Holiday season observations

Blogging things out of order is totally acceptable right? Some of these are serious and some are just for fun, but in 2012 I tried to change my view on a lot of things, be more open to new things, practice patience and let the small stuff roll off my shoulders. In doing so, I was rudely reminded of some of my past behavior and was disgusted. I also found that some things I will never be all that open minded about. So now, my 10 observations from holiday season 2012…

            1) People really do need to embrace the Christmas spirit – complaining, being rude and whining are really ugly qualities on just about everyone over the age of 5 3 2. I swear I would be shopping, driving or running an errand and I would be faced with at least one person who was just awful.  If I were them, I would be embarrassed that I acted like that in public (or in private for that matter). On one hand, I wanted to give them a hug, but on the other, I wanted to look at them and say that Christmas time is supposed to be a time full of joy and celebration of our Jesus and to stop trying to ruin it for everyone around you. It isn’t the store clerk’s fault that you waited until Christmas Eve to do all of your shopping and you have to wait in line with all the other slackers.

I also think we should be in the “Christmas spirit” all year round. Yes, of course there will be bad days, but it doesn't have to ruin you forever. Don't be a scrooge.

      2) Going out is not nearly as fun as it once was. I get super tired really early and cringe every time I put down $4.00 for one Bud Light.  All I can think is that for the price of two beers I could have almost bought a 12 pack and taken it home and I wouldn’t have had to think about whether or not I need a cab/be scared about cops. If I have changed this much in the last year or so, I’m afraid of what this next year will do.  Watch our Kroger, you may have yourself a new extreme couponer by this time next year.

3)   As quick as people were to tweet, Facebook and talk about the Sandy Hook tragedy and the importance of enjoying life and those in it, they just as quickly forgot. After a few days I started to wonder if those tweet, statuses and conversations were really honest. The same people who were adamant about the importance of life, how short it can be and the importance of enjoying those in your life were just as quick to forget the importance of enjoying life, living life to the fullest and cherishing the people they have in their lives. (Note: This was not everyone, just a select few.)

      4) When you have a job you actually like, it really makes a HUGE difference in your everyday life and your general outlook on everything.

5) The entire subject of gun control is the most annoying subject in the history of the world (maybe behind politics), but in this case they go hand in hand. The gun debate was decided when you voted for our last president. It may not have been one of the social topics (a whole different topic of its own) you voted on, but nonetheless, the government in place right now will decide new policies on guns in America. If you didn’t vote for our current president, then you participated in our democracy and unfortunately the majority of the country did not agree with you. (For the record, I did not vote for our current president and have no comment on gun control because I honestly don’t know enough about the situation to form an educated opinion.)

6) There are A LOT of people getting married in 2013 and I’m so excited to be a part of those special days whether as a wedding party member or just a regular old guest. And (this is not meant to be offensive at all because it really doesn't matter) but a lot of people get engaged around Christmas… like A LOT.

     7)  I am really lazy and lack the motivation to workout. I’m planning to ease myself into it by starting a very limited workout plan that hopefully will expand itself as I get stronger. This is not a New Year’s Resolution. If I think of it as just something I need to do vs. something like a resolution, I may be more willing to stick with it. We will see. (I feel like a broken record, but I promise I am getting closer and closer to actually doing this).

8) Truck “balls” or whatever you call those horrid things that hang from a person’s car/truck/van/tractor/bike/whatever are absolutely well, horrid. Sometimes I just wonder what possessed someone to invent them and worse, what possesses someone to buy them and want to drive around town with them on their car/truck/van/tractor/bike/whatever? These are the things that go through my head while I drive/am in traffic. 

** I will spare you a picture of this one **

9)  Despite what was drilled into my head for 25 years of my life (well maybe only 20 or so), there should only be one space after a period. One space? Are you sure? Trust me breaking this habit is SO FREAKING HARD. Fortunately, my boss is very patient with me and nicely reminds me that I should only put one space when I forget/add two out of habit.

10) My friends don’t blog enough J (this has nothing to do with the holiday season, but      

 more an all year thing)

2012 in review

Well 2012 definitely made out to be my most challenging, yet wonderful year of my short life thus far. I had a lot of highs and a lot of lows. I grew as a person in situations I never expected and was able to experience so many new things.

I made some great friend and lost a few along the way too. I had my heart broken and my heart mended beyond my wildest dream. I went to weddings and celebrated numerous engagements with those people that I love so dearly. I helped friends through their heartbreaks and they held me through mine. I celebrated great achievements of my own and of my friends and felt defeated at times.

I ran and ran even when I wanted to quit. I traveled to new places and made return trips to a few favorites.  I was a good friend, I was a bad friend. I cried, I laughed, I hated strongly disliked and let go of some emotions. I drew close to God, ran from him and nestled in the comfort of his arms. I watched from a distance and partook in a few things too. 

I quit a job without having another and was given the opportunity to begin working in a field I have a passion about. I made terrible decisions, good decisions and some of the best decisions of my life.  I took risks, got outside of my comfort zone and didn't care what other people thought.  I found that some friends whom I considered regular friends would end up being best friends and found that some I considered great friends weren’t the people I thought they were. I learned, I failed and I exceeded expectations.

I was challenged physically, emotionally and professionally.  I gave into temptations and resisted some too.  I found new hobbies, new adventures and new passions.  I read, I wrote, I rewrote and I reread.  I put myself in a lot of uncomfortable positions, grew from those and stayed in my comfort zone for others.  I was scared, I was happy, I was nervous, I was ecstatic, I was vulnerable, I was disappointed, I was overwhelmed, I was down on myself and I was triumphant.

I finally figured out what “when you know, you just know” means and I understand why other people can’t explain it. I waited patiently and impatiently. I had my day made and hopefully made someone’s day as well. I trusted myself and trusted others (some to a fault). I made mistakes, but most importantly I learned from those mistakes. I kept up walls and let some tear those down.

I watched friends graduate from college while others just got started. I had first dates, last dates, and the best dates of my life.  I celebrated the birth of babies, big birthdays for others and a “milestone” birthday of my own. I experienced the highs of pet owning loving, lows of pet loving and the scariest sides of pet loving. I went to the beach, to the “Big Apple”, to Boston, to Nassau, to Cancun and more! I took pictures and most importantly made memories.

I drank, I ate and I was merry. I had financial success and financial failure hardship. I learned to budget, I saved and I spent. I cruised, I flew, I drove and I walked.  I laughed until I cried and cried until I laughed. I had great times, good times, bad times and terrible times. I experienced blessings and blessings in disguise. I loved and let others love me. 

I had a full year, thousands of memories and hundreds of experiences, but this year each month brought me something new, each day brought me a little further along in my journey of life.  Each experience molded me into the person I am and the person I will continue to become. It’s been a year to say the least, but it was a year worth having, a year that taught me I do not always know best and sometimes it is best to just trust God and let him lead me to where I should go.

I know 2013 will be a good year and I’m excited to take on the highs and the lows, this time with better perspective, a stronger heart and an attitude I didn’t have last year.

I've said it before... I know

Y'all seriously, I know I've said this before... and I might even say it again some time, but I feel disgusting and fat.

It is absolutely ridiculous to me how much weight I have gained and how gross I feel all the time because of it. Clothes that used to fit don't, fabircs that used to look good on me now cling to fat, clothes that used to be too big are starting to get snug... It. is. gross.

So now, after my Chick-Fil-A breakfast, I want to get serious. I want to feel good again. I want to not be tired all the time and I want to feel like I'm in shape. I want my belly to be flat and the cellulite on my legs to disappear. I want to be the old me again.

So now I need some advice. We have all had our weight loss journeys or get in shape regimes. I want to know some ideas. I want to know what motivated you best. How you stuck to your plan. What your plan was. Good healthy recipes (that dont necessarily involve fish). Exercises I should do. Workout plans. Everything. Where should I start? What is a realistic goal to have? What are realistic expectations, 1 pound a week, 2, more?

To give you a brief and embarrassing breakdown of my out of shape self I have a few things listed.

Weight: Fluctuates between 137-140 regularly (I have no idea how or why it fluctuates so much, but that is my life I guess. It is usually around 138 most days.)

Running: A mile is not easy and not fun. A MILE!! Pathetic

Other workouts: I randomly do arms and legs.

Workout frequency: Maybe twice a week if I'm lucky. This week I've ran twice. 1 mile one day and 1.5 another.

Goal: Lose 8-10 pounds. I would love to be 127 (or lower) but I want to look healthy not too skinny, and with my height, there is a fine line.

Helpe me!! :)

It has been over a month since I have updated... seriously what is wrong with me. Lets start with a May round up... I went to St Louis and Houston for work. I went to Mobile for Amanda's graduation (which was awesome!!) Went to Birmingham for a wedding/Memorial Day. Got to catch up with Elizabeth, Caleb and Katie which I ALWAYS LOVE!!! Went to another Braves games (with my girl Sarah). Started on a tennis team and started training for Waumba Land at my church (this is what they call the children's area). I restarted bible study again (I took a short hiatus and missed my girls and the growing I do in the group so I reprioritized my life and got my head straight for Jesus again). Had dinner with some old friends (old coworkers) and even threw in a date or two! May was definitely a busy month and it looks like June is going to be just as busy! First weekend in June marked a trip to Auburn and more training for Waumba Land. I was in the toddlers-2 year old room and I loved it. That week I started training with a trainer (and hurt for literally 4 days after). I finally spent an entire weekend in Atlanta and went bowling with some new friends and met Leigh at a brewery in town (Red Hare Brewery) for a beer launch. How I never knew about that is beyond me, but it was such a fun environment and I definitely want to make a trip back there. This week took me to Nebraska for the first time for work. The work travel is not even close to over for the month as I will be visiting Dallas this week and then Wichita the next. It's been a crazy summer so far, but I am loving it and having a great time. I will definitely do my best to keep you updated more frequently. This weekend I'm headed home for Father's Day and cannot wait to spend the weekend with my family!

Cinco De Mayo weekend

Well this weekend is Cinco De Mayo and how will I be starting my day? Riding 60 miles on a bicycle accompanied by one of the greatest men there has ever been, my father! I'm excited for our daddy daughter time this weekend since it's rare that the two of us are able to have our own time anymore. I am not looking forward to the awkward way I will be walking for the next few days however. I figure I just ran 13.1 miles so what's 60 miles on a bike..... (I may be eating my words tomorrow afternoon).

I will spend the afternoon with my girls celebrating our Mexican heritage (wait, we have no Mexican heritage) and watching the Kentucky Derby. Should be a fun weekend!

The next week is going to be a good one though. My friend Leigh told me about a singles series that is starting up at our church (Buckhead Church). They do a series for three weeks for the singles of the church with a message directed at us. I'm excited to see how it goes and what we can learn. Leigh and I are both on a good path in our walks with God, so I'm excited to experience this with her and watch us both grow through it. We are bringing some other friends too, so I'm excited about that! Keep us all in your prayers as we are all at different points in our journey (some journeys just recently starting!!) It's crazy and amazing how God brings friends together with a similar purpose.

Wednesday morning I am off the St. Louis for work until Thursday and then I'm going to Auburn for Mother's Day. I will be in Mobile Saturday/Saturday night for a very special occassion that deserves a blog post of its own (to come soon!!) AMANDA'S GRADUATION!!! I cannot wait! Then it's round two of the singles series and then off to Texas for work again.

Big couple of weeks coming up! Until next time lovelies!

I survived, somehow

Well, we did it! We finished our half marathon. While our time was not all that impressive in comparison to other people who do these things, the fact that my training basically didn’t exist I’m so proud. 3:02:13!! Katie probably could have finished it a lot fast if she wasn’t with me, the slacker, but she was such a great encouragement and great friend to me! I might be insane because I am starting to consider running another one in Savannah later this year. More info to come. I learned my lesson though, I must train or I might die.

Yesterday and today have been pretty miserable as far as my body completely feeling like it will break at any moment, but I'm surviving. I'm hoping to be back to normal (or closer to normal) tomorrow or Wednesday because I am doing my 60 mile bike ride with my Dad on Saturday. Yes, I am insane.

Other than that life’s been ok. I got a little bitten by the negativity bug again a few weeks back, but I'm slowly pulling myself out of it. I just feel like I can do so much more with my life and I am trying to figure out the best place for me to do them and what should I be doing. I want to volunteer and am thinking about volunteering with the Special Olympics. Just trying to make sure I have the time to do it.

I also have found out that I have been really negative about things that really have nothing to do with me. I'm letting other people and their negativity bring me down which in turn comes off on some of the people I care about. It’s stupid and silly and I'm not loving it. My plan: avoid any negativity for at least 2 weeks. That means, I may seem like a bad friend, but really I do care, I just can’t handle it right now. I'll be happy to be a good friend to you in 2 weeks, when I have my mind refocused and am not at a point where something you say may bring to be negative.

I also am going to try and be more open to everything. I have recently determined I have been very narrow-minded about certain things and been very judgmental. I don't like the person I was and am not going back. A new and improved open-minded and friendly and nonjudgmental Erin will emerge quickly.

Travel Travel

Seems to be the story of my life these days. The next month or so is going to be so busy traveling for both work and for fun (if you call running fun....) I just got back from a road trip around Louisiana with a coworker and we had a pretty great time. Not only did our client meetings go well, we had quite a few funny moments outside of work. One involving the rental car and basically running into a ditch, a small ditch between two parking lots, but a ditch nonetheless. Good times. We are off to St Louis and Kansas City (Sunday-Wednesday) then I'm off again to Nashville on Friday. Nashville for the half marathon I am still not ready for. I am going to take comfort in the fact that I am atleast doing it and have a great friend (and motivatitor) to help me keep going. Katie will have her work out for her, that's for sure. I'm hoping my ankle holds up for the run because its been bothering me lately. I get a week back in Atlanta then I'm off again to St Louis (yes again) for work again and then to Auburn for Mother's Day/ puppy pickup. (I miss my sweet girl already). Then comes Memorial Day and a family wedding (my cousin is getting married finally!!! They have been engaged for like 3 years I think!)). We are so excited for them and know that this wedding will be such a beautiful event, an event her mother will be proud to watch from heaven. (Elizabeth's mom lost her battle with a brain tumor late last year). I will be lifting up Elizabeth in my prayers for the next few weeks as she goes through one of the most important days of her life and struggles with not having her mother there. I cannot imagine what that would be like, but Elizabeth is strong and I know she will be beaming knowing her mom is watching over her and celebrating this moment from heaven. I have to throw in a few trips to Texas throughout the next weeks too so I will definitely be on the road a lot.