Jaded Meanderings

#tbt to having our family portrait shot in DR. It’s one of my favorites. I miss being able to travel to see my family; I’m feeling it today 🥺 📸: Ivonne P. @merakifotografiard #dominicanas #familia💕 #jadedmemories #quarantinelife (at Jardín Botánico Nacional de Santo Domingo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIWQcP8hHRo/?igshid=2c8ojuoomt7o

For an hour. In the rain. I swear if y’all don’t vote this Orange menace out WE FIGHTIN. #jadedcitizen #vote #civicduty (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CG7yJrflAwj/?igshid=le1bztgqhzdz

I’m in a weird place (as we all are, I suppose). I’m moving to a new place today, after being in my apartment for 15 years. That’s longer than I’ve been at any job. That’s longer than I lived in my childhood home. My kids grew up there. Hell, *I* grew up there. I was fresh from a divorce and had to be head of household. I survived the ‘08-09 recession there (with a little help from my friends and family). I made my first sancocho there. I hosted numerous Noche Buenas there. 🎶THIS WAS MY HOME!🎵 • Sure, I’ve had terrible neighbors, and the kids next door are so damn loud I’ve thought of fighting them. And my landlord... let me not say anything too crazy because in the end, he and his family were good to me. So I’m a little emotional. • It’s a small place; we don’t fit in it anymore. And during this new #quarantinelife I realized I needed something else. Moving is the right decision. Necessary, even. And the new place is cute and roomier. But this morning, after the week I had, and the losses we all suffered, and not having my family here to help me with this major life change because of the way our elected officials have handled this fucking pandemic, I am feeling DOWN when I should be happy or excited. • I woke up sad and asked #jadedbae to accompany me on the organ as I sang “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” ala Mahalia Jackson because I’m a dramatic brat. And he did. So I guess that’s just a little reminder that I’m not 100% alone. • Be nice to me this week; I’m so close to falling apart. #jadedismoving (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEjU2x1Jsn4/?igshid=143t7t4vkwuzz

She stole my look! (I’m cracking up so hard at this...my coworker brought it to my attention and now I want to frame it 😂😂😂) #babyjaded #whoworeitbetter #jadedmemories (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDUAdR2JAGB/?igshid=qdjl6oex8sci

I’m ridiculously out of shape, but I’m also never ever ever getting back on a bus or train and you can’t make me. This was my attempt to attend a work thing in the park—SPOILER ALERT I ain’t make it. Why? Oh, because your idiot friend got lost inside Prospect Park. Please respect my privacy during this challenging time... #quarantinelife #jadedtravels #ialmostdied (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDPPhXgpG_-/?igshid=192lak1q9gmga

NEW STAMPS. Gotta send a few notes out this week. #jadedathome #bugsbunny #usps #quarantinelife (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDNnrJopxur/?igshid=3ilpgx642nx

So. Since I’m not writing anymore, I signed up for a virtual art camp with @lioneldapainter and well. No one will confuse me with an *actual* artist but I had tons of fun and learned a few things. This week we drew, next week we paint. Registration is still open for next week so hit Lionel up if you’re interested! #lioneldapainter #virtualartcamp #jadedathome #quarantinelife (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCg6AtMJMLo/?igshid=1q1tp196xb301

Learning to care enough to at least slap on a lip color every day, even if I’m the only one who sees it. Well, and now you all. lol • Lippie: @colouredraine lipgloss in Prom Night #jadedhas50lipsticks #number22 #jadedathome #quarantinelife (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCFHOyMp0eO/?igshid=k63hku796mnf

Four years of this dude and these smiles. None too shabby. #jadedbae #tbt #happyanniversary (at Disneyland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBmh4zfpYOb/?igshid=kyxk5lu4drrv

WHICH ONE OF YOU BIRTHDAY FAIRIES SENT ME THIS AMAZING GIFT?! #bdaythangs #prince #slash #ilovernrstuff (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBB064NpH9g/?igshid=1rmaut6lpvis6

Grab your joys wherever you can find them. A huge hug and thank you to my baby cousin Jillian for this birthday gift. Tonight, we occupy Stars Hollow! (Taylor’s gonna lose his shit!) #birthdaythangs #familia #tvjunkie (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA6VjSYpvwZ/?igshid=p3kkssl8tq1p

A gift from my Mami because she knows how I feel about humans. 😂😂 (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAuqP6gpRwi/?igshid=nvyctkuke20w

My plans for today were supposed to be: Pre-theatre brunch Seeing the revival of West Side Story on Broadway A birthday party complete with an outdoor screening of West Side Story, a flash mob of the ¡MAMBO! scene, a fully-catered dance party, and everyone in costume (from the movie). What I’m actually doing? Listening to the soundtrack, watching the DVD, and ODing on sweets. That’s kind of the same, right? RIGHT? #birthdaybehavior #jadedis45 #quarantinelife (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiVzdapAW_/?igshid=10wew3aecsd8x

Made these berry muffins and a sancocho today. That’s it for me this week. I have no energy for anything else. You can find me on the couch re-watching REVENGE on the hulu... #doñaivelisse #quarantinelife #jadedathome (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CATqsw1J-Yy/?igshid=1dziq4xo9z2yt

🎶to be loved/to be loved Oh what a feeling To be loved🎶 ❤️😭🥰😌 #quarantinelife #jadedathome #sistersister (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAKAKzOpCfZ/?igshid=12zx85hebb0ja

My biggest win right now besides keeping my dishes clean, is clearing off this table. Maybe, one day, I’ll even have a meal here. #quarantinelife #jadedathome (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAHMSBNp-Jv/?igshid=1avsa360peceq

Shout out to @lioneldapainter for a SUPER fun virtual paint party. Clearly Naomi and I were not meant to be pro painters 😂😂😂 but the laughs we had! Follow him if you want to participate in the next on in June! #lioneldapainter #paintparty #quarantinelife #mommyandnay #familia #jadedathome (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8uVl-J88-/?igshid=13hzchai2spou