Saying " I Love You " 25 and 50 years later...

My parents have been married 25 years, going on 26... They just came back from a vacation together and it made me smile to hear about their adventures, having fun without family stress and sharing moments together.
Everyone grows up in different family situations and that's well... life, but I must admit I am VERY lucky.
Many of my family members have been married for what seems like forever!! (Round of Applause)
It's actually quite inspiring.



I'm hoping one day I'm lucky enough to spend my life with someone for just as many years.
Trust me, I know it is NOT easy, not in the least. It takes commitment, love and mutual understanding.
But getting through it, discovering what life has to offer and having your soul-mate by your side must be the best feeling in the world at the end of the day.
Yes, I realize, times are different. There are more options, people refuse to settle and marriage isn't always the best option for some. Although this is true, (I strongly believe) there is someone for everyone. I also believe that there are situations where divorce is the best option for the sake of children being in an unhealthy environment or where a relationship is abusive in any way.

That being said, my maternal grandparents are going on 50 years and all I could feel is a sense of awe when I see them together, happy in their retirement years living it up. They really believe in the sacred vows that read, "to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part" I witnessed this with my paternal grandmother almost 2 years ago with an upcoming 50th anniversary before the loss of my grandfather. It devastated my grandmother but I know she has no regrets in regards to her life PARTNER.

So this is to them and all the couples sticking together when nowadays its all too common to divorce or find a simpler solution.
I still believe in the sanctity of marriage.
Maybe I have an old-school mentality but I wouldn't change it for the world.

Thank you Mommy & Daddy, Vovós e Vovôs, Aunts & Uncles.
I LOVE YOU beyond words.

A Picture is worth... Continued.

A picture of one of my favorite quotes:


A picture that makes me laugh:
(A glitch in Mario as I was playing...)


A picture of something you dislike:
(I couldn't pick only one so here you go... I'm sure many of you can relate!)




A picture of something you love:
Portugal -- Also coincides with my love of travel and discovering new places.



A picture of my favorite celebrity couple:
(Yet another tie...) J & B and The Smith's.

A Picture is worth....

On facebook I saw someone had started an album called:
The 30 day Photo Challenge.
However, to shorten it, I took my 15 favorites and created my own.
I'm doing this in 3 parts... so stay tuned!!
Enjoy!

1. A picture of something I wish I was better at...
2. A picture of me & the person I've been closest to the longest...
3. A picture of the cast from my favorite show...
4. A picture of my favorite memory...
5. A picture of a person I'd most love to trade places with for a day...

The Best Kind of People...

The best kind of people.
All my life, I've known the best kind of people.
The kind that no matter what, they didn't change or forget where they came from.
People that give and give wanting NOTHING in return.
They've worked their ENTIRE life, growing up in times when toys were merely rocks and shoes were so worn out they could probably do their own comedy routine.
Trekking to work involved a climb to another town, long hours and supporting their family members at an age when all we did was watch TV and play video games.
So is our generation spoiled?
I think, most are. And this includes myself.
BUT, the lucky ones have these people in their lives to remind them where and how things started.
Their stories may at times be annoying and repetitive but TRUST ME you'll appreciate it one day if you don't already.
I love my grandparents...
& I couldn't be happier that I've had the honor to be graced by their presence and other influential individuals like them.




<3
Dedicated to Avo Joaquim, Avo Idalina, Avo Manuela & RIP Avo Antero. XoXoX

The Inspirational Elie Wiesel

Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel KBE (English pronunciation: /ˈɛli vɨˈzɛl/; born September 30, 1928) is a Romanian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, including Night, a work based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps.



I had started reading the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel at the beginning of the school year but got side tracked with the hustle and bustle of the semester. However, when I found out this exceptional man was coming to speak at Concordia University during peace week I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

A man know as the 'messenger of mankind', Elie Wiesel's words stuck with me that night at Concordia...

"The world clearly isn't ready to learn. U can tell by all the tragedies caused by man."

"I don't like living in a world where my hope is someone else's despair."

"I believe in man in spite of man."

Question from a student: How did u keep ur sanity?
"From my first orphanage I plunged into study. I have a passion for learning, still today. I love being a teacher."

Elie Wiesel is a remarkable 82 year old man with a sense of humor, passion for life, learning and sharing lessons in hopes of preventing future generations from making the same mistakes. He mentioned how he once in Germany in front of all the parliament members asked why no one had ever apologized to the Jewish people for the holocaust and distress caused. A week later, the German president made a public apology. Just one amazing thing Mr. Wiesel has done for the Jewish community and people at large.

I Thank You Elie Wiesel for coming to Concordia University, Montreal and for blessing us with your incredible story and kind words. A man truly meant to spread the word across the world.