Author: Ms Gata

Born in Jersey City,NJ. I moved around a lot (even to Yonkers,NY for a couple of years) before re-locating and settling in Newark. I am multilingual ( Spanish, English, French, Portuguese) & slang . When you hear the expression "Product of your environment" I can definitely attest to that but because I am not only book smart but street smart too. I still live in Newark and I chose my path and my life. I hope you get to find a little more about me and my life through this blog.

So what happened to the list ” 30 things before 30″?

May 4, 2022.Reading time 7 minutes.

I obviously failed x’s 1M on updating this blog daily. However, I would like to update you on how the list went before I turned 30; where it is after I turned 30 and finally what I am doing now?.

1. Travel to a different country.

I was fortunate enough to travel to Mexico with my friends before the big day and before COVID was even a thought. I’m happy I turned before 2020 that’s for sure.

2. Become more committed in my relationship. (Post 30)

In quite a weird twist of fate my relationship was not in a positive place around this time. It took COVID to bring me and my partner closer together and I’m very grateful for that time.

3. Start saving and reach 5K. (Post 30)

We as in (Me, Myself & I) did not meet this goal either, however in my early 30’s I definitely started becoming more financially savvy.

As of May 2022 I have paid off all my debts and I can say I have no car loan as it is paid in full.

4. Take a risk: Go bungee jumping or skydiving or swim with sharks.

I have not done this yet and not because I don’t intend to. I just need someone crazy enough to do it with me. “Fingers crossed we beat this goal before I have kids”

5. Invest more in the stock market.

I definitely did start before I turned 30 but it was pennies. I can happily say I have a 401K and I have over 5K in my portfolio.

Next I’m going to start investing in Indexes (shhhhh don’t tell anyone)

6. Volunteer in Newark.

I am so mad at myself for not doing this but I promise I will.

7. Stop holding grudges.

I did do this before I turned with a person I was really mad at. She was my best friend and it hurt me when she dead’d (I don’t think this is a word) me. It was worth it at the end. She focused more on herself, lost weight. She got into a long term relationship with the man that is now her fiancé and the father of her children.

8. Start a collection.

I have a collections of Beauty Products it consumes the left front corner of my room

9. Take a cross-country road trip.

Hmmm so I pseudo took a cross country trip. Me and my partner drove from South Carolina to New York. So maybe vertically and not horizontally lol.

10. Pay off your credit card debt. (Post 30)

WOOOHOOOO I did that B*tch this month

11. Go see live music you love.

I most certainly have done that before and post.

12. Thoroughly read several books.

I can’t say I’ve “READ” certain books but I have heard several books about growth and finance.

13. Overcome a fear.(Post 30)

I overcame my fear to commitment and I think that is extremely crazy. I never wanted to get married.

14. Get a tattoo.

This has not been accomplished but I intend on still getting this tattoo. I found great significance in it’s awareness.

15. Join a club.

I’ve joined investment clubs, I’m in Jets Fans Clubs, & I am also part of a geeky/nerd club

16. Treat yourself to something really expensive. (Post 30)

I’ve taken myself out and have bought expensive stuff for myself

17. Be the first person to apologize. (Post 30)

This sort of starting to happen but not fully

18. Run a half marathon.

I still want to achieve this haven’t got to it yet

19. Work on my overall ego/attitude.

This is really really tough, but I hope to change this one day

20. Cook for your whole family.

So I did make an appetizer for everyone in my family one holiday gathering

21. Eat really expensive food. (Post 30)

DONE . I’ve gone to Michelin restaurants before and after.

22. Pay it forward.

I’m doing this with my family overseas

23. Get healthy!

I need to do this I keep working on it but somehow I keep going back to drinking.

Not necessarily “ideal” when you’re trying to be healthy

24. Lose 40-50lbs.

I did this and then I gained all the weight back I’m trying to lose it again

25. Attend a game far away.

I saw the Nashville Preds vs Winnipeg in Nashville which was actually pretty cool they’re my alternate West team now. LOL

26. Pick a cause and be passionate about it.

This is something I intend to do, but I haven’t fully done it. I have started donating to charities more and donating more clothes.

27. See a new Broadway play.

I WANT TO SEE Macbeth (this is post 30)

I don’t remember if I saw a new play around the time I made this list but I’ve seen a few shows

28. Get a raise.

I did I got a raise and bonus 🙂 Several times since 30 ❤

29. Become a connoisseur in something.

This I don’t believe I’ve accomplished either I do somethings well and know somethings well but not a “connoisseur”. Maybe in my next list I’ll be a little less vague.

30. And finally, make a list of 40 Things to do Before You Turn 40.

Doing that now LOL

CABO San Lucas

June 25, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Hello beautiful people….

About 6 months ago, I created a list of goals I would achieve this yr. I am still 110% (Yes, I am using that cliche line) committed to finishing the list by my 30th Birthday or the end of the year .

My last post was at the beginning of March-let’s just say-this crazy and very eventful roller coaster that is life didn’t take a pause. A lot has happened, a ton that I am grateful for, and a ton of lessons learned. Thanks for taking the time to read this interlude.

Now back to your scheduled program.!

Visit another Country ✓

This month, I was able to complete my first bullet point on my “30 things to do before you turn 30 List.” With a group of 12 (3 of which are my cousins) we experienced an amazing trip full off activities. We rented a huge Villa with amazing views into the beach and downtown Cabo.

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Day 1- We got to learn about our surrounding area (restaurants and bars). We also learned it’s difficult to fit 12 ppl into a mini van and caused the car to struggle up Pedregal’s rocky hills. Even so, this all adds to our trips memories.

Day 2- We spent it together. We worked together to make breakfast (all 12 of us). The better part of the day the ladies sun bathed, the fellas played Frisbee. By Noon, the house chef came and threw down the house. He gave us “THE TACO PARTY” anyone that considers themselves a food lover could ever hope for. By the end of it we were all in full comfort food mode. People couldn’t reach benches or the couches fast enough. We ended the evening partying it up in the Night Life of Cabo. (IT WAS LIT!) PS. We absolutely ended the night with more Taco’s from a mom and pop shop on the way.

Day 3- Was spent leisurely since all 12 of us signed up for a Sunset Boat Ride where we traveled through the famous Rocks of the Coast. We were picked up a tad bit late from the company Cabo San Lucas Tours but they did not let us down. We started the trip with a Free Tequila tasting, ending with Mezcal (which was strong!) They later took us towards the boat and they gave us the Sunset they promised. The Boat had an Open Bar and aside for the wind chill it was fun.

The famous rock formations in Cabo San Lucas on the Sunset Boat Tour.

Day 4- Our last real day was truly eventful. Starting off with a 8 am pick up to our ATV adventure in the desert of Mexico.

Our guides from Wild Canyon Adventures really helped us acclimate to the shifting. It was my first time shifting an ATV, I’m used to my automatic Jeep. The tour took us through the desert, by the beach 20 mins away and had us cross the long bridge you see above. 4 Hours after our 9:40 am start we were on our way back to the downtown area. Four of us that took the tour were so hungry we asked the driver to drop us off anywhere to catch a bite. With our luck we met up with some of the group and made our way back to the Villa.

4 Hours later, we all got ready for a luxury meal in the Michelin Star- Sunset MonaLisa .

That’s all of us (all 12). We enjoyed 3 amazing courses with intermittent palette cleansers . And as Yusuf our gracious planner says…

“Only the Finest” lol.

As the meal carried on, we noticed fireworks shooting into the sky. We didn’t expect it but in 3 separate areas of the city Fireworks shot up, giving us a night to truly remember. Since seating was on the rooftop we were able to enjoy both the show and the amazing sunset. We ended the night with a show of our own at the foot of our table as if we planned it all. It was truly the finest and the least expected surprise.

CHEERS CABO!

Thanks for being part of my check list.

Thought of the month

March 2, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Think and Grow Rich

February 21, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

This book has changed my life.

I’m sure you hear this all the time. Well on my journey to make this my most successful year to date I stumbled across this book.

Since reading this book I have implemented several rituals daily such as reading myself goals daily, making assertions and visualizing my success. This may sound cheesy but I feel my confidence growing daily. I can close my eyes right now and transport my mind to the next chapter.

I’m currently lazor focused on building a brand and a business. I have used all my resources from money, to the network of people I know, to my immediate family. My brother tells me all the time “Somehow you make the impossible happen.” I choose to avoid limiting beliefs. We are our own worst enemies sometimes.

This book has reassured, restructured and molded my current ideals. I am very excited for this next year.

I recommend if you can get a chance READ it ASAP.

2/21/19 Update

February 21, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Where have I been the last month?

This is the question of the month because my life has done a 180 Degree turn. I told you guys when I first opened the blog, I am very determined in achieving all my goals this year. By the way “this project” is definitely not a “new year, new me” kind of thing. In reality it’s more like “almost 30 wake the f*ck up kind of thing.” Back on track I made the initiative to get healthier by focusing on my mental, emotional & physical well-being.

Jan 21st, 2019

January 22, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

On January 21st, 2019 we celebrate Martin Luther King the man and the vision he had for our nation.

Yesterday, was one of the coldest days this winter. The temperature dropped to about 1°F. However, that did not stop my community from getting together and discussing development in the City of Newark.

“I Have A Dream”- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Before our meeting they showed a clip of Rev. King’s “I have a dream” speech. It was incredibly poetic, the room was full of a variety of enthusiastic individuals from different races listening to his speech. My only thought was “look at the effects of his speech, he made this moment happen.”

Life has a funny way of making things come full circle. When I was a little girl, I would hear the story of his life and I would cry. I would think about my mom her struggles and how much harder it would have been for us. He put his life on the line to make a statement and disturb the status quo. The Civil Rights movement gave minorities like myself the opportunity to be counted as an equal.

We still have a long way to go but just thinking about the impact he still has on my community, on my family and myself is truly amazing. I hope one day I too can give back and “Pay it Forward” like Dr. King.

Treat Yo’self !

January 21, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today’s post is about treating yourself or yo’self (as I like to say). But by the means you can afford. I don’t want you to break the bank either.

This weekend my brother and I took my mom to a day spa in Ramsey, NJ called The Fountain Spa. We bought her a spa package for Christmas.

https://www.thefountainspa.com/spa-services/

Let me give you a little history about my Momma Dukes.
She is a single mother of two. She worked about 102 hours a week between our youth till our teenage years. She had no help raising us in this big city called Newark. I took care of my brother and he took care of me. In many ways the city also raised us but that is a topic I will touch on another day.

Back on topic! Once we became young adults and could make our own money, we promised to try to make it up to my mom as much as possible. She spent her own youth basically trying to provide for us. This thought crosses our mind every time we buy something for her or our home.

Referencing my previous post “Awareness” be mindful of your yourself. Take care of yourself and sometimes treat yo’self. We can’t always send mom to spa days. We sometimes find ways to pamper her in a low budget way so if you can’t book that fancy spa (link above)

Here are some ways to pamper yourself home:

Buy a bathbomb from lush, make yourself a nice bath, light a candle & put soothing music to just take it easy for about 45 mins.

https://www.lushusa.com/bath/bath-bombs/

Don’t have a bath, no problem! Buy some scents at any store put them behind your ears, put some soothing music on and take a slight nap.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/floras-fragrances-flora-peterson/1116345783

Don’t have money? Again no problem make your own natural exfoliant or moisturizer: Some great natural ingredients are Aloe Vera, Tea trea, cucumber, & mint.

You’ll thank me later, now go ahead and….

Awareness

January 18, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

First let's start off by defining the word. 
awareness: 
/əˈwernəs/   knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.

About a week ago, I found out my boyfriend’s mother was very ill and she was admitted to the hospital. Little did we know, what looked like a minor infection turned out to be a very serious situation. I won’t get into any personal details because that is not my place nor would I like to disclose that information.

However, the purpose of mentioning the situation is to bring light to a problem I constantly see; we aren’t self-aware. People forget to take care of their bodies and unfortunately, we are not Wolverine (from the X-men) who can by mutation regenerate his immune system.

If you live in the Tri-State Area of NY, you are constantly on the go. Here, we all want to make money, and eventually retire. However, should that mean we sacrifice our health/sanity? If we’re not taking care of ourselves, will we even make it to retirement? These are real questions we have to ask ourselves.

Take this narrative and apply it in your life. Whether you are male/female/trans make sure you are taking the necessary measures to look after your health.

Speak to your physician & schedule your check up today.

My Practice ☮

January 10, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

2 years ago I was going through an emotional roller-coaster. My personal life encountered hardships I did not expect. I started neglecting my family, I didn’t take care of myself and I was sinking into depression. Mentally, I would constantly batter myself.

Then, I made a decision to focus on my well-being. Over the years, I met and overheard so much about Yoga. The stories about how revolutionary the activity is, never sold me. If you told me 5 years ago I would be practicing Yoga today I would probably laugh in your face. But the joke was mostly on me.

The biggest mistake people make on a daily is limiting themselves.

Why do I say this? I say this because I thought my body was not capable. How could I for-see myself holding my foot on the back of my head, flexibility was an issue. I also always pictured very thin woman posing. Since I can remember I have had a big butt and a little extra meat on my bones. So I created this wrong notion that I could not do it.

My first class, I literally teared up ( I wasn’t being corny I promise). As I mentioned before I was really going through an emotional crisis.

The class was Beginner, which means it was very slow paced. Given it was my first time, every pose felt tough. All I could remember was my teacher telling us, “Just keep breathing and focus.” I did just that. 70 mins later we were in SHAVASANA (aka Corpse Pose). The instructor proceeded to read us the Rumi Poem to your right.

Now, I am not sure if it was the relief of completing the class and not fainting, this poem or both of them combined but I slightly wept in silence.

Long story short, it has become part of my life. Once you practice the lessons you take aren’t just physical but in some sense spiritual as well. Patience, forgiveness, gratitude, and not judging yourself or anyone. These are the morals of every class. I invite you to partake and stop limiting yourself.

PS: That is my favorite mat. If you are interested in my mat, please go to: https://jadeyoga.com

Noodle Shop & Bar – Newark, NJ

January 10, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Atmosphere:

Funky take on a Ramen Shop. This place has pretty cool chalk board sketches on top of each table. It also must get a ton of people during events at “The Rock aka Prudential Center” because there is a pretty big downstairs area.

Continuing on the atmosphere, it definitely rings true to name at least with the Bar portion. This is first Ramen Spot outside of NYC that I have gone to with a full bar.

I mean really… Who doesn’t like ramen and beer ?

Score: 4/5

Food:

Not sure if I just got lucky but I got the chunkiest pork belly ever! It was THE BOMB ! If I ever come back that’s what I’m getting.

Well let’s talk about the main theme aka the Noodles. The noodles are pretty good, and I liked the broth. However, my meats were subpar. Some parts of the beef were over cooked. I ordered extra chasu and immediately regretted it because it was also over cooked and had no flavor.

And finally, don’t claim you’re adding a Ramen egg if it’s just a regular egg that clearly hasn’t been soaked in the soy broth chefs use to make real Ramen eggs.