I've moved!!

Hi all!!
I am back on the blogging wagon, but I've decided to move over to Wordpress. I'd love if you stopped by to check me out, and maybe stay awhile. I look forward to seeing you all!

                                                                                         -Mai

"Now I'm off singing karaoke, further than I've ever been"

Sept 22

The coworkers and I took a beach break and brought the kids and the girls along. It was really hot that day, I guess everyone had the same idea as us. We dined on grilled red snapper and fried plantains and quenched our thirsts with ice cold homemade cherry juice and Prestige (Haitian National beer). Good times!

Although every cook has her own special technique, most Haitian fish, meat and poultry are marinated in delish spices that include citrus, adobo, parsley, scotch bonnet peppers and garlic.

Grilled fish on the beach.

Loving the neon and black & white print on my bikini 

It wasn't until I was working on this post that I realized that I was drinking around children. It is so common in many households that I thought nothing of it, but now that I'm back in the States, I feel a little uncomfortable about it.

I <3 sunsets

The HUMONGOUS lobster that the coworkers bought. I'm not into shellfish, so I didn't partake but it smelled delish, the juices were sloshing all over the plate.

Bikini top: H&M; Bikini bottom: Wet Seal

"I go back to black"

Sept 20

I took my sissy to the beach with me today.  I think I was rewarding her for something, but I forgot what. I treated her to some lobster, because she has never had it before. She didn't like it is my way of putting it nicely.

Black & white never get old

 The beach is one of my favorite places, the water soothes me

I made her eat every bite, I do not waste food

 My meal of grilled red snapper and fried plantains was delicious

Tank top: F21; Shorts: H&M; Bikini: Wet Seal; Sandals: Target

"I'll put a flower in your hair"

Sept 15
PauP (La Boule), Haiti

I finally met my 21st century pen pal (more like Twitter pal). Her name is Maureen and I've been following her on Twitter ever since I joined.  She was in the process of moving back to Haiti after having lived in New York for over half her life.  I lived through her experiences in Haiti vicariously.  I have often toyed with the idea of moving back home.  She lives near the capital, which is about 3 hours (without traffic) from me.  I spent the weekend at her house.  She and her mom were such wonderful hostesses.

Sherry moved back to Haiti as well

We met up with her friends for pizza, drinks and music.

Rum Sour (the unofficial official drink)

Pizza was delicious

I don't remember the name of my drink but it was great.

Jeans: JC Penny; Top: Marshalls

"You know that I'm no good"

Sept 14

Jacmel, Hait (Lakou Nouyok)

Went out for fried food and beer with the coworkers.  As usual, I was the "over dressed" one.  This outfit was a lot more out there than I realized prior to walking out of the door (that's always the case it seems). 

I love this top and although I never used to like shorts, they come in handy in Haiti's heat. Top it off with a neon pink bra and attention getting bright pink lips and we've got an outfit.

This is the view during the day.

Top: Marshalls; Shorts: Wet Seal

"Uhh my dearest darling, I'm offering you my heart"

Sep 9

Jacmel, Haiti

Yes I take pictures of myself while sitting on the back of a moto (mini motorcycle, quickest form of transportation in Haiti; my fave outside of walking)

"I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell"

Sept 3
Jacmel, Haiti

I love finding new restaurants.  Food is a big part of my life.  I love meeting up with friends and catching up over a good meal.  However I don't have any qualms about dining alone if friends are not available.  My hometown does not have many 'nice' restaurants, more like takeout places.  If one is looking for fine dining, a hotel is usually the go to place.      

This is the Hotel Florita.

The vines were so charming and the natural decor was so rustic that I couldn't help but love it.

I was enamored with their courtyard.

If not for the schizo mosquitoes, I would have stayed outside longer.

Let's not forget my meal.

Avocado/tomato/green bean salad = DELICIOUS

Grilled red snapper, fried plantains, rice (not pictured)

Dress: H&M; Sandals: Spring

"There's nothing anyone could say to take this away"

Sept 2
Jacmel, Haiti

Strolling with my little sister around town

Romper: Target; Sandals: Urban Outfitters; Belt: AJ Wright; Hat: Family Dollar

By Your Side

I've been MIA for a while.  I  haven't really felt like blogging, and I actually got tired of running and posing for the camera by myself to document clothes.  I want this blog to reflect me holistically as opposed to the tiny part of me that likes to dress up and put on makeup.  I love to dine out, go to local events and hang with my friends while trying out new activities.  I am also trying to be more honest about my emotions as opposed to bottling them in (especially when it comes to men). I want to be able to express that via this medium. Hopefully you all continue on this ride with me.

(Blog titles are songs that are currently playing)

Karaoke

My friend tells me all of the time that I have to stop being so hard. She says that I need to express my emotions more, that it’s ok to cry.  I retort that vulnerable is not my color. We were talking about a guy that I am currently mooning over. We’ll call him Aaron.  I like him but I’m not sure what to do with him.  Classic story; girl meets boy, they become friends, then they venture off into not so platonic territory. Not smart. I know. I thought I had on my big girl panties and could handle it. I. Can. Not. I tell him that if we continue, it will be difficult to keep any potential feelings at bay. If I enjoy hanging out and talking to you and we’ve added coitus to the mix, why wouldn't I think about pursuing something with you? I don't do well with not knowing exactly where I stand with people. The sad part is that I rarely admit these thoughts , even to myself. Instead I am content to carry on with my daily existence as if I am not losing an internal battle. I wish I could wash the memory of him away with my makeup at the end of the day. I wish I didn't sit and fantasize about how things could be in between bites of my lunch. I wish I didn't turn to him even in my slumber because his arms and warmth make everything better for now.

Sunset sunset

Another day, another set of beach pics.  Are ya'll tired of seeing me in my bathing suit yet?  Well my everyday outfits have not been that exciting, they mainly consist of shorts and camisoles.  Beach days are a nice reprieve, I get to frolic in the sun for a little bit but I am always beat after coming from the beach.

goat shish kabob

lobster & fried plantains; I don't really eat shellfish but I figured I would give grilled lobster a shot, the flavor was really good but I'm still not a fan of shellfish.  I don't really like the texture or the flavor of the meat.  Give me chicken, goat, fish or beef.

all that is missing is mr. maimusings

Bikini: Wet Seal; Dress: Express

But Ricky!

Hope all of you ladies and gents are doing well..  I went to the beach twice last week.  Although I was feeling bloated , I still wanted to enjoy the beach so I opted for my polka dot one piece  I love this bathing suit.  I think it is so retro, it reminds me of a dress that Lucy used to wear in I Love Lucy.

Life Force

Regular old day, I think I just went walking around town.  I wanted to explore my town, I didn't get to see as much as I would have liked to, but it was still nice to be out and about.  Doing a bit of color blocking, these colors just make me think of life. Green: Plants, Yellow: Sun and Blue: Water.

Top & Flats: Old Navy; Shorts: F21

Life's A Beach

I finally made it to the beach!!  Last Sunday, I got a much deserved beach break with my fam.  We (my sister, bro and cousin) got to frolic in the water and have fun in the sun.  I need to make some friends so I can have an adult beach trip.  Adult beverages included.

The water was way too sandy, but it was still a nice reprieve from my daily duties.  I bought a beach wig. It's big and curly, wait till y'all see it!

T Shirt kind of Day

Hi hi hi!
I went to watch a local soccer match last Friday (Aug 27th), and I just threw on some denim shorts and a t shirt, which if you have been following my blog for even a week, you would notice that is not a norm for me.  I've been really hot (which is to be expected in Haiti) and I wasn't going far, so my extra casual outfit would have to suffice.

Last Supper

Hope everyone's doing well!  Here are some pics from my last evening in the States.  I hung out with some girlfriends and we had our usual girl talk which consisted of men, men and some more men.  You know cuz we're philosophical like that.  There is a shopping plaza not to far from where three of us live that has really neat restaurants and cool shops.  I've been to almost all of them, but there was one, the Yard House that I never seemed to be able to make it to.  There always seems to be a long wait.  Well today was our special day, because there was a table available and it was patio seating (my fave in the summer & spring).  My outfit was nothing to write home about, because my "good clothes" were all packed up, but enjoy the shots of me and the homies.

Paint balling!!

Hi all,
Hope everyone and theirs is safe and sound after Hurricane Irene.  As you may know, I'm in Haiti.  Thank goodness it passed us.  I think we have filled our quota for natural disasters.  Any who here are pictures from two weeks ago when I went paint balling.  Um yeah this siht hurts!!!  I've been paint balling before but it was indoors.  This place is outdoors which means more people which means more flying bullets which means death to me :(