Man, I'm bad at this blogging thing!

Well, another month has come and gone. Today WILL be short, as I'm just trying to kill my obligatory 15 minutes after drinking something before I will workout (I don't want to throw up or anything, so...yeah, I'll wait!). I can't believe that it's August, AND that August is about halfway over! School starts for me on Friday, and I am elated. My love is not as excited as I am, but I think that he has the last-semester blues...I suppose he'll get over them when he learns that it's okay not to have life planned beyond graduation yet! I told him to take a breather, a semester off, go visit friends and family, and get a part-time job, then decide about grad school or something else. He is young and has all the time in the world. if he wants. :) As for me, I'm just elated to be in-state AND be able to follow a program that I'm interested in. I think that I will try to teach or something for a bit, then maybe go back to school for a music ed graduate degree. I just can't get away from my love of music, and my wanting to teach high school or college band. We'll see how that goes, though. I do change my mind rather a lot.

What else? Well, I'm trying to work on this problem that I have of overkill when I'm debating with someone. I guess because when I know something, I really know it, and if it is fact based, I can usually whip out quite a few to prove my point if you want to argue with me about it. Apparently that is not a good thing...I feel (at this point) like it's ignorant to not want to know when you're absolutely wrong, but hey, I suppose perhaps I'll get over that. Or go to law school. I always imagine that you can be as self-righteous as you want when you're a lawyer and people dismiss it because you're one. Maybe that's what I'd like, a free pass. Haha, or perhaps the courtroom would be a good outlet for my personality quirk. :)

I am working out...often-ish, and am starting to see results. We are trying to eat healthier, and are doing okay on that front, too. Way less processed foods, but we still have a break from diet/exercise once or twice a week. It's been slow in coming, but I'm past the 5 lb loss mark, so I feel like I'm building momentum. Today will be another step toward that when I'm done blogging! :) I am soooo excited to get home from the gym and eat, though! That's always the BEST meal of the day for me! And, if it's a good one, I feel awesome alllll day!!

Okay, gonna go workout before heading to yoga!! <3

Aloha

Happy July!!

Well, I have been slow at updating, but that's because I've been busy with (as usual) work, working out, and sleeping. ALL OF WHICH ARE VASTLY IMPORTANT! But this week, I am on VACATION! Love and I went with his family to Holden Beach again (it's a small island just north of Oak Island, which is just north of the NC/SC border). This is year 3 for me to go with them. This year, it is a little different feeling, though I'm not sure how. It has been pretty enjoyable and I actually got in the water yesterday! I may have had a few minor freak-outs because of stepping on things that were not sand (nor shells, from what I could tell)...and who thinks that when I step on something slimy, an appropriate response is "oh, that's probably just a jellyfish..."?!?!?!?!?! Does that really seem like the best answer?!? And then, AFTER that, of course tendrils of "seaweed" (in quotes because I still don't fully know) like to wrap around my ankles. I decided that I need water shoes. While shopping last time, I forgot about that need, but if we go today, I MAY just get some!!

What else has been going on? I injured my back this past Thursday, again. I was in Zumba, apparently moving and shaking too much. This is, of course, after I already had to back down from weight training classes because of my shoulder. Now I have to take it SUPER-DUPER easy with working out. Zumba, Yoga, Pilates (if I can), and maybe some other cardio-based classes. I am kind of disappointed because I was feeling and seeing results from all the working out I was doing. Maybe I wasn't giving myself enough recovery time or something like that. I don't know, I was feeling stronger, but my body finally gave up. I am going to try to do Yoga and Pilates more so that I can stretch, strengthen gently, and build my core up. I just have to adhere to my body telling me what is too much and know that I can't push myself as far while I am still healing from my back injury. It's okay, though. I will be okay, even if it takes a while.

Oh, so I will be starting school again in the fall. I got accepted at both places that I applied to, but I don't think that I want to drive super far to school every day...though the drive will either be far to school or far to work. I have signed up for orientation at one school already, and I think that I can finish in 2-2.5 years. 5 semesters approximately, and I'd really like to knock out some classes over the summer, too. I am excited, though the selection for classes this late in the summer SUCKS, I do know that every class opens up the first week of school. Speaking of school, Love applied to graduate in the Fall! I am so excited, but he hasn't been able to register for any classes yet. After the next round of registration, we're going to email his professors to see if they can put him in the classes. Not sure how that'll go...but we'll see.

Might be going out on a boat today. Fishing or just boating. I am super excited. Haven't been fishing on a boat in forever! Hopefully we'll be catching up a feast!! :) Anywho, I need to run and get ready for the day...take some medicine and wake up Love. :) Hope all is well on the main land!

Aloha

Is it really already JUNE?!

Oh my goodness, May flew by like the blink of an eye! No, I didn't mean to rhyme, but I don't mind that I did!! Wow, what a month it has been! My love and I are now avid gym-goers! It is SO wonderful! I feel almost defeated in some of these really tough (for me at least) classes, but I push through as best I can, and feel amazing afterwards. I don't know about weight loss in pounds, but some of my clothes fit better, I feel like I look better, and I have so much more energy, even though I am waking up much earlier than before! I LOVE IT.

Work is going swimmingly. Excited for the beach vacation, though. :) Not for wearing a swimsuit (I'm not there YET), but for the feel of the cool breeze on my warm skin. I love napping under a big umbrella while laying on a towel on the sand. Going into the water is okay, but I have had a crab do some not so nice things to my foot in the past, so maybe we'll just go in to my knees again (though it did that in just ankle-deep water, so who knows?)....plus the fact that the jellyfish are kinda abundant there when we go...hmm...I may rethink this whole water-going adventure. Anywho, I cannot wait. Sitting on the crow's nest, watching fireworks...the smell of the salty sea air. I am such a beach bum at heart, and really hope to live closer to one when my Love and I settle. :)

I have been applying to school again. Gonna start again in the Fall, one way or another. I am FINALLY a Georgia resident AND can claim my domicile here, so there should be no qualms about that. Getting my license soon so that there is no question as to where I live. I am just excited to finish. Not sure which program to pursue, have 2 in mind. One that would be super hard and take ~3 yrs, but I think may be really worth it...maybe. And one that wouldn't be as hard, would take ~2 yrs, but is also interesting to me. We'll see what happens. Still on the fence about it, but I know that I can ALWAYS GO BACK for the other one that I don't get now! Life is going to be a never-ending source of knowledge for me, and I find great joy in that idea. I ADORE using my brain, and I can't wait to really break it out and use it again here soon! While I do enjoy massage work, I really miss critically thinking and solving complex problems (numerical or otherwise). I just don't get to do word problems or logic puzzles as a Massage Therapist!!

Speaking of Massage, I love my clients. They are absolutely the best. :) Enough said. <3

Well, time to grab some food and a shower to get ready for work! Hope all is well with everyone else!!

Aloha

Wait, it's already May?!

Well, time has certainly been flying around here! Finals are here for my love, and man could you feel the stress last week! I'm glad that they'll all be over for him Monday (until the Fall, that is)! 

Today, we went to the gym together. It was wonderful! I am excited about the classes that are offered there, and can't wait til Monday to go to them! I feel awesome and exhausted, but it is a wonderful feeling. I also really need to get on making a good, healthy, balanced meal plan for us so that I can run and pick up whatever we need from the grocery store. I love feeling so productive, especially on a Friday! Not really looking forward to tomorrow, though, as I am working 9-1, then have an event from 6-10. I am ALREADY tired, but I suppose that is a part of work, doing stuff when you're exhausted then enjoying the heck out of your day(s) off! And, I'm gonna make it through because this is the ONLY Saturday this month that I'm working! Next Saturday, is Charlotte for the day, then the one after that, we're celebrating our 3rd anniversary!! No clue what we'll actually do yet, but I'm gonna check into maybe Savannah or something else fun. The Ren Fest is still in the area, so that's always an option, too! :)

Ah, I feel like I want to sleep right now for a thousand hours, but, instead, I'm going to do some laundry and read. I think that my brain will really appreciate it, as will my clients tomorrow when I have fresh, clean sheets, and a nice uniform, too! :) I may also clean out my car, but that could wait until Sunday. It badly needs a bath, too.

I feel so brimming with excitement, I suppose I could share less happy news, too. The school I've been trying to get into to finish my degree has said no, but I am in the process of appealing it. I'm hoping to get a yes soon, so I can finish this fall. We'll see, but plan B is still a great and viable option, just a touch more lengthy. Cross your fingers, pray, dance to whoever, or just send happy thoughts and energy my way! I'm REALLY hoping this works out!!

Okay, I'm beat and need to hop on this laundry before I decide I'm too tired. :)

Aloha

Friday, Friday!

I am so delighted that it is Friday, and not because Friday signifies that the weekend is coming either (because for me, it doesn't...I usually work on Saturdays and only have Sunday as my "weekend"). For some reason, though this has been one of the busiest weeks so far for me this year, it has been one of the most awesome. No, nothing really incredible happened to me, I just really enjoyed this week. I have worked, so far, every single day. Monday through Thursday, I wasn't getting home until past 1030pm. Today, I woke up at 730am, and got home at 630pm. Tomorrow, I am leaving the house by 845am, and should be home around 4ish (just in time to welcome my wonderful Love's family to Georgia from Switzerland!). Why am I so happy when working so much?! Well, sure, the pay checks are nice, but honestly, I am loving my work right now! BOTH places I work are awesome, and I couldn't be happier. I have amazing coworkers and even more amazing bosses. I am excited to go to work, and I try to give every person I touch the best massage ever. I suppose it helps that no less than four times this week, I have heard that I gave someone the best massage they've ever had. Maybe more than four times. And I've also received my first client who has standing appointments with me...he seriously booked 5 weeks out after my first massage with him. Another client referred his wife to see me, and made an appointment for the next day for her after getting a massage from me. Perhaps I have found the right place to be working, because I love this response and I love the people I am working on. Going to work isn't a chore, it is really quite wonderrific.

Okay, that is all true and fun, and I am so happy. In other news, Love's parents got a new patio table, so, instead of us forking out some money for a nice new one, we received a nice used one. I am excited. We may need to refinish it, but please, I feel like SuperWoman after this week, so we can tackle it if need be. Now to make our front porch more inviting...hmm..we have pretty multi-colored lights left over from the holidays that are festive. I may invest in some muslin to make curtain-y type things, too, just for ambiance. Also, Love wants tiki torches, so maybe a little one for the table. I imagine the new renovation will cost less than $10. And that's a liberal estimation. 

OH! In other way more awesome news, I have decided to give being a vegetarian a go again. I started on Easter Sunday by saying no thanks to the Turkey, and helping myself to delicious sides instead! THANKFULLY no dessert I have come in contact with has meat, so we're safe for now! BUT, I have lost 2.5lbs since Monday, so I'd say this is a great start! I'm not doing it out of any moral feelings toward eating animals, though I do have a soft spot for fuzzy and/or fluffy things, so it helps. Exoskeletal Shrimp best be on the lookout, though, because if I DO decide to eat ANY sort of meat, those suckers are on the chopping block!! Anywho, any recipes would be appreciated, as I am adventurous, but especially nice if they can favor a half-veggie household, where I still want my Love to enjoy his meaty-ful foods, too. :)

Well, that is all for now. No griping about politics or rude people today, all I feel is love and peace for the world. <3

Aloha

A Note on Politics

Today, I'm going to keep things short, too. I've been super busy (although, I DID have the last two days off and have been enjoying pretty much every SECOND of the relaxation) and have not had time to come by and share my thoughts. Today is different, though. Over the past few months, I have been drawn into this public display of stupidity, ignorance (two different things, mind you), arrogance, humor, more ignorance, lies, and flat-out crap. I'm talking about the 2012 Election campaigns. No, I'm not even talking about stupid tv ads or anything, FAR WORSE... I am talking about the hooplah on social networking sites like Twitter and facebook. YES, everyone has their own opinions and are entitled to it, but it DEEPLY saddens me to see people put up unfounded information about candidates or the current President. You can say whatever you like, I do absolutely respect our constitution, but can people not see that posting BLATANTLY false information or posting ridiculous stuff is really just making THEM seem like an uneducated ass? I am going to be as neutral as possible on ym public accounts, because I am so tired of the fights that politics and political opinions spawn. I poke fun at both sides (and yes, I DO have an affiliation myself) and I will bring up downfalls and good things about them both, too. No one side has all the answers and no one candidate will win the hearts of 100% of the people. I suppose that I am just tired about the blatant disrespect people think that it is okay to show and share during an election year. If you (and I don't mean you in particular, but you as a collective) care SO much about how things are run and the problems with candidate A or B, RUN FOR OFFICE YOURSELF. That is a way to be sure that your voice will be heard, and the things that you find important will be brought to the forefront. Otherwise, BE SURE TO VOTE. Get your candidate nominated, but don't hate on others who are doing the same thing for theirs. Voting and politics is actually a very private matter for many people. They believe in them and fully support them, but attacking others for their political opinion is as asinine as attacking others for their religious beliefs. Ugh. You can tell this boils my blood, eh? 

Here's my main point about all that above: If you want to talk politics, fine, but PLEASE educate yourself and don't post stupid stuff that has no foundation in truth OR that just feeds mass propaganda. ALSO, attacking other people's beliefs about politics doesn't make you seem more knowledgeable, it just makes you seem like a jerk.

My next (and last for now) topic is the political ads and campaigns themselves. I am very angry at the GOP for allowing this kind of campaigning to continue, year after year. By letting the candidates divide the party and pick one another apart does NO GOOD for the election as a whole. If the GOP really wants Obama out, then they need to be seen as a solid party that supports all of its' candidates, and really feels that any ONE of them would do the job well. By tearing apart the party, it makes it easier for people to defect (as it were) or to not vote for a Republican candidate simply based on the months preceding the GOP convention and all the damage done then. I, currently, do not have better advice on how to handle it, though I thought of some bang-up ideas this morning. I'll share them when I get another free minute, but for now, the oven is dinging, I want lunch, and I am tired of stupidity. :)

Main point #2: Stop tearing apart the GOP just to get a nomination. The Republican party should NOT be fighting itself. The main goal should be to win the election, not just the nomination.

More political stuff like this to come, I'm sure...as I am a Poli Sci major and this stuff interests me a ton.

Here's the clip I wrote on fb: 

"As we are in full swing of an election year, please be respectful of others' political opinions and decisions (on fb, I mean). I have friends on BOTH sides of the spectrum and all in between...some I agree with and some I don't, but it is ridiculous to get so angry with others on a social networking site over it. We all want what we think is best for the country, and no need to demean others who don't agree. If you don't agree, run for office or VOTE. I am tired of all these people slamming one another and am even more tired of uneducated slander coming from BOTH SIDES. How about we BUILD UP America instead of tearing it apart every election year? As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Just a thought..."

Aloha

Anxiety or Excitement?

Today I have encountered a couple things that really have got me thinking. First and foremost, I want to share with everyone (so share this with people you know, too!) a little insight that I found PROFOUND about anxiety. I am a sufferer and have been for a while. Not life-long, but long enough to see the negative impact it has had on my life. Anywho, this tidbit of advice is short and sweet. Anxiety and excitement are essentially the same thing. Your body reacts in the same way - like bubbly stomach, sweaty palms, increased heart rate. The ONLY difference is your interpretation of the event, whether it be positive or negative. Changing how you look at what is making you anxious could lessen if not eliminate the anxiety altogether. Okay, I'm sure you're like "what?" or...maybe not. I was. When I was reading a book on dealing with anxiety (From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett), I had to reread that part like 5 or 6 times to really get it. It is super profound, though, if you think about it. Instead of being afraid of things that are going to happen, try to recognize the feeling as excitement instead. Like, for me, instead of being anxious about talking or performing in front of groups, I try to psych myself into feeling excited about it instead. I have gotten SIGNIFICANTLY more positive results just altering my thinking. It does take a lot of effort and focus, but after you do it for a while, you become an all-around more positive and happy person. I may blog more about anxiety in the future, as it is something that I've dealt with for a long time.

What else? Well, I'll keep today brief, as I have a few other things to attend to, but I'd like to recommend that everyone take some time out to romance themselves. A long, luxurious bath and some delicious moisturizing lotion. Some tasty smelling candles, some delectable cheese and crackers with some nice wine or sparkling grape juice. Anything you can do to just make yourself feel beautiful and wonderful and absolutely like a billion dollars is completely worth it. I did that today for about two hours (long shower, fixed my hair all pretty-like, did my makeup in a new way, put on nicer clothes, I smell AH-MAZING btw) and I feel like today is already the perfect day and nothing can or will change that!! :) Just a thought! Besides, pampering yourself is one of life's little, lovely delights!

Aloha

Blooming

So many wonderful and delightful things have been going on that I just have't had time to really sit down and pen (or keyboard, as the case is) them all. I'll start with one of the absolutely most delightful and spectacular bits. My hydrangea, which I loved so much last year and received as a sort of house warming gift from my mother when she came to visit last August, has decided to rebloom this spring! I thought that it was surely dead, although I had brought her in and out as the weather called (which it did not call for much this "winter"), and I watered her as necessary, she was scraggly and brown and absolutely dead looking before any of the other plants were. I was very sad and left her outside, waterless, in her pretty pot for the remainder of "winter." Today, though, I see precious little buds and bright green leaves sprouting off of her everywhere! I could not be more delighted that I will get to see her again this year!

Ah, what magic nature has, no? The weather has been quite amazing lately. Today, it was warm enough to wear a tank top and actually sit outside without being a) far too hot or b) far too cold/windy. It feels like spring, and I couldn't be more happy and ready for it. I am going to be optimistic that my ridiculous allergies today are going to be short-lived...or perhaps I'll actually remember to take my allergy medicine this time around! Either way, I hope that we can find a nice patio table soon so that we can enjoy the wonderful weather by eating outside or just sitting and enjoying the days/evenings.

Work has been hectic, but enjoyable for the most part. I really feel like I am missing something, though. Probably more of a spiritual connection than anything, but I enjoy my work, I just think I need soemthing more to make it feel as whole and enjoyable as ever. Perhaps some meditation before hand to really get me in the zone, or maybe picking music with better chords (as I really don't think minor chords are appropriate for massage, too much discord for me and my energy). I'm not sure. Maybe I just need a personal spiritual overhaul, or some meditation time of my own. I need my life to be in balance or my massages will just not quite be there for my clients, and I certainly want them to leave feeling wonderful, renewed, and refreshed after a massage. I will add, though, that I have found out that I have a HIGH sensitivity to heat, through giving hot stone massage. I never thought my hands could burn so much with WARM water. I will figure out a way to get used to it, but man-oh-man it's tough right now!!

The love of my life and I went to Florida the first weekend in March. It was his last Spring Break of his undergrad work, and we went to visit my family for a "long" weekend. I got to see my sister and her two boys, along with my mum and dad. We went to St. Augustine, visited Anastasia Island, ate at the Columbia, and shopped around town before the Sack of Saint Augustine began. It was interesting, to say the least. I have been to St. Augustine hundreds of times in the past and have never heard of this event before. There were cannons going off and muskets, and it was the city folk defending themselves from invasion. It was quite fun.

That weekend, i also got to see my cousin and his son. It's been a while since I've seen him. We went through a billion family photos looking for ones of my brother. It was entertaining. We were laughing at all of us as awkward children and enjoying reminiscing over old times. I am glad that most of my family lives in the same area, as it makes it possible for me to see more of them when I am in town to see my parents.

What else? My love has moved in. That was a kinda big deal, though one that has not been a surprise. We have rearranged the apartment at least twice since then (about a week and a half ago) and are about to do it again tonight. We are trying to get good energy flowing so that it really feels like our home. We have finally hung stuff on the walls, though it is mostly video game posters (in frames, though), and those will stay in our TV/entertainment room? I'm not sure, but pictures will accompany a future post...if it ever gets done to where we love it. I am excited, though, as I feel even more close to him now than ever. As we near our 3 year anniversary, I really appreciate that we still love one another and are still in love, so that every day is such a blessing to share together. We are definitely working hard so that it doesn't change.

I think that's about it for now. I need to go draw up some decorating plans for the apartment since he wants to jump on moving furniture after he gets home from class. :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful day. <3

Aloha

Welcome!!!

I am, as of now, not entirely sure what really pushed me to go ahead and make a new blog. I think a part of it was a friend of mine giving up reading blogs for Lent (interesting thing to inspire me to write one, right?). So thank you ma'am (and if you read this, you'll know it was because of you! <3)! And the other part is because I'm feeding my narcicistic side so that it won't bleed out into other parts of my life where it is not welcome. Everyone wins, no?

Where to begin? Well, the name. I feel truly and absolutely blessed in the life I have. Not just where I am not, but where I have been, who I have met, where I am going, the things I will do, the things I have done, and everything else. I feel like everything happens for a reason, even that really crappy stuff that you can't figure out the reason for. I also feel like life is magical and wonderful and cherishing it in any way is great. I'd like to also say that sometimes I do things inspired by people I know (or don't know). Not just blogging. I once read a friend's post on facebook or something about doing something every day to make herself happy. It hit me as absolutely profound and wonderful. I try to do as many things per day as I can that make me happy now. Not that it is unheard of to do that or anything, but if I hadn't really read about it from someone else doing it, I may not have actually put out the effort to do it myself. And, while my life is challenging and tiring and busy and crazy (sometimes all at once....well...usually all at once), I still love putting in even a little extra effort to be happy in any capacity I can every day. Also, a note about me...I use elipses more than is really acceptable, as I am sure you can tell by now. I also use parenthesis in a completely ridiculous manner. I don't really care. I used to get called a "grammar nazi" and that's fine with me. I do care whether or not things are spelled properly or the correct there they're or their is used, and I also like not sounding like an idiot when I speak to people. BUT I am most certainly not perfect and I like to play by my own grammatical rules from time to time. Also, if I blog late at night, I KNOW (100%, no doubt in my mind) that I will use the wrong form of "there/they're/their" at least once. I'll catch it the next day, but it'll happen. People used to get a kick out of catching me screw up. Well, have fun.

That's enough about that. I am currently a Massage Therapist at a couple awesome-tastic places (oh yeah, I make up words, too. If you get confused, ask. I'm suuuper friendly. promise!). I love the environment of both places I work. My coworkers are awesome and passionate about their work, too. It is great to help people and care about people every day instead of other places where clients just get treated like a pay check. I have described a former place of employment as a slaughterhouse. Not that we killed anyone, but it was about mass volume, get 'em in, get 'em out, and there was a lot of meat on the table. I suppose that's not too PC, but that place sucked and took all of the spirit and love out of massage. Made me hate touching people, too. I had anxiety attacks DAILY before going to work. But that's for another time, methinks.

Anywho, I'll blog as I can about whatever happens to me or things I think of or things I hear that strike me or things I see or feel or dreams I have or whatever. I live in this amazing world where everything that happens is important. To me, at least. And no, I won't divulge every detail of everything I do...though, I must warn you, I DO get bored a lot...so some posts may reflect that more than others. Anywho, off to work around the house (who knew that was a NEVER-ENDING JOB???). I will post more soon! :)

Aloha