<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[My Site]]></title><description><![CDATA[My Site]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:09:20 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.amcandyshop.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Contentment In Disguise]]></title><description><![CDATA[Tomorrow is June 10th.  8 years ago, I took a plane from Lisbon to New York City with no return ticket. That realization would have probably called for a review of those past 8 years, with my accomplishments and my failures. Listing how immigrating across the Atlantic Ocean changed me and my life. And I thought of it, everything that I have done in 8 years, I started listing the big milestones, the big events, the big wins, and even the big deceptions. But listing all these doesn’t really...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/contentment-in-disguise</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a281bb999361b5d20d46d35</guid><category><![CDATA[Salted Caramels]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:50:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_d3bc19782f814936ab51100f70508e0a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lighthouse / G.R.L]]></title><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/lighthouse-g-r-l</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a282a7dbcf454bfefde2a34</guid><category><![CDATA[Lollipops]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Life Lately]]></title><description><![CDATA[Take the Compliments. Last week, I was "working" on the value deck with my therapist. (I will write a post about that because it's pretty interesting.) While going through the values that I wish I lived by, but unfortunately, life showed me that I don't, and so, I was explaining to her why, one by one. She said that I was really funny. She even said, "You're hilarious". So, I'll take it. Last weekend, I had my cousin on FaceTime two days in a row. It was his son's birthday, and then he called...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/take-the-compliments</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a203434c9d8b2a0564ec5c6</guid><category><![CDATA[Cotton Candy]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:29:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_6d10dcb25c1f4ca5b61a765239a68e19~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[I just wish.]]></title><description><![CDATA[I wrote something a couple of days ago, and I have been reflecting on it. I will leave what I wrote for the sake of teaching myself a lesson, but I don't think I can take any of those thoughts into consideration. I am antsy lately because I am concerned. But at the end, I don't have all the information on hand to actually "speak" the way I did. I take things to heart; we all know that. The truth is, I made it all about myself. The race, the why, the 18 months of efforts. My perspective is...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/i-just-wish</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1f0ac8b63f5fb828e93bc5</guid><category><![CDATA[Sour Patches]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 16:55:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_cf554c58e87d474b83016f470a1f5517~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[FOLLOW YOU / Imagine Dragons]]></title><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/follow-you-imagine-dragons</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2829675b452722a3b5e68e</guid><category><![CDATA[Lollipops]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Life Goes On.]]></title><description><![CDATA[I haven't written in a while. The past two posts were drafts I wrote some time ago. I tried to understand why I paused, and the answer started becoming clearer and clearer. Everything is tied together at the end. I know that writing has been helping me, getting things out of my head, thinking about my feelings, and untangling everything, but as I said before, I write with a specific target in mind, and sometimes it gets hard for me to do so; the thought of it can overwhelm me and bring me to...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/when-life-goes-on</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1ef8a2ae0d73d1087e39c6</guid><category><![CDATA[Salted Caramels]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_d4aad8cad1eb44aea70547defb92b838~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Move a Muscle, Change a Thought]]></title><description><![CDATA[My therapist told me that quote the other day. “Move a muscle, change a thought.” She told me it’s something that is said a lot to deal with addiction… ahah. I guess she thought it was appropriate for my situation. I have always been someone who liked to move. I never really followed a specific workout program. But I have always been doing something. When I was a teenager, I liked collective sports and played handball. I also competed in badminton, and I did martial arts in high school. Then...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/move-a-muscle-change-a-thought</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1ef47cd7053c3c7ea23e66</guid><category><![CDATA[Salted Caramels]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_9c8715ef8adf4d69aa702d29457b92fc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Tattoo Inside Your Brain]]></title><description><![CDATA[It is interesting to reflect on how crossing someone’s path can impact your own. It could be insignificant or rather awakening. I am here today, on this conscious journey to growth that didn’t come as a coincidence... All the things I reflect on here, every trauma I try to deal with, every attempt I make to be a better person, a better mother, a better wife, even the choice to have a healthier lifestyle, are a direct consequence of re-crossing the path of a specific person. I’ve been forced...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/the-tattoo-inside-your-brain</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1ef3aa178961c786a3a750</guid><category><![CDATA[Sour Patches]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_0d11875e0f4f4bab8d55a95fce7bf3b0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[This is your Sign]]></title><description><![CDATA[Yesterday was one of those days, the ones where I go around with a tightness in my chest. It's hard for me to really pinpoint what makes me feel like that. Probably a combination of things. That's when emotions run high, doubts take over. I wish for things, and I feel guilt at the same time for having those thoughts. I would say that now, I control those emotions a little better, but the tightness is harder to get rid of. I spent the day out and about, which usually helps. I had some errands...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/this-is-your-sign</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1e04c97ab417a19fc1589d</guid><category><![CDATA[Salted Caramels]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_8ce2d6f3cf3948d6988f52a2488050ab~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Leaving it to Fate.]]></title><description><![CDATA[What a privilege it is to be entrusted with someone deepest thoughts and secrets, to be someone’s safe place, a place with no judgment, nor criticism, just acceptance. But it could also be a burden, a weight you didn’t decide to carry that could potentially interfere with a peaceful path you rather be on.  It’s a matter of perspective; it all depends on how you choose to see and deal with what is given to you… Or, with what is there for you to find. Willpower is very important in this...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/leaving-it-to-fate</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1ef27aae0d73d1087e2afa</guid><category><![CDATA[Salted Caramels]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_8425ab9b3a214f81b1756bec208056e7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[MESS IS MINE / Vance Joy]]></title><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/mess-is-mine-vance-joy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a282b1a5b452722a3b5ea01</guid><category><![CDATA[Lollipops]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Facing your demons. Part I]]></title><description><![CDATA[The What Ifs A few sessions ago, I shared with my therapist that I keep thinking of the distant past and replaying in my head some events that happened. While the memories are not totally clear, I was feeling the pain I got from them as if they just happened yesterday. I was getting so frustrated for spending my mental space reminiscing about things that happened so long ago, while I am now in a much better place from accepting things that happened last year. With her help, and through some...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/facing-your-demons-part-i</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1e04917ab417a19fc1582a</guid><category><![CDATA[Sour Patches]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_98f89d5b8b654e42921c588b3b5b6223~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tribute to Spring ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here it is, finally, SPRING! I’ve been waiting for that one a lot, probably because this past winter was brutal. It was the longest and coldest I have ever experienced (in terms of weather). Snow just cleared out a week ago. It’s starting to be nice enough to spend more time outside. I took a walk this morning, and the trees are starting to sprout. Flowers are coming!!! Here, the obvious signs of spring only start showing in April. You can spot a few blooms, but the trees are still bear until...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/tribute-to-spring</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1e034e74254bcae0856304</guid><category><![CDATA[Cotton Candy]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_2ab9f6e3a0b347ebbe972e8796b0cb39~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Meditation Mode]]></title><description><![CDATA[I went MIA for a little bit. Not to make a certain point. But to protect myself from my own doing. I was on a slippery slope. The guns in my head wouldn’t stop. I was digging dark holes again. Caving constantly. And lately, because things are good in life. Actually genuinely good, I was having a hard time handling the contrast of what daily life looks like versus what’s happening in my head. Sometimes dark on dark is easier to handle than dark on light because on that last one, you have to...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/meditation-mode</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1e02bbd87dcf57d547eb3b</guid><category><![CDATA[Salted Caramels]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_85269d4a121541338a6ed16555ce36b3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_890,h_890,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The wind]]></title><description><![CDATA[The wind. A gentle reminder, that what cannot be seen, may still be felt. -Liz Fair]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/the-wind</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a282e6e99361b5d20d49362</guid><category><![CDATA[Lemon Drops]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tribute to Winter]]></title><description><![CDATA[You don’t really experience winter until you get the right combo of extreme low temperatures, snow, and freezing wind. I now laugh at myself for thinking that France was cold in the winter. I’m more of a warm-weather person, but sometimes life takes you to unpredictable places—cold ones. Winters here can be tough; it will surely snow, you will feel the cold in your bones when outside, and daylight is so short that you basically live in the dark. I got to a point where I get happy and excited...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/tribute-to-winter</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1e00d761de78e3b215e925</guid><category><![CDATA[Cotton Candy]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_19973361ca6147df86233a56b9374469~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trustful Hands / The Do]]></title><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/trustful-hands-the-do</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a282c215b452722a3b5ebfb</guid><category><![CDATA[Lollipops]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thanks for the Whispering Wind]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s Thanksgiving week. Life gets busy and slows down at the same time. It’s probably America’s most important Holiday, but I’ll put it at the same level as the 4th of July. I always like being on the cooking side, so I could learn how to make each side dish from everyone’s traditions. My contribution over the years has been a cheeseboard for appetizers. Very French of me. Which, when you think about it, is pretty important because guests will eat that first. First impressions matter. I won’t...]]></description><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/thanks-for-the-whispering-wind</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1dff4561de78e3b215e60d</guid><category><![CDATA[Salted Caramels]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/942afb_f5bc863905354c56980e36188086177c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bullets / Tunng]]></title><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/bullets-tunng</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a282bbb32d35aa9db6615dc</guid><category><![CDATA[Lollipops]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Good News / SHABOOZEY]]></title><link>https://www.amcandyshop.com/post/good-news-shaboozey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a282cba32d35aa9db6617fa</guid><category><![CDATA[Lollipops]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 07 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>M</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>