30/52

Week 30: Admiring sunflowers and seashells. 

"Portraits of my children every week, once a week, in 2014."

Returning Home

(Post translated from by spanish blog: Regreso a casa.)

A few months ago I returned from Dominican Republic where I was on vacation. It’s difficult to describe what I feel towards my hometown. Although I miss it, it seems that as more time goes by, the more I distance myself from it. Maybe what I love is the memory of it, the high school and college years, the place it once was, the girl I was back then. 

As I left the airport with my parents, I had this strange feeling of not belonging, I was home and yet it didn’t feel like home. The city had changed since my last visit: on my way to my parent’s house I encountered a new highway, new cemetery, businesses and buildings that did not exist before. The city had grown, it seemed like another. I would’ve liked to roam the streets with my camera, return to the places I frequented once, reconcile my past with my present but I couldn’t get myself to do it. The sense of insecurity was stronger than the love I feel for this country. Perhaps I exaggerate and put much thought into it because of the violence I’ve heard of recently. It’s sad to know that I don’t feel the freedom and tranquility I did when I lived there as a teenager. Some people (like my mom) refuse to live afraid and don’t think much of the situation. And, yes, I get her point but it’s hard to accept these changes and when my heart is anchored to the past. 

Nowadays, when I’m in Santiago I enjoy it because my girls love it and are happy there. For them, it’s another world in which every day there is something new to be discovered and experienced, like pick mangoes from trees, play with chicks and fallen leaves, jump in puddles and watch their wet footprints magically appear on the cement, carry and chase my aunt’s dogs, jump over beach waves, help grandma take down clean laundry, eat breakfast outdoors and feed the parrot. Small and everyday things that is so much more appreciated after a long and brutal winter. 

Here, a few pics of our time there:

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge / Make a Splash!

Decided to join the fun and submit a photo for this challenge. This image came to mind as soon as I  read the theme. It's one of my favorite summer photos ever... The scraped elbow, the wet clothes, the warm sunlight and green grass. So much to love! 

26/52

Week 26: Watermelon. Bubbles.

"Portraits of my children once a week, every week, in 2014."

25/52

Week 25: Hugs before heading out.

"Portraits of my children once a week, every week, in 2014."

23/52

Week 23: Dinosaur Playground.

"Portraits of my children once a week, every week, in 2014."

Catching up with Project 52: Weeks 18, 19, 20

Week 18: Playing with the parrot at Grandma's. / One happy morning.

Week 19: Late afternoon play after rainfall. / Hand washing laundry.

Week 20: Plane ride back home (taken with iphone).

"Portraits of my children once a week, every week, in 2014."

The Farm

Last week we visited the Queens County Farm. This has become a favorite place for us. Most of the flowers were gone since our last visit and some of the animals were not around, not sure if it was because it was a weekday or the fact that the weather is changing. It was cloudy for most part of the day and beautifully quiet. We didn't do much but walk, run, touch some flowers and take in the silence and all the greenary around us. I watched my girls play and pick stones together, laugh and just BE.  Most of the time I walked in front or behind them, but always watching closely, not wanting to miss for a second their smiles and bliss.

Farewell to summer

Though today feels like a mid-August day, I am very aware that summer is practically gone and cool fall weather will soon be approaching. I spent my day yesterday clearing out the girl's closets and drawers, making mental notes of what they will need once they can no longer wear shorts and sandals. I also starting creating a list of places to go and things to do before the weather changes for good. Looking back, I wish I had done some of these things earlier, like to going the Brooklyn Bridge Park Carrousel or visiting Governors Island, but this was an unusual summer, with my mother-in-law in town and organizing the new place we moved into. It was a good summer overall but, I do plan to be more proactive come next summer and hopefully I'll have a calendar full of outings and creative things to do with the girls when the time comes. 

Here, a very brief summary of our summer according to my phone: