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.

Please Don't Tell Anyone

There's Halloween, then there's New Year's Eve. Two of my favorite times of year. I remember at my family celebrations my mother would always cry when the new year arrived. Without fail, the tears would flow at the stroke of midnight. My mother always hosted the New Year's Eve celebration. The family would come over, and boy, we're a big one! We'd eat, the adults would drink, and we were all merry. Once it was 12 O'Clock we'd all have to make our rounds and be sure to kiss everyone. Such fond memories.

As a lot of families do, we expanded and spread out across New York. Our celebrations fizzled out and everyone went on with their lives. It makes me sad but my love of the holiday remains. As I grew older and had kids of my own I realized why my mother would cry. Something about saying goodbye to a year and welcoming a new one, is bittersweet. You might have lost a loved one, yet another one might have been born. Your life seems to be speeding ahead but you might feel like you're standing still. There are things you would have liked to accomplish and didn't, or perhaps there's things you carried out with ease. In that one minute where you leave a year behind to begin anew, a hodgepodge of emotions swirl about.

During the holidays, in general, people examine their lives. Love pops up instantaneously in the equation. Lost love, current love, future love, any form. Romantic, friendly, and the love for your family. As much as I have resisted the notion of falling in love again, I have to say that each passing year is bringing me closer to...*gulp* taking the plunge. After my last relationship ended I sort of gave up on the idea. I'm embarrassed to say it's been about 5 or 6 years.

The one thing that prompted this post was the fact that I went to see the movie New Year's Eve. It was such a lovely movie and it inspired me. It reminded me about that magical time in your life when you're in love. I know it's fiction and fairy tale endings but it left an impression on me. It renewed my faith in love. And for the first time in years I feel like I'd be ready to function in a loving, healthy relationship. For a long time I was so content on just enjoying my own company. It'll be hard to now share my precious time, if and when I decide to enter a relationship, but I won't feel bad for wanting or needing my own space. I have confidence that the lucky person who enters my life would understand.

Now that you've read this post, I'm going to have to swear you all to secrecy, because my friends are not going to recognize the person who wrote this :D

So, please, don't tell anyone.

Pet Peeves

So, lately I feel like I’m at the end of my rope. I know all about that positive reinforcement stuff and the power of the law of attraction. I know that my thoughts become actions, and what ever I put out into the universe I’m going to get back. Yes, yes, I totally understand that. But yes I’m here to admit I’m not 100% good at implementing it 100% of the time. Hey, I’m human. I go through periods where I just can’t take anymore of people’s shit. It gets to the point, that once a person gets on my nerves they are on my shit list for every little thing they do. Eventually they come off of my list but it takes a while. Have you ever gotten to the point where almost everyone and everything gets on your very last nerve? You can be the most kind, understanding, and compassionate person overall (Like myself ) but when the dark cloud appears, there’s no escape. You just have to ride it out until it rolls out of town. That dark cloud has been insisting on settling over my head. I’ve tried to fight it but it’s so damn persistent. Presently, I have people and situations that are annoying the hell out of me. And stupid me is allowing it. Go figure. So what better time to ask, what are your pet peeves?

Mine are:

• People talking during a movie (I can almost bring myself to commit assault with a deadly weapon over that shit!)
• Copycats, biters, idea stealers (You get the point)
• Tapping
• Nosy bodies (Mind your damn business)
• People who butt into a convo when nobody asked their opinion.
• Chameleons (No, not the animal. People who exhibit their behavior)
• Bandwagoners (Ugh get off! And no, not in that yummy good way)
• Parents afraid to…well…Parent!! (Grow some balls dammit!)
• Me, Me, Me (What can you do for me? Look at me! Let’s talk about me! STFU already)
• People who work out on the equipment at the gym and don’t wipe it down!
• That person who has the need to control everything and everyone!
• Fake people (Just cut the shit okay?)
• Cocky people (Ugh no! There are always better, cuter, nicer, sweeter, prettier, people out there)

If I don’t stop there, I’ll be here all day

I Want You To Know-- Vol. 2

Of everything I've written about on my blog, the most popular post is one about Alanis Morissette. I can't really blame anyone, she's amazing! I get a steady stream of hits each day on that post. So...I ask myself, should I write more about this wonderful artist? Then I think, this is not a blog specifically about Morissette. This is a blog about little old me. My random thoughts and a little about my writing. Some months ago I wrote a post titled "I Want You To Know" just so my readers could get to know me better. I will continue where that post left off. Hope you enjoy getting to know me a little better :D

I want you to know:

• I have fallen back in love with the WWE
• I am a huge Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson fan (Who doesn't love him? :) )
• I saw Avatar 4 times in the movie theater and about 15 times more at home
• I love Halloween (I love dressing up as something spooky)
• I hate to be tickled(Especially my feet)
• I'm becoming even more of a recluse in my "old age"
• I can't stand some of my family members :(
• I don't like bullshitters. Just stop! Ugh
• I like body art. ( I have 5 tattoos and want more)
• I have girl crushes
• I believe in karma and past lives (hey don't judge me)
• I love horror movies
• I can't swim in deep water
• I'm afraid of heights
• I'm not a crybaby but I will cry easily when I'm extremely happy or a sad movie (Damn you, Gladiator!)
• I'm fluffy
• I finally learned how to ride a bike in my 30's
• I also got my driver license in my 30's (failed the road test 3 times)
• I'm a city girl now living in the country. (Ask me how that's going for me)
• I have a problem walking over manholes and subway gratings on the sidewalk
• I DO NOT do roller coasters(I'm a chicken shit)