Reliving Old Memories, Making New Ones

36Smile! Day 35

Seattle experienced something rather unusual for February. Five whole days of sun light and it's still going as we speak, er, write.

Chris and I wanted to take full advantage of the beautiful sunny weather on Saturday. We packed up the dog and headed out to peruse the hipster area of Capitol Hill. Most places didn't open till 12 p.m! You can tell this area parties hard at night. Soaking up the rays, we walked the dog around the area and went into several places that were open before 12.

We stopped to eat at Poquitos. Yes, it's Mexican food. Us Houstonians love our Tex-Mex cuisine! This did not disappoint. Chris ordered the Chicken Tinga Torta: it had such a good, fresh herb taste, with a spicy chipotle spread and the chicken was moist and tender. I opted for the brunch, of course. Something else Houstonians—and Seattlelites— actually agree on is brunch. And they do it right here with their spicy Chorizo and scrambled egg open-face sandwich. The chorizo was spicy but it was completed well by the over easy runniness of the egg and fresh baked bread served over a side of oven-roasted potatoes. Yum!

I, of course, stopped by Caffe Vitta across the street to imbibe on their coffee. I am on a mission to try every coffee place in Seattle—I know, a large task, but someone has to do it— and this one hit the spot! I always try to get the same thing to taste the comparison: a sugar-free(don't judge) vanilla latte. This had the creaminess of the vanilla mixed with the nuttiness of their local blend. I have dubbed this my favorite so far! By passing my local neighborhood favorite, Bustle. Let's see which one passes Caffe Vitta.

With the sunshine still out, we head down to the Ballard dog park that I love so much. It's right next to Golden Gardens park and beach. There were SO many people out today. Everyone was smiling, coffee in hand and just chatting up a storm to anyone who will listen. Something we have come to notice, only happens when the sun is out. Mac had the best time and made friends with a Husky, playing in their own little world most of the time.

Next, we headed down to the beach to imagine we were back on the sunny beaches of Maui. It wasn't the same. It wont ever be the same. But it was close. Walking along the water, with the sun hitting my face. It's the best feeling ever. Why did we leave again? Come back, Maui!

To round out a busy day, we ended the night at Neptune for the Los Campesinos concert. Chris came across the band a while ago and got me listening to them and actually liking it. It's hard to get this girl out her Texas Country Music world. But with the right music, its doable.

We had such a great day! First, we experience Seattle the right way, then imagine we were back on Maui and then back in our Houston-concert-going-days.

It was a day filled with reliving old memories and making new ones.

36Smile! is blog where Sabrina will be writing about and sharing memories that make her smile 365 days of the year! Too often, we are wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of this crazy little thing called life. We should take time out to enjoy the little things that make us smile and celebrate it!

Decompression, Knowledge, Support and Involvement

36Smile! Day 34

I had the exciting opportunity to be interviewed by a journalist looking to pitch a national women's magazine on how stress affects the skin. She received my information from a contact at National Psoriasis Foundation, of which I am a mentor.

For those who don't know, stress is a major trigger for psoriasis—which appears as white, scaly patches on the skin.

Any opportunity to bring more awareness to this disease and I am all about it. Especially if it's a national women's magazine. I can only hope her article does get picked up.

Some important points and my tips from the interview:

• Since stress is a major trigger, you have to find a way to de stress or decompress. Decompression is a big thing for me. It gives you—and your body—a chance to chill out from the day and rejuvenate. Read a good book, listen to music or just sit in silence for at least 10 minutes. This time is so important.Side note about this photo: This was taken when my sister visited Chris and I on Maui. It's one of my most favorite places in the world. It's a hidden spot along the Road to Hana. To be able to sit on the edge and look out at Mother Nature—crystal blue water as far as you can see. I always felt so calm and relaxed. I like to think about this place when I get stressed.

• Knowledge really is power. As corny as it was when we first heard it in the 5th grade, it rings true here. If you don't know about the disease—the facts, prevalence, symptoms, remedies—then how are you supposed to explain it to someone else? Once I got involved in the National Psoriasis Foundation, it was so much easier to talk about what I have and help others. That brings me to my next tip:
• Talk about it! Whether you have psoriasis, eczema, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, thyroid, etc., talk about it with those close to you. Talk about how it affects you, what the disease truly is. A majority of the people probably have misinformation about the disease any ways. It will feel like a huge weight is being lifted off your shoulders.
• Find a good support system. If those around you don't understand, are embarrass, don't want to talk to you about then it's not worth being their friends. Find your support system and stick with it.
• Get involved. Find the national organization for your disease and they will be able to send you to a local chapter to help you get involved. Once you help yourself, you will be ready and able to help others just like you achieve the confidence that you now have.

These have helped shape me into the person I am now, wanting to talk about my disease and wanting to help others live a healthy and balanced life.

36Smile! is blog where Sabrina will be writing about and sharing memories that make her smile 365 days of the year! Too often, we are wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of this crazy little thing called life. We should take time out to enjoy the little things that make us smile and celebrate it!

Vive La Fiesta, La Gente Esta Muy Loca

36Smile! Day 33

I am super excited to say that I found a brand new music app for when I go running: My Fit Radio. It organizes it from the Top 40's, Electronica, Hip Hop, etc. Whatever you feel like working out to, they got it!

As I start my run, I turn it on to the Top 40's when the greatest song comes on as I am literally smiling, almost laughing as I hear the lyrics:

When I came to Spain and I saw people partyI told to myself: What the f*ck!?All day, all nightAll day, all nightViva la fiesta, viva la nocheViva los DJ'sI couldn't believe what I was livingSo I called my friend JohnnyAnd I said to him: Johnny,La gente esta muy loca,What the f*ck!?

I say I'm laughing because this song—though I've never heard it before—paints a vivid memory for me.

I'm back in Argentina with my all my cousins. You have to understand that people in Argentina or Spain don't start going out till at least 1 or 2 in the morning—the time we are coming back from the bars in Houston.

My cousins and I are in this huge club—kind of like the one in the video— music blaring, drinks in our hand and we are just dancing away! It's one of the many memories I have with my cousins that makes me smile and literally laugh out loud. Not to mention, that my sister and I of course get on the couches that they had there—which no one ever did but is common in Houston—and started dancing and eventually started a trend there. It was such a fun night!

I remember coming out of the club and it was actually morning outside as we hailed a cab to go home.

I am in love with Argentina, the culture, the music, the fashion and of course my family.

I am waiting for the day to go back and relive these memories, and many others, with my favorite people in the world!

Sak Noel—Loca People

36Smile! is blog where Sabrina will be writing about and sharing memories that make her smile 365 days of the year! Too often, we are wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of this crazy little thing called life. We should take time out to enjoy the little things that make us smile and celebrate it!

A Random Act of Kindness

36Smile! Day 32

I was out in Bellevue yesterday for a meeting with some Chi Omega sisters at Maggiano's. Their food, of course, comes in huge portions and quantities. So I wasn't surprised when I ordered their sandwich, thinking it might be smaller. But nope, it wasn't.

I took my leftovers and got in my car. I'm driving about to get on I90 as I pull up to a red light. I look over to my left and there is a lady, probably no older than me with a dog the size of my little guy. I looked at my leftovers, grabbed them and waved her over.

I asked if she was hungry, though it wasn't much. She looked at the left overs and said, "Oh, I love Maggianos. Thank you so much!"

Obviously she wasn't too homeless to where she knew—and probably eaten there before—but she probably was down on her luck and I happen to be there to brighten her day.

Like I said, it wasn't much, it was half a sandwich and some fries. But what was I going to do with it? Have it sit in the fridge, forget about it and eventually throw it away. This way, she was able to enjoy it and hopefully gave her dog some food too.

I had a smile on my face for the next five minutes. It made me feel good to do something good for someone else and know that they enjoyed it.

36Smile! is blog where Sabrina will be writing about and sharing memories that make her smile 365 days of the year! Too often, we are wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of this crazy little thing called life. We should take time out to enjoy the little things that make us smile and celebrate it!