Missing You ~

While death leaves a heartache only time can heal;

 it is love that leaves the memories time will never steal...

Brutus is never far from my thoughts, no matter 

how busy nor how tired I am.  Right now he is 

even more so.  November 5th will be 4 years since 

our Brutus died.  For me it is always worse the 

days/weeks before.  My mind replays it all.

Today my mind is buzzing with what happened 4 years ago, 

and yes I am heartbroken all over again.  Combined with 

the way Shadow died and some additional information I just 

learnt about Shadow's last hours, I am sad. Very sad.

I know it will get better as the day progresses. 

 It always does.  Sniff is always right next to me and he's 

very alive and lovable.  He's my little boy and he makes 

me happy, but in my heart there stirs a quiet pain.

The tears in my eyes I can wipe away.  

The ache in my heart will always stay...

~Nadiya~

Puerto Rico ~

Life’s true gift lies in your freedom to design it beautifully.
 With each rise of the sun, you get to chase the opportunity to 
fill your days with meaning—to live your life the way you choose....

Puerto Rico is my childhood home.  My sister Rima 

was born there and there we met the kindest people in the 

world, and PR definitely has the best food as far as I am 

concerned.  I'm talking typical Puerto Rican food.

If you go to Puerto Rico make sure you check out 

Plaza Las Americas.   Even their food court has amazing food.

Definitely has it's fair share of amazing sunsets.

Stunning beaches and palm trees galore.  Island living at its best.

Whatever you want you will find.  You just need 

to know where to go, who to ask.  My favorite umbrella drinks.

  The piña colada is an internationally famous drink, 
but many may not know that it originated in Puerto Rico. 
 In 1978 Puerto Rico proclaimed the cocktail its official drink.

The food, the drinks, coffee there is nothing that
one can find fault with.  I love Puerto Rican food.
One of my favorites of all times, if not my favorite.
 The flavors are outstanding.  Indian food is also on the
top of my list. Either of the two, you can never go wrong.

There is something for everyone.  Even Arvid
whose palate is a little more "selective" than mine.

The views from my sisters home are beautiful.
She has the mountains as her backyard.  She's also
 fortunate to have a condo in the city, which is where
she lives most of the time when not in Miami.

It's always good times when I spend it with my sister/sisters.
Once we get back home, I definitely will have to refrain
from these island drinks for a while.  So far we have
had quite a few, but boy it's been delicious.

Arvid and Nirvana get along really well.  Together the
 3 of us always have some very good times.   I am really
grateful that he gets along with all of my family.  Some of course
a little better than others, but that just has to do with the fact
that he knows a few of my sisters better than others.

I'm loving every moment here in Puerto Rico.
Here is to the many memories I will forever cherish.

I enjoy life when things are happening.  I don't care if it's
good things or bad things.  That means you are alive.  Life
doesn't require that we be the best only that we try our best...

~Nadiya~

So Happy ~

Love is that condition in which the happiness

 of another person is essential to your own...

When we landed in Puerto Rico I saw a very different

  Arvid from the usual.  Usually as soon as we get 

somewhere he finds fault in that place. 

 For instance, we land in Norway and his first comment

 is, "it's so backwards here.  Everything is so small.

 "Don't they believe in bigger spaces?"

  Just a few of his not so happy about things. 

 Don't get me wrong, he finds something in every 

place we go.  For instance I know when we get back

 to Florida he will be saying how bad the drivers are,

 too much traffic and yes, "so hot here."  

That's why, I was pleasantly surprised when the first

 thing out of his mouth was, "I already like it here."  It's still

 early in our trip so hopefully that does not change.

In the meantime we have enjoyed the cool ocean 

breezes.  Time with my sister, a delicious Puerto Rican 

meal, some shopping and investigating our surroundings, 

and that was just yesterday.  I am super happy

 and can't wait to see what today holds.

There's nothing like deep breaths after 

laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a 

sore stomach for the right reasons...

~Nadiya~

Greetings From Puerto Rico ~

Live in the sunshine.  Swim in the sea. Drink 

in the wild air.  Sun, sand the sea and me...

Our first sight of this beautiful island.

For the next few days it's sand and ocean breezes surrounding us.

We love the ocean and the sound of the waves, 

but we almost never go into the water.  We enjoy long 

walks along the beach and Arvid loves the smell of salt water,

 me not so much, but I do love being on or by a beach.

You know they say an ocean breeze puts a mind at ease.

Greetings from beautiful Puerto Rico and my 

first cafe is with my sister at her apartment.

Also our first Cosmo.  Last night in Condado.

There is no need to have it all, you

 just make the best of what you have...

~Nadiya~

We're Going To Puerto Rico ~

What I can tell you is that for Puerto Rico being such 
a small island, it has culturally impacted the entire world...

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated

 U.S. territory with a landscape of mountains, waterfalls

 and the El Yunque tropical rainforest. It's beautiful.

In San Juan, the capital and largest city, the Isla Verde

 area is known for its hotel strip, beach bars and casinos.

 Its Old San Juan neighborhood features colorful 

Spanish colonial buildings and El Morro and 

La Fortaleza, massive, centuries-old fortresses.

First things first, you don't need a passport when you

 travel to Puerto Rico, it's like going anywhere within

the U.S. ... In fact, Puerto Rico is one of only two destinations

 in the Caribbean (the other is the U.S. Virgin Islands)

 that do not require U.S. citizens to carry a passport.

My sister Nirvana lives in Puerto Rico, and 

I have the pleasure of calling it my childhood home.  

Based on my childhood memories and experiences

 in Puerto Rico, I have to say that the kindest,most caring 

and welcoming people are from PR.  As a child growing up

 in the island, all my memories are of being surrounded 

by warm loving people and beautiful beaches.

Puerto Rico is where my nephew and J were born. 

 No matter where they are today, home is Puerto Rico. 

 Puerto Rico where Arvid and I will soon be heading to.

As someone once said:
Puerto Rico is the perfect meeting place between 
Spain, the country I come from, and America, the
 country where I now belong. The meeting point

of two worlds where magic can happen.

 Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns

 you into a storyteller. It makes one modest. You see 

what a tiny place you occupy in the world...

~Nadiya~

Next Stop Is Puerto Rico ~

No one can ever take your memories

 from you - each day is a new beginning, 

make good memories every day...

Both Arvid and I are very excited to be going to 

Puerto Rico.  Looking forward to seeing my sister and 

to see what the island looks like after Hurricane Maria. 

 I already have in mind a few places I would like to see.

Come tomorrow we will be enjoying a little of 

the island life.  For me Puerto Rico will forever 

hold some of the best memories of my childhood.  

We did not have everything, but we had everything

 we needed and most of all we were always surrounded

 by love.  When I think of Puerto Rico I think of love,

hugs, warmth, good food and good people.  Yes and

 beautiful beaches.  Our parents took us to 

the beach just abut every weekend.

Puerto Rico, see you soon.  It's soon 

coffee and umbrella drinks with my sister.

Happiness is letting go of what you 

think your life is supposed to look like...

~Nadiya~

October ~Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~

We have two options, medically and 

emotionally: give up or fight like hell...

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), 

also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer

 Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international

 health campaign organized by major breast cancer 

charities every October to increase awareness of 

the disease and to raise funds for research into its 

cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

The other day from our balcony we saw one of 

the many marches organized this month.  Hundreds

 of people dressed in pink marching in solidarity

 in honor of those who have cancer, those who 

have overcome cancer, those who know someone 

with cancer.  Marching for a good cause just 

because they care enough to make a stand.

Breast cancer awareness month is a yearly campaign

 that intend educate people about the importance of 

early screening, test and more. This campaign starts

 on October 1 and ends on October 31 every year.

More than 20,000 runners and walkers took 

part in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides

 Against Breast Cancer Walk, Saturday morning.

The American Cancer Society started Making Strides

 Against Breast Cancer walks to unite communities

 in the fight against this deadly disease. 

Today, Making Strides is the largest 

network of breast cancer events in the 

nation and they do more than just walk.

They raise money to help the American Cancer Society

 fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide 

patient services like free rides to chemo, free places to

 stay near treatment, and a live 24/7 cancer helpline. 

The Bleau goes pink this month in a 

celebration of a united front against Breast Cancer.

 (©Fontainebleau Miami), pictured above.

To fight this disease we must all work together for,

Cancer affects all of us, whether you’re a daughter,

 mother, sister, friend, coworker, doctor, or patient.

Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities.

 It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart,

 and it cannot touch my soul.  You gain strength, courage,

 and confidence by every experience in which you really 

stop to look fear in the face. You must do the 

thing which you think you cannot do...

~Nadiya~

Early In The Morning ~

Whenever I am missing you, I also remember

how fortunate I was that you were in our lives.  I

 wouldn't trade those moments for the world...

We have a long day ahead of us and I know I should go back to sleep.

I also know that it's not going to happen.  At least 

Sniff is awake right now with me.  He has already had 

his soft foodies and is now almost nodding off again.

Today we have an open house, and Arvid has his

 favorite team (Liverpool) playing.  Guess it will 

be me showing the customers around today.

Time for my cafe and a little time on the balcony. 

 It's very quiet not a soul is awake as far as I can see.  

The streets are quiet and the Intracoastal is still. 

 No boats as yet.  Quiet right now is very good.

Sunday.  A perfect day to clear the mind of

 all that has transpired the week before...

~Nadiya~

Happy Times~

Very little is needed to make a happy life;

 it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking...

Being Realtors means we can be working at any given

 time.  Yesterday we were showing a house in the early 

evening.  As always, it's an interesting "job"/hobby.  

One never knows who we will meet.  Yesterday we met

 some interesting people.  They showed up in a little bus.

  After the showing I said to them, "I guess you can now go

 an enjoy what's left of happy hour."  And the reply was, 

"we have champagne waiting for us in the car/bus.

After the showing we drove along the beach.  Was our 

first drive on the beach since coming back from Chicago.

Everywhere you drive there are pink ribbons/flags

 lining the street and or establishments.  Breast cancer 

is serious and the more we know about it the better 

prepared we are/will be.  Knowledge is power.

Soccer is in full swing.  Both Arvid and Sniff have already

 taken up their positions.  That's Sniff sleeping on Arvid's left.

  Two happy boys.  Perfect way to start this beautiful day.

Make the day amazing and always make

 time for good times and happy memories.

Your life is your canvas, and you are the masterpiece. 

There are a million ways to be kind, amazing, 

fabulous, creative, bold, and interesting...

~Nadiya~

Friday ~

Because when you stop and look 

around this life is pretty amazing...

Not much planned as of right now.  Showing the house

 we have for sale later on today after that who knows.  This has 

been an extremely hot October.  I keep hearing people say

 that over and over everywhere I go.  They are not lying,

 but for a change I don't care I love being back home.

Below is Arvid trying to get Sniff to chase the laser.

  This "game" is always a hit or miss.  There are times Sniff

 would just stare into the laser and just sit there.  Last 

night he actually chased the laser for a little.

Wishing everyone a good day and a happy start of 

the weekend. Soon Fort Lauderdale will once again be 

hosting the boat show.  From home we see beautiful 

boats passing all day long.  Happy happy times.

A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a

 lot and realize how blessed you are for what you have...

~Nadiya~

Just Because ~

Be silly.  Be fun.  Be different.  Be crazy. Be you, 

because life is too short to be anything but happy...

Every time we go driving and I drive my car seems to 

think I need a rest.  I always get the following warning:

Arvid of course says that i do sway too much.

  Hmmm.. maybe he has a point.  No matter what I do 

or how I do it, the warning keeps popping up.

Every so often I take time out to do a little facial. 

 My sister bought us all this mud mask and i love it. 

 After every use my face feels rejuvenated and so 

smooth and soft.  Arvid says I scare him and Sniff.

Did the swap Shop already for this week and you 

guessed it.  I had my coconut again. Growing up in the

tropics in South America and then in the island of Puerto Rico,

one learns to appreciate the finer things in life, like

 the taste of coconut water on a hot day.

Arvid works and Sniff is always next to him helping.

Like Brutus, Sniff is a little helper.  So so cute.

Yesterday's lunch with Liliana was good. 

 We had good food, lots of laughter, some tears,

 but most of all we had happy times.  Again.

A new day begins and it is already very warm,

 but I don't care anymore.  I love being home.  

I am really tired of moving around so much.

Never stop learning because life never stops 

teaching. Just because you have a bad day

 doesn't mean you have a bad life...

~Nadiya~