Risks

As you know, I moved back to Florida, after living in New York for 5 years. My husband received a job offer and we decided it was the best time to move - the housing market was in our favor, the cost of living was affordable, family was close by, and we knew some people in the area.

Our friends and family thought we were insane to quit our jobs, get married, and move all at once. But that is how we roll, we thrive on stress and figured why not make it one huge stress ball.

I moved to New York with no job, no apartment and no friends, and frankly I made it work. I got a job within 3 months at a prestigious company, moved into a new apartment and met my now husband. It takes drive, patience, and faith (in yourself).

Granted that was in 2005, when the economy was in a different place. Would I do it now? Well I kinda did. I left a stable job in NY, and moved to a new city where I would have to start from scratch. I do have Mr. Techy, this time around and am not venturing out alone. However, we are facing the same as well as new fears, together: what if his job doesn't work out, what if I can't get a job, etc?

I believe in taking risks. It's not easy, but the first step is always the hardest. The next step is much less scarier. The third step means you are moving in a new direction, not standing still.

Have you taken any risks lately? Why or why not?

Saludos!

Mrs. Cafe

Attn: Orlando, FL Latinas

Hello Ladies,

I wanted to reach out to the Orlando Ladies, and extend an invitation to attend a networking event connecting Latinas all over the world, sponsored by La Comadres. Our gatherings are called a "comadrazo(sm)!" These comadrazos around the country are events to which we truly look forward and we hope you will come to feel the same way. There are no dues, no officers, no meetings, just getting to know each other and supporting each other in many ways.

The next event is on January 23. If you are interested in attending, please send me an email and I'll forward you the invite. If you can't make it but would like to receive future invites to our events, please email me as well.

Please visit La Comadres website for more information: http://www.lascomadres.org

I look foward to seeing you at our events, Saludos! !

Mrs. Cafe

I'm back!

It's been a very long time since I last posted, and I am ashamed. I usually handle stress pretty well, and this time around I just ended up dropping everything and made excuses not to continue.

Just to bring you up to speed, my now husband and I both left NY and moved to South Florida (without jobs), got married in November, went on a fabulous honeymoon in the Mediterranean, and then moved again to Central Florida for his new job (all that in 4 months). We are at fault for piling all the stress into one big pile, but that is how we function. I thrive on stress, and always will. It's not healthy, and I am trying to learn how to be patient and take baby steps.

This year, I promise to follow through. Finish what I start. Not shy away from opportunities because of fear. The first baby step is publishing this post. Done!

How many of you finish what you start?

Mrs. Cafe

Alleluia!

A friend recently asked me if I was going to incorporate my Latino roots in the wedding ceremony despite the fact that half the guests are English speakers, including Mr. Techy.

Great question!

We met with our officiant last month to discuss the wedding ceremony and we opted for a bilingual mass - surprised?

I'm sure you've gathered from my previous posts that my Hispanic heritage is the reason I strive to succeed in both my professional and personal life. So it was expected that I would follow through and incorporate my culture in the ceremony.

It would be unfair to both Mr. Techy and I if the ceremony were monolingual. We want to share this sacrament with our loved ones - and what better way than to make sure they understand what is being said.

The priest will alternate between the two languages, one reading will be in Spanish, the other in English, and the music selected for the vocalist will have verses in both languages. Finally, I'm going to make programs in both languages so the guests can follow along regardless of the language being spoken.

How are you incorporating your heritage in your nuptials?

Saludos!

Miss Cafe

Hiatus

Hello everyone!

I apologize profusely for being on hiatus. Life really got in the way. However, fear not. I'm back!

Thank you to those who've emailed me to check in. I'm so flattered that you're enjoying my random musings. It really motivates me more than you an imagine.

I'm currently editing a few drafts I have saved and will be posting soon!

Saludos,

Miss Cafe

I'm Back

I'm back in NY. Well, I've been back, but just haven't had the chance to update the blog as I've been playing catchup at work and sleeping - a lot! I'll be back soon!

Saludos!

Miss Cafe

Home is where the heart is

I'm going home to Miami tonight (yay!) to tie up some loose wedding ends. Like other brides, I have a LONG to-do list, but only have 96 hours to get it all done. Each second of my time has been strategically scheduled and places have been plotted on a Google map, with minimal breaks and many fast-food stops – Ladies, this is NOT a vacation (booooo!).

Planning a wedding remotely is not easy. It’s a fulltime job. When Mr. Techy and I first moved in together, I offered to be a stay-at-home girlfriend. Of course, Mr. Techy said he needed a little more commitment from me first. So I then offered to be a stay-at-home fiancé and plan the wedding, to no avail. It does sound pretty tempting though, huh?

I’ve been living in New York for almost four years (June 19 is my anniversary!) and continue to refer to Miami as home. It is and will always be. A foundation makes a house, family and friends make a home. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a wonderful relationship with Mr. Techy’s family; they help fill the void between visits to Miami. They live about an hour away so we don’t get to see them as much, but I always look forward to visiting. They’ve opened up their home as if I were one of their own. It’s made being away from my family a little easier to handle.

I’m very independent. I’ve always been. I couldn’t wait for the day I’d be on my own. Don’t get me wrong, my parents aren't overly invasive or strict. But I just needed to be on my own. There’s something so empowering about financially supporting myself, learning to survive and handling situations on my own that I would probably be sheltered from in the comfort of my parent’s house. I refused to move out of their house to then move in with a roommate or a boyfriend.

Living alone was not easy and glamorous. But it really helped me build a lot of character and thick skin. It's also helped me appreciate my parents, a lot more than I already did. I knew that if I survived living on my own, I could do anything! Even plan a "destinational" wedding.

Saludos!

Miss Café