Thoughts running through my head....

Sometimes the world can seem like a scary place, where we feel like the only safe place is in the arms of comfort. Be it in the arms of your mom, or simply looking out a familiar window at a view that you have come to know like the back of your hand. Comfort is a strong drug, one that many rely on, in times of sadness, depression and loneliness. Some find it at the bottom of a bottle of wine, or perhaps at a crowded club surrounded by loud music and dancing, laughing and drunk strangers.Others find it within themselves, a place they go in order to escape, a book, a piece of clothing. The former symbolizing distraction and excitement, a temporary escape from reality to lift the mood, or the latter, a constant, a piece that has been by your side no matter what. We all have our comfort drugs. The scary thing about being thousands of miles away from home, where your drug could be friends and family, love and support, physical affection and familiarity, is that it becomes unattainable. You are forced to substitute your drug for something else, something new, you have been taken outside your comfort zone, and away from your comfort drug. The struggles that come with this void can be difficult, that can make you stronger and tougher, and they can make you weaker. The choice is ultimately up to you. A temporary drug could be the solution, but its never quite the same. Some people find a new, better drug, that pushes the previous one out the water, these are the people that usually stay in their new place, a new country, a new job, this is rare, and quite amazing for the person who didn't know what they were missing out on in the first place. Leaving our comfort zones force us to discover ourselves on a deeper level, we are forced to be exposed without being wrapped up in protection. It's this exposure that really gives us a greater perspective on ourselves and the world. We become more defined, more specific in the things we want and desire, we are able to distinguish better between the right and the wrong paths, we develop a thicker skin, that could protect us even more in the future. Sometimes it takes struggling at your weakest point, without your comfort drug, where you feel helpless and desperate and worthless that you clutch at anyone and anything to feel normal again. It's this deepest struggle we experience that ultimately awards you with the biggest comfort in the end, comfort within yourself, for yourself, about yourself. It's from this acknowledgement we become true to ourselves, and the rest falls into place.

Can what, CanCUN !!

For months now, Danielle and I had been talking about a vacation. Cancun has always been a place that's been a well known party capital city of the world. In a conversation it came up that she always wanted to go to Cancun, and just like that, it was decided, an agreement, no questions. The amazing thing in the States, is the surreal All Inclusive Packages and deals that are offered in majority of the big vacation destinations. It seems like a scam, so little for flights, accommodation, food and ALL DRINKS ! What a steal. I asked Tracey about it as doubt showed its ugly  face, and she confirmed that this was very legit and very common. We decided to make lists of pro's and cons of what we would like in a hotel. Amazing beach access, nightclub on the grounds, pool bar, entertainment, awesome pool, and a young party vibe. We went through hundreds of hotels, reading reviews and weighing them against each other. We decided to take the risk of booking at the very last minute in hopes of a bargain. This was stressful to say the least. Nevertheless we were booked and paid for on the Saturday, leaving and flying the next Wednesday! The excitement was numbing, and for more beneficial reasons than just the holiday. Monday comes, Tuesday arrives and our favorite weatherman delivers us the news about a snow storm to begin early hours of the morning. We needed to catch the  5a.m train, to make the journey to JFK to catch our 10:50 flight. Nina being our lift, was unable to drive in the snow, therefore possibly arriving at JFK at 1a.m and sleeping it out was an option, last resort option. Thankfully Joe came to the rescue and offered to drive us at 4a.m to the train station in his FJ Cruiser, a car that sees no obstacle haha! An hour delay and we were butterflies of excitement and one 5 hour or so flight to destination PARADISE. Taking a step out the air-conditioned airport, the thick humidity of the salty sea air slapped us in the most welcoming way.

 



The sun on my skin was a feeling I had missed and craved for weeks, months. Everyone was extremely friendly shouting " Ola Chica's " at every angle. We found our shuttle service, and with a welcome rose and a bottle of Dasani we were on our way. We met a lovely married woman who was meeting her girlfriends for a reunion weekend, a foresight of mine. We stopped at many hotels dropping off passengers and myself judging each one quietly in my head, before arriving at ours " The Grand Oasis Cancun " Walking into the entrance we were greeted and visually struck by the jungle effect center area where festivals and performances occurred.

Exhausted at this point, we waited in line to check in, and eagerly made our way to our room with our luggage to settle in...