It’s not what you’re doing, it’s who you’re doing it with…


Today was my first Super Bowl Sunday that I actually “participated” in, one word – Awesome. The NY Giants won and I wasn’t too happy as I was rooting for the New England Patriots. I will be honest and say I saw most of the plays but I’d spent most of the time talking crap and watching youtube vids on my phone. Regardless, it was fun!

The title of this post is important because I don’t follow American football – I really couldn’t give a shit- but the people that we were with made it something that I’d look forward to every year now. It truly highlighted the fact that there are many things/activities you can do but it’s who you’re with that makes a huge difference with how that time is going to go.

Sometimes, you don’t have to spend a lot of money or even go out! Having people around that you know are very good company are enough to lift your spirits. I honestly can’t wait until Spring/Summer to get into that entertaining mode and take in all the blessings that have been given to us in those who have become a part of our lives. No one can ever replace our family or friends but at least it’s not like we’re sitting alone wishing we had people to hang out with.

Look into your circle and see who really lifts our spirits when you are in there presence and know that even if they’re there for a season or lifetime, at least you had the blessing in knowing them.

Have a wonderful week!

xx

Let the Celebrations begin!


We’re finally in the best month of the year!

I told myself I had to write a post at the beginning of the month and I’m sticking to it. January is gone, and even though I haven’t had the best diet, and moving towards a healthier one, I’m happy. Hopefully I won’t get so happy it starts to show in chubbiness LOL. I’m happy because, I wanted this year to be about more growth and it’s happening. I’ve got major stuff going on and it’s keeping me busy – a good kind of busy. I’m learning new things, being more observant and also not being stuck in the house with winter blues. Even though I’m unable to work legally, my husband is happy that I’m not and quite frankly, being a housewife is a full time job when you have to be on top of everything. Once I was comfortable up here, my husband passed off all of the household duties to me. I make sure the grocery shopping is done, handle most of the utilities, clean and play chauffeur as we really value our bonding time when I take him to work. Some days I’m so on top of everything that I just relax and I enjoy the calm before the storm. Everyone needs them. But those days seem to also be in the past for me as this year we have a lot to accomplish and I will be the person in charge of all projects and meetings etc.

My shoe addiction has also been pretty crazy recently… four pairs in about 2-3 weeks is a lot for me but one should never pass up a good sale! I know this month may be a little crazy for me shopping wise because the good ol stores in the great U.S of A. have this thing about sending you special offers for your birthday that I kind of feel obliged to take part in. I mean, who doesn’t like a treat for their birthday? This year I’m hitting that  quarter century mark and even though it plays on my mind mentally I’m glad I’m still healthy for my age and even look younger (I just pray that at 30 I look like 25 LOL). Like most people, when I thought of hitting this mark, I had many ideas in mind for what I would’ve wanted to accomplish but I can say that I’ve tossed that out the door and I’m just happy to be blessed with the life I have. It’s obvious that life doesn’t go as we expect it to go and we should often revisit what our goals are for our next year of life should be. Don’t get me wrong, still plan your 5 or 10 year goals but when the time comes and you go over what you’ve actually accomplished, it’s also time to see how you’ve grown as a person and how that has affected the way you view your life.

When I was 16 I got my navel pierced and I said to myself: “when I get 25 I’ll take it out. By then I should have one or two kids and a mommy shouldn’t have a navel ring… and even if I don’t have kids, 25 is still old so it has to come out!”. Well look at life… I’m now turning 25 and I’m like “hell no this shit ain’t coming out now! I look better than I did at 16!!!” Hahahahah! I will take it out whenever that kid comes though. I know they say age is just a number, but I intend to age gracefully and that means knowing my limits. Even if I manage to have two kids and a  2-pack (again, I don’t believe women should have hard 6-packs) I will not be wearing a navel ring – I’ve moved on to another phase in life and I know what I want from it. I’m sure with most females, when your birthday rolls around you start to try to see what has changed physically in the last year to usher in this new year of more sagging. I’m in the gym (for now) and I somewhat welcome that sagging because something else should be lifting even if I can’t see it.

As for the birthday celebrations, I don’t have any plans for the day itself but I know I’m going to make the most out of this month. I’ll be kicking it off by hanging with some awesome people at my favorite bar on Sunday for the Super Bowl, and even though I don’t know who I’m supposed to be backing or even give a crap about it, I will enjoy the atmosphere and know that I’m blessed to be surrounded by people who make my life happier :). I’d also like to get a massage and a facial to feel rejuvenated and tell me 16 year old self “Suck it!” 😀 – and I’ll put on a dress and make-up and have my hair done and feel like “a million dollaz” and party hard after a nice dinner if my old self isn’t too tired LOL.

Lately I’ve been having a few fashion obsessions and I’m hoping that my birthday treats will somehow support them – stripes and coloured pants – and my yearning for Spring is the driving force behind it all as I can’t dress as I’d like to in this somewhat cold weather. It’s hard being a Caribbean girl in the Pacific NW, I’m thankful for the mild winters but cold is cold when you come from a tropical climate. Anyway, enough on the complaints. I think I’ll be posting a bit this month and I hope you continue to enjoy reading :).

xx

Silences


Within the last few years, friendship is something that, I’m learning more and more, is about quality more than quantity. One of my bestest (yes I used that grammatically incorrect word for emphasis) friends lives across the pond and even though we don’t hear each other every day, we know we’re in each hearts and every conversation just picks up from the last. My other friend just completed about 6/7 months of school. Just before she started, we were having lunch dates and I really missed that little female time. Today we had lunch and spent the afternoon hanging out doing errands, shopping and relaxing. This doesn’t happen weekly so it was really nice to have that female bonding time. I don’t need a million friends to be hanging out with, partying, or out every weekend or feel like I’m a part of some clique. I just need to now I have a girlfriend or two there for me just like I’m always there for them. 

Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts. ― Margaret Lee Runbeck

When I got this quote this morning in my email, I just felt… something. It means  that your friendships are solidified by those silent moments – whether or not you’ve known that person all of your life. Sometimes you hear certain sayings and you feel good like it’s speaking to you or you know it’s expressing your character. I feel good to know that I’ve had friendships like what is described in this quote. Friends don’t always last. Friendships aren’t always peachy. After all, if you don’t have a friend who gives it to you straight and lets you know when you’re doing wrong maybe you should question what kind of friend you have. To people who know me, I always give it to you straight. I have your back and I hope you have mine. 

On a lighter note, you know you have a good friend  when they acknowledge your sense of style and you theirs. Having a friend who looks at you with the  “wtf are you wearing?!” face (out of jealousy and not that you look good but it’s just not their style) is what I call a ‘no bueno’ situation. You want people to boost your spirit for being the individual you are. You don’t need a twin or sidekick stalking your fashion sense. Nuh-uh!  A true girlfriend says “hell no!” with her face when you put on something that does nothing for you and you quickly turn around and change or suggest/beg her to pick something for you. Silence is golden – avoid unnecessary confrontation.

We all need the support of someone (of the same sex) to know we’re not the only crazy people on this planet. We just need to take stock of who that is for us.  Don’t take advantage of those who are there for you and let them know that you appreciate it. The same way we have reassurance in our relationships with our partners, it goes a long way with our female/male friends. Yes sometimes it’s shown in the things we do but it doesn’t hurt to say it at least once or twice a year. 

Communication goes a long way – spoken and unspoken.

xx