I have decided that from now on, my life will pan out exactly in the way I never planned. Recently I have been struck with what I deemed impossible in so many circumstances. 

So what is it with animals that they know exactly what to do and how to make you feel? They always appear at the right time to give you a kiss on the cheek or run around with you. I never wanted to get attached to an animal because I grew up with so many of them and it was always sad when they leave you. 

But just a few week ago, I decided to take a break from my hectic world and go visit a shelter to spend some time looking for a cute puppy to make me feel better. Little did I know, when I would walk to the very end of the hallway, I would find a Dalmador. 

A Dalmador is a mix of Labrador and Dalamtian! The cutest mix of breeds I could every imagine! So there he sat, this 7 month old puppy found wandering around Pine Hills in Central Florida. He made my heart melt as he licked my fingers, asking to get out of his cage. So then I did what I didn't want to happen, I decided to play with him in the yard and as soon as he jumped on my shoulders to kiss me on my forehead - I had a feeling he was going home with me. 

I took the night off and could not sleep at all. Staring at the picture of this puppy with the cutest smile after an afternoon he may have had worse than I did and he seemed so happy. How could I not adopt him and make him my own!? 

So the next day I arrived back to the shelter and there he sat. My little Dalmador who knew he won over my heart and my love for fashion as I decided to name him Valentino - after my favorite Italian designer. 

Valentino has been home now for almost two weeks and he brought back feelings I lost after going through a difficult couple of years. Not only does he make me so happy, but it's the little things he does that just makes me laugh, smile and even miss him when I'm away from him!

Of course, bringing a puppy into your life is like raising a child. A responsibility I never deemed possible, until now. Valentino is my outlet and shining light in this hectic world. 

xoxo

***For more info on how, when and where to adopt an animal, email me at modaotero@Modaotero.com. 

There are so many directions you can take in life. Some of us can stay on one path and rarely ever turn the opposite direction. But how about those of us who completely change their direction? 

Taking that risk of changing a career, getting out of a relationship or moving to another country, is something some of us will never experienced in life. This could be because you either played it safe out of fear or never felt you had the opportunity or "the time" to take those risks. 

I have always been the type of person who imagines going after so many opportunities. Not only the world, but life itself has so much to offer. So whenever I really feel bored or more underwhelmed, my creativity starts to run and I follow through with whatever I set my mind on experiencing. 

Recently, I have been terrified thinking about what my life will be like five years from now. Looking back, I realized so much has changed and I never imagined I would be where I am today. 

So it makes me think about the conversations I've had with family, friends and everyone who uses their life as an example. Almost a "benchmark" of how to get through my own life. But I have found that we each have a different path - multiple paths even, that can not be compared to. Some of us live longer than others! 

We only have one life to live and it's just scary to think that goals, dreams, ambition, whatever you set your mind on could not be experienced because of fear or lack of time. I know that five years from now, I would be able to then look back and hopefully say, "I can't believe I did all of that."

*This post was brought to you by many overanalyzing random thoughts, combined with wanderlust. 

xoxo

Have you ever spent hours, days, months or years debating your career? What path should you take? What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you grown up?!

We have all been there. You know, that moment in your life when you look at yourself in the mirror and realize time has flown by. Then you begin to think back to how you got to this moment. This moment of where you are either living the dream you always dreamed of or you are underwhelmed with the path you were lead on. So what are you suppose to do? Should you be content with the way your life is? Be thankful for what you have and not wish for more? Is it okay to completely change the direction you're going on and move on to what challenges you and ignites your truest passion?! But WHAT are you passionate about and can it be more than one thing?!

My mind is constantly running with one idea after the next. I begin my day with usually wanting to write something, then I want to paint, then I need to go to my day job, I have fun at my day job and imagine doing that for a living, then I come home and want to be a runner, or a swimmer, then I want to write again and then I realize I didn't eat, so I want to cook, I'm a horrible cook, but I would love to be a food critic, then I notice I have a day off coming up, so I want to getaway, then I think of going on a long vacation and then I want to travel some more because of course I want to be a travel writer. And now I have created the longest run-on sentence.

So if you are going through the same career crisis and have no idea how to control all of your ideas, follow these five steps:

1. Drink wine or if you cannot partake in a light alcoholic beverage, eat chocolate while you make a list of everything you want to do. Or just make a list. Then go for a walk so you don't feel guilty for indulging and also for being stressed out with your list.
2. Read, research and picture yourself in what will make you happy when you wake up in the morning and what will put you to sleep content at night.
3. Try to manage your time from your day job/school to your passionate priorities. The biggest waste of time is the debate you constantly have with yourself, telling yourself you don't have time to do things.
4. Take a risk and see what is out there! Sometimes being locked up in your apartment can really make you lose your mind! Get outside for some fresh air and find a different place to get a new perspective. 
5. Just do it! The biggest critic you will have in your life is yourself. Do not blame others for not being able to live out your dreams or for not having the confidence to follow them. You never know where that first step will take you.

If this made any sense, you're welcome. If it did not, please don't judge. Just laugh and be thankful you had something to read for your enjoyment.

xoxo

Por que nós acreditamos que nossas vidas têm sou um caminho? Por que pensamos que não podemos alcançar o impossível? A vida tem um jeito engraçado mudando sua direção mais de uma vez. Assim por que nos preocupar? Não ter a resposta é o que nos mata, às vezes. Estou pronto para desistir de se preocupar e apenas viver cada dia como um presente. É uma oportunidade para alcançar o impossível.

xoxo

There was a completely different direction I was aiming at this evening for the Orlando City vs Toronto. I was so excited to get invited to be a guest Media Reporter and I had my cute pitch prepared. A story on the faces, family and community behind Orlando's soccer team that has taken over the nation. I was even more excited when I found out I would be able to interview a few of the players after the game. But that didn't happen...for many reasons, two goals being one!

What happen tonight??! Well what happened the past few home games since we #FilledTheBowl as an MLS team?! We have not won a single home game and the roller coster of emotions the #Ruckus and rest of the lions have gone through, has gotten out of control. 

The game begins like every other, with a passionate, aggressive and confident mindset.  Saying to ourselves, "THIS is the game we will win." Not a single goal was scored in the first half, but there were many attempts made...also, just as many mistakes (Cough, cough...Molino!). Kaka was fierce as always and will remain the town's hero. But why, oh why are we put through the stress, the anxiety of anticipation followed with forceful chants and hands praying in the air all to be disappointed for 90 minutes. 

There is a range of psychological emotions we go through in a soccer game. I know this, because I have lived and breathed this since I was born...coincidentally and faithfully on the God of Soccer's birthday - Pele, October 23rd. My father wasn't blessed with a boy so he wasn't able to re-create a Brazlian soccer team, but he raised four girls who are passionate about "futebol". 

Futebol fans are so invested emotionally into a team because we feel WE ARE the team. Whether you grew up watching an all-star like Kaka or you dragged a "football" fan to watch futebol, we live in the moment and are captivated by those around us who really have the common goal...to WIN! So we laugh, we cry, we scream profanity because we think that will help the game. Some of us may pray to a few miraculous saints. 

Watching this game outside of the press room on the balcony above 30,908 fans as we lose another home game, made me realize we go through this psychological game because we are invested in this sport, and for this community - we are invested in this team. We may not have won a home game yet, but we have done the unimaginable and unthinkable. A nation influenced by "football" has embraced "futebol". The #Ruckus and the rest of the lions will continue to support Orlando City...and for me, I may take on yoga to relax before a game. 

Thank you Orlando City Soccer Club for allowing me to be a guest Media Reporter! I had a blast!!!!

xoxo

For the latest on tonight's game, follow me on social media at @modaotero. 

So it's funny how you can read an article one day where you find that you are "one in a million". But then the day after, your social media explodes with a different article that makes everyone think you are not that rare. Yes, there are two sets, if not more of Brazilian identical triplets. And the ones who recently received a lot of media attention are the sisters who got married in the same exact wedding, wearing the same dresses and were even styled with the same look.  

Family and friends from Brazil and the US, reposted the article of the married triplets and compared them to the single triplets...my sisters and I. Yes, I think it's a cute idea to have the same wedding and I think these sisters look amazing. But I NEVER see this happening to the Otero's. We love each other and have shared many life experiences together...but we really enjoy embracing our differences and our independence. 

Like I posted to our family and friends, "There are two types of Brazilian triplets - one set will get married at the same time. The other set will run for office, run a business and rule the world together...WE WILL NOT GET MARRIED TOGETHER."

The three of us are so different that I see one of us deciding to elope and get married in a tuscan village in Italy..ahem, the other would get married at the courthouse and the other would rather have a huge party and small ceremony. 

With these two sets of Brazilian triplets, we are both very close to each other. The bond you share as multiples is different than a "normal" sibling. And it is definitely hard to explain because you really can't compare it to anything. 

xoxo

Ever get to the point in your life where every little moment, every encounter, every story all just seems repetitive year after year? Or is it just me?

I think this is called late 20s crisis, which is that awkward stage in life where you really see yourself almost stuck in the same situations and you have no idea where you're going. It's not upsetting like it is frustrating...and also a little funny and at the same time it's definitely confusing. 

The past three years have been a long chapter in my life that I am sure I will look back on and be impressed that I got through it...which I know I will. It's taken a long time to address some of those moments, but they have continuously given me a great amount of strength. 

I look back and think about stories my grandfather use to share like that time he moved to New York City without knowing a word of English and had nothing but $10 in his pocket. He was able to live a life in Manhattan as a musician and never worried about a single thing in his life. 

That attitude and that mindset taught me to face any obstacle, whether big or small with no stress and always a positive outlook. "What's the worse that could happen?" is what he would always say...in Hungarian. 

Being in my late 20s and going through what others probably never experienced, is what I am grateful for but also feel like I am ready for a change...or a chance for a "do-over". 

I hate the cliche that your 20s are a time for you to "find yourself", to discover "who you are"...blah, blah, blah. I think your 20s, like your 30s, 40s, 50s, etc. are moments in your life that shouldn't be repetitive. You should try new things, create new moments and challenge yourself to do what you feel versus stressing out about what is not right and could go wrong. 

One of my favorite books, "The Art of Happiness" sums up a lot of what I believe in this hollistic way of living. The Dalai Lama shares a lot of interesting perspectives and one of them is his view on how we spend or waste time in our lives. He says,  "sometimes when I meet old friends, it reminds me how quickly time passes. And it makes me wonder if we've utilized our time properly or not. Proper utilization of time is so important. Our day-to-day existence is very much alive with hope, although there is no guarantee of our future. There is no guarantee that tomorrow at this time we will be here. But we are working for that purely on the basis of hope. So we need to make the best use of our time."

So have fun, be strong, think positive and enjoy life. 

xoxo

The recipe for a happy life is simple...fashion, futebol and time spent with family.

Pure bliss and excitement was felt around 62,500 futebol fanatics who showed up, painted in purple to support Brazilian star Ricardo Kaká along with the rest of the lions at the inaugural MLS game for Orlando City Soccer Club.

Since day one, a select few supported the lions. So it was an amazing experience to be around so many who never expected futebol to take this city by storm.

Sunday's game goes to show that when you have an idea, a big picture that not too many can see. YOU have to see it all the way through and believe in the end result.

Because it's absolutely worth it!

Ter moda, futebol e minha familia por perto faz minha vida perfeita!

xoxo

"Experience has shown me that the greatest inner tranquility comes from developing love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warm-hearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove our fears and insecurities and gives us strength to face obstacles - it is the ultimate source of success in life." - The Dalai Lama, 2015

This idea shines the light on the perspective that success isn't defined by fortune, fame or title. It is honestly about the emotion and experiences that motivate you when you motivate others. Whether it's smiling and wishing someone a better day than you were having or if it's giving career advice to someone in a similar position you were in years ago. The overall idea of being successful in life isn't about just your life, but the lives of others that can be enriched by your obstacles that later turn into success for everyone around you, including yourself.

xoxo