Do Love and Shoes

02
Jul
2017

Muddy toes and blistered heels

categories: General

I love summer! I mean, I was born and raised in the tropics so obviously I love the heat. Sunny skies, temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius, and a light breeze are the perfect weather conditions for this gal. It is not a surprise then that my favorite shoes are sandals. A close second are peep toe pumps. When the calendar says it is officially spring, I become a bit stubborn and try to wear sandals as much as possible. Sometimes my toes get cold. Other times I have gone back home and reluctantly change my shoes. On a few occasions I have ruined footwear and burst out in frustration.

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28
Mar
2017

Walking someone else’s path barefoot

categories: General

Blogger note: The following is a guest post from my dear friend Blue Butterfly. She has graciously agreed to share a bit of her path. Though she has decided to “pick a name,” this is a true account. One that is shared by many women around each of us. May this enlight you and challenge you to grow more empathy.

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When Mariela asked me to write a guest blog, I wasn’t sure what to share with you. She said to think about what I’ve learned through my experience, but I guess you’d need to know a little about my experience to understand what I’ve learned.

IVF – the rollercoaster that never ends.

As a child, I played with dolls and I also played at being a woman with a career, a husband and children. Fast forward a few years and I have a husband, a career but no children. Not for lack of trying of course. Among the reasons, nature doesn’t seem to be on our side. After exhausting other methods, we tried IVF and thought that it would be a piece of cake. After all, women on TV and films get pregnant like that all the time. Well, no. It’s not that easy and science is still figuring out things, nobody can give you certainty that treatment will work. On top of this, I lost all control over my body and emotions, with doctors and nurses poking me, taking all sorts of vitamins and injecting hormones day and night to help my body. It’s a process that is emotionally draining and at times made me think I was going crazy. I have to be super-duper cheerful when going through the treatment, but at the same time trying to be realistic, because otherwise the fall is too high to bear if things don’t work. (more…)

23
Feb
2017

Broken heels

categories: General

stuck stiletto The feeling of a broken heel is a distinct one. It’s more familiar to gals walking on city sidewalks, getting their shoes stuck in vents, on electric escalators or on public transit. But sometimes heels break because of a worn-out shoe or poor manufacturing or simply because we abuse them by running or jumping.

But the feeling! Sometimes it’s shame or embarrassment. Especially if you’re all dressed-up at an event. Now, if happening during the day it could be freeing as then you have the perfect reason to buy a new pair, or you may be able to repair them. However, the best scenario is when a friend saves you from embarrassment by doing one of two things: taking her shoes off and going barefoot so that you’re not alone, or lends you a pair of her shoes so that you can carry on.

That last possible scenario is a good illustration of empathy; a word I have learned a lot about in this last decade. (more…)

12
Jan
2017

The grey pair

categories: General

My friend Charlene and I caught up after two years. It was what I needed that night!

I finally wore my new winter boots! Recently, I went for an evening walk on the local trails. I clamped on my snowshoes over the grey boots, and set- off with my friend who I hadn’t seen in over two years. The night was mild; snow was packed and easy under our feet. The fresh air felt like a blood transfusion. With every step, I felt with a greater sense of peace and energy.

It has been a year since I had to slip- on the grief shoes.
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30
Dec
2016

The sixteen lessons

categories: General

I have this new pair of winter boots that I bought in the summer. Uh? I know! I am a bargain hunter addict. When it comes to shoes I do not care if the pair I find is for the right season. If it fits and it is the right price, I will take it!
This is the time of the year when we all take inventory of the things we did, started, quit, abandoned, or simply tried. Sometimes I can get obsess with what I did not accomplish or did not have the courage to start.
This year though I am so grateful I had the courage to start this blog. There were times when I felt very discouraged and doubted if I should keep it up. However, I dismissed those thoughts a dozen times and published a few paragraphs of adventures and shoes I wore this 2016.

The new year is upon us and I cannot wait for snow to wear my new boots, dust off the snowshoes and hit the trails. But before ringing in the new year I need to do my balance sheet.

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23
Nov
2016

Share Your Heels

categories: General

Heel graduation!

I was watching TV last Friday, and got a text from a dear friend showing me her heels find of the day. I chuckled at the text, and replied excitedly, “Woot woot! Heels! Straps and platform?! You are a graduate!”
See, my friend has great style and a beauty that really comes from inside but until a decade ago her shoes did not reflect that beauty.

I HAD to intervene! Fortunately, she was open and humble to my “unasked-for” shoe advice. She now loves when her birthday rolls around and we have our annual shoe hunting day. Obviously, the gift is always shoes, with a good dose of Thai food, laughter and encouragement. (more…)

27
Sep
2016

Socks with Sandals

categories: General

A hike this past April made me question the whole idea of creating the perfect conditions for something to happen. What I mean is that I tend to pay attention to detail. I try very hard to be purposeful in what I do and say, which will hopefully create, or result in the expected outcome. This can go from painting my toe nails before going to a summer party so I can wear my favorite pair of white sandals, to buying little tokens of gratitude for friends that attend a birthday party I have planned.
Most times attention to detail, thoughtfulness, preparation, and planning are useful and resourceful skills to have.
That is, only if I do not lose sight of My Creator’s plan. (more…)

20
Aug
2016

Fierce lady

categories: General

During a recent flight from Miami to Guatemala City, a lady came down the aisle toward where I was seated. As she’d approached what seemed to be her seat, beside mine, she kindly asked a young man to place her carry-on on in the bin. She then asked me to let her into the window seat. As more people boarded the plane it became evident that my fellow passenger had actually sat in the wrong seat, but the other passenger did not make a fuss, and took a seat instead at the back of the plane.
We took off and the woman asked me what was taking me to Guatemala. I proceeded to tell her my story – I was a temporary missionary headed to Villa Hortencia II. I shared with her about our partnership with Food for the Hungry. She thanked me. When I asked how her trip to the United States was, her eyes became glassy. She said, “it was good, I finally got to see my children and met my grandchildren.” (more…)

26
Jul
2016

The Faithful Pair

categories: General

The faithful pair

Blogger note: This is another story from my Guatemala trip. Almost two months later my mind keeps going back to the lush green mountains and the vastly reach people I met there.

I have this beaten up pair of Birkenstock sandals I have worn for almost a decade. They are the traditional two straps, hard foot bed and black. I bought them out of desperation when I was pregnant with my boy and my sciatic nerve was out. They provided the comfort I needed at the time and it is the pair I reach for when my back is hurting.

My faithful arizona Birkenstock

But they are not really pretty. Or feminine. Or stylish. However, I can slip on them and really don’t care about fashion. Somehow they pretty up with the outfit I pair them up with or simply make me feel so comfortable I feel I can walk on a fashion runway with them

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15
Jun
2016

Micaela’s shoes

categories: General

Blogger note: The following posts will be filled with memories from my recent trip to Guatemala. It will be about the people I met, what they taught me and how I now feel challenged and motivated to DO more love. There will also be stories of the people I travelled with, amazing friends that more than ever have become treasures in my journey.

It is already Wednesday and the hot sun is shining bright. We’ve made our way around the village to the homes awaiting installation of cooking stoves. We find out our first house has already installed their own stove. They have been trained, but they were supposed to wait for us to help with installation. However, we are equally pleased that they have it done. See, these stoves are a big step up from the open fires they have been using to cook on and heat their houses with. (more…)