Fitness, Life, Uncategorized

December..

by SymoneF2 Comments on December..

AHHHHHHHH!! Yes, I’m freaking out, aren’t you? It’s December 1st already and I’m still sorting gifts, sorting luggage and what to pack (this time of the year is more difficult as there are more parties etc to attend) trying to make sure my apartment doesn’t turn into a huge mess every other day after packages are received. And it’s COLD… and gloomy. Which means, even though mentally I have a lot that I want to do, physically there is no drive whatsoever. This apartment has the worst natural lighting ever. You may be happy and cheery once you leave home but when you get back it’s depressing as hell. I still love the layout and double sinks in my master bathroom but I’d give up the sinks for better lighting. Anyway, I’ve finally put up all my little bits of decorations and I occasionally play Christmas music to really get me going. Last week Dave and I just went through all of the songs we love to hear and added them to a playlist. *Bliss*

Can you tell I’m ready to go home and enjoy time with my family and the sun, sea and sand?! I don’t know how long it’ll take me to really adjust to this weather but I dislike it a lot. You can get dressed and be well covered but knowing you have to put on so much is … ugh! I’m dreaming of a hot Christmas! Anyway, deep down inside I would love to be baking and filling the house with wonderful, yummy smells, but it’s just Dave and I right now, and food will be wasted. The main issue with holding stuff here is we have quiet hours plus parking is kind of stink for visitors so I don’t like to entertain too often. If that wasn’t the case I’d probably be doing something every other month. I love entertaining! But it’s probably a good thing because I’d get chunky eating so much. However, until we move, I’ll use this time to experiment with healthier options as gluten and wheat are making an exit from my diet. It’s also helping me get closer to my 2pack as I don’t think I could get a 6.. I don’t like to see girls with 6 packs – freaks me out! My friend already said she’s dying for my apple crumble so I know I’ll definitely be doing that when I get home.

I went to Michael’s yesterday and I got a few knick knacks – gift bags, boxes, tins, Christmas cards and a cute Christmas mug. I didn’t have one of those so I thought it would make me feel more cheery drinking from it lol. And it has a ceramic lid as well, I can’t wait to use it! I might go and get another one and then post pics of both of them.  I’m awful with this follow up posting pics thing. I need to get into using the app on my phone more.

I’ve been extremely distracted writing this post, so I think I’ll end here and probably do a follow-up when I’ve settled myself and my mind isn’t racing over everything that has to be done. The gym is still in operation and as much as I’m loving the transformation taking place I’m hating the soreness. Almost wish I was a man so I didn’t have to sit to pee… all in the name of toned legs and a perky butt! *sigh*

No pain, No gain…

xx

Life, Uncategorized

It’s the little things…

by SymoneF2 Comments on It’s the little things…

I didn’t plan on writing another post today but after this morning I couldn’t help it. Every morning, I skim through the notifications on my phone – emails, bbms, twitter, facebook – to be checked and responded to once I’m officially up. Well, this morning as I was going through my emails, one name stuck out and I was utterly shocked. I’d received an email from a young lady (she’s now a pre-teen but still :)) I used to babysit. She’s now old enough to have an email address and she was just letting me know she has one and to email her anytime. I was actually moved to tears. Most of time I went home for the last 3 years I always managed to miss them as they were away on vacation as well. I’d seen them once since I left Barbados.  I’m really hoping I get to see her this year when I go home.

I felt sooo special and overwhelmed and aged. I couldn’t believe time had passed like this already. I’d speak to her mom occasionally, keeping tabs on what’s going on with the family. I did babysit for a few years so the friendship is definitely there. I guess I’d felt like this because it’s kind of a testimony of the impact I had on her. She could’ve gotten older and simple remembered me as her old babysitter but didn’t think it was worth reaching out to me ever again. She definitely was a special one to me – she taught me lots of patience! And how important it is to just take your time and explain, be thoughtful, understanding and definitely spend time with kids when they are a certain age.

It was also through this family that I was blessed to have a 7 day stint looking after a child with special needs. One of the most rewarding weeks of my life. I’d gone to a small private primary school in Barbados (elementary school in the US) that had a class with children with Special Needs (another blessing). At that school you learned that everyone is equal and just wants to be accepted among their peers. Once you have an understanding of the person’s disability  you know how to interact with them and that makes a huge difference. And learning that at such a young age always stuck with me, and made me more willing and less afraid to babysit this little girl.

I think my babysitting years have taught me a lot  to carry through into motherhood and can probably be responsible for my passion when it comes to working with children. No two children are the same, and that is a challenge that fuels me in dealing with them. They are not adults so you have to break everything down and just see their innocence and work with it.

I just felt like this was worth sharing. Hope you enjoyed reading it :).

xx

Uncategorized

On Fire! (Ramble)

by SymoneFLeave a Comment on On Fire! (Ramble)

My husband pre-ordered the Amazon Fire and it was there waiting for us when we got back from Vegas. It is a sweet little device. I’ve officially claimed it as mine hahaha. I’d ordered a case for it on Tuesday (I think) after visiting Best Buy for other stuff and realizing they only had one ugly case for it. I got this Marware Leather Case for it, after all, it has to look somewhat stylish while being protected! I chose green because I always go for pinks and purples when choosing covers or cases, and I wanted something different as I need bright colours to help with locating things when the glasses/contacts are not in use :).

Yesterday I also completed my first book on it: The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia (one of the Project Runway judges). I bought this book because it seemed very fitting for where I am in finding my way with my wardrobe. Not only was it informative but funny and she gave very good advice on creating your own style. I tend to follow a certain path (what I call relaxed-sophisti-chic) but knowing what these pieces are and how critical they can be in building the perfect foundation for any wardrobe made this book the best one I’ve read all year.

You get this mini booster in that you want to get these pieces and know that it is up to you to put them together in your own way and create your own look. Yes, she gives you hints as to what tends to go together but creating your own twist with how you pair these items helps a lot with your own individuality. I will certainly have this book close to the front of my reading list and use it as a constant reference. I think every girl should have it! I bought her other book The Little Black Book of Style right after finishing this one and I think I’ll read it next.

On another note, I started to put up the Christmas decorations and just a few more are left to do. We still have Barbados’ independence to celebrate on the 30th but I decided to put them up while Dave was home to help me.

On another other note 😛 The gym is going really well. We signed up for more sessions with our trainer and I’m definitely seeing a change. My diet is also under a transformation that is killing me but I’m really trying to get myself together. It’s not easy trying to reduce gluten and sugar from your diet but I’m working on it bit by bit. Better to slowly cut it out than to cut it one time and go mad during a craving.

I haven’t shared my music faves for a while so here they are! Rihanna’s Talk That Talk is officially out!! Big-up the 246 on this amazing talent! Forever proud to be Bajan and a Rihanna fan! For now I can tell you a few of my faves: We All Want Love, Cockiness, Watch n’ Learn and Roc Me Out. I’m still listening to get a hang of the album but for now those are my faves. I still have to get Drake’s album, will hopefully sort that before Monday but I want to give it a listen.

Video wise, I can leave you with this one from one of the best, Bruno Mars: