Traveling to Raleigh

My trip to Raleigh, North Carolina was extremely amusing and I was most certainly taken by surprise by the wonders of this city.
I had really low expectations for my trip, other than the Upsilon Pi Epsilon presentation I had to give at the SIGCSE '12, I wasn't really looking forward to anything else.
Turns out I went on the best weekend there is, First Friday is like this huge event that takes place every month. There's music, and art venues, it's filled with life and so much fun! The city also surprised me, it was just delightful, and so different to the architecture I'm used to seeing in Miami. I was a truly beautiful experience ... minus the flights... I hated flying, normally I'm okay, but the rides were so bumpy I felt like throwing up all the time. But lets forget about the negativity of my trip and focus on the greatness of it all.

the hotel

My hotel was fairly close to the Convention Center (8 blocks or so), most definitely walking distance. The only times I rode a cab was because it was early morning and I was wearing heels and when I was going to get to know the city and because it was somewhat dark. So yeah, if you're thinking of going to Raleigh Downtown this place is great (price and distance), near all the great restaurants in Gleenwood Ave and the Convention Center area. These areas are completely opposite to each other, making Days Inn prefect since its right in the middle.
So here it is, my stay:

arriving to NC

awesome billboard

Raleigh Convention Center

great display on the side of the Conv. Center

Something about old friends

You'll see, there are things in life called 'memory triggers'. These are the little things that bring to your present what now is in your past. There are smells, like that cologne's strong fragance that reminds you of your father; or a color that now reminds you of an old friend's bright sweater; and then there are people.


A handful of people have the tendency of highlighting entire pages, although many others tend to be mere lines or words in the book some call life. Tonight I had the pleasure of spending some splendid time among the ones that made it to be pages on mine. 


This is the funny thing about old friends and me, we joke the same way we did 4 or 5 years ago, and we expect not to change. If you got the "crazy" label, you will always be the crazy one, don't even waste your breath in telling them that you are not crazy, that you are simply trying to enjoy the joys of life; or that screaming is a great way to blow out some self-esteem. No, you will be the "crazy" one forever. If you label them ar "pinareños" because they have the tendency to be very ... VERY naive/clumsy/naive, they'll forever be it.

missing lissett

Having my friends near by reminded me of the good old times, like it always does. We might not be as close anymore, but I'll always cherish the moments that made our friendship everlasting.


~Pretty


PS: I recommend to watch "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Excellent movie in my opinion. Very graphic and "raw", but worth watching. Might even read the books now.

shall the end be the begining

Here we are again, another year, another end. Time to reflect and time to set new resolutions.

This year I learned that I am weak. I'm also STRONG. I'm great. I'm amazing. Due to these findings I've set myself to get the best out of life next year. Take it like this, life is an orange, and I'll be squeezing it... Vitamine C is the best of like. Pretty nice analogy if you ask me.

 A year of self-discovery sets on a year of self-fulfillment. How CUTE is that?! 

MAY 2012 BRING YOU ALL THE BEST OF LIFE. CRY.LAUGH.LIVE.

~Pretty