A Few Nights in London

I'm back and I have been wanting to be back since my last post, but life got in the way.

The latest is in... I am very, very excited to say that along with everything else I have been doing, I was hired to be a writer for a woman's romance website (which in itself just sounds enticing) and my first story has been published online! What's so great about this new launch is that anyone (and I mean ANYONE) will enjoy this. As you probably know, a woman should take a few minutes out of their day to recollect themselves. Some do so by napping, eating, watching TV or a movie, laying down in a quiet room or what-have-you... but here's the thing. Come a little closer... are you ready for this? You can still do all of that AND head on over to the site and ready a steamy (or not too steamy) story! Okay, so maybe you can't nap and read at the same time, BUT you can nap right on after and take what you read and dream about it. It's great, isn't it?

So a little bit about the site...

It's a romantic short-story website aimed for women who care to read about the many romances of the world written by many talented women who share the same sort of dream. Every woman should have that want and desire to sit back, read and fantasize (am I right?). Well, have no fear... you have come to the right place. My first published story, "A Few Nights in London" is about a girl who had a true Summer romance with a European athlete, but once he left back home not only did he leave her behind with memories of their hot and steamy summer, but he left behind this scent of adventure and mystery that she has yearned for since their departure. What will she do without him? Want to find out? Read it here: A Few Nights in London

Give it a chance. If you like the story, I would appreciate it to the tippity top of my heart that you hit the "like" button at the end of the story. See, the more likes I get, the more stories I will get to write and since my lifelong dream is to be a writer, this will not only motivate me to write more, but it will show me that I CAN do this for a living and influence people in some way or form.

Thanks for taking the time to read and hey, pass it along! <3

In The End

Scoliosis. 

I had it. I fought it. I won.

Here is my story....

I had always been a tall, skinny, boney girl. My shoulder blades would always stick out and kids in school would always point at my back and say things about how boney I was. I didn't listen. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis at a very young age. As the years passed, I had 2 spinal curvatures with degrees of 45 and 60. I didn't know what that meant at the time. All I know was that my doctor told me that the only answer for me was surgery. I even went for a second opinion and he had said the same thing. Four months after I turned 12, I checked into my 7 hour surgery and was in the hospital for a week after that. The first time I was able to stand up and walk around was about 4 days after surgery. With my mother and nurse there to help me, my mother had looked up at me in astonishment... why? I was about 1-2 inches taller within those days due to the straightening of my spine. It was the most pain I had/have ever experienced in my life. I was home for almost 3 months after before returning to school in the 7th grade.

About 2 years later upon entering my freshman yr in HS, I joined the basketball team for one season and realized that although I was fast, I wasn't good enough to play the sport. Soon after, I joined the track team and became one of the top runners/ high jump champions in the county, as a freshman... beating the best girl in the county. I also hurdled, sprinted, ran distance, long jumped and did almost every event in track and field, all 3 seasons, for 4 years. And thanks to my surgery, I still continue to run and compete in races and have won over 100 medals. Having Scoliosis and the surgery was indeed, a blessing in disguise. It has made me a stronger person inside and out and my endurance for pain (of all sorts) has increased, because if I can go through that, I know I can go through anything!

I wrote something on the exact date of my 13 year anniversary (October 26) and I wanted to post it here, but I was a little caught up, so here, 13 days later, I share with you my feelings of triumph.

Today I celebrate 13 years of living a life I never knew I'd have; a life that would have been completely different if my mom didn't make the life or death decision for me to have major scoliosis surgery. Thanks to this life changing experience, I have grown into a stronger, braver, bolder, livelier, and much more grateful woman. And thanks to my amazing boyfriend, he has shown me and made me believe that even something that is ugly and hideous to me, is beautiful and symbolic to him. I am so glad to be alive ♥ Keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about. ♥

 *Go on the right side of the screen and you will see a Scoliosis Awareness group cause that you should join! Why? Because as a survivor, there are many people who suffer every day from it and the least I (and you) can do is acknowledge their existence and struggles and help them fight for a better life.

Guten Tag! Bonjour! Hola! Buon giorno!

Almost one month ago today, on October 10th, I received one of the most exciting e-mails to date! My book, "Down the Rabbit Hole" is now sold all over European Amazon sites! With sites including Amazon Germany, Amazon France, Amazon Spain, and Amazon Italy in addition to everyone on Amazon UK, my work will continue to be available in these markets from now on, with no end date!

A sense of accomplishment and gratitude overcame me and all I could think of was this... I'm making it.At this tender age, I have definitely come along way. I started this book when I was 21 and took a break from it for a short while allowing myself to believe that this was never going to be something... or anything. I understood (after realizing that with an attitude like that, I really was going to go nowhere) that no matter what anyone says, thinks or feels, my book was and IS going to somehow make a difference in someones life. Even if it was mine. And it certainly has been. My own writing has changed my own views on life and the many areas of turmoil touched upon the matter in such a way I never knew expected. That alone, I think, makes me a great writer and I am darn proud to admit it!

If you (or someone you know) loves books, reading, poetry, etc. (and they speak another language other than English), go here: Amazon Europe, type in my book "Down the Rabbit Hole" by Nastassja Ocasio and buy it! I am so very excited to announce that this book (along with the sequel that I am currently working on) is now worldwide! Celebrate with me and bask in my joy. Enjoy and many thanks!

Made Up to Make-Up

It has indeed been a while since I have posted on my blog, but at the same time I have been SUPER busy! Between my acting and modeling gigs and work, I can honestly say that I am happy to have a lot on my plate. I have also started to do something I should have done many, many moons ago. 

I have been absolutely obsessed and in LOVE with the art that is make-up since I could remember. Growing up, I would sit and watch my mother get ready every single morning following the same routine of waking up, taking a shower and putting on her make-up. She was never a huge make-up person... she would do the regular foundation, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. But to me, that was enough. She was and still is the most beautiful woman I know. She has and continues to inspire me everyday to be a bigger and better person and I am here today to share with you, some of the recent photos I have taken that I'm adding to my make-up portfolio. Although these aren't professional photos (and they're all done on myself except for one), I still take pride in my craft and live for this and want nothing more than to share it with the world.

I love the confidence that make-up gives me! I've always wanted to be an MUA, and now is my time to start. I absolutely LOVE make-up! Because of my love for art, make-up has always been something that has allowed me to use my creativity and create something that I personally call beautiful.

I am always looking for girls of all skin colors and types to do a little freelance make-up on for my portfolio, so if you're interested, shoot me a message!