RIP 2013

What a year, what a year!! Hubby and I toasted the New year on our front galleria, drinking Champagne and reminiscing about the last year. Mind you, it was really 10:30 cuz we are old and tired. Last year at this time, we were in Brazil, having just arrived three weeks prior. We toasted the new year in our hotel suite with champagne, Frango Passarinho and dessert. It was a beautiful night, we were staying just a block away from the main festivities and could see the fireworks from our window. Everything was still so new and fresh in our journey and I had no idea what the year would bring.

Sao Paulo has great food and great people, but not much green space. I think that was my only pet peeve about the eventual apartment we would find. Another large city, even larger than NYC and not an adequate park within walking distance. But it was fun, I spent my mornings working from home and baking. I spent my nights tending to children who were sick more than usual because of daycare. And my son was addicted to the breast and still wanted to eat in the middle of the night.

Alas, we decided to move on from Brazil and on to Argentina, where my husband is from. Eight months in Brazil and I was finally speaking and understanding the language and making friends and then we left. I would have to start all over again. Learning another language and meeting new people and finding work. I won't lie, it's been a difficult transition. In Brazil, I felt a kinship with the people and music. This was a bit different. In most places here I am the only black face around. My children are the only ones with curly hair. All and all, most people have been wonderful and very welcoming. They always think I'm Brazilian, which I take as a compliment.

We finally have put down roots. We have a nice little house, with a nice big backyard and it has so much potential. I spend my days (After work and family of course) pinning images of gardens and outdoor spaces. It's interesting, although we've lived the last decade in an apartment, I can honestly say it was more private. Here, you see your neighbors in the front yard, in the backyard, through the windows. We will be planting shrubbery pretty soon. Now that I'm not working in a traditional manner, I've really had the opportunity to concentrate on my creative endeavors. In addition to selling fabric and wallpaper through Spoonflower, I've also set up a shops at Zazzle and CafePress. I feel like I finally have a moment to breathe, a moment to be and a moment to create. I'll share what I'm working on and I'd love any feedback you provide.

You will see this blog go through some changes over the next month so please stay tuned!

Tchau, Tchau

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