Goodbye January! Oh, hi there February!

February is here…. Woohoo!!!

So let’s get started—

Here were my resolutions/inspirations for January:     

Order Internet/cable

 I asked friends what speed they recommended and did some research.  I have a number but have not called.I did get the feature on my phone where I can tether from the phone to my computer(small steps).  I do not see this as a failure instead as a challenge for next month (February).

Update my blog once a week-

This resolution was very easy for me. I love that at the end of the year I can look back and review everything that I did.   

Finish updating my resume

This project started its evolution since last year but it is updated and ready to go! I have also come to realize that the resume will change a bit depending on the different jobs I may one day seek.  My friend Liz H. has been very helpful with all her feedback and guidance.

Take better care of my health (keep doing it!)

I was very aggressive on this resolution this month. I have worried so much about not feeling well for years but my doctor was very understanding and compassionate. She ran tests that I thought I need plus anything she felt might be necessary. I feel empowered by the follow up work she suggested and prescribed. I will be better to seek out medical attention especially as we get older.   

Create a morning routine (a work in progress)

This resolution has been the hardest of all. In conversations with friends and some online research, I discovered that a great morning routine has to be paired up with a night routine.  You cannot have one without the other.  So what does that look like for me?

**Night time**

Designate a consistent time that I will go to bed(10, 1030, 11-just keep it consistent!).

Do not watch TV/ Movies when it is time for bed. Previously, I usually would decide to go to bed but proceed to bring my computer or DVD player to bed and watch until I was exhausted.  At that point, I would just turn over and go to sleep. This change has done wonders.  

Gather outfit including ironing of clothes (if I had not ironed over the weekend)

Pack breakfast (oatmeal in travel container where all I need to add is hot water, put all condiments into coffee cup so that I would just need to add hot water in the morning), pack lunch and two snacks.

Pack gym bag

Shower

**Morning routine**

Wake up!

Get dressed

Do something to my hair (curl, wave, bobby pin it down)

Apply makeup/morning creams

Gather all my items (gym bag, laptop, lunch, etc.)

Head out the door

Go to work

Now, this does not work every night or morning, but I am going to try to keep up and try to incorporate some additional items.

January has taught me 5 important things:

People are not perfect.  Imperfections are what make us unique.

I have to make myself a priority! (if not, it will show on the positive if you do it will show as well)

I must forgive myself for past mistakes. Definitely learn from them but do not let them define who you are.

I need to have more fun (let loose- watch out this weekend)!

It is never too late to change your routine, yourself, and your life.

Later January!!!

I think the song My life by Mary J. Blige is representative of where I am currently. I understand that she recorded this song in her dark days but to see her now it is very inspiring. 

I. 

love. 

February. 

I 

love

 love.

Honestly, I have a great handle on my February resolutions/goals.  Here they are: 

1. organize open house/housewarming

I am looking at the last or second to last weekend in February.  I already have the invitations and a skeleton plan for the menu.

2. Get new hairstyle

I do not have any concrete plans, but I do want to lighten my hair(from black to a light brown), cut it, and curl it(dare I say perm it?!). 

Eva sent me some samples and I really like this look:

I like the haircolor

I like the length and texture

3. Send care package to the Washington Andrade chapter (xmas gifts!)

I thought I would be done with this last month but it is still hanging on my door. 

I went last week to the post office at 130pm and they closed at 12pm. For sure this weekend!

4.       Read book 1

I decided on the book—

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch It was given to us at work and a few of us will be reading it and discussing it. It should be a quick read!

5.       Update my blog once a week 

Love isn't finding the perfect person, it is finding the imperfect person and seeing how they are perfect.

Here is to  Love!

Random Ramblings

January is about to come to a close and what a month it has been. 

I have really enjoyed myself this month.   I was just talking to a friend about how light I have been feeling in recent days.  I am very touched by the outpouring that has come since my last blog entry. I was encouraged to confront these feelings and truths many a time but I guess somethings cannot be rushed. i hope to make even more progress on this front in the upcoming weeks.  

I have come to a couple of realizations:

1. I do not enjoy puzzles. 
I bought a puzzle at the beginning of the year because I thought I needed a hobby that did not include a TV remote, but I found the puzzle experience to be tense instead of relaxing. It's out!
2. I am in control of my own life and decisions(no more excuses!)
3. True friends love YOU for YOU in spite of your quirks!
4. Positivity is contagious
(i get daily affirmations sent to my phone reminding me during the day that I am healthy and Happy, I manage my money well and I am positive--Fake it 'til you make it, right?!)
5. Your health and mental well being is THE most important thing. 
Please go see the doctor if something does not feel right. I worried for literally years about something that was non-existent. Don't waste another day!
6. Life gets better! 

In case you are wondering what happened to the January resolutions check back on February 1st for a recap!

I have to share this video with you all. Watch it and let me know if you understands what happens in the commercial.  

This commercial comes on every 9 minutes during my workout(between songs)and it was not until the 50th time that I get what happens.  Did you get it on the first take?  They end up with the same apartment they started with( shout out to all my past roommies).  It was an A HA! moments for me...I miss Oprah! 

 Also, I would like to Congratulate Demian Bichir for his nomination in the Oscar category of Actor in a Leading Role

• Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"
• George Clooney in "The Descendants"
• Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"
• Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
• Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

He has some heavy competition, but I could not be prouder of his nomination.  I will be watching and rooting for him on February 26th. Here is the movie preview(it is available  at  your local library or red box):

Why does this video remind me of Pickles?

You cannot carry that on with you! You must check it!

Happy 4^th week of January(and Chinese New Year-Liz)!!!

I am happy to report that this week was very well to me.   

I spent some much needed quality time with some close friends.  

 Something that became crystal clear this weekend was the importance of maintaining close relationships with your bestest girlfriends.  

 These relationships do not just happen or maintain themselves, but instead you need to tend to them as prized petunias.   

You have to give them just enough of your sunlight and make sure they are thriving in the conditions they find themselves in.  

 My history would prove that I was not born with that green thumb, but just because you are not naturally gifted does not mean you cannot work toward mastering that skill.   

I have made mistakes in previous relationships and have also found myself in relationships where I was not appreciated. 

Say, what now?   

 It’s true.  

 Forgetting to water a friendship can happen to anyone, but sometimes you are unable to resuscitate it and just need to rid your garden of those pesky weeds.  

 Luckily, I have some prized petunias in my garden.

Thruthbetold at times I feel scared by such friendships. 

I know what you might be thinking. 

What?! 

Who would not want close friends and the bonds that come along with such a prized possession?  

 It’s true. 

I have this sense of disbelief, distrust,and the occasional panic attack that I will make a mistake and it could all vanish into thin air.   

 A couple of years ago someone broke up with me. 

People breakup all the time. 

True. 

Except that this breakup I did not see coming and could not at the time even understand it.  Time passed and I kept finding myself coming back to this relationship and trying to figure out what happened? 

Trying to put the jigsaw puzzle back together somehow. 

  Who did what? 

What was my responsibility?

And what about the other half? 

Do they not take any responsibility in what happened? 

So, I imploded this relationship on my own.  

 Maybe? 

Maybe not? 

At this point I will never know and honestly I am exhausted of carrying this baggage with me.   

I will check this bag in once and for all.   

Here is a letter I worte to myself as a way of letting go of the pain, hurt and trauma thsi breakup caused:

Dear Idalia, 

Hey girl! How are you? I am writing this letter to let you know that you are wasting your time pining for someone that has clearly moved on.  It’s okay to remember the good times, the bad times, the hilarious times and the inside jokes, but do not live in those memories because they are just that.  You are a great friend and you are a good person.  When shit happens sometimes, it is not always all about you!  Could that person have been insecure just like you were?  Give yourself a break and forgive yourself.  What is done is done.  Life did not end at the collapse of that relationship and it will not end at the collapse of a future one (hopefully you will not have one).   That person did not value you.  I will repeat that to make sure you heard me.  That person did not value you.  It is their loss! You are worth more than they realized. You are kind, funny, and loyal.   Do not continue to live with this failed relationship as a measure of what type of person you are.  That is unfair to you and to the people you will meet. We all make mistakes.   Smile. Remove that scarlet letter that you have given yourself.  Live your life changing year with one less bag to carry. 

The lessons you should take away from all of this shoud be the following:

•   Treasure the friends that stuck by you when this all of this went down—mopping up tears, answering your enraged phone calls, rehashing what transpired for the millionth time.
•   Don’t forget about the power of Forgiveness.  Self. Others. Practice makes perfect.   

  

This week four memorable things happened:

  

1.  I discovered that a morning routine is important BUT a night routine is critical.  For an entire week I have packed my snazzy lunch bag at night with breakfast, lunch, and snack items.  This little bag has come in so handy and takes me from day to literally night (it gets dark quickly here!).  

Your body and your pocket book thank you. Chaching!

2.  In the last week I have fallen asleep for four days without the use of a tv, radio, laptop or dvd player.  In examining my night routine with friends, it became clear that maybe just maybe the tv distraction also distracts from my number one goal at night: Sleep.   

Don’t underestimate the wisdom of your friends.

    3.  My mom and my sister came over for an impromptu breakfast. It is so great when you can do something for others who always do for you. Love you guys!

You and your mom have truly come along way.

  

4.  I enjoyed my unproductive weekend! Unproductive in the errands area but productive in the friendship area.

Sometimes you have to put down the to-do list and live.

An update on my resolutions for January

(Look for a full report next week February 1st):

Create a morning routine- this one has changed a bit to create a night routine first. I have made small changes to both of these and I have already been reaping the benefits.

    Finish updating my resume- I found it and I have identified small changes that need to be made.

  Order internet/cable- I did a little research and I have a phone number.- I will have better new next week.

 Take better care of my health- I came back with an almost clean bill of health.

Update my blog once a week

Here is to a great week and forgiveness. 

Cheers!