Murddock Photo Shoot in Montreal

I was in serious need of new pictures, more updated ones to post on the website created for the Miss World Portugal pageant. (They have now changed the name to "Miss Republica Portuguesa" which translates to Miss Portuguese Republic.) My good friend and photographer Murddock did an amazing job! So I had to share 7 of the photos taken because he's a true #Montreal artist! Although his specialty is sporting events, nightlife venues and most recently weddings, I think these turned out very VERY well and what can I say? He's a true professional! www.mpfirm.com









Don't forget to check him out on www.mpfirm.com or follow him on twitter www.twitter.com/mpfirm (He's also one of the funniest / most random people I know!)



Photographer: Vaughn 'Murddock' Bailey
Hair & Makeup: Patricia Rodrigues

Pageant website: http://www.wix.com/missmundoportugal/2011

My top 15 destinations 'wish-list'

For those who know me well they know I'm very interested in travel and have studied tourism for several years. I believe it stems from... well, let's just say my first transatlantic trip to Portugal when I was two years old.

So I've compiled my TOP 15 destinations that I wish to see in my lifetime. (In no particular order) & they are all cities I have yet to visit. Enjoy!

1. Brazil

Beautiful beaches, the Amazon, Carnival & most of all (this is obviously a biased opinion lol) the language. Brazil is the largest portuguese speaking country and the only one in South America) There's just something about the culture I want to experience.




2. China

One of the world's oldest civilizations and with the Great Wall known worldwide this destination caught my eye a while ago. From the Yangtze river to Beijing's culture & the city life of Shanghai this country holds many treasures.



3. India

Where do I start? The magnificent Taj Mahal, bright & embellished saris, henna, jewels and the expressive music & dance. It is the second most populous country in the world that holds the origins of a modern favorite, yoga.



4. Australia

Typical right? Well I want to see Kangaroo's, Koala's & Emu's with my own two eyes! Not to mention the Sydney Opera House, The Outback, sandy beaches & hear the accent everywhere I go. Because I dislike rain I wouldn't mind visiting the driest inhabited country in the world.



5. Greece

A vision of blue and white, Greece has interested me ever since 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' & 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'. From the cuisine, Greek Island hoping tours to the Acropolis & Parthenon Greece is a definite must see.


6. The Netherlands (Holland)

Where else can you find clogs, canals, a Red Light District, twice as many bikes as cars & 206 Van Gogh paintings? ...did I mention the laid back yet carefully regulated Red Light District? (Enough said.)



7. Italy

Historic, fashionable, culinary and religious, Italy has it all. From the Colosseum, to the leaning tower of Pisa, the Vatican, gondola rides in Venice & the Trevi fountain. A definite must-see for hopeless romantics like myself.



8. Spain

A vibrant nightlife, beaches, bull fights & a laid-back lifestyle are only some of Spain's selling points. Beautiful architecture & religion mesh when it comes to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Spain also has one of the best soccer teams in the world.



9. England

England offers so many landmarks & attractions: Big Ben, The London Eye, Tower Bridge, Double Decker buses, red phone booths & most importantly the Queen & Buckingham Palace. It is also the home of the prehistoric monument Stonehenge.


10. Turkey

A definite gem, Turkey has the best of the Middle East & Mediterranean all in one. The Blue Mosque is not to miss as well as the ruins of past empires, hamam's, markets & numerous historical/archeological marvels.


11. Egypt

The Pyramids are my favorite wonders of the ancient world. Famous for its ancient civilization, the Nile, camels & a majority of Islam tradition, Egypt is complex & monumental in many ways. It is also the largest city in Africa.



12. Cape Verde

Located on the Western coast of Africa, Cape verde is an archipelago consisting of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean. A portuguese colony, Cape Verdeans have their own creole. Its capital is Praia which means beach. A non-traditional island getaway.




13. The United Arab Emirates - Dubai

Known to be a little over-the-top, Dubai is a modern wonder. Dubai lures tourists with world class shopping and the world's tallest man-made structure, tallest hotel, biggest mall & biggest aquarium. Less than 20% of its population is actually locals.


14. Japan

Overall, the Japanese are the most polite & hospitable people. Technologically advanced while preserving cultural values keeps Japan unique. Temples & gardens are popular tourist attractions. However, sushi is where my real interest lies.


15. Hawaii

Hawaii is picturesque & has something for everyone. Surfing, culture, luaus, beaches, flowers, waterfalls, volcanoes & coffee. Hawaii is the 50th state of the USA and is comprised of four countries. Each island has its personal flair.


I hope this motivates you to discover your own interests whether they include traveling or not.
=)

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.

Self-Discovery. (A personal goal)

Because I once loved, I yearn for it everyday.
It's my downfall in a way.
I look for more, even when the person or timing isn't right.
Lose myself,
Wanting the attention,
Feeling helpless...
Emotionally, I am not me.
Physically going through the motions,
Talking, cuddling...
Wishing he'd love me.
Whoever 'he' is.
Love is beautiful.
It consumes you, heightens you, shields you from reality.
Experiencing all I have regarding love there are almost as many negatives as positives.
So as I lie here I wonder... was it really love?
This answer will only come with time.
Could only come when I'm in a loving & mutually strengthening relationship.
So what I struggle with now is being me. Alone and free.
There is no better time.

New experiences, new environments...
No more losing the ones who do come into my life because I wish there was more.
I must learn to control my emotions.
Life is a roller coaster,
And I want to enjoy its ups, get through its downs and experience the thrill.
No better time then now
Because no one should need a relationship to feel complete.
Regardless of what anyone says this is me, the real me.
Vulnerable, honest & exposed.
My values, my interests, my willingness to learn and get better than I am & most importantly knowing I am enough.
Confidence and independence is sexy but also necessary.
So that's my goal for the REST of 2011; to discover Tracy.

I'm not going to listen to any more bad reviews about myself because the real people know what I'm about, they know Tracy's potential even when I don't see it myself and it's these people whom I cherish and thank, endlessly.
-XoX

Live your life. For yourself.

I will be the first to tell you, I'm not perfect, far from it.
However, I've made sure to make certain decisions to ensure I do not have too many regrets, a bad reputation or unnecessary drama. Its inevitable to run into problems or people whom think differently than you do but living in Montreal it's especially difficult with its "2 degrees" of separation between people.
This isn't a rant, and no matter what I love this city but there is one thing everyone should remember...
"Be TRUE to YOURSELF!"
If you know the person you are and you're comfortable with it then no one can bring you down.
If someone wants to talk badly about you they are just insecure in themselves and have nothing better to do, focus on yourself and there is no better time to do so then NOW.
Don't ever lose yourself because thats when you'll truly be unhappy.
A lot of times we think we want something, we work hard to convince people that we're worth it and personally I'm done doing so.
If someone doesn't see how wonderful, caring and smart I am then it's 100% their loss.
No ifs ands or buts about it.. if something is meant to happen, I truly believe it will.
*Serendipity*
-Me, Myself & I discovering what truly makes me happy.

Welcome to my page..

If you think I'm irrelevant but your STILL watching me ... enjoy!!

Lifestyle Change...

In 2008, when I won Miss Portugal of Montreal I was 20 lbs thinner than I am now.
To my surprise my winning dress still fits well but my lower body including stomach has gotten larger. I was one of those people that knew the day would come when I couldn't eat all I wanted and not workout and it worked for a while, I cannot lie.

So here I am, 3 years later at 134 pounds, 4 pounds lighter than I was when I recently started really going hard in the gym. But I still have a long way to go. My goal is 117-120 lbs. I'm in the gym 3-4 x a week working on Cardio primarily. (I know I'm doing something right when I'm sweating and out of breath!)

Now the eating is definitely my weakness, my toughest challenge! I love food, all kinds of food and my mother keeps the fridge and pantry well stocked so its all about self-control. I must take control of my own weight and eating habits. I try to make healthy choices and now do not eat after 11:00 pm and although that is still late before I always snacked or ate at inappropriate times. So it's a positive start. I want to be my ideal weight by June and have checked that for my height and age 117-120 is a healthy goal. This is important to keep in mind when placing a weight loss goal.

So here are a few things I'm trying to incorporate into my new lifestyle which includes going to the gym on a regular basis.

1. Drink water. A LOT of water.
While you're working out, before and after meals and when you're not sure if your hungry or not.

2. Reduce your consumption of soft drinks.
For lent I gave up soft drinks and my skin has cleared up and I feel good about my sense of control as I am a Cola lover. I will try to continue this beyond Easter this year as it does positively impact my health.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables.
Hungry? Reach for some baby carrots, an apple, a banana. Quick and easy on the go snacks that are guilt-free.

4. Lower your sugar-intake.
For someone with a sweet tooth like me this can be very difficult. The first step is recognizing how much sugar you add to your diet and again limiting it and making healthier choices.

I am in no way a nutritionist or specialist but I know the above do help in creating a lifestyle change for a healthier you.
I will keep track of my progress on this blog as it is a key part in my preparation for the pageant. Putting it out there will also keep me highly motivated as I am taking responsibility for my actions.

Time to get ready for summer...
Here is a picture of my goal. This is me during the Miss Portugal of Montreal competition in 2008.
LETS DO IT TOGETHER! I know I'm not alone in this... <3