Nothing de-stresses me more than sitting down and watching my kids play and explore. I smile at their innocence and ability to use their imagination to play for hours even if they are just jumping on a rock.

Since they were toddlers, we would take walks in the woods, and I would pretend that I saw the magical creatures in movies, like “Princess Mononoke.” Watching them makes me realize there is still something about this life that is still worth it.

It’s been a rough year but by just watching my children play, I know that I will one day know happiness again.

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Thanksgiving is upon us, and it’s the time that you are reminded about what you are thankful for. This year has been marvelous for me. For the past three years (2006-2009), I dealt with the worst things ever: depression, drama, losing love…twice, and family issues. I thought that I would never be happy again, and I’m glad that I was wrong. I am so thankful that I am finally happy and having a wonderful year.

This year I am thankful for having a wonderful family and friends who are always there for me when I’m in need. My children are getting bigger, cuter, and better companions each day that passes. I still watch them when they are sleeping in amazement that I had them. Having children is definitely one of my greatest achievements, and the one I am most proud of. I’m not going to lie that there are times that they drive me insane. However, when they cuddle next to me, and look up at me, I melt and forget about the rest.

My sister finally returned from Afghanistan, and I am so happy that I got to spend a few hours with her before she headed back to Okinawa. I also met Jeff, her boyfriend, who is a wonderful guy, and I know that he will make my sister happy, now and forever. This is the last year that my parents are here before they head back to Panama. We have definitely become closer, and I am glad that we have.

My older sister, niece, and nephews are near me. I am so happy that I did the Maryland Breast Cancer Race with my sister this year. I know that her weight was something that she was struggling with, so I am glad to have been with her while she achieved a great feat, and I saw how proud she was that she was finally got rid of the excess weight.

The rest of my family who I don’t see as much, but I still love like crazy. You are all amazing, especially my cousin Ana Cristina. I love you all.

I am glad for my wonderful friend. Bridget, ,who heard me cry every day in LA, and she didn’t mind. I am so glad that she is back in DC cause now I can see her more often. Ruma is great. I met wonderful people through her, and she has made me do things that I never thought I would ever do before: a ten-miler race, century ride, camping, hiking, rock climbing, etc. Shauna and Tish, who have been with me since I was in high school. We definitely have changed. My friends Amani, Pea, Derrick, and many others who I met on FriendFeed, met in real life, and now I consider them true friends. I hope my friends know how much I adore them.

I am thankful for me. I overcame losing people I loved more than anything. It’s something that I never though I would ever get over. I also overcame depression, which is the worst feeling in the world. You feel like you are in a cage, and unable to get out. But I did it.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and has some thing to be thankful for.

Awhile ago, I posted the top ten songs, poems, and movies to hear and see when you are suffering from a broken heart.  I’m starting to feel better about a lot of things.  Accept everything that happened and realize that there are things that I am unable to control.  All I can do is be strong, and continue trekking on.  Life is too short to be so miserable.  If I died tomorrow, would I really want my last days on Earth to be moping around aching for someone who never really cared much about me to begin with?  No.

I created this Rhapsody playlist when I was enduring all that pain. Art in all forms can help you get through many hard parts in your life. They make you realize that there is someone out there who has gone through what you are going through, so you are not alone.  Also, that you will be alright.

Here is the playlist that I created, which you are able to listen to by pressing the Play icon. I hope that it can probably help someone out there.

Only for the Brokenhearted

Never Too Late by Three Days Grace

Better In Time by Leona Lewis

Aunque no te pueda ver by Alex Ubago

The Winner Takes It All by ABBA

Sin Miedo A Nada by Alex Ubago

The Story by Brandi Carlile

Through The Fire by Chaka Khan

Behind (Callea Club Mix) by Flanders

Hurt by Christina Aguilera

Prayer by Disturbed

Remember by Disturbed

I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues by Elton John

Tu Vacio by Enrique Iglesias

Solo En Ti by Enrique Iglesias

I Could Fall In Love With You by Erasure

Crazy On You by Heart

Heartless by Kanye West

Deseos De Cosas Imposibles by La Oreja De Van Gogh

West End Girls by Pet Shop Boys

Love Song by 311

Adia by Sarah McLachlan

Do What You Have To Do by Sarah McLachlan

I Love You by Sarah McLachlan

Someday by Soda Club

So Far Away by Staind

Get By by Talib Kweli

For All We Know by The Carpenters

Linger by The Cranberries

You Keep Me Hangin’ On by The Supremes

You Got Me by The Roots

Tardes Negras by Tiziano Ferro

Overload by Voodoo & Serano

White Flag by Dido

Saving All My Love For You by Whitney Houston

Last Night (Featuring Keyshia Cole) by Diddy

Torn by Natalie Imbruglia

Gotta Tell You  by Samantha Mumba

Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

Before the sunset, the kids play in the sand

Originally uploaded by joaobambu

I am currently trying to figure out what I’m going to do with the kids in the summer. It’s strange to me now that I am in the school-aged phase that it’s a huge deal what summer camps you choose for you kids. Every mother I speak to always adds “And what summer camps are you putting your children in?”

I know that Cebastian is going to an overnight camp for a week, and Isabelle might go to the one at her school. We might go to Italy (or definitely, a public beach). However, after that, i am pretty much clueless. The problem lies on how much these camps want. The cheapest camp is $340 a week. Let’s do the math:

$340 * 2 (kids) * 4 (weeks) = $2,720 a month

This is close to $3000 because this doesn’t include supplies and activity fees they love to add to this number. Also, my ex isn’t the type to really help. I can just see that conversation:

“Eric, I probably need a little extra for the kids’ summer camps.”

“Ummm…I give you child support, so sorry, take it from there.”

My coworker says that our neighborhood has a half-day summer camp that has tennis, pool, and walking on nature trails. However, I am pretty uncomfortable paying lifeguards to watch my kids until I get home. They are watching everyone else, so what happens if they miss my kid? I don’t know…maybe I am paranoid. I think if all else fails, the kids will go to Isabelle’s school, which is Cebstian’s old school.

I want my children to have a fun summer, but do I really have to pay this money for them to have fun? These summer camps know that working parents need to place their kids in something, so they are upping that price like crazy to kind of screw us. I really don’t know what people are living paycheck-to-paycheck do.

For school-aged parents out there, what are you doing with the kids this summer?