Birthday Reflections

Last year I spent my birthday alone.  I really do not recommend that.  It was not bad.  I did have to fly home on an airplane which was disappointed.  It was something that I did not want to share that day with work.  

Since this year my birthday landed on a Sunday, a month out I realized there was an open water swim on that day! Lucky me.  The only catch was they wanted all swimmers to do a 'check-out' swim.  Due to my schedule I was not able to make it.  The event organizer emailed me back after I told him my swimming history.  

My birthday involved -

Getting up at 5pm,

Driving over an hour,

Getting sharpie numbers on my hands,

Getting my cool yellow cap

Squeezing into my wet suit,

Jumping in cold water,

Swimming 2 miles, (apparently there were bat rays underneath us.. I missed them.)

-I met my goal time and placed second in my age group (29 and under)

Yes I'm bragging here is my bling! 

Wandering around the beach area with my wetsuit and a t-shirt on,

Watching the awards ceremony, 

Getting my medal!

Meeting a good friend from college

Walking 2 miles back to my car,

Changing into real clothes,

Eating a delicious lunch,

Enjoying good conversation,

Starting the drive home,

Stopping for Pinkberry, (no birthday cake because I had a work trip)

Driving home,

Napping, 

Skyping with my family, 

Opening up their presents!

It may seem weird that I didn't have a party.  I really liked the way I celebrated.  I could not have asked for a better birthday. I feel really fortunate that I got to do something I love. 

Good Bye 2012 Hello 2013

Well 2012 was quite a year. I reached 25. I got to go abroad for fun! Italy was incredible I hope I get to go back someday.  

A few highlights for 2012-

• Visited Japan more than once
• Visited the United States Capital saw the White House
• Admitted to Graduate school
• Wrote my first over 10 page paper
• Visited home for Thanksgiving for the first time since I started work
• Got a white Christmas in Colorado
• Got to Massachusetts and Connecticut (2 new states to cross of my list) 
• Tried out tutoring which I really enjoyed
• Got into baking from scratch
• Got to surf in Hawaii
• Went paddle boarding 
• Made my annual trip to Disneyland

I am thankful for this year. I hope 2013 is just as rewarding. 

Happy Black Friday?

Let's Play a Game -
How many people went black Friday shopping? 

How many people bought something made in China? 

How many people bought something made in the USA?

How many American's are worried about the economy and jobs in the USA? 

How many people bought something they really didn't need?

How many people bought items even when they have dollars of debt?

I do not pretend to know the answers to these question but it annoys me to know end knowing that there are probably many people who fall into all those categories.

I guess I am really wondering if that Black Friday purchase is worth it. 

I wonder what the rest of the world does on Black Friday. Do they even care that in the USA people are shopping all night long. Trying to get 'deals'. 

Even weirder how would it impact the USA if we did not have Brown Thursday, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday.

I am not trying to be mean about the holiday season but just ask questions to make people think!

Happy Halloween?

Well this year I did not get to carve a pumpkin. I was actually thinking about all the uses for pumpkins and who the heck thought of carving one? Why not carve a pineapple or watermelon?

Personally, I really like pumpkin pie. 

I have never understood why it is part of Thanksgiving instead of Halloween. 

Last but not least I was thinking about the millions of dollars of candy we share with kids buy 'on-sale' and just generally provide ourselves with sugar overload. 

What wold happen if instead of all the trick-or-treaters getting candy we got them fruits and vegetables? Or maybe a company like Jamba Juice could just put on a mass promotion for the best costume. I guess for me when I was a kid it was always about the costume.

This post is in part brought to you buy the fact I am trying to decrease my sugar intake. It turns out we were never meant to each quite so much sugar. Part of the reason we crave it is because it is a fast energy source. Enough to help us charge and find a bigger food source. 

I guess one note to self - is do not try to start being sugar free right near Halloween. 

Happy Haunts to all. May you find something more than sugar sweets to enjoy!

Walking a mile in another's shoes

Today is one of those days when I was faced with the reality that I as much as I thought I knew someone I hardly knew them at all. I always saw her as a single mother, well put together. Today I found out she is a recovering alcoholic and her husband died from an overdoes! :O I guess I have been realizing how caught up we all get in our little words. Really the only thing that matters is our health and happiness.

I am thankful that I have not had those struggles. I am saddened that she has.

I am blessed to know her story and realize this is was just part of her journey.

I know it is cliche but you really can never a person until you walk in their shoes. Maybe they are a fantastic pair of high heels today but they could have been steel toed boots a few years ago.