Love and Other Drugs.

On Monday I turn 29. My birthday, my last year of my twenties. I am hitting the end of a challenging decade. I have learned so many things. I've gone from being what I thought was me, to evolving into something totally different. I've been a lover, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, a liar, a cheater, shameful, ashamed, a partier, lazy, earnest, caring, cared for...and so many other things. I have had about 10 different jobs, found no careers, wanted to go to school for about 20 different things.... I have lived in 6 different cities, in dozens of different homes.

Currently, I am: a daughter, a mother, a lover, a friend, an employee, a sister, a maid, a chauffeur, a hairstylist, a personal assistant....and so much more.

I have learned:
that the best things in life happen when you're poorest (and you learn youre the richest)
that the best things in life can take the most work, but are the most rewarding.
that friends are as important as family.
that you choose happiness, not find it.
that love, it hurts, its scary, its amazing, its so many things wrapped up in one.
that parenting is the single hardest, but most amazing job in the world.
that people will always surprise you. expect nothing but the unexpected.
my life is far from perfect, but its perfectly mine.
that my partner is my best friend, and there's nothing better than making it through the day with someone who compliments your life.
that my daughter, keeps me on my toes...I see all my own good, and bad in her.

and I keep learning every day.

thank you to everyone who has been along for the ride, and welcome to everyone just joining it.

Apres Summer.

The summer has gone, and the fall is very much here now. It's been an interesting year in my life, thats for sure. The seasons have defined so much for me.. 

I'm into my second year here, I have made some friends, some close ones, lost a few acquaintances, gained a partner, lost some life baggage. Its been amazing to say the least. 

Right now, I've worked my way back into going to the gym almost every day. Its a good season to do it. Its chilly, you don't know what else to do.. so you hit the gym. It's the season where you're not sure if you want to be outside as much, what the weather is going to do when you do... So I have rekindled my love affair with cardio and weight training. The goal is to get as healthy as I can. The intention is to make myself a healthy person, without as many bad-for-me vices, as I had gotten really lazy over the last little bit.  I have always had a problem with slouching too. My mom used to get on me for it when I was younger, like in my teen years.. and now, at almost 29 I am finally doing something about it. The strength training in my core and back muscles is really helping even after just two weeks, to make sure that I'm not suffering from headaches or neck ache at work anymore. That alone is worth it.

The holidays are fast approaching, and although I won't get to be with my family this year again for Christmas, I have a feeling that the little family I have here will make it just as wonderful. It's been a huge year of financial burdens, sacrifices, and other crummy setbacks in the financial security end of things for me, however, I have faith that things are going to turn around, and life with resume its fast pace with comfort. 

Alex is having a wonderful year at school, we're breaking down old habits, and forming new ones together, and as tough of a road child rearing is... I know we're going to be okay. I am lucky to have a partner who is so emotionally supportive of the strife I am enduring with teaching right and wrong for what won't be the last time, and certainly isn't the first time with Alex. He is helpful in his approaches in how to deal with it, and I am so appreciative of what he helps put in. We've come a long way... 

I miss everyone back home <3 Just so you all know!!

Heres to a gorgeous lead up to 2012. Cheers friends!