The Fortunate Wanderer

You can't see it, but I have my mouth open, I'm squinting, and I have my hand down my shorts (because everyone knows that's comforting). I'm missing my year of staring up masts trying to master the wind. #sailing #fortunatewanderer #wanderlust #dattandoe (at Atlantic Ocean)

Today I miss the Exumas and Wardrick Wells and blonde hair and my tan. Planning my way back ☀️🌴🙏 #exumas #wardrickwells #bahamas #sailing #wanderlust

5 years ago, I was beachin' it with my Dominican family and the App kids on the first of Caribbean adventures. If JuanMi only knew the trouble I've caused since leaving Cruz Verde 😉 #wanderlust #appstate #bocachicaDR #datfacedoe 😂

Date night in the city and I was in the 14th St station when, as I was about to go down the stairs, I noticed that the sound I was hearing over the music pumped through my earbuds was bachata. I searched for the source of the music and made eye contact with the voice, a man on crutches. I smiled. He smiled. I rushed on. Once on the platform, I fished in my pocket as the A train rounded the bend. I ran up and tossed my cash in his bucket with a quick "Que hermosa voz tiene! Buenas noches!" and ran down to barely catch the train. I often feel as though I've missed an opportunity to say something nice and today I caught it just in time. I hope I never become so deaf to the sounds of the city that I miss a beautiful voice.

Every time my fins fall out of my closet I feel like my organized, dry land life is killing me. I know I'm where I need to be to reach my goals but I've been looking at hostel jobs on the Yucatan 😓 I'll just try get a weekend job and settle for a mini-vacation in late spring. Gotta keep myself on the wagon.

The hardest part of living in #NYC. What a tease. Come back to me, #bojangles. #sweetteaislife

It had been a long day. I got off the train and called my World’s Greatest Dad.

I flew to my new home, #nyc, the day before my birthday. My aunt had made me a little birthday hat that I had tied to my backpack and when I got word that my flight to JFK had been delayed (for the second time) I sat down at the bar and ordered a beer. A bunch of retired FDNY firemen were also waiting for their flights after spending their week golfing in NC and as I always talk to strangers, I quickly got all of their life stories. They made the wait fly by and they told me all sorts of stories about the city. Soon, I had a "happy birthday beer" compliments of my new homies and had stopped sniffling about leaving my mom at the TSA check. I was excited to start my new adventure. We boarded our flight and I was all alone at the butt of the plane, feeling a little tipsy. When the stewardess finally got to me, she asked if it was my birthday. "Not until tomorrow!" I said. "Well, you have two drinks compliments of the gentlemen up front. Happy Birthday, sweetie!" Dear lord. By the time I made it to JFK, I had a nice Irish flush going. The firemen pulled my beanie down on my head, told me which stop to get off the sky train, and said New York was lucky to have me. What a welcome (:

Hey guys! I know it’s been forever since I’ve posted anything and I want to catch you up on the turn my life has taken. I’ve given up the salt life to be land based in NYC (at least for now). I currently work for the Clinical Trials Unit of the Infectious Disease Division of Columbia University. We’re on the front lines of the search for an HIV vaccine and I am blessed to spend every day fellow doctors and scientists, community engagement leaders, and study participants who give so much of themselves for a fight much greater than just our small family. My blog is going to go through a bit of a change. New York City is the capitol of the world. It’s loud, vibrant, and full of random acts of beauty and kindness. All it takes is for you to sit quietly and open your eyes and you can’t help but be bombarded with the human experience. This experience is a wonderful gift and it is often the simplest things that touch me the deepest and I want to share them with you. I want to share with you the reasons I have not given up on humanity. I want to share with you why I want to spend the rest of my life demonstrating my love through action.

I have acquired quite a few stories during this adventure and I was curious as to if any of you knew of magazines or other publications that may be interested in purchasing them! Reply here or shoot me an email at [email protected]

Got to see the cat I christened today at the boat show ☺️ AC? Dead. Starboard engine? Dead. Alarm panel? Fried. #milliondollarboatfromhell (at Annapolis, Maryland)

#notsorry #hurricanejoaquin

For my last contribution, baby boat got a spa treatment courtesy of own two hands 💆⛵️ #bottompaint #sailing #albinvega #newadventures #adiosyabish (at Rappahannock River Yacht Club)

Definitely teared up a little 😢 adios, little boat. #peaceoutFL #backtobojangles

I hope to know where I’ll be living for awhile by the end of the year and I can once again have my little stinky cat live with me.