How to Make a Friend

Maui, Hawaii

Anyone that is close to me knows I'm a big justice fighter. I don't like to see, hear or know of people being taken advantage of. I love to be friends with everyone even though I'm surprised to say it myself considering a couple of years ago I was that shy girl that wouldn't say a word to anyone. I think the insecurities that were nurtured in me by the not so positive environment I was a part of made me that way, but deep inside I wanted to be different. Since this project, I gave myself a chance to get to know people, live, share, explore and trust and that was the best decision of my life! I consider myself truly blessed because I have great people around me and thanks to what I do for a living I get to build those connections and relationships on a day to day basis, so my life is like a MOVIE! =D

New York, NY

Common Interests

We meet hundreds of people everyday. How do you know someone is going to be your friend? How do you know what they like, what the don't like? How do you know if you share the same interest/ ideas?
You don't, that's kind of like the whole point of life, you go through life without knowing who we're going to meet next or what the next experience is going to be and that's what makes everything so exciting! Common interests bring people together! It doesn't mean you have to have every single thing, idea, thought in common. But when you meet someone, compliment them on something you find interesting (oh my gosh, where did you get those jeans?); shoes, outfit, purse, phone, a song, even another friend! The most important tip in this step is being open about the things you like.

Engaging

Now that you have found common interests, talk to them, don't be shy. Find out a little bit about them. Make a plan to get to know them because here is where you will take your engagement to a true connection.

Connecting

Long Beach, California

This is how you'll know if someone really wants you in their life or vice versa. You can add them on Instagram or Facebook. Maybe you don't want to exchange numbers right away, that's okay. I find it polite to ask "hey is it cool if I follow you on Instagram or Facebook?"
And how you know this person is more than an 

acquaintance? When you are constantly talking to them, chatting, video chatting, sending them a text "hey what's up? What are your plans for tonight?". If it's someone I find have a lot of things in common with me I talk to them even more.

Exploring

Snorkeling in Open Water =0

Go out with them!  Explore and experience. I love to visit new restaurants or catch a good movie. I would say shoot some pool but... I don't like pool (LOL). One thing that I like to do with my friends is take walks through central park or go bike riding. I also like to travel to different parts of the world with my closest friends and through that we develop unforgettable memories. And that's what my book of life will be filled with, unforgettable memories with everyone I love and admire. And last but not least...

Sharing

Share secrets! My best friends know everything about me. When you share something intimate is when you can really stablish trust. And when you have reached that point of trust, without a doubt, it's the best feeling in the world!!

I hope these tips help you in your search of new buddies! Leave a comment below and let me know how it goes =D

Love,
    Deniz

Sunrise in Maui, Hawaii Trip

Let's Meet!

Hi guys! I decided to take on this project because I love sharing and exchanging experiences and stories with people across the world. I would like to begin by introducing myself because I know we will become very good friends =). 

I'm Deniz Felix and this is my very first blog :). I was born and raised in Orange County, California. I grew up in a traditional family, my parents both came from Mexico and they worked really hard to make sure my sister and I had everything we needed and we did. Although in 2000 the USA went through economic crisis leaving my father and his business bankrupt and left us with no other plan but to move to NYC. Everyone told us opportunities were flowing in NY.

So my parents, my sister and I packed and we moved 3,000 miles away from my hometown to the other side of the continent in August of 2001, 

I arrived to Brooklyn, NY (Sunset Park). Definitely different from I expected it to be. The city was dirty, crowded and the people were not that friendly! Yikes!

I remember the feeling I had my first day of school in New York, it was definitely something new.

I started the 6th Grade in Pershing Intermediate School and I remember kids making fun of me because of my ethnicity and because I was quiet and shy, man kids can be cruel! I was extremely home sick and I made it my goal to one day go back to my hometown to my best friends.

Writing became my favorite thing to do, because it was an scape from my reality. I would write stories about how I wanted my life to be, sometimes I would even write about the difficulties I would go through and change my name so I can forget it was actually happening to me. But I would rather skip this part for now . I was definitely not happy with the disconnection in my family.

So I moved on, to find my motive in life. What would make my heart sing. And for many years I could not decide what I wanted to do for my future. My home had turned into a mad house that I didn't know how to get out of. Finally, when I decided enough was enough, I packed my bags and left my parents' house, 3 months after my 15th Birthday. I was ready to go explore the world on my own and experience the beauty of life and see what people had to offer. Although I lacked trust in people I thought to myself I would find some people that really cared for me. Oh man, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. I had no idea how difficult it was to figure things out on my own. But they say "where there is a will, there is way". Boy it took me a while to find THE WAY!

But here we are, 8 years later. I can definitely tell you, my life is amazing, along the way I came across people who were not good people at heart and also some wonderful people that changed my life forever, you'll get to meet some of them on this blog. I learned so much from them, we have gone through many experiences together! I've learned the value of friendship, love, life and why it's important to appreciate all of these things.

In this blog I will share my ideas, experiences, perspective and you are welcome to share your experiences, ideas, projects and feel free to comment and ask questions =). Let me know if there is anything specific that you would like for me to cover. See you next time! Chao!

Love,

Deniz

#lovelife