Hit the wall!

I did hit the wall, but not in a bad way. Let's just say I've had enough of waiting for things to get better, and now I actually feel driven and strong enough to actually go out and make it happen! I had an awesome time at work last night, all my customers were fun and engaging; I didn't feel like I was working, if only every day were like that! But there was this one couple in particular that were just spectacular. And I mean that in every sense of the word. They were celebrating their anniversary, and I must have spent half my shift just talking with them. They are both creatively artistic people like me, and 'bookies', ie people who love books and reading, and we had the most fun conversations! I just kept going by to 'pour their wine', and learned the most fascinating things. They could tell I was a big literature buff, and when I told them I was going to journalism school, they were not surprised. He himself is a writer, and she is an artist. I ended up telling them that sometimes it's really hard for me to write, and he said that I should try to find bit of time every day to write something, even if it's non sensical. It's just like any other muscle in the body, if you use it alot, it gets stronger. Of course I knew this, but it was nice to hear someone else say it, especially someone who's "been there". Although it wasn't an life changing conversation, it did give me something to think about, something I actually should be thinking about! So I guess we will see where these thoughts lead me!

Oh, and did you know that jose cuervo tequila is actually only 60% tequila and 40% something else? Apparently the creative couple are big tequila buffs, and they told me that. Hmmm, guess I'll have to google that to see!

me

So I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately, and there are some things I've come to embrace about myself. I am flawed, just like everyone else; it is okay to not be perfect, it is okay to make mistakes. The point is that I am constantly on the journey of discovery, not just about life and knowledge, but also about myself. Who I am as a person. This is some of what I know so far.

I am an emotional, feeling person. I've often let my heart rule my choices. This is, obviously good and bad. What I am proud of is how far I've come with it. What I mean is that I'm so much smarter now when it comes to decisions of the heart. I'm not that blubbering, wide-eyed lovesick optimist that I was when I was younger. That doesn't mean I'm jaded, it actually means that I'm wiser, more well adjusted and know now what's right and what I will and will NOT put up with. Here's what I know for sure. Even when I've been knocked out mercilessly by loves hangover, I've found a way to rise above, overcome and try to learn better for next time. I'm very good at standing on my own two feet now. I'm super proud that not once in my life have I had a man taken care of me; I've always paid my own rent and bills! And I'm smart enough now to walk away from anyone that can't be real and treat me how I should be treated! Basic point, I won't do anything that hurts me, I love myself too much for that, and I feel blessed to even realize that!

Good hair

So tonight I really wanted to have a nice girls night in....with myself! I've been picking up extra shifts at work, which is fine, but I knew that this would be my last free evening for a couple days, so I thought I would take advantage of it. I ordered takeout; chicken and ribs and spaghetti, anyone? Yummy! OMG, I wouldn't mind a bigger bum but it goes everywhere else too! Guess I'll just have to burn it off during my extra shifts! So I cozied up with the pup with my indulgent meal and set about watching a movie I'd been wanting to see.

 Good hair! It's a Chris Rock documentary about the black hair industry. I know, my first reaction was "Why is Chris Rock doing a documentary about women's hair?" You would be surprised, pleasantly so and simultaneously shocked and saddened. I learned a lot.  I won't go into it. I would just say watch it! It's really funny but also so revealing in that "I had no idea" kind of way. It makes you think even more about where everything comes from, even hair. It's becoming that just being a regular consumer violates about a dozen human rights issues, but I guess that's sort of the point. To make you realize that you do need to educate yourself about everything you put on, in or near your body. Not just for health reasons, but for humane ones. What Food INC did for grocery shopping, Good hair does for black hair. I know it may not be as relevant to you if you don't fit that demograph. But remember, we are all connected. What effects one of us will somehow effect all of us eventually. How many girls of all races do you know now that have extentions or weaves? Probably more than you even realize; they just haven't told you! So it does effect everyone. Just watch it and come to your own conclusions.

Here's the link.

http://www.zshare.net/video/68159157b4adf3fe/

thinking

Well it's been a minute but lately my mind has been in about a million places. Been busy doing a lot of thinking as of late. I've been thinking about how I want to spend my summer. I'd really like to get as much enjoyment and time out of the soon to be warm season. To me it's all about quality of life; what I mean by that is I'm not 20 years old anymore and willing to work 60 hours a week serving. I have constantly worked weekends for over 14 years.....that's a long time! Not only that, in 12 of those years, I've never had more than a 2 month break from serving, ever. Yes I have an impressive hospitality resume and yes those tips are nice in the pocket, but how much fun is extra cash when you don't have time to enjoy it? I want weekends off! I don't want to miss out on all the fun times with my friends! Because nowadays, more of my friends work the mon-fri 9 to 5 then not. Not that I'm doing it just to see my friends more, it's so many reasons. I'm at the point in my life where I'm craving a normal schedule. Clearly serving doesn't often offer those type of hours. Which I don't completely have a problem with! I do have other skills I can utilize. My office experience is extensive enough that I can find work in an administrative position. I'm not afraid of the change, but I do know it will take some getting used to. I'm certainly not used to sitting in an office chair all day, but I'm willing to give it a go again. So I beefed up my resume and have been applying for admin jobs. I know that eventually someone will offer me a job so I just keep at it. I'm excited to see what I might get! So there's that.

There is also the matter of relocation. I've had some good times in my little home but I'm ready to have a view and sunlight again! (the downside of living in a basement suite!) I'm also excited about the prospect of a home that isn't constantly freezing cold! I feel like the darkness combined with the chilliness does make me more lethargic within my own home. I really do enjoy doing things around the house; cooking, painting, etc but when it's cold I just want to curl up in my bed with my puppy instead! So I thought I'd stay put here for the summer and move out in the fall but then I realized that's probably not the best time to move out what with all the students going back to school and getting places! So my tentative goal is to move out for the beginning of august! Hope I find something nice! Downtown wouldn't be horrible if I could swing it but I still love the drive area too.

Lots of changes on the horizon, all for the better. Wish me luck!

No more sick!

So I have finally been able to rejoin the land of the living. You never fully appreciate being well until you are not. You know how people say, "cheer up, at least you have your health!" Boy, is that ever true! Take a minute to really let that sink in, because we take so many things for granted, and our vitality is definetly one of them! So long story short, I was super fluish sick for almost the last 3 weeks; sore throat, no energy, not able to do anything at all hardly, not being able to enjoy life. Now I'm finally beating it and feeling better. Now, I'm in no way happy that I was sick...well not exactly. The funny thing is I'm grateful for it because I think it improved my resolve to really work on my health even more than I was before;eating even better, working out more. I am excited to be going for a morning run tomorrow, and me and the bestie are going to try to tackle the grouse grind sometime this week. Plus, I guess it doesn't hurt that spring has finally come, and it is gorgeous outside. Time to throw off the winter jacket and get the tanning lotion ready! I do feel, in so many ways, that I am coming back to life.

nice things to think about

So, just a quick little blurb about something nice I thought of yesterday. I've been battling a cold the last couple days, which means I've been holed up in my bed at home, tired and achey with a sore throat. Well the fluish symptoms broke yesterday afternoon, and I had enough energy to get up and out of the house for a bit. It wasn't too chilly, and I took the pup with me for a saunter around downtown. Just being out and about, seeing all the people around, I began to feel better. There was this guy passing by me, a couple years older, and he was happily carrying a large bouquet of flowers. I started to smile, thinking of how nice it was to see kind people doing nice things for others. I wondered who he was bringing them to; his mom, a girlfriend, hell, maybe even a boyfriend! Sometimes just being reminded of the simple joys in life makes us remember why we are here!

Catching up

   This is gonna be short but sweet.....I'm super tired and have been working on homework most of the eve. But thank God, now it means I've pretty much finished it for the week so it's worth it. I've been fighting off a cold lately (seems almost everyone is!), but I have been starting to feel better the last 2 days. It's so frustrating to be sick because it just sucks up so much time that you could be doing other things; this cold didn't have too many horrible symptoms...it just knocked me out! I have just been so lethargic and tired, so I haven't done all the things I've wanted to do this last week or so. I did go for a run yesterday morning, which was harder than usual, simply because I was still recovering....boy did I ever sweat out the rest of my illness! (hopefully) Everything is going back to normal now, which is nice, and I plan to run more frequently as the sun run is coming soon and I want to be in tip top shape!

   Also it is going to be Iranian new year, otherwise known as "Norouz", on this saturday. In a very simplified explanation, it is the celebration of the new year and the first day of spring. I'm really excited, it's nice because it is a chance to see family and friends I don't get to see very often. I'm putting up a link about it for anyone who wants to know more about it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowruz


   Other than that I do have a job interview tomorrow at Bridges, which is this popular seafood restaurant on Granville Island. I'm wanting to just pick up a second job for the summer, since school is winding down next month and I'll have some spare time anyhow. There are a few things I'd like to save for, so it'll definetly help! Wish me luck!


Quote of the day! (I thought this one was hilarious!)

                "Just let me pick up a few things."
                                - Imelda Marcos