June Goals

Hello hello.

Im back, with a list of June goals.

Summer is my season. I LOVE it. 

And I love June, Its a start to the summer and also my birthday month.

Im real happy it is almost here.

And to start the month out right, here are a few goals I plan to accomplish June 1st - 30th.

1. NO SUGAR JUNE: yep that is what I have dubbed this month. I have an addiction to dessert and anything sweet. I've decided to break the addiction cold turkey: no desserts, no soda (dont drink it that much anyway) no candy. I will allow myself the occasional cocktail. But for the most part Im trying to stay away from most processed foods and desserts. And, NO FAST FOOD.

2. Listen to one new vinyl a week. I have a whole box of vinyls my dad passed down to me. I've decided to listen to a new one each week whether it be while relaxing or cleaning the house.

3. Finish the book on my night stand. The Magicians Wife - it's been on my nightstand for months and I keep picking up more Amazon wish list items in favor of this one. I plan to get a Kindle Fire soon and this is my last paperback in my room I haven't finished. 

4. Start running again. I took a break after the marathon which has turned into a hiatus. Im not going to put any serious goals for this one just a hope to get out there once or twice a week for 4 good miles.

5. Pure Barre DVD- do it. (maybe 3x a week...maybe)

And there you have it! A list of goals to ring in my 27th year of life!

Cheers!

Revolution through a Retweet

Im sure half of you reading this have seen and heard of this Kony 2012 movement in some way whether it be through Facebook, a poster at a coffee shop, twitter or just plain word of mouth.

It's definitely awe inspiring and a cause worthy of a retweet. And it got me thinking about technology as it influences and pervades our generation.

For a good while, Ive heard here and there that all this technology is a detriment to our generation: It causes us to be lazy, out of touch, and in need of constant gratification. Sure, all those points are rooted in some truth I suppose. I'm the first to question the degredation of our society when I find myself mindlessly entranced by the Kardashian clan and the sad but reflective nature of the participants on the Bachelor reality series. Not to mention, how education in our culture seems to have taken a back seat to pop culture and the "need" for fame at any cost. 

But never the less, technology is here to stay. And the need for constant entertainment and something "new" wont be going away any time soon. 

That's why Im so taken by this Kony 2012 movement. I think it's interesting that there is a social movement happening that aims to force policy makers in the US to, in effect, capture the #1 war criminal of our time. 

It's no secret that most of American's, who pay attention to our politics or world politics, in most cases, are slightly jaded by the fact that NOTHING ever gets solved or fixed in our government or with injustices around the globe due to red tape, power and money. And that the current system is essentially broken.

But Kony 2012 is aiming to change that. It's exciting and electric.

Another thing that interests me is Anonymous, the hacking group with a mission. Slightly V for Vendetta -ish. They hack and shut sh*t down on the interwebs that they find unjust. For instance, today they shut down the Vatican's website because a) they can and b) to, in hopes, bring awareness of backwards politics within this religious entity.

Remember the SOPA blackout? There's another instance of this instant social media awareness playing a role in stopping the big wigs on Capitol Hill.

All this to say, perhaps this fast paced tech age we, as a generation, are right in the middle of is a double edged sword. On one side lies complacency, selfishness and the dumbing down of society in favor of being entertained. But on the other end: innovation, extreme awareness concerning issues that might other wise be swept under the rug for years and the concept of "a revolution at your fingertips". 

We all want to make a difference right? Who ever thought that your part could be played by clicking "Retweet"?

Happy Friday

This week went bye incredibly fast!

There is a lot happening in my world as of late. 

I've been a little frazzled without a home computer - never realized how much I actually need access to the interwebs once my 9-5 is over.

And Im moving next weekend! Im excited. But the thought of repacking and unpacking all my things has me a bit stressed. I dont know if it is normal for a 26 year old to have moved as many times as I have or maybe that is just what you do in your 20's if you are single and trying to figure it all out?

I really miss my home in Birmingham, no secret there. It was just perfect for little ole me, cute and quaint.  Im really trying to let it go, this sadness over feeling like I'll never be settled on the home front. Did any of you that have ever moved, and cant seem to get quite settled feel like that? 

Overall everything here is great, I think it's just normal to feel a little unsettled and sad when you up and move your whole life, right?

(image here)

But yea, moving again, so packing will commence this weekend. I had to employ the help of my mom. I am a total procrastinator and I have left the packing up till the last minute. My mom gets IT done! So Im happy to have her headed down Saturday.

On top of packing Im determined to get rid of the 'junk'. Ugh I swear I have accumulated so much junk the past few years. Ready to do a deep clean and evaluate what I want to carry with me going forward! I need to simplify, I think it will help me feel less stressed and more determined to get settled here.

On the weekend front,

Tonight Im going out with some girlfriends and Im so excited.

Also, Ive become addicted to Skinny Girl Margaritas. They dont sell the bottles in Bham so moving to Nash was the first time I have had them! And now, I look for occasions that give me an excuse to drink a couple. So tonight, it's girls night and a perfect excuse to bring out a bottle of the good stuff!

Have a lovely weekend! I plan too!

February Goals

Well I missed the Monday mash up with Shasta and Megan. But I hope you all checked out their blogs and took part.

My laptop was stolen this past weekend. 

It's definitely a bummer :(

but Im trying to just remember things that were stolen were that, just 'Things' and move on.

So I know my posting is already light, but it being without an contraption to post on when Im not on the clock is going to be tough.

Anyway, I know were six days in already, but I wanted to post some February goals to help keep me motivated.

February Goals:

1. Maintain the half marathon training schedule (today begins day 1 of the official 12 week countdown) 

2. Use My Fitness Pal app everyday

3. Eat out less - cant put an exact number to this. But I have noticed that I spend a lot of extra $ going out to lunch and dinner when I have plenty in my fridge and pantry to eat.

4. Save the $$$- looks like Im gonna have to save for a new laptop

5. Clean out my closet - I have SO much stuff I just need to get rid of it's ridiculous

So there you have it, February goals!

Also,  Pots says "hey, happy February"

Monday LinkUp

Today I'm linking up with two of my favorites: Shasta and Megan for a little Monday Q&A.

Here are the questions for this lovely Monday:

1) favorite beauty product of all time
  I LOVE mascara. I've tried a gazillion brands and my favorite's are the cheapies: Covergirl Lashblast and Maybeline Falsies. 

Im also the BIGGEST fan of Rosebud salve. Im notorious for always having it with me. Love.

2) what do you use on your hair

- Here's my routine: Moroccan Oil shampoo and conditioner, Moroccan Oil, John Frieda fly away serum, and Big Sexy Hair Root Boost

3) complete skin care routine

- Clarisonic Mia with Philosophy Pure face wash followed my DFV 5% Glycolic Acid wash. I rotate every other night with a Vitamin C serum and a prescribed retin-a cream followed with Elastaderm Eye cream, Jergens Healthy Glow face moisturizer, topped with Cetaphil Face moisturizer.

4) favorite handbag
I dig Rebecca Minkoff. I currently carry her Cupid bag in black. But am DYING for this baby:

5) one thing you would change about yourself

I tend to think I have a fat face. So I would like to slim that out if I could and make my face have that slim bone structured look.

Internally, I would like to worry far less.

6) one thing you like about yourself

I think Im pretty authentic. I definitely take the time to figure out what I believe in and why and Im not scared to just be me.

Externally: I like my lashes, hair and legs

7) most memorable outfit of all time

Oh geez; I really really loved this one dress I wore to my senior XO formal. It was before wearing short dresses to formals was cool at my school but I insisted on doing it and I still love that dress. It's really nothing uber fabulous but at the time it was just special.

In the beloved dress which you cant really see in this pic :(

8) which celeb closet you would like to raid

 I really love Kate Hudon. She has that messy sort of thrown-together-but-it-works look and I dig that. and the Olsen Twins. I LOVE how weird and quirky they are with their style.

9) describe your style in one word

free spirited, slightly trendy.

... 

that was 4 words.... oops.

10) how/why did you start blogging

I wanted a place where my family could keep up with me. But then, once  I got on twitter, it sort of morphed into this way to stay connected and up to speed with all my twitter and blog pals!

Sunshine

Ah! I've had such a great weekend. Nothing out of the ordninary other than - SUNSHINE!

I swear sunshine cures all. 

I get so much energy from being in the sun. Im a Cancer, a water sign by design, so I need water and sun to get energy. (call me a kook, whatever, I believe in this stuff...)

I woke up Saturday and enjoyed a normal day of errands but with the Sun shining down.

And today I ran 5 miles!!! with minor ITB syndrome pain! Beautiful success. I was so jazzed from the sun and (almost) pain free run, I hit up Tasti-D-Lite for a little 70 calorie treat!

I then headed to Trader Joes, my first trip ever! It was a delight. Does your town have a Trader Joes? 

Tonight, Downton Abbey. Any of you addicted like me?

I hope your weekend was as equally sunny. 

Im taking this sunshine with me into Monday!

Cheers.

A Frank Post

I wanted to check in here. I really miss blogging but despite my ache to get back to this little spot on the world wide web Im still at a loss for the motivation to post regularly and in need of more time to really sit down and share what all is going on in my world.

Ever since moving to Nashville my life has been a bit of a whirlwind. A whole lot of change! I guess that is how life happens, Change All At Once. I think, as they say, change can happen slowly sometimes, gradual. But sometimes it's like your world just gets turned upside down by one decision that affects everything else.

I love Nashville. Truly I love it. I vibe with this city. I dig it and I love it. Granted, I cant proclaim to have explored every nook and cranny that this city has to offer yet, quite the opposite actually, I feel like Im still, after hmm... almost 6 months, getting settled on an internal and emotional level that has left me with little time yet to venture into all this city has to offer on the level of entertainment and cool-ness. But I WILL get to that point sooner than later I feel.

Im glad I moved on the cusp of winter. Because for me, sudden change inevitably brings a winter to my soul - deep soul searching accompanied with a plethora of emotions ranging from euphoric joy to despair and depression. It's just who I am; I feel things deeply and it often times takes me a good bit longer to accustom myself to new situations on an emotional level. I will get 'there' eventually, but after many years of dealing with the 'winter' of change my psyche often puts me through when life events occur, I know myself well and know that these winters are often great times of growth that lead me, ultimately, to more self discovery and personal strength. Though hard, they are a gift.

And that is where I am right now. Trying to settle myself in the physical and the emotional in this city I know I will call home for quite some time.

I moved here with the naivete that it would be easy to find a place to live that would be the equivalent to my deeply loved little home in Birmingham... It wasnt. Not only was I naive about the price of living in a metropolitan city (as metropolitan as you get in the south) but also about my ability to replace my love for that settled feeling 'home' brings in a brand new city that offered nothing familiar and everything unsettling.

After a two week stint in an extended stay hotel I like to refer to as HELL I was lucky enough to find a semi affordable home in a semi ghetto/semi hipster area of town - The catch to the affordable price- No central heat or air. Oh yea! Getting wild over here.  I have to say though, It's been nice. Its a place I can call my own when I was worried I would be taking up permanent residence in that god-awful extended stay.

And although, not "ideal" (spoiled me talking here) after many tears of "I wish I could move my condo from Bham here, this doesnt feel like home, why is this city so expensive" and living without my furniture for three months, I finally packed up my belongs in bham and made the no central heat or air house as much a home as possible. And some how between freezing in the basement that offers no shelter from the winter cold and the wall heaters upstairs that dry my skin out and make me feel like a snake, I have come to love this ghetto/hipster side of town and Im happy to have some place to lay my head and come home to at night.

On the job front, It's been the hardest thing emotionally to overcome. I left a company I absolutely adore and believe in, ultimately to move to a city that I knew I would love and to be closer to family. I knew I wasn't trading 'up' in terms of work atmosphere but I didn't take into consideration just how hard leaving a  company that loved and valued me and who I mutually loved and valued would be. IT HAS BEEN FREAKING HARD. But I am thankful to have job. And after a few months of self pity and a harsh learning curve I now go to bed on Sunday nights praying "God give me grace this week" and ultimately walk into the building with a good attitude. I KNOW there is a point to me being at this job. despite how different and awkward I feel most days, I know deep down this IS part of the plan. That is comforting, and in the end, what makes it bearable.

I know all of this sounds like one big complaint - It's not. I am happy, I am content to walk through this season of change and settling knowing that I wanted this change and that ultimately life happens and things are good. There is always something good in everything. Despite this somewhat emotional 'winter' I am full of joy. I see my family more often than I have in the past 7 years. I have the ability to wake up on a Saturday morning and decide on a whim to go spend the day with my parents, something that couldnt happen in Birmingham. I have a boyfriend who makes me extremely happy and is a man I am happy to call my significant other and who makes me proud for just being who he is (and he has a beard :) ). I am in a thriving, fun, artsy, cultural, exciting city! I love it! I feel like I fit here and that is only a feeling I know will grow. I am forcing myself to meet people, get out of my comfort zone, and at the same time I am also learning the art of patience. Patience knowing that things happen gradually. I cant expect to move to a brand new city and have everything in life be perfect. It will take time to find the perfect 'home', time to find my perfect career fit and time to find a new group of friends. But I have the patience to know that all those things WILL come because I believe that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.