#8. Summer Family Vacation

I really wanted to take my daughter to Barbados this summer and introduce her to her family and roots. But due to financial reasons I wasn't able to make this happen. Bummed and sad that I wasn't going to be able to take Boobin on a summer vacation this year, I got a call from my sister which wonderfully turned things around. It wasn't a ticket to Barbados, but it was just as good. My sister offered me a ticket to Florida, where we could see our mom and have some fun in the sun. Of course without hesitation I jumped at this awesome gift, and Kayla and I headed down to Fort Lauderdale, where I meant up with my mother and sister. It was great to see them, considering that we hadn't seen each other since Christmas, and even more amazing that they were able to see how much Kayla grew and developed during the months that passed.

Doing everything and nothing I had a blast in Florida, from shopping, watching movies, going to the pool, eating out and just simply catching up, by being silly and sharing giggles. And of course most importantly, finally being able to take Kayla to the beach. Something I was trying to do all summer, but every attempted I made somehow fell through. With some trust and persistence, she even allowed me to take her into the water with the waves splashing in her face, which ended up being the best moment on our trip.

Growing up with my family, we really didn't take much family vacations. Yes, my parents shipped me off to Barbados every summer, which I loved, but never as a family did we really go anywhere. And if we did go anywhere it was few and far between. One of my many goals as being a mother, is taking Kayla on a summer vacation every year. Not to say that I will never go away without my baby, but just not until we have gone on our summer vacation or that we have concrete plans to go on one before the year ends. Big or small, far or close, it doesn't matter as long as its a few days off, not at home, enjoying life without work, with the greatest gift life has given me.

Thank You Soenda for making this summer vacation come true.

#7. Pure Insanity

I have come to the unfortunate fact that my body is not what it use to be, and is definitely not in the shape that it once was. For one, I'm getting older and my metabolism isn't up to the same speed that it use to be, and secondly, I've had a child (which I love to death, but have to be honest and say threw my body and it's shape out of whack). I recently felt like I've come to a crossroad where I could either throw my hands up in the air and except life's doings, or push myself and try to get back the body I once had, or even maybe a better one. I opted for the latter. Not only for just the aesthetics but for health reasons too. I was beginning to notice that simply running up a flight of stairs was taking me out.
I have to confess, this is not the first time I have tried to workout and become psychically fit. But I believe the main reasons for my fail attempts to keep it going was for the fact that I was doing it for someone else and not myself. Now I'm not saying that people in my life haven't influence me to get back on the bandwagon of fitness, because they definitely have, I'm simply saying and stating that this time I'm doing it because I want to. I really want to be strong, fit and healthy. And everyday I wake up envisioning myself having a great body with killer abs.
I just started the Insanity program, and of course with my lack of patience I am frustrated that I'm not seeing the results that I want to yet. But I continue to push myself and "dig deeper" because I know that my six pack is coming.
I want more than anything to enter my thirties with a body that I once had when I was in my early twenties. On November 24, I want to look and feel amazing.

#6. Crayola Fun

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to skip work and take my daughter to the Crayola Factory. Spontaneous and fun sumed up the day I had. Originally, I planned on taking kayla on her 2ND birthday, but a day before the unexpected field trip I found out that her grandparents had already made plans on taking her Monday. Excited as they were to go, I was crushed to miss it. With a chance in the dark I texted my boss apologizing for the late notice, and asked if it was okay to take a personal day. Surprisingly, she said yes and my little dilemma that I was creating in my head for not being able to be with my daughter to the Crayola Factory was over.
The day was great, and skipping work was well worth it. With about three floors to walk through, Kayla was able to write on walls and floors, play with clay, make a hat, as well as a paper kite, and take home some crayons of her own. Seeing her face light up and having the freedom of running to activity to activity (with me monitoring closely) made my day.
As a mother, one of my goals is to engage in as much fun activities with my daughter. Ones that are educational, creative, as well as ones that give back to the community. And the Crayola Factory was an awesome activity to have checked off my list.

#5. Happy Trails

On July 5th I was able to mark an X on my bucket list. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to go horseback riding. You would think growing up in the Poconos where there are Stables of plenty I would have had this goal in the bag already. But due to nerves and not having a partner to go with, this task has been delayed over periods of time. My dearest friend Jacobi came up for the 4th of July weekend and was more than eager to accompanied me on my childhood dream. After a little process of calling and looking up for the perfect place which wasn’t as easy as we thought it would be, we hopped in my car and headed to Happy Trails.

Nervous and excited I mounted Jimmy, the horse that was chosen for me, followed our guide and headed down the wooded trail. Thank goodness the trees provided a nice cool shade for it was one of the sunniest and hotest days we’ve had all summer. The 45 minute ride was everything and more than what I had expected. Minus the poop, the view of our wooded path was beautiful. We were able to see a baby deer, snake and even a hawk, or at least I think it was a hawk. We kept a nice slow pace, with the exception that Jimmy would start to trot, but felt more like a run to me, every ten minutes to keep up with the horse in front of us. Our fantastic guide not only had patience with everyone but gave great instructions on how to direct our horse, and in my case slow them down.

I am thrilled that I was able to endure this experience and even more grateful that I was able to share this moment with such an awesome friend. Thank you Jacobi for being apart of one of my bucket list accomplishments. I look forward to our next adventure in the fall.

#4. Work Hard Play Harder

I’m all for working hard, but it’s time that I do more playing. Today, I had a blast at the Yankee Game. The hour an a half drive was well worth the fun of hanging out with my family, being among fellow fans, and seeing Jeter and A- Rod bat. Especially since A- Rod scored a home run during the game, which sent the crowd into great hysteria.

Deck out in Yankee gear, I felt the fans spirit and was more than happy to be a participating player. The energy and excitement that was omitted inside the stadium was amazing. Between the huge smiles and waves when people realized that they were on the big screen, the clapping and cheering for the team, participating in the crowd wave (where each section, one after the other, stands up throws their arms in the air and sits down), and the little games they play with the fans between innings are all part of the great experience of going to the game. As well as witnessing thousands of people happy, silly and free; and feeding off the unity of being a Yankee fan. It really is a great environment.

Winning with a score of 4-0 only heighten the energy level. And to add the icing on the cake of this great day, they played Frank Sinatra “New York” at the end that prompted myself and other fans to sing along. I walked out of there, like many others high off the solidarity of strangers. This is definitely not the last game I’ll be attending for the season, and I look forward to spending another four hours of pure excitable energy with my Yankee family soon.

#3. House of Flowers

When I was a kid I use to fantasize about being an adult; the things I would do, and the kind of lifestyle I would have. One of those dreams was to own a home that always had fresh flowers in it. I’m not ready yet or will I be ready in 6 months to become a home owner, but perhaps I can decorate my rented living quarters with a beautiful arrangement. Hesitate at first with this idea, thinking that financially this might be a bit much, I had looked towards Martha Stewart to give me guidance. In Ms Stewart’s May issue of Living, she teaches ways of how to make the cheapest grocery store bought flowers like carnations look amazing in a vase, as well as how to display a single red rose in a very simple but sophisticated manner. Thanks to these great tips from Martha I can carry out my goal in an inexpensive way. With the exception of splurging every once in a while on special occasions.

With that said, on Friday I went to my local supermarket and headed to the floral section. They had great flowers to choose from, even my favorite, White Casablanca Lilies. Unfortunately, they only had one bouquet of those gorgeous flowers left and they looked like they had seen better days. Pondering for a while and analyzing each assortment, I finally picked the lilies that you see above. I took them home, cut their stems on an angle while immersed in water (which helps prolong there life), arranged them in one of my clear glass vases and displayed it on my kitchen table. Not only do they make my table look fabulous but it also helps brighten up my kitchen while emitting a slight aroma in the air.

#2. Reconnecting with the TIMES

Before I gave birth to Kayla I use to read the Times on a regular basis. I got started with this ritual of reading the paper daily from my first day of class at NYU. I knew getting excepted and attending this University was going to be a challenge, but I had no idea to what extent. On my first day the teacher held a discussion on events that was happening in the world, and to my embarrassment I had no idea what anyone was talking about. They weren't talking about the events that you would see on your local news station that everyone was talking about, instead they were conversing about current events that were written about in the New York Times. After that day I took it upon myself to start reading the Times, so I could be a part of the class discussions and not be clueless to it. Once I decided to make the Times a part of my life I realized the importance of it; for the knowledge and also to be able to hold an intellectual conversation.
Unfortunately, due to lack of time and financial expenses my ritual of reading the Times when I got home from work started to fade to a point that it became a non existent routine. Lately, I've been fantasizing about reading the Times again, but stopped myself from doing so because of my excuses of not having enough time to read it and not being able to afford it.
Today, for some reason or another, I pushed my lame excuses aside and went to wawa grabbed the Times and headed to Starbucks. There in caffeine haven, I ordered a grande coffee, which I loaded with milk and sugar, and spent two hours reading the Times from front to back, excluding the sport section which has no interest to me. Not only did it feel good to give myself some me quiet time, but it got my brain focused on current news instead of my everyday issues.
To be realistic I know that I can't read the Times everyday, but I will make it part of my life again by reading it every time I get the chance, and if need be making the time for the Times.