Decade Birthday - Turning 40!

Life is good! Wine and seaside!

I am 40 and I'm not ashamed to say it. I could swear a few grays have sprouted in the last couple of weeks; wrinkles are starting to form under my eyes; and my metabolism is slower each passing year. I remember thinking that 40 was "old"...but, now that I'm here, I'm changing my mind. I feel like it's only beginning and I have a chance to enjoy my life a bit more.

​Granted, I've only been 40 for almost 2 weeks but the opportunities are coming to me steadily. I told myself that this is my time to re-evaluate and change my mindset. I was so negative in my younger years and it ate at me every single day. Once I started to do something about it, things started to change. I actually wrote a blog about it so check it here, 7-tips-to-thinking-and-staying-positive.html

The Awkward Years

Oh my...I can't believe I’m actually going to share some of these but it's a good reminder for me to see the transition I went through over the years and WHOA...what a difference.

I was one of those "ugly ducklings"...I wasn't cute in a traditional sense and definitely annoying. Every time I was around the elders in my family, I managed to irritate a couple of the adults. Even as a child, I felt grown-ups favored my brother and cousins over me because they were considered cuter.

• To compensate for feeling a bit left out, I had an overactive imagination and always wanted to play make-believe so I could be someone else for a change. I thought that being me was horrible.
• When gym class would split us into two teams, I was always picked last because I wasn't all that great at sports (mainly I was just anxious to be around the other kids so I held back a lot).
• I was bullied heavily as a kid (my mom took me to a salon and had the hairdressers chop my long locks into an afro). Kids didn't know if I was a boy or a girl and started calling me a "lesbian" (I didn't know what that meant until later in high school).
• I was socially awkward with my peers...I didn't know how to talk to people my age because many of them were so cruel to me and many of the girls I yearned to be friends with, didn't share the same sentiment.

A nice treat from our hotel's restaurant, Cabo Rosso!

Somehow, these painful memories as a child shaped part of who I am today.  My wild imagination was just an early indication  that I had a creative side.  Now I get to do the makeup artistry and interior design gigs on (lately) a weekly basis!  

Being picked last has only motivated me to show people who doubt me today to come back bigger and badder than before. 

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Getting singled out when I was a young girl has made me more empathetic to other people and yearn to understand why they act a certain way.  I always try and make people feel included and am extra sensitive to others who seem a bit lonely.

Without these unfortunate events, I wouldn't have been able to learn how to bounce back.  Contrary to what some believe, living a charmed life would do the opposite for us in the long run especially when faced with life's dire (and even minor) situations.

My last day being 39!

A Birthday to Remember

Some of you that follow me on social medial have seen my photos/videos/snaps, which, prompted many to ask, "Why Greece?" Well, for one, I've wanted to go since I was a teenager. Photos I'd see on postcards as a teen took my breath away. The views, the beautiful white buildings, and sunsets really fascinated me and I’d think to myself, "I'm going there one day." I waited over 20 years but it was worth the wait (see the photos I took below).

By the way, I’ll be writing separate pieces following this blog - a more, in-depth look to our trip and one centered on our hotel so be on the lookout for those announcements!

Just a little tangent...something I noticed of the people of Greece was how very sweet they were under their gruff exterior and it reminded me a lot of my late grandfather. It was the way he spoke when he was still with us. The feeling in Greece was somewhat bittersweet for me as it made me feel closer to him in some way.

Also, when the Greek speak English, it sounds like a cross between Filipino and Italian accents so I could understand a lot of what they were saying - it almost made me feel like I was home! Meanwhile, my husband was nodding his head, pretending he knew what was being said. LOL!

Birthday FUN

Netting it over the Aegean Sea

​We didn't have any hard itinerary going to Greece. We pretty much went with the flow and had an idea of things to do or places to visit. My husband didn't really care what we would do; however, he suggested we do one of those yacht cruises.

The lady, Pepi, at the front desk of our hotel was super helpful and set it up for us. Check out www.santorini-yachts.com/ if you want to learn more.

The best place to lay out is on the top deck, in front of the steering wheel - you get the best view...

I really didn't expect much but it was probably the best day spent and it was surprising  how much fun it was (though, it could've been just the group we were with)! 

Being by the water felt so relaxing...it was PERFECT!  We met some really awesome people (my husband and I got our palms read by one of the women in our group and it was so scary-cool how spot-on she was);  we ate some really great, fresh food cooked on-board by the crew; I got to swim in the ocean with a few of the others who helped me feel comfortable in the water; and we ended the day with a little dance party until we docked.  Other yachts we passed were feeling our vibe!

Needless to say this trip was a great start to turning the BIG 4-0. Some people think 40 is the start of old age. I think, if you allow your mind to think that way, then you're asking for it...I’m not sure how but your body seems to break down slowly. I’ve seen the difference between people who seem to give up and make all sorts of excuses & people who decide to live a life they love and their zest for adventure is inspiring. Of course I’m going to choose to live like the latter!

Getting older is not bad at all and I really do think it’s how one looks at things. Everything you see on the outside shows how you've lived - wrinkles mean you laughed, grey hair means you cared, and scars mean you went through some tough shit but came back up! LOL...On the inside, you are wiser and start to accept yourself for who you are and whatever imperfections you may have. You have no time for all the BS and petty people around you.

It's a time to celebrate a new chapter of your life!

Getting away from the crowds and getting some shade

~XOXO, Mari