Sunny PR

I have been home now for 3 days. I got in late Wednesday night and must say it has been really nice being here. I am soaking in the sunshine and the feeling of warmth around me. It's a different culture and a different feeling from Europe. One I am much more accustomed to, and must say, tend to prefer. Doesn't make one better than the other, just better for me. I really feel so happy to be here right now and see so many people I knew and grew up with for so many years. I enjoy my 4 mile walks(though difficult)but so lovely to gaze upon the gorgeous blue water of the ocean while I walk and see all of the people on the streets as I walk by. I hope the time doesn't fly by, though I fear it might, but I am going to continue to soak it all in. And I know the best is yet to come!!! My best friend from growing up gets here soon, my sister gets here soon, and then my cousin's wedding in Cali. I can do nothing but smile as I think of it. I hope everyone reading this is as happy as I am in this moment.

Swimming with Sharks

I just like the title - has nothing to do with anything really, other than, maybe, the brief clip I saw earlier in the day of Anderson Cooper describing his recent adventure in South Africa where he swam with great whites, without a cage, insane I know!!!! I can barely bring myself to get in the water in PR, and I grew up on the beach, how on earth there are daredevils enough to actually swim with great whites, voluntarily, is simply beyond my comprehension!!!

Well I survived. It's that time of year again for me, quarter end, dun dun dun!!! I had my week of working 15 hour days and it wasn't fun - but i made it through. I did a pretty good job this quarter, if I do say so myself. I managed to get through everything, relatively unscathed, and now I can reap the benefits. What are those you may wonder? Well, in fact, it is a 4 week, yes I said 4 week, trip home to visit my parents, relax in the sun, and take a break from life. Actually, I probably have to work some since it is such a long time and there is noone who can take over my work responsiblities, but heck, who cares, I'll be in the caribbean. It just makes everything better somehow. I also am flying to my cousin's wedding in california for a few days. it's going to be wonderful. total family reunion. I can't wait!!! I only wish P were able to go with me for some of the trip. Its been 2 and a half years since we have spent any more than a week apart. It's so unbelievable to me that we used to spend months apart. I have NO idea how we survived it, but we did. So i guess this time apart will be good in the sense we will appreciate our time together even more. Distance does make the heart grow fonder. But 4 weeks is enough.

I feel a little guilty because the economy is in such a crappy place and one of the things I am most looking forward to is shopping, but I justify it by telling myself it would cost A LOT more here, so i'm really "saving" money... We women are very good at convincing ourselves we have saved money by spending it. The joys of being a woman. I love the logic!!! Anyway, I also figure I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, so I might as well live in the moment and not let it pass me by...in moderation of course!

I think this trip will be a good spiritual boost for me as well. I tend to do a lot more service oriented type stuff when I am home, probably because my parents are pretty involved and drag me along for the ride, but its a good thing. language is not a barrier for me, so i am more useful in that sense. Always good to get a boost. Anyway, I guess you get the point, i am excited and am pretty certain i will love this trip!!! Happy Holidays!!!

The journey continues

So as most of you who read this blog know, I have been on a weight loss journey since October. I haven't written about it in a while, but I did promise to keep people updated so I figured I should do just that. Basically, here is where I am at, about a week after i got back from the holyland (2nd week in nov) i decided to take a bit of a break on the diet side and keep up the exercise. I just needed to be a little more moderate. So here is the plan I devised: one month more strict dieting and exercising, next month less strict dieting but still healthy and keep up exercise, then next month diet again, and so on and so forth. So I am back to dieting, its been almost a week, I have started losing weight again and am hoping to lose at least a few more kilos this month. I didn't gain any weight while i was on my break which was great because it showed me this lifestyle is sustainable. I feel like this is the best way to go for me, i mean its moderate, healthy, and at the end of the day a lot more sustainable. I am confident I will reach my goals all in due time, and I am not being impatient or overly eager...just taking it one day at a time! Thanks to those of you who support me and my efforts and for those who have noticed, I really appreciate it!!!

On another note, I have a trip home coming up in less than two weeks. I am quite excited as I haven't been home in almost 9 months and its always nice to be home. So much to look forward to. I am so certain its going to be a fabulous trip!!! I can't wait!!! It's going to be tough being away from my hubby and my dog for that long, but since P and I are used to spending time apart (from our long distance days) I think it will be ok. I'll have my family around, so i won't be alone and he will be with his family so its all good. Speaking of, our little niece Leona, she is about 2 months old and my lord is she the most adorable little baby girl!!! I LOVE her!! really she is too cute!!! And she has great parents so I think she will grow up to be a beautiful human being, and I can't wait to see her grow over the years, it's all very exciting. So many of my close friends and family are starting families of their own and its so cool. it's like another chapter in our lives. I look forward to my turn to have kids, but its nice to live in the moment a bit too and enjoy every phase. So for now, i will just enjoy the kids of my friends and family and when the time comes I will have my own. Ok this turned out longer than expected, but things are good. I am pretty happy which is a nice feeling, probably a great deal relates to my new lifestyle!! Amazing how much weight and physical health impact emotional well being!!! Hope you all have a great weekend!!!