Leaving on a Jetplane...

in T-minus 2 days!

More to come...Stay tuned :)

XOXO

Birthday Celebrations

Sometimes I am a melting pot of jargon with so much to say, my mind racing at top speed to contemplate something considered witty and comical to share into the conversation at hand that all the while the pressure I have created myself leaves me in complete and utter silence. When did I create this inward silence at the mere thought of conversing? Worry. That's what I do, I worry continuously that the words that come flying out of my mouth are not the right ones, that something else could have been said in that lingering absence that I somehow created. Or even worse the thought as the poor subject of my conversation walks away thinking "what? who says that? hmmm? awkward?"

Don't get me wrong I can carry a conversation. I do not have a fear of conversing in the least. I chuck it up to comparing this situation to the formation of a zit, you never know when it's going to form and once it does you are trying everything and anything to get rid of it.

Somehow this leads me to my birthday weekend, it will all get tied together (well in one way or another). And yes I said weekend. The Hubby believes in celebrations, as in it doesn't really matter what we are celebrating, as long as there is a good time and good people The Hubby is there. The Hubby took me on a romantic sailboat excursion in St. Petersburg. Pizza, beer, dolphins and a beautiful sunset=nothing could be better! We also ventured to the Dali Museum, which I was truly excited about for I have never been. I'm usually not a fan of surrealist artists, but as we joined a tour, our tour guide (who was extraordinary) enlightened my need for knowledge of the humanities world once more. If you haven't been I suggest you make the time to pay the museum a visit.


Monday, my actual birthday, I went to work as usual. Except when I walked into my office it was full-on decorated with balloons, ribbons, cupcakes and cookies. I just loved it! The day flew by and when I came home I was welcomed with birthday cards and a gift from The Hubby. Nothing could have been more fantastic, and I was simply wrong. The Hubby always has tricks up his sleeves when I'm least expecting them. We walked into the restuarant and low and behold our friends were all waiting for us to arrive! It was the best birthday by far.

 

Although because I was seated at one end of the table and my girlfriends at another end, it made it quite difficult to carry a conversation. What do you say clear across the table with everyone listening? Hence where the beginning of this post. For the first 5-10 minutes I sat in utter silence, maybe at the mere thought that everyone came out to dinner just for me (a little overwhelmed with such love) and the pressure to hold conversation with everyone. Luckly for me there is that one person who says the most awkward thing and a silence falls over everyone, so I am no longer alone on the silence train! CHOO CHOO!



Dexter found a new friend!

25 Things I've learned in 25 Years:

Or so I tell myself that I have learned from the following list. And since I am officially an ADULT and there is no changing the fact that I am now over a quarter-century old, I figured I would share some of my life lessons:

1. My dog and I have riveting and enlightening conversations. In reality I am talking to myself, this much I am aware of (well in all honestly sometimes I am aware and acknowledge it). Which is rather interesting that I can carry on such a lengthy conversation with myself.

2.Maturity is being able to stay home by yourself with all electronics off being able to read a book or doing something creative and feel absolutely fantastic being with yourself.

3. Friends may come and go but family will always be there (whether you ask for them or not) Family are the best lifelong friends you can ever have, for they truly know you, love and cherish you just as you are.

4. Live life as if its your last day, you just never know what tomorrow may bring. Love endlessly and without regard. The good, the bad and the ugly, embrace it all and cherish those who love you unconditionally for they are hard to come by.

5. "Either shit or get off the pot" -My mother. I pretty much believe this needs no explanation. Thanks Mom!

6. If you can't stand in your heels, most likely you shouldn't attempt to go out in them either. I mean unless you prefer to look as though you are baby giraffe just learning how to walk, if that is the case, rock those heels as if you are on the cat-walk honey!

7. Patience is a virtue. I am currently still working on gaining more patience but honestly its just taking flipping forever and I may just give up on the notion. Is that considered impatient?

8. Everything can be made okay with a spoon and a big bowl of ice cream. Seriously it can! Nothing in this world cannot be fixed with a bowl of ice cream. Try it. The trifecta of emotion can be knocking on your door and suddenly with one scoop the world seems just a tad bit calmer and less hectic. Now, have you ever seen someone angry eating ice cream? That's because it's physically impossible!

9. The world is not user-friendly- I recommend a manicure, an umbrella and some rain boots. It may get messy.

10. Forever Young is not just a title of an magnificent song by an 80's rock god (Yes, I consider Rod Stewart apart of the 80's-awesome-ness, some may disagree). Getting back to the main point of #10, in essence I believe preserving our youth= drinking lots and lots of water. Who's down with H20?

11. Society lures you to become materialistic. Don't fall into their malice web of dissent for materialism will not bring you happiness when you are 85 years old and are no longer able to drive therefore buying that Ferrari Enzo that sits so nicely in your garage was most likely a mistake.

12. Life doesn't need to be perfect in order for it to be wonderful. Start taking a step back and a deep breath and acknowledge what beauty is surrounding you.

13. Traveling is a must! Especially with a partner in crime (aka my Hubby!)

14. Kissing in the rain is not as romantic as it appears in the movies aka running mascara and eyeliner is not attractive.

15. Nothing can make you feel as though you are 8 years old, like a swing and a playground.

16. Sleep...lots and lots of sleep!

17. "A great many things can be resolved with kindness and even more with laughter, but there are some things that just require cake."

18. Be sure to celebrate the small things in life, good friends, bright days, sprinkles, and anything that has a cherry on top!

19. "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."-Albert Einstein

20. I hold a strong belief that either Denzel Washington or Bruce Willis could save me if I was ever kidnapped or held hostage (the luckily-hood of such an occurrence=very slim). Their past records have spoken for themselves, even if its only in the movies.

21. The past cannot be unwritten nor changed, all you can do is learn from it and move forward. Holding onto the past will only hurt your future.

22. The older you get the more comfortable you become in your own skin.

23. What you see as flaws; others only see as perfections (i.e freckles).

24. There is something to be learned from Mary Poppins, for she is practically perfect in every way.

25. The sun will come out tomorrow (figuratively or literally).

"Not all who wander are lost"

'Wandering' tends to be defined as walking or moving in a leisurely, casual, or aimless direction. Generally thought of in a way of having no purpose and no steady ground in which to stand on. I feel as though I am currently "wandering" through this chapter of my life, not knowing where I am to go and what direction I should choose. There are so many opportunities to choose when I sit back and contemplate what I want to do with my life. Life is so short how can you seriously choose what you want to be for the rest of your life at age 25? Not to mention in t-minus 6 days I will be 26 and then the pressure of "what to be" will be even that much greater.

Why must society label each individual with an occupation as though it is who you are? When we introduce ourselves we tend to say what we do for a living as if that is who we are. As though others should be immensely impressed. I don't want a job to define me. Although if I was involved in a circus act containing a monkey and some paint brushes, then society could label me all they wanted. Well unless it was labeling me as insane.

Over the weekend, my husband and I decided to wander (since this post is about wandering then why not use the word, wander as much as possible) throughout downtown Tampa. Along that way we walked along the River Walk, jumped a fence (only because it was hindering where we ulitmately wanted to be and frankly the long walk around was just not in the cards for us), viewed the meeting of protestors against Corporate America (awkward, why yes!) and watched as a child was being seated in the trunk of a car by his parents (true and I'm pretty sure he didn't ride home in the trunk). There is absolutely nothing more entertaining than watching people in their own envirnoment. Fortunately for me, I was playing photographer and I just so happened to have my muse with me.

                   
              

   

                    

 

To Be Limitless

For my first 5k experience, I believe I did fairly well. I didn't trip over my own feet, I didn't run into anyone, I didn't venture off into uncharted territory and I was able to keep up with the general pace ...Well that was until 20 minutes had passsed, I was out of breath and I was thirsty for anything! Have I mentioned I live in Florida where is it unbearably hot around 9am, combine the heat with my attempt at running and we have a recipe for a possible disaster.

With every step I took my mind began to wander to "Where is the finish line?" "How much longer?"

Luckly for me, my loving husband was with me every small step I took. It may have taken me all of 35 minutes to complete the 3 miles, but I feel a sense of accomplishment with those 35 minutes. It's a starting pace. Shockingly I even beat a few people across that finish line!

What I have learned from my first experience is that I may not have enjoyed the run at the moment but the ending resulting has me.....

Running for the Future!

Hitting the ground running....

Throughout my day I come across many inspirational sayings. Sayings that invoke a spark of energy that tends to linger...and I wonder to myself: "Do I trust myself to take the chance?", "Do I have what it takes?" The fear of failure along with its companion, embarrassment, has always held me back. In its place I have watched from the sidelines instead of objecting myself to the vulnerability of experiencing something new and worth the challenge.

I choose to change this!

With my new lease on life and with rejuvenated vigor I am going to attempt my very first 5k run this weekend with my husband. Of course my very first question to my husband Michael was "What do I wear?" Nothing screams athleticism than that right?  Of course I continue to mentally run through my closet trying to think of the perfect pink shirt to match my laces on my sneakers. Yet again, my athleticism is the highlight of our conversation. Let's just hope my thoughts do not invoke what you see below :)

http://www.active.com/running/tampa-fl/us-secret-service-5k-road-race-2012

US Secret Service 5K Road Race 2012

Tampa Bay Times Forum

Saturday, May 19, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

http://www.usss5krun.com

In support of "Concerns of Police Survivors"

When One Door Closes....

Another opens.


A door in many ways represents endless possibilities, opportunities that should be taken, otherwise we miss out on what could have been something worthwhile. Something that could have changed the way we view our world or the amazing experience those chances bring us.


I have decided to (excuse the expression) take the bull by the horns and live life to the fullest, to the best of my ability.  No more wondering. I want to see the world through renewed eyes and so my journey begins.

Welcome to the ride; so, sit back, kick up your heels and join me on an endless adventure of limitless possibilities.