 15points extra credit in a course. I don't want to go down the marketing track , but I think it will be beneficial regardless! Tomorrow will be the beginning of the french film festival internship, I will be blogging about the experience often. There are about 5 students all together the students from France are receiving their masters. This is just a little update if anyone is interested in anything for further detail let me know :)
This picture was when I just got off work, Andrey took a pic of me. His favorite chips are featured in the background!

Middle Eastern Festival

This labor day weekend I went back to Mclean on Saturday. The Middle Eastern Festival was going on at Holy Transfiguration Church Greek-Catholic Church. I'm blogging about this for anyone is thinking of attending next year , or has questions on festivals in the DMV area. When first walking into the church we entered upon priests screaming preaches. We also saw a priest speaking to someone about the Catholic religion. It was distasteful for all of us to walk into a Middle Eastern festival and feel like we were actually going to church. Once we got past the priests we came to a large room, that was full of people given little place to walk. The people were majority white Americans, they Arabs that were there were volunteers. There was halwah-te-jiban,baklava,among other middle eastern sweets lined up against the wall, with people selling them. Once you buy your ticket you can get the food you want. I had falafel and Andrey got the beef shawarama. I've had much better falafel even in Adams Morgan at a place called Falafel and fries. I know the name sound weird but they have the best falafel! The girl who took Andreys order actually handed him back his ticket! So Kristen was able to also get a Beef shawarama! Which she got sick off of! The only thing that was good was the Almaza (lebanese beer). So all in all it was not a very good festival we left immediately. Kristen felt like it made the arabic culture look shallow and not very rich, the Middle Easter Festival was not a good representation, with 15 year old belly dancers, and moon bounces. The Middle Eastern festival should be held not a mosque nor a church. It will attract a better crowd if it were to be at a non religious location. To visit the website go here http://holytransfiguration.org/middle-eastern-food-festival.html

First Week Of My Last Semester

Yesterday Peter and my pops came to Richmond for some business and before I knew it me and Andrey were in Mclean! My father has a way of surrounding himself with people at all times! We went to Kona Grill a restaurant in the West End of richmond that does half off sushi. It gives off a modern yet wooden environment with the decor or red. If you like sushi its half off during happy hour and has a young working crowd always a decent amount of people there during happy hour! ANYWAYS I took Andrey to Reston Town Center the center for all the highschool students back in the day to hang out! The place did a complete 360 high risers everywhere, beautiful apartments, new stores (bebe,jcrew,sephora,teavanna,and others), and bars! We went looking for a drink and something to eat. There was first Jackson's that was packed and owned by same people who run coastal flats. The design is the same light wood furniture, bright lights, outside seating. If you want to socilaize and get drunk go to jacksons! We went by Saopoul where I saw my cousin Julian! So happy to see him! We finally made a decision on a restaurant who still amazes me! Vapiano! Pizza,Pasta, Bar. Extremely spacious with high ceilings filling you with a breath of fresh air. Wood furniture with cushions high seats for the modern style, or you had the choice of sitting low and creating a more romantic, or lounging atmosphere with friends. The front desk gave you card which allowed you to make your purchase they use the card and you pay at the end by handing you their card! The idea was great , probably why they are opening in Dubai,Austraial,Switzerland,Germany, France, amongst other locations. This is the website if you want to know more about the company I highly suggest it. WWW.VAPIANO.COM I also loved the plants!Attatched is a song I was looking for about a week and finally found after posting a question on facebook! Also I uploaded a picture of when me and Andrey went to Tobacco to celebrate Fajsels 23d birthday!!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS76eS34Y0c&ob=av2e

7-30-11

I got a urge to update!!! It's 9:51am on a Saturday and yes I'm feeling completely fine! No hangover or crucial headache, I actually forgot what those felt like! It's been over a month since I remember being tipsy and almost a month since I smoked a ciggy! Thanks...not to me but my situation! I've motivated myself enough to go to the gym this morning a battle I consistently fight! It's just the motivation! In sales you're motivated by money. Its sad I need an incentive to do a good job at something or to try. Incentives motivate people. Gym=Good Health..... Walking up to a person selling them something=more money in the bank...... more money in the bank=cute clothes.Andrey went to Baltimore for the day, I'll be working until 10pm tonight and I think his mom is preparing or cleaning something in the kitchen!Internship is done with and plans are being made for the future:)

Okay Wow

I was on a health splurge for 5 years, but it has come to a almost immediate hault! I'm 9 days from 22 years old and I should not be having a mid life crisis already! Although this is exactly what it feels like. I'm searching for an undying forever motivational guide to going to the gym! I rather spend my time on facebook, with andrey, at the pool, sipping on something sweet or some other hobby that indulges me with extreme pleasure. I went to get dressed today for work and ALMOST couldn't button my FAVORITE pants! Now if I couldn't officially button these pants I'd probably call off of work and run to the gym saying I got a flat tire or something, I mean it's that serious. It's deff a women's curse in my family starting with me sister and most probably ending with me! Not the fact that I'm fatgirl but the fact that we say it EVERY SINGLE DAY! hahahahahahah...jesus christ please send me to the gym after work although there will be a bunch of beautiful people when I get off of work.. Thanks to me :) besitos

20$$

Freshh! Hey loves I'm back in full effect, had to take a little break! So basically so much has changed since the last time I blogged! So far today I've gone to two classes and basically been in the house all day after that :-D and it does feel good.

Yung Yogi

Kona Hawian CoffeE!

Second day in a row I've woken up @ 740am to go to yoga class! I'm determined to get back on track. That will consist of when I get my check buying groceries to last me two weeks so I don't spend excess money eating out, going to the gym at least three times a week, cleaning my room at least once a week, staying organized, focusing on my studies, working hard at work, making money, keeping care of the things i do have. It's super independent women time, over this way! anyone can appreciate that, ya girl has bills to pay! Chillen at crossroads right now downing a small coffee, yesterday it was french vanilla, today its sweetie chocolate something, and the kona straight out Hawaiii! I have an exam in two hours, Ive been studying feel like I know the information, and I don't want to over work my brain! This guy that my homegirl a-dreezy is feeling is standing in front of me, he treated the people in front of me with such equality and love that I feel like shit! lmao I wish adrian was here to see that, she'd be like let me go get his number right now! haha as soon as these two girls walked into the cafe I felt they were at unease with their environment. They weren't used to being surrounded by college students on their laptops, golden retreievers running around outside, and hot white men philosphying about life on that patio. I kind of observed them in their essence, as if I was better. Until A-dreezy's boy stepped in the building and taught me a little something something. For one be a better person, treat everyone equally and if you sense they feel out of place do you're best to make them feel comfy. The more you practice at this the more natural it will be. So when the time comes and you're with someone you really do care about, and THEY feel out of place you will have the practice and sophistication of making them feel comfy. Today in yoga I concentrated heavily on my breathing, its the only way I could keep up with the class. We were doing normal poses, all that I have done before, but for some reason my body was not as strong as I thought it to be. My breather and PRANA YAMA (breath inside of you) lead me through the practice, I left the gym feeling much lighter, appreciative, and aware of the birds and trees. You know I love the spiritual side of life but it won't make me money. Right now Looooveee my job at nordstroms its fun, and I know it's where I'm suppose to be right now in my life. As far as after college, and career wise, we'll see I just get this anxious feeling that I have to know NOW!, and I know that's not the case, I know it will come, but it feels good just to know. I do have plans, but you know plans are plans, and life is so unpredictable you're plans can always become un-planned. I do feel like I'm at a turning point in my life(not to be a hypocrit as I type my emotional expressions via blogger, rather than studying for my exam in two hours)BUT! i do feel comfterable with the information. I'm scared to over-study and forget the information. My family has come to a fork in the road, where it is TIME for me to step up my game! No more playing games, no more skipping work, skipping class, taking that extra drink, spending that excess dollar on bullshit! no its time for me to make a life for myself, and be able to support myself! I don't want to as my dad for money anymore, he has enough people he has to support and I want more then ever to take that burdern off his shoulders. Im so unique loving, giving, understanding and beautiful because of what my FATHER has done for me, the advise, wisdom, and security he has given me the past 21 years. I want that part of him to stay vibrant forever I can't dull his heart anymore by taking taking taking, like bob marley said you gotta give a little and take a little.! Ive done my part of taking now its time to give back to him! So Im focused man, no more spending money on bullshit, I have to acheive all my goals, and your either with me or not! ya know Im not going to say your against me, hopefully you're just doin you. But im on the path to rightouesness, me and my family the people I love, and those who understand the light that is guiding me!

French Vanilla Coffee Crossroads

Your Presence is missed A-dreezy!


Life is constantly revolving and changing, everyday is a day to learn! About you and about others. What can I say,everybody is officialy moved in at my crib. The house will consist of Me,Angelica,Adrian and Bobi:) hopefully this will work out for the best as of right now I can deff. say, that Im happy with everyone living in the house :) Ya girl is back to being 100% single, that means not talking to anybody! hahaha not even a man that hits me up on a daily. The way life is looking though I wouldn't have the time :) but boy would I love the comfort of a man. Its only natural, we were made for eachother. Sovreinty is ofcourse necessary , you must love yourself and know yourself before you can love and know someone else. Thats where I'm at right now. The next man I'm with should treat me like a queen , and I will do the same just for him. Relationships must be balanced me giving to him as much as he gives to me. The last guy I talked to was just about games, you know its like if you go all the way go all the way there is no half assing over here. Let me know keep on talking about men like they are the only thing that takes up my mentality. But I'm going to end that subject with "KEEP THINGS FRESH" never dull. Something is always sprouting whether its a relationship or a tree. Constantly changing and growing, until the determination of its life on earth, otherwise energy is constantly flowing, and dullness will be a sign of being unaware. Right now Im taking a course called Financial Management. We are concentrating on stocks and bonds right now, and determining the rate of return on a stock and or bond. The next test is tom. I'm doing well in the math, but will start concentrating on the differences between the two stocks and bonds.

Gosh.

I just wrote a really long post and it deleted:( Well I finally got a new laptop so I'm back into the internet world on full affect. Maybe now Ill know what random people are talking about when refering to the news. I felt like a complete dumbass when a lady was talking to me about the oil spill in the ocean, two days later after the fact, and Im like whattt?????? LOL yes I turned my cable off to, just another $50 dollar bill for shit i prob. don't need to be watching anyway. Once I graduate I'll grant myself the luxury of getting cable, internet is good for now. Newaiz its sunday morning, and Im here at whole foods, chillen w. time till 1130 then its off to work! I love my job so its all good, so many opportunities, its just my thing. I could deff. see myself working within the fashion industry for the rest of my life! I enjoy putting outfits together for people, helping them, conversating w. my customers, just the whole sales experience is awesome. I also can become a buyer for Nordstrms, but that would be in about 2 to 3 years, and would need me to move to Seattle ,Washington. Buyers use to be in Tysons but I guess they moved them all out, maybe it was to expensive to have office space in N.Va.Something to help them cut the costs Im sure. If I could find another great store to buy for like Saks, or Neiman Marcus that are based in N.VA or Miami, Nyc that would be even better. I don't think Seattle would really be my thing. Last night was so much fun I hung out w. a special boo no names ofcourse! Who you know is great! We went to escape and it wasn't as bad I thought. Got one to many drinks there and then headed to Infuzion which is mad nice but needs more promotion! Next thing I know my wallet is again gone. lmao well Im pretty sure its at my friends house, but when I went back to get their door was locked:( and ofcourse they were knocked out hahahahaha....So I come to wholefoods to get breakfest(only place that takes checks) and my check wouldnt read so I got breakfest for free:) I would say its a pretty beautiful sunday!!!!Sunday is the day this year my boo Zamzam and I both have our birthdays on a sunday this year. My birthday im soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited. I love brining people together no bullshit i love the omg i havent seen you in so long, or hey girl how you doin scene. Just lovely:) Newaiz its going to be a pool party Super legit, a list on the front if your name IS on it than you can bring only two other guests. Also its going to be $5 for guys and $2 for girls. There is going to be to much money going into this to not charge people. and last year I had ONE person to bring me a gift out of life 50 people. RUDE! Shout out to (Gabe Itoka) for having manners big ups love! newaiz gotta head to work update later. Classes starting tom.!!!

What Do You Do When You Get Locked Out Your Crib?

Mind Food

The Real Thing
Love Should Feel Good

Love should feel good. Relationships that leave you feeling depleted, sad and making excuses are not based in love.


"Often in our lives, we fall prey to the idea of a thing rather than actually experiencing the thing itself. We see this at play in our love lives and in the love lives of our friends, our family, and even fictional characters. The conceptualizing, depiction, and pursuit of true love are multimillion-dollar industries in the modern world. However, very little of what is offered actually leads us to an authentic experience of love. Moreover, as we grasp for what we think we want and fail to find it, we may suffer and bring suffering to others. When this is the case, when we suffer more than we feel healed, we can be fairly certain that what we have found is not love but something else.

When we feel anxious, excited, nervous, and thrilled, we are probably experiencing romance, not love. Romance can be a lot of fun as long as we do not try to make too much of it. If we try to make more of it than it is, the romance then becomes painful. Romance may lead to love, but it may also fade without blossoming into anything more than a flirtation. If we cling to it and try to make it more, we might find ourselves pining for a fantasy, or worse, stuck in a relationship that was never meant to last.

Real love is identifiable by the way it makes us feel. Love should feel good. There is a peaceful quality to an authentic experience of love that penetrates to our core, touching a part of ourselves that has always been there. True love activates this inner being, filling us with warmth and light. An authentic experience of love does not ask us to look a certain way, drive a certain car, or have a certain job. It takes us as we are, no changes required. When people truly love us, their love for us awakens our love for ourselves. They remind us that what we seek outside of ourselves is a mirror image of the lover within. In this way, true love never makes us feel needy or lacking or anxious. Instead, true love empowers us with its implicit message that we are, always have been, and always will be, made of love. " DO


Graciela Bilis, MEd, MS