Category: Places

My Little One’s Day Out

by Querin Ventura, posted in NYC, Places
Date: Wednesday November 7th, 2018

Where: New York City (Flat Iron district, Time Square, Bryant Park)

Weather: 59 degrees Fahrenheit & Sunny

Places : Eataly, Lego Store, Bryant Park

         /         

I checked the weather forecast days ahead and the forecast showed it would be a nice sunny day with temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So I planned to spend the day out with mom and son. My husband had to work, therefore he could not join us.

I thought this was a perfect day to spend outside with mom and my little one. We had a great time and part of having such a great of a time was preplanning in advance so that we could leave the house early enough to enjoy most of the day out and still come back home at a decent time in the afternoon.

Back in my pre-baby days when I did not have a family of my own that included a baby (or young toddler) were very different. If I wanted to go out, I would just go out. IT was that simple. But now I’ve learned that if I want to go out with my family and especially if I want my little one to have a great time; I have to research, pre-plan, and execute what I plan.

I also realized that not everything works according to plan, for example, I wanted us to be in the Flat Iron district by 9:30 am. But we got there at approximate 10:15 am. Still planning did help us a lot, because if I did not have a time goal, we could have arrived at 12 noon instead of 10:15 am. I woke up at 5:30 am, prepped everything we were taking for the baby.

In the planning phase, I did not take into considerations that we would need to find the elevators in the subway stations we were using to get us to the subway and back up to ground level. Because with a toddler, a stroller, a diaper bag, etc. you need to know where the elevators are.  After this trip, I learned this is another reason why is important to give yourself extra time when traveling or out with a baby. Logistics, logistic, logistics. Also, some subway stations don’t even have elevators, so you may have to use muscle power just like I did.

Just go out and have fun with your little one. If you overthink it, and over preplan, you may not go out at all. Don’t do that. Once you are out and about with your baby, you will be so glad that you did. Plus, there are still a lot of nice people out in the world. We had a couple of people who asked “do you need help?” when there was a stair in front of us and no elevators in sight. Use the information center; that’s what they are there for. Ask the NYPD, when we did not see any signs for the elevators and we needed one for sure, we asked a NY police officer. He directed us on the right direction to the elevators. On our way back home, when we were returning to Jersey, I spoke to one of the NJ transit reps and told him that I could not walk up the steep stairs/escalators they had (with no elevator to get to it) and he had my bus meet me on the level where I was. I didn’t even know they did that, but yes they do! You just have to ask.

Despite those little hiccups with the elevators in the subway and NJ transit, it was all worth it. Isaac had a great time. I don’t just start talking to strangers, but my little one just walks to other kids and stars socializing. I love to see him doing this. Children start with a clean slate. They don’t have any preconceived notions or prejudice until adults teach them otherwise and start messing them up.

My boy had a great time. I observed that he is very sociable with other children. He gravitates towards them and I love that. One case in particular that I observed was this little girl (older than him) who initially did not want to play with him. Yet, he kept gravitating towards her and eventually she started smiling, running with him, laughing with him and all of a sudden they were playing together.

In short this is what we did:

  • Took a bus to NYC
  • Took the subway (my boy loves to see the train running)
  • Went to Eataly – had breakfast – had a great time here
  • Went to the Lego Store (baby fell asleep ) and I got him his first Lego toys
  • Went to Bryant park – here I thought we would not spend much time and this was my little one’s favorite part of the trip. He was watching the ice-skaters and then started walking around and socializing with other kids. He did not want to leave
  • Took the bus – came back home

This was Isaac’s day out

 

God bless you, with love,

Querin

Macao Beach and Bibijagua Pathway

by Querin Ventura, posted in Beach, Dominican Republic, Places, Punta Cana

IMG_5746IMG_5753IMG_5758IMG_5780

Let’s talk Dominican Republic: Many of you know that last year (2015) I went to The Dominican Republic.  It was a truly memorable experience for me.  I spent about seven months in the island of the Hispaniola (which means Little Spain), also known as Quisqueya, which is the Taino name believed to mean “mother of all lands.”  On this occasion, I did not go to the island as a tourist, but, among other things, I went to reconnect with my roots.

I grew up in the United States, hence I’m a Dominican American Millennial woman.  I try to visit DR for a week or two each year.  This time was different because I got to experience life in DR as a local Dominican, although for “some reason.” people would ask me where I was from when they would hear me speak.  I still remember the general manager of super mercado Pola (Pola super market) in plaza San Juan, asking me “where are you from?” “I’m Dominican,” I answered.  He said, “no, you are not. Local Dominicans don’t ask the questions you ask.”

While I was in The Dominican Republic, I definitely developed a deeper connection with my native land.  I did a lot of road trips with my boyfriend as one of my main goals was to get to know the country better.  The Dominican Republic is so beautiful.  Yes, it is known for its beautiful beaches, but there is so much more about the nature of this country.  I visited a few places while I was there and there is so much more I have to explore in the Dominican Republic.  The pictures above are from Playa Macao (Macao beach), and the pathway of Bibijagua beach in Bavaro Punta Cana.

A few things to consider when you go to the Dominican Republic:

  • If you are a woman with curly hair, very curly hair, take your own natural curly hair products with you.
  • If you have naturally curly hair and you try to blow dry your hair in DR, be prepared for that blow out not to last as long as it would last in the US, east coast, for example.  It is hot and humid in DR, hence my recommendation is that you style your hair naturally-plus you are going there to explore and to get to know DR.  That being said, you need a hairstyle that will withstand that. So keep it natural!
  • On the east coast, (Punta Cana, Bavaro), which is where I was living, do NOT use tap water to wash your hair.  Instead, use the bottle water to wash your hair as the chlorine used in tap water can damage your hair (this is specially true, if you plan to be in the area of Punta Cana long term).
  • If you go to the north coast, the south, or to the capital, it’s ok to use tap water to wash your hair.
  •  Warning: Dominican food can be EXTREMELY delicious, so be prepared to gain a few pounds.  If you go for just a couple of weeks, this is nothing to worry about, but if you go for months or more, set healthy goals to not loose track.  I’m speaking from experience. :-)
  • If you go to the area of Punta Cana & Bavaro, you MUST eat the fresh fish.  The fishermen catch them daily.  It was my favorite.
  • And of course, coconut trees are in abundance in Bavaro Punta Cana.  You have to have some coconut water.  Coconut water is super healthy and it’s in the coconut! not in a carton box.

Go and explore life,

With Love,

Querin

THANK YOU 2015, WELCOME 2016

by Querin Ventura, posted in Dominican Republic, Life style, Places, Travel

“I know of only one duty and that is to love.”

~Albert Camu

2015 was a year filled with blessings and some challenges.  I am grateful for the new experiences I had, the new people I met, the new friends I made. I am grateful for the people who gave me their support when obstacles came about.  Above all, I am grateful to GOD—You are everything to me. Thank you 2015 for everything

2016: WELCOME! I embrace you with open arms

IMG_6896

Photo above taken by me at the Bahia of Samaná in Samaná, Dominincan Republic.

Journey

by Querin Ventura, posted in Dominican Republic, Life style, nature, people, Places, Punta Cana, Wellbeing

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma–which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.  Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.”

~Steve Jobs, Stanford University, 2005

Punta Cana has one of the best golf courses in the world.  I am not a golf player, but I had a fun time with my friends during a tour we had of the area.  The best part of this event was getting to see the natural beauty of Punta Cana while connecting  and getting to know the local people.

IMG_6561 IMG_6570 IMG_6576 IMG_6590

IMG_6595IMG_6604 IMG_6605 IMG_6608 IMG_6640 IMG_6643

Optimism

by Querin Ventura, posted in Beach, Beauty, Dominican Republic, Fashion, Life style, Places, Punta Cana

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but how you act while you are waiting.”

~Joyce Meyer

In life, to know more, to learn more, to fear less, to be bold, to grow, to truly grow, we have to go thru a journey of experiences. I am a deep thinker, not just a critical thinker. Deep thinking in my opinion is much more profound than critical thinking.

I’ve known many people who stay static for fear of change and for fear of the unknown. I have made some bold moves in my life and I have to admit that while I have done some of those major moves, I have also felt some fear.

Sometimes when I made new decisions in my life and things did not go immediately as planned, I wanted to go back to what was known to me, but then I started to think about the story of Moses from the bible. God took his people out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, yet when they found some obstacles, they wanted to go back to that very same house of slavery. Instead of looking forward to the new life ahead of them as free people, they started to complain and they started to regret having left the house of slavery. They did not want to face any obstacles. They wanted everything to be perfect on their new journey to freedom. Instead of seeing the blessing of their new freedom, they complained about the obstacles, they found along the way.

Today, I tell you: Do not look back – when obstacles present themselves, keep moving forward and do not turn back. Do not complain when obstacles present themselves. It takes courage to make certain decisions that are life changing in life and it takes even more courage to keep the course and follow thru on your new journey. God is with you – do not be afraid (and even if you are afraid, God will guide you).

God is with you-be grateful every day.

God bless you!

I took these pictures in Plaza San Juan in Bavaro Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

IMG_5785 IMG_5788 IMG_5792 IMG_5793 IMG_5795 IMG_5804 IMG_5807 IMG_5858 IMG_5860 IMG_5865 IMG_5866 IMG_5870 IMG_5875 IMG_5910 IMG_5916