It's been almost 4 years since my last 'Favorite Things' post. All of the things on the original list are still relevant, but I think it's time to add some more.
1. Finding/booking travel deals
I've become semi-obsessed with finding (and booking!) the best travel deals ever in life. I'm headed to Playa del Carmen next week and secured my best deal yet! We're paying $522 total for a 5-day/4-night stay at an all-inclusive that consistently garners excellent reviews. We usually pay around $750 for the same time span and I always thought those were great deals!
2. Traveling
I guess this is sort of similar to #1. The trip to Playa will be my fourth major vacay just this year. I went to Jamaica (by myself!) in February, Cancun in April, and Puerto Rico in July. I can get used to this plan of traveling every other month. I also went to Savannah on three separate occasions this year, and to Nashville and Ohio one time each.
3. Apple products
The iPad is now my fave invention. But I also love the simplicity of Apple computers and their native software programs (Garage Band, iMovie, iPhoto, etc.). AND I'm currently still using my horrible cell (even after the contract ran out) as I eagerly await the arrival of the iPhone 5. Yes, I'm finally moving into the world of smart phones!
4. In-town living
For the past 3 years, I've lived in a trendy, in-town neighborhood. Rarely do I have to get on the highway. I can walk to so many places (but often choose not to - it's hot). The best part is that I'm only 3 blocks from a major park here in this awesome city. I mentioned hanging out in that park in my original Favorite Things list. I don't think I could ever go back to living in the 'burbs.
5. Yoga
I just made the decision to not renew my gym membership. I only used it for the yoga classes and figured there were other options out there - including doing yoga at home. Ha ha; I'm not disciplined enough to do anything at home. I'll most likely begin a new membership agreement at my old gym and resume yoga classes there. My favorite things about yoga - the room is so quiet and aches, minor pains, and extra pounds are stretched away.
6. Bacon
I'm really, really close to becoming a vegetarian. I went a whole month without meat earlier this year and the frozen meals I buy for lunch during the work week are vegetarian (and sometimes vegan). But, I can't shake my love for bacon. I prefer to eat it every day, but try to limit it to 3 - 4 times a week.
7. Crab legs
Not only do I love crab legs, but I also love how Kroger (and Publix, I recently heard) steams them for you with a liberal amount of Old Bay seasoning! I hate how they take so long to eat, but once you crack them open and get to that tasty meat...OMG!
8. Babies
I've managed to keep my maternal side at bay for a really long time. But I do have to admit that I love, love babies! I love the way they smell, how peaceful they look while sleeping, their innocence. There's no doubt in my mind that I'll have a baby of my own one day. I still feel no need to rush that.
9. Blogs
My day isn't complete without reading several blogs. Some are serious - http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/about/, some are quite gossipy - http://sandrarose.com/, some are educational - http://sandrarose.com/, some are inspirational - http://www.jamaicamyway.com/. I love to read what everyday people write. We all have something to say!
10. Jamaica
So this at least indirectly relates to numbers 1, 2, and 9 above. The country has mesmerized me since my first trip in 2005. Like the commercial says, "Once you go, you know." But exactly a year ago, I learned that my great-grandmother's family was from Jamaica. Hmmmmm; that may explain some things.
I just realized I can go on and on and on. Simply put, I love so many things in life. I make conscious efforts to surround myself with the things (and people!) I love. I may have 6 years left on the face of Earth or 60 - that's up to Him. But what's up to me is living it to the fullest and enjoying every single vacation and piece of bacon that comes my way.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Word
While I have nothing against it, you don't have to head to church on Sunday mornings in order to hear 'the word'. Listen carefully; you may hear it from a close friend or even from a complete stranger. Words I heard from an author of a book I recently read made my world come to a screeching halt.
"With your blog, Twitter, and everything else you have going on, how do you even make time to write (more novels)?", someone asked during the Q & A portion of the event.
She giggled before proceeding.
I can't recall her exact answer, but it was quite profound. She said we all need to begin cutting people out of our lives and eliminating commitments that are keeping us away from our passions.
Regrettably, I then tuned completely out of the rest of the session. I was stuck on her words.
It annoys me when people say 'I wish there was more time in the day'. We have what we have, but how we choose to use it is entirely up to us. I immediately realized I'm halfway there. I've already cut many people out of my life. Many of them were amazing in so many ways, but were just not healthy for me. I just can't give valuable real estate to folks who aren't contributing to my health and well-being. But I have serious ground to make on the issue of allowing commitments keeping me away from my passions. Heck, I'm so busy with random tasks that I don't even know what my passions are.
A long-term commitment comes to an end next February. Normally, I'd immediately replace it with something else. But her words today were just the antidote I needed. It certainly won't happen overnight, but from here on I vow to analyze my commitments and keep only the ones that allow my life to be filled with experiences that provide fuel for my life, liberty, and my pursuit of happiness.
"With your blog, Twitter, and everything else you have going on, how do you even make time to write (more novels)?", someone asked during the Q & A portion of the event.
She giggled before proceeding.
I can't recall her exact answer, but it was quite profound. She said we all need to begin cutting people out of our lives and eliminating commitments that are keeping us away from our passions.
Regrettably, I then tuned completely out of the rest of the session. I was stuck on her words.
It annoys me when people say 'I wish there was more time in the day'. We have what we have, but how we choose to use it is entirely up to us. I immediately realized I'm halfway there. I've already cut many people out of my life. Many of them were amazing in so many ways, but were just not healthy for me. I just can't give valuable real estate to folks who aren't contributing to my health and well-being. But I have serious ground to make on the issue of allowing commitments keeping me away from my passions. Heck, I'm so busy with random tasks that I don't even know what my passions are.
A long-term commitment comes to an end next February. Normally, I'd immediately replace it with something else. But her words today were just the antidote I needed. It certainly won't happen overnight, but from here on I vow to analyze my commitments and keep only the ones that allow my life to be filled with experiences that provide fuel for my life, liberty, and my pursuit of happiness.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Best Thing I Never Had
Late last year, I crossed something off the 'Things I'd Never Do' list. I made a conscious decision to date a man who was already in a relationship.
Do I feel guilty? No. Do I regret it? No. Am I so unbelievably happy it's over? Yes.
I use the term "dating" quite loosely in this situation. He lives 3.5 hours from here; as a result, we only saw each other on 5 separate occasions. We held phone conversations quite often early on, but those fell back to 1 - 2 times a week after that.
But despite the infrequency of our face-to-face contact, he still turned out to be the 'Best Thing I Never Had'. (If you've turned on the radio at any point over the past month, you'll recognize that as the title of Beyonce's latest song.)
Yes this is a blog, but I honestly find it impossible to find the words to explain why I was drawn to this man enough to do something I previously thought I'd never do. Truthfully, I don't want to find the words. He also felt the magical connection between us and I actually like the fact that no one will be able to understand why we did what we did. "Why" actually doesn't even matter.
What does matter is that I can walk away with from this situation, a) with my head held high (and tears fully dried), and b) with the confidence that this will never happen again.
Have an honest conversation with any single Black male or female and the topic of "the ratio" will eventually come up. But even though the number of available Black men is disappointingly low, never again will I feel the need to share one. The situation is just not that dire.
You'll never hear me spew even one bad comment about him. He truly was the best thing I never had; to this day I think he's thoughtful, humorous, intellectual, kind, and unbelievably yummy.
But so am I.
Do I feel guilty? No. Do I regret it? No. Am I so unbelievably happy it's over? Yes.
I use the term "dating" quite loosely in this situation. He lives 3.5 hours from here; as a result, we only saw each other on 5 separate occasions. We held phone conversations quite often early on, but those fell back to 1 - 2 times a week after that.
But despite the infrequency of our face-to-face contact, he still turned out to be the 'Best Thing I Never Had'. (If you've turned on the radio at any point over the past month, you'll recognize that as the title of Beyonce's latest song.)
Yes this is a blog, but I honestly find it impossible to find the words to explain why I was drawn to this man enough to do something I previously thought I'd never do. Truthfully, I don't want to find the words. He also felt the magical connection between us and I actually like the fact that no one will be able to understand why we did what we did. "Why" actually doesn't even matter.
What does matter is that I can walk away with from this situation, a) with my head held high (and tears fully dried), and b) with the confidence that this will never happen again.
Have an honest conversation with any single Black male or female and the topic of "the ratio" will eventually come up. But even though the number of available Black men is disappointingly low, never again will I feel the need to share one. The situation is just not that dire.
You'll never hear me spew even one bad comment about him. He truly was the best thing I never had; to this day I think he's thoughtful, humorous, intellectual, kind, and unbelievably yummy.
But so am I.
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