Not Anymore

It’s been forever since I last posted a blog entry here. It’s not that I haven’t had anything to blog about. I was just so preoccupied with a trip I was taking at the tail end of March. Not just any trip. A trip of lifetime. A trip that I’ve waited to take since I was ten years old. I allowed myself this luxury, being that I will be turning 40 in less than a month. So you can see how this trip was long overdue. I have another blog where I chronicled my journey. My journey took me to my very first WrestleMania! Yes, I did type the word “WrestleMania“

The WWE has captured my attention as I said, since I was ten years old. I stopped watching for a short time. Then when my children were younger I tuned in again. When I tuned back in, it was the end of my sanity. For I was introduced to the man who always makes me lose my cool. I’m talking about, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. If you do not know who I speak of then you must Google him right away! I seriously need to dedicate an entire post to that man. *Sigh* Well okay, I actually did on my other blog :-)

Anyhow, I have been basking in the afterglow of fulfilling one of my childhood dreams. The experience was unlike anything I’ve had the pleasure of indulging in. The theme of the trip was VIP. And it felt so good to experience a bit of decadence. I’m a single mother who has always put her children first. I have no regrets. Now that my children are entering adulthood, it’s time for me to give to myself. This trip was just the beginning.

I partied with the stars!

One of my favorite WWE stars, Randy "The Viper" Orton

I saw my favorite male celebrity in the flesh! I even managed to grab hold of his hand as he passed by.

Favorite male celebrity Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

I went to my first WrestleMania!

Sun Life Stadium for WrestleMania 28! April 1 2012

Things I thought would remain only in my daydreams. After this experience, I will put more effort into making my dreams come true. At times, I would tell myself that my dreams were too far out of reach. Not anymore.

I Wonder...

I wonder if people are hesitant to pick up Enchanted Island because they think that they wouldn't relate? Yes, there is a Puerto Rican flag on the cover. Yes, the heart of the story takes place in Puerto Rico. Yes, 3 of the 4 main characters are, indeed, Puerto Rican. Yes, you will learn the history of Puerto Rico. What you will also get is an adventure. You will follow along as four young people come of age. You will fall in love with these youngsters and watch their transformation into young-adulthood. They go through the same situations as any one of you.

Not that I was surprised, but I had people, not of Puerto Rican heritage, tell me that they could so relate to the main character, Gabby. We each have issues and circumstances that we wish we could change. Really, at the core, we are more alike than not. We mostly all want the same things out of this thing called life. We're all on this life journey together; sometimes facing horrendous situations that do not discriminate. No matter where you come from. No matter the language you speak or the color of your skin.

Some of us come from a warm loving family and some not so much. Everyone falls in love and we make and lose friends. We face obstacles and fight to overcome them. These are just some of the things that the characters in my book face. Will this persuade you to take a chance on Enchanted Island? I wonder...

Till The End of Time and Beyond--Gilberto Padilla

Guest post from Gilberto, Gabriella's love interest in Enchanted Island.

Molly

Juan

Gabriella

Read May Torres' take on Gilberto Padilla

Sometimes I still can't believe how fortunate I've been. I couldn't ask for a better life. I have the best parents in the world. And would you believe that I met my soul mate when I was only 11 years old? Moving to New York was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. You see, I met the most amazing girl. Only, she didn't know just how amazing. I walked into a classroom in a new school, to see this sweet girl sitting there. She looked like she had lost her puppy. She had her head down and looked like she wished she was anywhere but that classroom. I sat next to her and said hi. She was so cute, she looked around to see if I was talking to her. From that day on we were never apart.

As a young boy I couldn't really express myself. I knew she made my stomach feel funny and my heart beat faster. I had no idea what was in store for me. I went and fell in love with her. And thankfully, she eventually fell in love with me. It doesn't seem like there are words good enough to describe her. I know that sounds corny but it's so true! Besides some unexplained pull I felt towards her, her humble nature is what attracted me. She is, of course, beyond beautiful. That's the icing on the cake.

After everything that happened I have no problem saying that Gabriella is my hero! She's so smart and brave. I'm so proud to call her a friend. Once we crossed paths, there was no way my life would be the same without her. I will love her till the end of time and beyond. On our crazy adventure we found out just how true and meaningful those words are. You'll have to find out for yourself what all that means. It's a story you probably won't believe. But it's what happened and it was very real to us.

My name is Gilberto, I'm Gabriella's best friend and boyfriend. I hope you'll enjoy our story. Oh yeah, there were some other people involved too. You already met Molly and Juan. Molly is most definitely a character. You can't help liking her. She gets under your skin, but her personal journey and cards she was dealt in life, make you go soft on her. Juan, he's another story. We were friends before I met the others. He's a decent guy. It's just that, I can't shake the feeling that he's interested in Gabriella. While we were stuck on Mona Island, I just feel like something went on that I don't know about. I hope I'm wrong.

Gabriella Speaks

Another guest post from a character, the main character, from Enchanted Island. Check out Molly's and Juan's posts

Molly

Juan

Read May Torres' take on Gabriella Sanchez

I see you've already met Molly and Juan. I hope you don't get turned off by Molly. She means well, she really does. Ever since we were younger she was always alone. She had Bethany, her nanny, but she was no substitute for her mother. If you let Molly tell it, she could care less about her mother ignoring her. I know better. Their relationship is nothing like the one I have with my mother. My mother is my hero, my everything. We may not have had the best things in life, but she always made sure I felt loved. She gives me things that just can't be measured. That's why I decided to befriend Molly. I saw that she didn't have what I had and, well, everyone deserves to feel loved.

When I was younger, I didn't have any friends my age. I hung out with my elderly neighbor and she was actually my best friend. I just had more in common with her than anybody at school. My school mates used to tease me as soon as I opened my mouth to speak. I really didn't understand how they weren't interested in reading and all the other things that I loved. So I spent a lot of time by myself. That was okay because the stories in my books were far more interesting. That is, until I became friends with Molly Sinclaire. What a roller coaster ride!

The summer we became friends was so much fun. Somewhere towards the end of the summer I guess reality hit and she didn't want to be associated with her maid's daughter. It hurt me so bad but I forgave her. It was because I met the most amazing friend ever. Gilberto! He came along and he was just like me, as in, we both came from a Puerto Rican background. We instantly hit it off. I just thought he was perfect because he liked me just the way I was and allowed me to be myself. Little did I know that he actually had more than friendly feelings for me. When we got older we eventually explored our feelings. It wasn't without complications courtesy of Molly. Molly just envied all that I had. Which is really crazy because she was born into luxury. That goes to show you that the best things in life are free.

If I'm being honest, Molly wasn't the only one who complicated matters. Enter Juan. Oh my goodness where do I begin? He's older than me for starters. My goodness, is he good-looking! Molly fell for him the minute she set eyes on him. I didn't really notice at first because Gilberto held a special place with me and I really couldn't see past him. But apparently Juan took a liking to me. And boy did that set Molly off. And me, I was in a state of confusion. Gilberto was my rock through it all. I'm not sure if he suspected anything. It was just a period of teenage drama and angst. But I tell you what, that was the easiest part of all. Our trip to my mother's native, Puerto Rico, was the end all be all.

On my second voyage to Puerto Rico at age 15, I found out who I really was; literally. I went there as a young girl in love with a wonderful boy, but which one, really? I was surrounded by friends and a whole lot of adventure. It was both horrifying and exciting. I wouldn't change a thing that happened. Someday, there may be things that I have to answer for, But I'm not going to worry about that now. I hope you enjoy my coming of age tale. It truly changed my life.

Enchanted Island by May Torres

A Word From Juan

Here's another guest post from one of the characters from Enchanted Island. Meet Juan.

Read May Torres' take on Juan

One summer I was minding my business when the people who own the house next to mine came with some of their friends from New York to visit. I live in Puerto Rico and almost every summer the Padilla family comes back to stay for a few weeks. The father got relocated a few times but now they call New York home. They didn't want to sell their house and I'm glad. They have a son, Gilberto, who I hang out with. Nice kid. He's a few years younger than me but we always got along.

I'll never forget the summer I heard voices on the other side of my fence. I asked if I could come over and of course Gilberto said yes. When I walked up, there was the blonde girl that was trying so hard to get my attention. I pretended not to notice. I looked right over her to see the quiet girl with cool glasses trying to hide from me. It wasn't until I sat down to talk to them, that I noticed just how pretty she was. Gabby...

I knew she was younger than me but after talking to her that night, it was like she was so much better than the girls in my own grade. I couldn't even stop thinking about her when I went home that night. I felt kinda bad cus I could tell that my friend Gilberto really liked her. I didn't know if that was his girlfriend or what. I just knew that she was someone I wanted to get to know. We did share a moment that summer. And I will never forget it.

I pretty much knew that Molly liked me. I just didn't feel the same way about her. She's okay but I never felt for her the way I felt about Gabby. As time went on things just got so complicated. I was in love with Gabby and so was Gilberto. Molly was in love with me and well...nobody was in love with Molly. And she didn't like that one bit. I knew that Gabby felt something for me. She also felt something for Gilberto. I hated that. I couldn't stand the fact that they lived near each other and I was so far from her.

Thinking about all that happened that first summer and everything after, I can't believe how lucky I am. My love for Gabby is so much stronger; we've been through a lot. I can't tell you what the future holds but I know I'm looking forward to it. After what went on, I can handle anything.

Good Golly Miss Molly

Read May Torres' take on Molly Sinclair

Molly Sinclair's Video

I'm Molly Sinclair. Some of you might know me from Enchanted Island. I'm best friends with Gabby Sanchez. At least I like to think I am. We didn't start out that way though. I never really paid her any mind. You see, her mother cleans my house. She has for years. She's a nice lady. In fact, if it wasn't for her and my nanny, Bethany, I wouldn't have anyone to talk to. My mother is pretty much an ice queen, so I guess I'm kinda glad she's never really around. She cares more about her stupid charity work and benefits. She spreads it on thick for all the big shots so they can hand over their money. I have no freakin' idea what she gets out of it. But who cares? She stays out of my hair. What do I need her attention for? She's not that great.

My dad holds some big-time position at the hospital. At first he was just a regular old heart doctor then he moved up to the head of the department or some crap like that. I picked up these things by the bits of conversation I overheard when my parents were entertaining those really boring old people. So when dad is not at the hospital he's off playing golf or whatever it is he does. He doesn't have much to say to me. The way I see it, he was disappointed that I was born a girl. He has no use for me.

That's why I'm glad that Gabby decided to make friends with me one day. I had always hoped she would, to tell you the truth. I wasn't going to make the first move. She didn't really fit in with my kind of crowd. People at my school made fun of her. She wore the same crappy clothes over and over. My friends were nothing like her. They had all the best things like me. We lived in the same area and she had to travel from God knows where to get to school. But anyway, she ended up being nice to me. But do you think I cared? I screwed that up quickly. But Gabby being the saint she is, forgave me and we continued our friendship.

I didn't mention that the new kid, Gilberto was now in the picture. I really resented him at first because Gabby got so close with him. Then something happened. I realized that he was starting to like Gabby. I couldn't understand why. I'm the pretty one. I have all the nicest clothes and live in a cool place. My house is full of all the best things money can buy. And last, but not least, I was the first one to develop in all the right places. Gilberto should have really noticed me first. I don't know what his problem was. But oh well. I just didn't like that those two were so close. I mean, what about me?

There's so much more to tell, but right now I have to run and get my hair and nails done. Ta Ta for now.