2015 Reflections

It was a great year. 

A lot of important events happened. 

I will not write a lengthy post about it all. I just wanted to highlight how grateful I am for everything that has happened. 

New people came into my life, left a mark and then just left leaving a mark in my soul, teaching me to be always true to who I am, not to live up to some crazy expectations. I grew up. 

Christmas Baking: Tanya Burr's Shortbread cookie recipe

As I mentioned a couple of blog post before, in my house my mom and I are baking monsters, therefore every time we come by a recipe that seems good we are going to try and test it out. 

This year, I went a little crazy and watched every Vlogmas out there in youtube, from the people I follow and I loved each and every one of them. One of  my favorites vlogmas had to be Tanya Burrs'. She has a really home-y vibe to her and I can relate a lot with her because she seems a little geek at heart and is a complete wife-y person (not trying to sound old school here, i mean it as a good thing for sure) and that is how I am and see myself as. She did one where she baked shortbread star cookies and it seemed really simple so I decided to give it a try.

Christmas Party

On Friday, we had the annual End of Year Party of the Organization I work for and this year, we celebrated not only the end of the year, but also how we broke a Guinness World record. It was not an amazing one but we can certainly say we did it in style. We gained the recognition for "The Largest bowl of Quinoa" in the world, and it was something to talk about.

On the other hand, we had the opportunity to all be gathered together and have a good time with good food, good friends and amazing music.

I had a total pampering day before the party, which was an amazing way to start the night.

Christmas Baking: Gingerbread Cookies

Every year, my mom and I go all out with our baking game. 

We are enthusiasts with our german fruit cake, cupcakes and our gingerbread cookies. 

Secret Santa at work

Let the Christmas celebrations begin! 

On Thursday we had a little gathering at the office to make our secret santa gift exchange and it was an amazing time. 

The Best Gift

As you might have already read in my Black Friday haul (actually a whole weekend haul) I bought myself a 13" Macbook Air and it is the best purchase I have made in a while.

It is a pretty expensive gift to buy if you buy it here in Peru, but I went for it anyways because, to be honest, I don't like waiting (who does?) and after a pretty much 7 year in the want I just had to have it. 

Everything began with one of my friends at work wanting to sell her 2011 Macbook Air at a pretty good price. I was determined. I wanted to buy it from her. But still needed advice and just talk it out with someone who knows me even more than I know myself. My mother of course. So I called her and told her the deal and what was going on. She listened to me, allowed me to finish the rambling story I was telling her and just told me: "Are you sure you want to buy a second hand computer?" and that was it. Those words made me realize that I might be getting a computer cheaper but it involved a lot more than just the price.

Posting Schedule

Welcome back friends! 

Today I will write a quick little post to let you know my posting schedule for the blog so that you can know when to expect new content here.

Black Friday 2015 Purchase + Cyber Monday

I know black Friday was a couple of weeks ago, but I couldn't pass the opportunity to tell you all about the things I bought during that day and the weekend untill Cyber Monday (It wasn't a lot, but significant). 

The first thing I did on Black Friday, was, get online and see if there was any good deal. Target.com was my choice to go on a hunt for something and browsing in the online store I found a Nikon Camera which was only US$ 100. Of course I had to get it. And I did. It is a Nikon Coolpix L340 with 20.2 megapixels. I decided to go for it because, 1) I needed a new point and shoot camera and 2) I am no pro to get a super fancy DSLR camera just yet because I have cero skills with the photographing thing. After it, I have a whole new random experience with my shipping which I will let you know all about it in another post, so stay tuned for that. 

Entrepreneurship

I had been devating starting different projects, different ideas and different ways of doing business without investing much money to have an extra income besides my day job. 

Travel Destination: Panama - Part 1

After the baby shower crazy-ness, we could really concentrate in one thing. Our upcoming vacation to Panama. But take something into account...I had already packed :) 

In May, I decided it was time to find a vacation spot outside the country and really enjoy family time with the parents. They work so much, I wanted to treat them with something nice. But I did not find the right price for our holidays (hey, I am a junior analyst, I still don't make a ton of money to afford a nice vacation with a lot of luxuries) so I stopped searching. 

A couple of days later, my aunt sent me a message that said that her older son had found plane tickets to Panama for an amazing deal and she said that we should go with them. Them meaning my cousin, his girlfriend and my aunt. I called immediately. Of course. Got the number of the flight, the departure date, the return date and the flight times. Everything so that we could find spots to travel in the same flight and be all together.

Baby Shower - Baby Thais

Today, lets get into baby-fever mode for a bit because I will be telling you everything (well, maybe not everything but a lot) about my baby cousin's baby shower for baby Thais (my precious little 2 month old niece). 

Welcome back!

I know some of you may be a little confused about what is going on here.

As many of you know, At the begining of the year I decided to move my blog from blogger to wordpress in order to link it to my .com domain www.stephaniearabella.com. 

It was working great, all the content was perfectly arranged, easy to manipulate and to edit...until an actualization was supposed to occure. I have no idea what happened, and all of a sudden...it stoped working. Flat dead. With the help of my web development team and partners and friends, we tried everything to regain access and all of the content. We did not failed misserably, but we were trying for way too long, and I grew desperate and finally decided to get back into the blogger platform. So here we are once again. I rely much more in blogger because it has never ever failed me in a way that I could not solve the problem fast enough to keep my blog from running.

I will be making some adjustments now that my blogger blog is connected to my domain and some new and exciting things will be on the way! 

I have seriously missed you guys more than anything and we are finally back together at home. 

I hope you are having an amazing year and that everything you aimed at is finally coming together. 

Kisses, 

Stephanie.

Transitions.. Final destination!

So a couple weeks ago I announced the transition from blogger to wordpress into a .com webhosting and the help of my beloved team from FlexDev. 

Finally, the transition has been completed! www.stephaniearabella.com is finally up and running! So head over there  and check it out! 

There you will be able to find your favourite posts from all times since we've been together.

It has been a great journey and every change that is going on right now is all thanks to you guys and thank you for the support all these years! You have seen this blog transition and change and reinvent many times! And the end result is finally the one i have always seeked. 

It is a monday to remember, it will pass on to the history of events that have been a very big part of my life. 

Woth nothing else to add, i will leave you the link for the blog: 

www.stephaniearabella.com 

Have a great day! 

xo, 

S.A

Tough

People sometimes think that when you are a cheerful one you have no right to be mad or angry or feel crappy at moments. Last night, I got some really sad news. I was in the shower, and my phone started ringing, I didn't answer the first time, but it started ringing again. It was then when I knew that I had to answer. He told me what we were all waiting for in the past couple of weeks. It was almost predictable that at any time it could happen. 

One of the most distinguished people I've known, and one of the best professors I've had during my university life, passed away that day. 

Of all the people I've met, he was the wisest and most respected one who knew what he was talking about. He had experiences that you might think were brought up by a history book. He was an open book with everything. Transparent. Inspiring. Moving. 

If there is one thing that I learned from him though the time he was my professor, was to always stand up for what you believe in and to fight for what you want. I never saw him put a bad face when he had to teach a bunch of freshmans with no experience or little respect for what they might be learning. 

Sensei Maruy. You were an inspiration to many, the rock people needed to see to know that strength comes from within and you decide your path and you make of your life what you decide. He decided the path of teaching, of being the person who stands up for what he believed in. 

A thought: 

"When things get tough, the tough get going" 

And that is what I want to make of my life, and never give up on something. 

Have a good friday. And always say to the ones you love, that you love them. Life is too short. 

Today's rambles

It's been a couple of complicated days but amazing ones. I can't complain. Things have been running their course and time has been flying by really fast! 

Summer is amazing, the beach is another universe, where you can relax and let go of everything you have been going through in the week at work, with personal life, with friends, with lovers, with random people, with brothers, sisters, etc. 

My weekend went well filled with friends. I have been sleeping nearly 5 hours each night (or less which is ugh but somewhat fun) which is making me a little more sleepy than normal, but I am not complaining. 

This past days, I have been having a bit of a temper, my natural annoying self is coming through and sometimes it surprisses me in ways I have never imagined. Also, sorry for rambling and going from subject to subject, I have been hooked with "How I met your mother" and almost finishing the series. I don't know what took me so long to finally sit and watch it. I don't regret any of the sleepless nights and good laughs I've had lately. 

In another note, I have to say that having to be organized is driving me crazy and making my head hurt, I have no time to keep everything clean or in order, and my desk at home is just so messy it drives me nuts. I can't believe that I am saying this on the internet, but YES. I am guilty of being messy. But I am sure I can't be the only one, right?

Well i think there are some more things that i want to say but, this is too random right now. I will leave the rest for another post.

Have a great day! it is the middle of the week already. how fast does the days are going by?

Workout update: so far so good

It has been 2 days already. There is something about it that, on one hand i am sore and everythong hurts, muscles i had no idea that existed in my body hurt, i have no strength (at least not much right now), but on the other hand, it feels right, feels like a relax, to forget everything going on and just stop to concentrate in something else than all the things that hunt you.

Everything is better.

Today, I can say that I want to keep up with it. I am even buying more gym clothes to have variety and feel more confident when hitting my workout sessions. 

Lets talk about ZUMBA! Omg it is amazing. I don't really know why it is so much fun.. No wait.. I do know. Here is why. You get an instructure who is really active, moves around the mirrored classroom, is always jumping and telling you to keep it up! It is one of the best workouts out there and it so fun to be there. I am going back again on friday. And can't wait for it! 

After the hour of cardio moving my whole body, I get to my strength training always alternating one day legs and one day arms. Right now my whole body is stiff and muscles I had no idea I had in my anatomy hurt.

I will be doing some more posts about my journey and how it is all going.

Hoping you have a great day to achieve great things!

Introducing...

Today I am going to be spilling something else about the changes that my blog will be going through in the next few days. I hope that by the end of March, everything will be ready for your entertainment. 

Many things are changing, I have partenered up with the lovely team of FlexDev, who are amazing and very comprehensive with my crazy person and know how to handle my every mood.

They are helping me with everything related to technology and software and stuff that i am not normaly aware of.. So pretty much, they are my lifesavers and the ones making this transition easier.

If you want to know more about the FlexDev team, visit their webpage here.
 

So now on to the big reveal. I am moving the blog into a WordPress platform! Yes! Stephanie Arabella has now a .com domain and is almost ready for you to enjoy everything that will be happening. 

We are moving all the content that already exists in this blogger platform. Its been good while it lasted, but it is time to move on to a whole differente world of experiences. Right now, if you enter  www.stephaniearabella.com, you will be able to see that the pre-existing posts are slowly appearing. in order of date that they have been published.

It really is a big deal for me to be able to expand my blogging capacity and be able to experiment more. There will be some other surprises, but I will leave that for another opportunity.

Meanwhile, I will still be posting here due to technical developments until the end of the move of all the content.

I hope you are starting your week in a great note, cause I am.

Getting in a routine

It's been a while, like a whole year, since i've done any proper workouts. This time i have a goal, i want to look my best and try to make it worth it. 

So that is why, yesterday while watching  a friend and my date play soccer (football for you brits), i decided to go to the gym and pay up my month so that i have no more excuses to go and sweat my kg away and to shape up my body. 

And with this, shoping is a great excuse! Workout clothes? Yes please! 

I want it to be my routine, the one thing i cannot live without and want to be there in the gym in mu free time. Maybe in the mornings, or at night, any time i have to squeeze it in. 

So this is where i am going to make my commitment and work hard and be good with it. 

So i hope everything goes well! Wish me luck! 

Until the next time! 

xo, 

S.A

A weekend to remember

I hope you had an amazing weekend ! Because i surely had one! 

My family gathered in the beach and we all went to a party inspired in the carnivals that go on in this months in some parts of the world. It was amazing, we had a good laugh, good drinks to accompany the moment and some more laughs.

We danced as if there was nothing stoping us or no-one watching us. Spending time with the family is amazing because you get to love them even more than before! 

Above a collage of photos from the party, i loved the decorations, the food was amazing and the dessert! Omg! And they had snow cones which i spiked up a bit with vodka... It was a great change! 

I had a lot of fun, my family was happy and i slept for good 12 hours between yesterday and today! I am ready for the week full of energy! I needed it. 

Hope your week starts on a good note and everything goes as you planned! 

xo, 

S.A 

Friday blues

This week has been a little crazy, a lot of things going on at the same time. Finally got to see something that I was expecting for a week maybe.

I finally 50 shades of Grey, which to my surprize it wasn't bad, but it wasn't excellent. The movie is really sensual, not tacky at all. The books have way more graphic images for the mind to imagine and the movie is just artistic... and every single take is just showing you the sensuality of the acting and the script. I won't post any spoilers here for those who haven't seen it yet. And the soundtrack? well I don't want to say more! 

I am actually really excited that the week is over.

Time to relax, time to have a well deserved break after a long week! 

xo, 

S.A

*Picture from here: http://justmeandyoukid.com/free-cheap-friday-family-fun-more-friday-night-activities-with-kids/

Very Berries

I have been on a healthier note lately.

One of my obsessions?

Strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries!

Mixed Berries

They are a really good source of antioxidants and vitamins. They give you a boost of energy and are really rich in flavor.

I love combining them with a little yogurt and some granola, which is amazing for breakfast or as a little mid-afternoon snack.

There is also a huge variety of desserts that can be made from the berries of your choice. For example, yesterday I found a great recipe from Martha Stewat's site of Blueberry cupcakes, which looks delicious. I really have to try it out and when I do, I will certainly do a review of it.

If you wnat to try it, here is the link to it and below you can see how amazingly delicious they look!

Blueberry Cupcakes by Martha Stewart

I am craving some right now! 

I hope your week is going great! and if you decide to make the cupcakes, share with me some of the images on instagram @stephkms! 

Have a great day! 

Valentine's day 2015

Valentine's day has never been my favorite time of year, but this time around, still hasn't changed much. Is not because I don't like what it means and represents, but it is just that this time come up the hearts, oversized bears that occupy 90% of the bed, consumerism at it's best, and businesses trying to get all the attention for people to spend more money than they actually have for the "idea" that if you spend the most, you'll get more love and pamper your partner. 

In the end, Valentine's day is a special occasion to celebrate all the love you have around but most importantly, it shound't be just a day, love should be celebrated all the time. If you love someone, show them by the little things you can do, or say, or just don't say, just be there. 

Sometimes actions are worth more than words and have a major impact on the people you love than those expensive gifts that anyone could buy.

I am a helpless romantic. I tend to be in-love with love. I guess you all knew that already.

But enough said about the commercial part of the day and lets get to the love part of the day.

I had an amazing day with the people I care the most and at night I got a really awesome gift of half a dozen roses delivered by someone very very special for me who came in to my life as unexpected as rain in a draught. We went out dancing with a couple of friends and it was really great getting to spend time with him and actually, having him around makes everything better.

I will leave you here with a picture.

I hope you spent an amazing weekend. Cause I surely did. 

Change in life.

The more things I try to get done, the more things I start imagining and the more things I want to do. 

There is no exact balance to what I do. I go out, I work, I am trying to manage in a better way this blog and also trying to get some other projects done therefore I am battling with the fact that I like sleeping a lot and the fact of having way more things to do than usual. 

Transitions and changes are tough, but if you have a support system right by your side (your loved ones, either family, friends and a love interest) which is strong and are there for you no matter what, it will be much easier. 

Picture from here

So today, I want to tell you all that changes are good. Don't be affraid of them. Take the chances that you are presented with and never look back. Everything is going to go great as long as you work hard. But I have to let you know that failure is a possibility, not because you didn't try hard enough, or work hard enough or have the passion enough. It is there, always present, but use it to learn from it and get the strength to pick yourself back up and keep going. 

Here is where I get to motivate me, and do some changes. The blog will be changing. It will be transitioning into something else, without loosing its main goal. Starting with the name, which is going to be a little different than it has been now. This change might be visible in the next few days and will go more accordingly to who I am, and my signature in the internet world. 

To begin with just telling you this about the name, is amazing. There are far more things that are coming, but fear not, I will be spilling the beans little by little. 

I hope you all have a great weekend. Valentine's day is tomorrow, big plans ahead. and have a great time with the ones you love the most! 

News for me and you

Have you ever gotten news that are so amazing and so filled with emotions that are contradictory, at a time you just want to cry from anger or resentment and then just cry of happiness? it is crazy how some news can shake up your world and make you feel so much in so little time, that you are actually crying hysterically and you don't believe yourself for actually behaving that way.

Picture from here 

Well, that was me when someone I really love in my family gave me some news that were causing me colliding emotions. At first I was mad about everything, then I got to the shock sinking in and I went numb, i had no idea what to feel. Really. Then I got to talk to that member in my family and had to tell me everything in order for me to understand the situation and the way things are. That was the breaking point in which I started crying tears of joy and everyone around stared at me as if I was a crazy one. 

But let me tell you something... It was the best news i've gotten this year and we are starting it off right! 

Many, many, many things are on it's way and i can't wait to tell you all everything about it! 

This is going to give the blog a new spin as I grow older and start going through different experiences and confront new challenges. 

I hope this is a good start of the weekend and that some of the news you receive don't shake up your world as much, and if rhey do? Just wait and see how amazing events might turn out to be! 

Have a great time! Enjoy 

xo, 

S.A 

Healthy Spotlight: Chia seeds

Bringing these posts back from the memory box. 

Today I will tell you about something that I have been doing extensive research during the last couple of years (Which to me feel like just a couple months ago). 

Chia seeds come from a dessert plant called Salvia Hispanica, which is grown in Mexico dating back from the Maya and Aztec cultures in which they were used as energy boosters.  

Popsugar.com

The seeds are filled with omega-3, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, antioxidants, calcium and phosphorus. They can be processed by the body. Therefore they are considered to be a superfood. 

As they contain water soluble fiber, it expands in the stomach giving the sensation of being full, eat less and improve intestinal health. It helps reduce fat and makes it longer for the increase of sugar in the blood which gives anxiety and therefore makes you eat less snacks.

Chia seeds also represent a good source of calcium being more assimilable than milk's in 500%. Contains magnesium whcih is present in broccoli and has more than 1400% than that same vegetable. The seeds are also rich in phosphorus, iron, antioxidants, selenium and has more fiber than any other regular cereal.

I have introduced chia into my diet and it has been a great nutritional complement. I have seen some good results, I wont say I have more energy, but I do feel more active, and my skin is a little brighter, my nails stronger and my hair is a little shinnier.

The reccomendations they make are that you consume around two table spoons of chia seeds daily, because in that way you will get all the benefits presents in them.

It is important that you get to know that there are also some health repercussions and it is said that people with cardiac problems or with diabetes should stay away from them because of the different symptoms they may have to their illnesses. Also people with digestive problems should avoid its consumption because it may cause them irritations.

Here is where I put my disclaimer: I am not a doctor nor a nutritionist to tell you what to eat or what not to eat, the thing is that I am really into nutrition and do some research by my own and consult with some friends the different benefits they have found to get when eating different food.

I am not a picky eater, I actually would try anything (well not anything, I try to stay away from fried bugs or anything that crawls and has no backbone).

I like to have my chia sprinkled over salads, fruit salads, with oatmeal, oatbran, in homemade bread, in actually anything that I can eat and combine.

I have found several recipes of a chia pudding. But I have tried the following one from Peanut Butter and Peppers which I leave you all the link here.

Vanilla Chia Pudding from Peanut Butter and Peppers.com 

In general, Chia seeds have been a great discovery for me ever since I first heard of them. I have made more indepth analysis on the exports, imports and more International business related studies for project matters, but maybe someday I will write about it. 

Have you ever tried chia seeds? have you found them to improve any aspects of your health? Tell me all about it in the comment section :) a nice conversation could be started! 

I hope you are having a great day, It is Friday after all! 

From zero to...

Hey so i have been really M.I.A last year and the begining of this one 2015. No excuses, just live happening. I have to be honest, inspiration hasn't been around my house during the time. Many projects so little time. 

So what is ahead? I have many plans. And they will be coming soon i hope. 

Meanwhile here are some pictures of the summer we are having in Peru. 

So yes, i am having a good time lately and it is amazing how much i can't stop thinking about writing more to get to communicate with you all. 

Have a great time! 

xo,

S.A