July to December 2014 Joy Jay

Is it that time of the year already? Yes, it is!

Well, this was supposed to be the July post but then days turned into weeks which turned into months & before I realised it, it's nearly 2015!!!!

So I have decided to publish a final "Joy Jar" post for 2014 with the highlights from July to December.

I am not sure if I told you about my friend Giorgia and her fundraising efforts earlier this year for the Fight against Cancer. In any case, you can read more about it here. I have been helping her spread the word by translating some of her posts into Spanish. And these particular one about homemade energy bars actually inspired me to come up with my very own non-baking alternative: which I am quite proud off. And it is yummy!

In terms of personal challenges, I alway battle with myself about doing things own my own. So I'm quite proud to say that I did some kayaking for the first time in my life. It was night time with a full moon which made it extra special! I don't have photos of it, but needless to say the images & feelings will remain in my memory for years to come.

Finally one of the things that will mark 2014 as a good year for me will be adopting my dearest Blackie, a rescue dog. When excitedly I told my boss at Lanzarote Information I was going to pick her up, she said: "why don't you write a post about it adopting a dog in Lanzarote for our readers?" I was afraid of that. But I did. And it's a great source of pride and joy for me - both, writing and having this little ball of fur in my life.

I take this opportunity to wish you all an even more joyful 2015!

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

10 books that have stayed with me

My initial reaction to this type of challenges usually is to turn them down, to ignore them, basically. 

But every now and then, a challenge worth taking comes up. 
Like this one.  It went along the lines...

"I have been challenged by [insert here the name of the challenger] to name 10 books that I have read that have stayed with me. I then challenge 10 others to do the same! 

I might find some more gems in amongst yours! 
Here it goes:

1. to 10. 

Now I challenge such & such to do the same. 

Don't spend too long thinking just the ones that are on the tip of your tongue! Have fun" 

So I did. 

I jotted down the first 10 books that came to mind. Whether they are proper literature or simply chick lit. I don't care. I remember them because they had an impact on me when I read them. 

Then I felt like I had to justify my choices somehow, even if briefly. Or maybe (just maybe), someone might be curious about my reasons. 

But the social network on which I was challenged wasn't the place for that. 

I thought, hey, that's why I have a blog!

I decided to have some fun too, nothing too heavy, so here it goes:

1. The Bible
I had quite a religious upbringing and I remember fondly the Sunday School classes with all those biblical stories and occasionally learning verses by heart. It's come in handy every now and then, long before all those inspirational posts on the social networks. It's inpired my series of posts called "Bring back that verse". 

2. "El zulo" 
by Fernando Lalana
As a teenager I had to read this in school. Loved this mystery with a love story and sense of humor thrown in the mix. Couldn't put it down & finished it in record time. 


3. "Viaje al país de los lacetas" 
by Sebastiá Sorribas
The very first book I read, telling a "road-trip" adventure of some pre-historic kids that were my ancestors. I picked out of the bookshelf to read on Fridays during "library hour" in school. The school year ended but I hadn't finished reading the book. So I bought it and finished it during my summer holidays. It started my love affair with bookshops and books. 


4. "Le petit prince" 
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Discovered thanks to a Spanish TV Series -who said TV couldn't be educational?


5. "La sirena de Famara" 
by Ismael Lozano Latorre
A love story set in the island where I currently reside: Lanzarote.
Magic. 


6. "La sombra del viento" 
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
One of those that intrigued me from the beginning: surely the wind can't cast a shadow? Books and Barcelona. Hooked again. 


7. "The Gift" 
by Cecilia Ahern
Spontaneous purchase on my way to my summer holidays. Maybe because of some personal stuff I was going through myself, but it will always remind me of the gift of appreciating what's important in life. 


8. "The Outsiders" 

by Susan E. Hinton
Yes, I did prefer the book despite of the eye candy on the movie adaptation. And yes, I did cry while reading it. 


9. "Against all Odds" 
by Margaret Sherlock
I had the pleasure of meeting the author when I interviewed her when she was launching this book's sequel "Blind Thruth". Now I am proud to call her my friend. An intriguing story than when you start, you can't put down! 


10. "Eat pray love" 
by Elizabeth Gilbert
What draw me to this book it wasn't the fact that it was a best seller, but the fact that a guy had recommended it to a female friend of mine. Plus the unlike trio on the title. What would those three things have in common?  Needless to say that I did go through my own emotional voyage while reading it.  I was also very pleasantly surprised to discover the author's entertaining talk about creativity, which I highly recommend.  Did you also know that the movie "Coyote Ugly" was based on an article she wrote about her experience working in a bar? Gosh, that woman has lived!

So, here you go, a little glimpse at why I chose these books.

I hope you enjoyed it. 

(Also, feel free to considered yourself challenged and leave your top 10 books in the comments below!)

June 2014 Joy Jar

Nothing really springs to mind... You see? That is the problem about not writing things down as they happen... let it be a lesson that hopefully I'll learn. Soon.

Oh, wait, there was somthing...

I did a little race called the 2nd "Popular Race 'Challenge' of Mácher"or 2a. Carrera Popular 'Desafío Mácher' as it's know locally. 

Only the 5K distance, mind you. There was an option to run 10K which I discarded pretty quickly - I wish I did run that fast!

But as usual, although I did suffer - those hilly starts are going to be the death of me! - I enjoyed it enormously. I also got the support of a friend who although didn't run, was waiting for me at the finishing line. And then we went for a well deserved breakfast and a natter to catch up.

Yours truly with no. 18.
© Dory Hernández

No relevant posts on Lanzarote Information, other than the weekly English movies reviews.

I'll try to keep better track of my enjoyable achievements next month, OK?

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolution: Joy Jar. 

May 2014 joy jar

May 2014's achievements:

On the 7th I attended Margaret's book signing of her latest thriller, Houded. Then we went for a bite to eat with her husband and they introduced me to yet another faboulous restaurant: Asian Varadero in the Harbour in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote. 

On the 10th I attended the 2nd marathon of free workshops organised by Esacan. This time I chose an introduction to dog traning, which later in the year will feature as a full course  & artistic reclycling, for the sake of it (as in, no course programmed yet). I met some lovely people and look forward to whatever initiatives come out of it. 

From the 26th to the 28th I attended a free workshop on how to make preserves at the Albergue de Tegoyo, organised by ADELRLAN, the local organisation for rural development. A lot of peeling, chopping & boiling involved but we got to take home with us the jars we filled: jams, veggies, sauces & chutneys...I am sorted for the winter (well, sort of!). 

In relation to my collaboration with Lanzarote Information, here are my favourite posts I contributed with this month:

• Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park Country Night

I got almost tricked into writing this one as in: a friend offered me a ticket if I was interested in going, to which I said "yes". Only aafter I accepted I was told "but you need to write something about it". Ahhhhggggrrrr, how I hate that! The pressure! And, of course, I did agonise about it but I'm quite pleased about the result. Even some friends who didn't know I had written it, being big fans of this particular show in our island, told me: "hey, we read a very good review of it on Lanzarote Information". Chuffed. There is no other word for it.

• Lanzarote Exhibition in London: Heirs of the Volcano

Purely by chance I came across the news of some local artists presenting their works in London. I am very pleased to see that my beloved island was having a chance to show a different side of itself to the world.

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

April 2014s Joy Jar

I took part in the 2nd Tinguafaya Charity race - another worst personal best and it was only 5k! But finished it with a great feeling, despite of the insufferable heat, because it was for such a good cause and the atmosphere is always great. 

I am a bit of a procrastinator and I have been putting off writing this post for Lanzarote Information for ages, who knows why. But I finally got around to it... after months of trying to do it! You can read the post here: Friends of the Wine & Cheese Association.

Finally, another thing I had wanted to do for ages, but in this case it wasn't all up to me as there were other people involved. We ended up doing as a belated surprise birthday celebration: a sushi-making workshop by Sushi Bar Minato in Puerto Calero. Great fun and you get to bring your sushi home with you! Yummy!

Ready to star 

It's starting to take shape

...and the final result!

Talk to you next month!
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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

March 2014 Joy Jar

These are my March Joy Jar highlights: 

Remember the Music Marathon Festival I registered for back in January? Well, the day came faster than I expected. Not that I can say the same about me. I actually did my worst personal time ever. I could blame it on the lack of proper training and the heat of the day, both of them are true. You are suppose to get better at it, but I seem to be going backwards. I felt quite sick during the race and I even considered giving up. But instead, I just took it easy, walk as much as I had to in order to feel up to running the rest. And instead of feeling depressed, I ended up feeling great, seeing loads of people that I know and enjoying the overall atmosphere. 

   

Photos compliment of my friend Roberto Villar from Lanzarote Photografika. 

I also walked the I Paddy's Beer Running that took place on the weekend of Paddy's Day in Puerto del Carmen. The party that followed on arrival at the town's harbour was legendary!

And remember the colorful Nanis I treated myself too? Well, they got featured on Divinity's blog. My shoes on a fashion blog!!!! Super-proud doesn't begin to cover it. 

And finally, these are the articles I wrote for Lanzarote Information, other than the weekly movies in English:
- Playa Blanca Cheese Fair 2014 and
- Award winning wines from Lanzarote 2014. 

Well, see you in a few days for April's Joy Jar!

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

30 things to start doing for yourself

I came across "30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself" by March Chernoff as re-posted on {live}buzz.  Some I had already heard before. Good to hear them again all the same. 

But it suddenly hit me: stop, stop, stop. 
It does sound a bit negative, doesn't it?

It reminds me of a quote from "Community", Season 1, Episode 3:

Only when we stop stopping our lives can we begin to start starting them. 

How about we tried turning Marc's "stops" into positives? 

Here is my attempt:

#1. Start spending time with the right people.
#2. Start facing from your problems. 
#3. Start telling the truth to yourself / being honest with yourself. 
#4. Start putting your own needs first. 
#5. Start being who you are. 
#6. Start letting go of the past. 
#7. Start being brave enough to make mistakes. 
#8. Start praising yourself from what you've learnt from your old mistakes. 
#9. Start finding happiness in things that money can not buy.  
#10. Start finding happiness within yourself. 
#11. Start doing something.  
#12. Start thinking you are ready. 
#13. Start getting involved in relationships for the right reasons. 
#14. Start accepting new relationships despite of old ones not having work. 
#15. Start competing against yourself rather than everybody else. 
#16. Start being happy for others. 
#17. Start praising yourself and feeling proud of yourself. 
#18. Start letting go the grudges you have been holding
#19. Start raising above those who want to bring you down to their level. 
#20. Start giving less explanations. 
#21. Start taking breaks from your usual routine. 
#22. Start appreciating the beauty of small moments. 
#23. Start accepting imperfection. 
#24. Start following the path of most resistance. 
#25. Start acting like everything is fine if it isn't. 
#26. Start taking responsibility for your troubles. 
#27. Start being only something to some people. 
#28. Start worrying less. 
#29. Start focusing on what you want to happen
#30. Start being grateful.

What do you think?
Do you put any of them in practice regularly? How?
Which one do you agree with the most?
Which one do you struggle with the most?

February 2014

Ok, here are the February achievements for my 2014 Joy Jar: 

I countinued to write the weekly English movie listings for Lanzarote Information, but a post that I really enjoyed preparing is the annoucement of Margaret Sherlock's latest book "Hounded". 

Catching up with author Margaret Sherlock
at picnic in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

I also got my Betty Boop Nanis delivered. 
I'm in love!!!!

And after a year of working at House Lanzarote as an admin assistant I am delighted to announce that I have been made permanent! Happy days! 

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If you are thinking of buying a property in Lanzarote, whether it's for personal use or as an investment,
feel free to contact us (details on the website) or pop in if you are around. 

¡Salgo en Divinity!

Bueno, yo no, mis Nanis. 

¿Pero no dicen que yo soy yo y mis Nanis? ¿O eran mis circunstancias?

En fin, pues resulta que en el blog de moda de divinity Adela Leonsegui ha publicado un artículo titulado "Estampados de dibujos animados y comics para despedir el invierno" contándonos como los personajes infantiles han saltado de las pantallas a la calle. 

O en mi caso, han saltado a mis pies. ¿A que molan?

Para más detalles de cómo conseguir tus propias Nanis -una experiencia que os recomiendo altamente- visitad Las Nanis de Nani. 

MFT # 16 - Betty Boop or Las Nanis de Susana

Remember those colorful customised converse style runners  I recently talked about? Guess what...

I got mine!!!

For ages I had admired Daniel's colorful work while I kept thinking: one day, I'll treat myself to a pair.  

But I could never find the right occasion or decide on the theme that I liked the most: there are too many to choose from!

Well, this year for my birthday I said: this is it, time to keep that promise to myself.  

So I started going mentally through my favourite things to decide on the theme of my runners. In the end, I narrowed it down to Betty Boop, inspired by this t-shirt that I had for ages and I luuuuuuuuuuuv:

So I build up the couraged, got in touch with contacted Las Nani de Nani, sent him the photo above and less than a month later (*)... I had them on my feet!

Aren't they cool? I absolutely adore them. I keep wearing them all the time. And they are sooooooooooo comfy! 

You can see them in more detail here. 

I'm telling you, people, this guys is very talented! He is going places!

(*) yes, there is a waiting list! So if you want to order some for a special occasion, bear that in mind and, to avoid disappointment, check with Nani how long is the waiting list at that time!

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Check out some of my other favourite things, if you like.

MFT # 15 - To hear or not to hear

I love my new headphones. 

I was sick & tired of the hard ones that hurt my ears and kept falling when I run. 

So  I decided to give this Hama soft ones a try. They come with 3 different sizes of flexible earpieces for you to choose the one that fits you best. 

They also wrap comfortably around the ear, even if you wear glasses, which I do. 

The sound through them is loud and clear. 

And at less than €10 they hardly break the bank. 

All and all, an excellent buy, me thinks. 

Hama HK-280 56280 Clip-On Stereo Headphones

You might also enjoy some of my other favourite things.

January 2014's Joy Jar

As usual it takes me a while to post the previous months review. Maybe I should make it my resolution to post them in a more timely fashion! :-)

Running achievements: 

• While I was visiting my parents in my hometown I went running with my brother-in-law. I am usually a lone runner but running with him it was a pleasure: he is much fitter than I am but he was very patient, sensitive and flexible to adapt to my limitation. It's all about running with the right partner, I guess.  
• I registered for the 10K race on the 1st of March, Music Marathon Festival in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote. Time to go shopping for those proper running shoes once and for all!

Writing: On top of my usual contributions I wrote a few articles for Lanzarote Information of which I particularly proud of: 

• one about Lanzarote Natural and their new project "Vive Tinajo" 
• one about vines up for sale and a free course on how to grow them organised locally 
• and one about a photographic exhibition inspired on August Sander's work at Los Aljibes de Tahiche, one of my favourite restaurants & art gallery

Cleaning: I give away some clothes & shoes to a friend. In order not to aggravate the already obvious lack of space in my closet I also made two decisions:

• try not to buy anything new unless I really need it (like the running shoes I mentioned above!)
• in case I can do without buying something, I have to get rid off at least the equivalent amount or more 

And finally, next month is my birthday. Last year it was a big 0 one but I didn't really treat myself to anything extra special. So this year I did it. It's being ordered but I don't want to spoil the surprise... watch this space, I'll keep you posted!

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This is the post that started this year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

MFT # 14 - Las Nanis de Nani

I don't quite remember how I came across these for the first time but I remember secretly promising to treat myself to a pair one day. 

These unique custom made Converse style sneakers are hand painted. 

You choose the theme: your favourite band or artist, modern or a legend, a cartoon character, a hero, a hobby, a place, your pet, your club, a sport... let your imagination go: the sky is the limit!

These are just a few of my favourite ones - which one do you prefer?

You can see more examples or follow Nani's work on his facebook page or his blog. 

And if you decide to get a pair, tell him Susana sent you!

Did you like them? You might also enjoy some of my other favourite things.