Five Question Friday

Five Question Fridaaaaayyyyy!

1. What’s your favorite way to spend down time (alone or with a significant other)?

Alone: Reading, writing, eating fruit, drinking tea

w/ my siggy: snacking, having tea, watching movies, talking about random things, and snugglin’ up!

2. Are you the kind of person that wants things more as soon as you know you can’t have it?

No, not at all. Never been the big-eye kind. I’m usually pretty content with what I have. What I want is generally in my reach, even if I have devise a plan, save, and wait a little bit.

3. If you were given $1000 to spend on yourself, what would you buy?

So much, yet so little! If I have to spend it on myself, I’d invest in a few things for my writing corner. I’d like an untreated wooden desk. There’s a place here called “WoodYou” that sells wooden furniture that isn’t stained or painted. I’d love to get it from there. Then, I’d find the right stencils to put a cool design on the border of it. Then stain it. Then, I’d get a nice, wooden chair, and a cushion. You know the ones that you sit on, and they have strings so you can tie them under the chair? Yesss… WANT! Then I’d outfit the space with a desk lamp, put up a corkboard, purchase notebooks, journals, pens of different colours, and lots of post-it notes. That should burn the $1000.

If I could get away with not spending it all on myself, I’d go grocery shopping for great ingredients, and invite some good friends/family over for a nice meals. I’d also get some cool little giveaway item that everyone can keep to remember the night.

4. Do you ever go out to eat by yourself?

I haven’t done it in a long time because there’s always choice company these days, but I used to. A lot.

5. What company would you want to do a blog review for?

What’s stopping me from doing a blog review that I wanna do? Now, if we’re talking blog-review-for-goodies, then BARNES & NOBLE!

Link up to this week’s 5QF.

As always, you’re welcome to answer the questions in the comments. I like hearing from you.

Thankful Thursday

It’s Thursday. You know how I roll on Thursdays, don’t ya? *does the dance of thankfulness*

Here we go, one thing for every finger:

• Awesome friends (and cousins) who step in whenever they’re needed
• Last night’s dinner (Which reminds me that I was supposed to have leftovers for breakfast. Oh, well. Appetizer tonight.)
• New running tanks (They feel SO GOOD!)
• Weekend fun coming right up!
• My new nook cover
  

  Liiiiime spankin' green! <3

• Great writing resources online, including blogs and writing/critique groups
• Babe’s support
• Neo2 on the way, and should be here by Tuesday! WOO!
• Chocolate cake (which I reeeally hope they have today)
• Lots of work to keep me busy

Off topic, but read this post on 20 life-altering concepts that you can embrace TODAY. Includes:

1. Simplify everything
2. Let go of attachments
3. Focus on the task at hand
4. Action is the answer

Read it, read it, read it. Maybe all of it isn’t for you, but there’s probably something there that speaks to you. Something that you can grasp and run with to make your life better. *does masterful tap steps* CHAL-LUUUUUUUNGE!

What are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday: Weekend

Ryan - driving in the game room.

Ryan - In drawing and colouring "school." I think children should be allowed to express themselves and their own creativity. Babe seems to think they should be instructed on exactly how to draw and colour things. *sighs* Buuut, this is only my observation in one instance. *shrugs*

This represents money that I threw away. Babe didn't eat these delectable, delicious treats. *sighs* I always kick myself after I save or purchase treats for her for them to go in the garbage, or to some random visitor. Maybe I should ask for a list of things she likes and would accept/use/eat? I obviously don't know these thing, y'all.

Feel Good Tuesday

Happy Tuesdaaaaayyyyy!

I’m a in really good mood today. I have idea why. There is no logical reason. But me?! Worry?! Never!

This song played just as I parked at work this morning, and I sat in the car to sing it loudly. With the windows down. I’m bad like that. I kinda feel like that… Toniii-iii-iiii-iiiight, we are youuu-oooung, so let’s set the world on fiii-yaaah, we can briii-iighter, than the suuu-oh-uuuh-uuun! WOO!

Talk about energy! Of the positive kind. I’m going to get a lot done today. I’m going to work like I have the day off tomorrow. I’m going to make progress with my novel. I’m going to do something physical when I get home (which probably won’t be running, and DANG IT, I forgot to toss running clothes in the car… Got thrown off when I had to switch cars with my mom this morning so she could take the one I’ve been driving to be licensed.)… Jump on the trampoline, jog on it a little, jump rope… Something. ‘Cause guess what! Toniii-iii-iii-iiight, weee are yooouuung! Hahaha.

Ok. So play that song. Feel the energy. Get yourself in an awesome mood. Make 3 goals for yourself today. And GO AT THEM like the man who stole your grandmother’s wallet on the bus. CONQUER them. Because you can.

I have two meetings today. Maybe three. Lots of opportunity for people to say and do things that could bring me down. IFFF I allow it. And I won’t. I just decided, so it’s a done deal. I will be happy. I will be positive. I will use all energy, whether positive or negative, for good. I will do my best. I will be satisfied. I will enjoy and live in every moment of this day.

When I checked my email this morning, I saw a great post. I read it, and it resonated with me. Being the awesome person that I am, I’m sharing it with you. Be sure to take a few minutes to read The Magnificent Self-Made Person over at CreatingReciprocity.

Two quotes for you today. One from the post linked above:

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.   -Khalil Gibran

And one that I just love:

Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.   – Karen Ravn

Go forth, then, blog buddies, and be great. Be great instead of, in spite of, and because of.

Let me know how you’re feeling today. What are your goals for today?

Weekend Recap

I love weekends. So much chillin’. A little extra sleeping. Time to run. One of my new favourite things – yoga. Family time. It’s the perfect thing to happen between weekdays. Aaaah! Weekends!

On Saturday, I did (what is now) the usual run and yoga. I left a bit later than usual, so I did a 10 minute run instead of the usual 15 or 20 minutes. I checked my pace about halfway in, and was rather surprised. It was somewhere around 8’30″. That’s pretty fast for me. Anyway, I kept going. At the end, Tiger Woods’ voice told me that I clocked my fastest mile. WHAT?! I did WHAT?! I just did that two weeks go. I’m FASTER?! AGAIN?! I went to the history section of my Nike Fitness on my iPod and, sure enough, I’d run a 7’17″ mile! This is HUGE. Just two weeks before, I ran 15 minutes without stopping for the first time. I was used to running 3″ and walking 1″. All of a sudden, I could just keep going. I am SUPER PUMPED and pleased with myself. Even though I’m not running as much as I should, I’m making progress. I feel encouraged to do more. I’m definitely going to toss all my running clothes in the car tomorrow (so I don’t have to keep doing it every day), and stop for my run on the way home. I think I should be able to do 15 minutes for the next or so, and see when I can increase to 20 minutes. Today, I shall treat myself to a giant slice of chocolate cake.

Yoga class went really well. I felt the right amount of challenge, and the right amount of ease and relaxation. I think I may actually be gaining a lot from it. Muscle strength, self/body-awareness, relaxation… I love it. My mum told me on Friday that she’d be there, no matter what time she had to work. I’m not sure how well it worked out for her because she’s very conscientious about work and getting there on time. I think she spent a lot of time wondering what time it was, and she left before we finished the final relaxation. Hopefully, she get Saturdays off. I think I’ll call her scheduling manager and talk to her about it. I know her well, and she’s one of the sweetest people ever.

After yoga, I went to pick up my 4 year old cousin, Ryan. He’s HILARIOUS. He lives on another island with his mother, but she came for a funeral. His dad went to the funeral too, so I became the babysitter. Here are a few funny moments:

• Randomly, in the car, he said, “Aliciaaaaa.” I said, “Yeah?” He said, “Your shoes are silly!” I had to laugh. He was talking about my Vibrams. I guess they look kinda weird. Hahaha. I didn’t know he noticed them, but didn’t comment. He must’ve known what I was thinking, because he said, “I saw them when you picked me up.” Hahahaha.
• We passed a big parking lot where about 50 males were in line, standing at attention. They were wearing camouflage pants and black shirts. I figured they were in training to join the Defense Force (our version of marines/military). I said, “Look, Ryan! All those men are lined up. They must be practicing for something.” Ryan: “They practicing for the national anthem.” Me: “You think so?” Ryan: “Yeah. That’s how ya do it!”
• Out of nowhere, he said, “Ma is not in charge. My daddy and me in charge.” I laughed a little. Ma is my 92 year old great-grandmother, and she is very much in charge. Of EVERYthing. She runs the show. Me: “Who told you that?” Ryan: No one. Ma is OLD. She can’t do NUTTIN.” Ahahahaha. I was glad to be on a red light, because it took me a while to stop laughing and focus on the road. Ma can do EVERYthing. She cooks, drives, cleans, travels… Hell. She just stopped working a little over a year ago! When I told his dad what he said, the response was, “Yeah, he just got here. He has no idea.” Hahahaha.
• When I asked him what he wanted for lunch, he said, “Crabby patty, no cheese.” I asked where we get it from, and he had no answer. I asked him if Spongebob and Mr. Crab have them. He said, “Yes, but not in the BAHAMASSSSS!” Silly me.
• He told me that he doesn’t like juice. I asked him what he likes to drink. “Root beer. It’s a soda.” Well, Ryan, thanks for clearing that up. I was worried.

On Sunday, I went to the FamJam, as usual. My good friend Vanessa was in the area, and stopped by for a minute to collect some cash. We are working on a secret project that I won’t be able to reveal to you until the upcoming weekend has passed. It’s our (Babe+me, not Vanessa… Lol) one-year anniverary weekennnnnd! Ryan entertained me while we waited for everyone else to arrive and have lunch. The child is HILARIOUS. I don’t know how else to describe him.

What are your highlights from the weekend? Do you have any super-funny children in your life? Any one-liners you’d like to share?

Five Question Friday

Ok. I gotta make this one quick. Super busy, short day! This is happening often now, I know. Rushy, rushy, rushy. It’s just so BUSY right now. Wowzaaah!

1. What do you do when you are really upset to calm yourself down?

Hmmm… Cry, and shower. Run, cycle, or some other form of exercise.

2. Do you go all out for V-day or is it just another day?

Somewhere in between, I think. I don’t like to go all out when I’m concerned that the other person isn’t very into it. But I don’t want it to be just-another-day that just flies by with no recognition. I wanna do a lil something. Something nice, make us both happy, and very unique to (and perfect for) US. Not just a cookie-cutter fit-the-mold this-is-what-people-do-on-Valentine’s Day stuff. Screw the roses. How ’bout some gerbera daisies or lillies? And chocolate? Pssh. That’s a treat I’ll take/give ANY day.

3. Are you more or less productive when Hubs is away?

I don’t have a Hubs, but I have a Babe. I’m probably the same. If she’s ever away, we spend time text messaging/Skyping/emailing. If we can’t really be in touch, it could go either way. I may watch movies and read books, and I may get things done like writing. *shrugs*

4. What is your favorite time of day and why?

Morning. I love my drive to work. It’s pretty smooth with minimal traffic, but I have to travel a lot of looong roads, so it takes a while. Usually about 25 minutes to get there. It’s a little bit of ME time. I can clear my head, think, rock out in the car… Whatever. I also really like my evening/night shower. It’s awwwesommmmme. Hot water. Quiet. Dark. It’s the perfect way to release all of the everything of the day. Wash it all away, wipe it clean. It’s like a little bit of Sunday at the end of every day.

5. What is your go to karaoke song?

I would have to have a LOT of drinkage to do karaoke. LOL. I don’t have a go to song, and I have no idea what I would sing. I SOOO wanna do it though. It would have to be somewhere I’m visiting, where I have no concern about every seeing the people in attendance again. Lol.

As always, you can link up for Five Question Friday, or answer the questions in the comments.

If you haven’t already, read my guest post over at Victoria Writes.

Have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday: Guest Posting

Happy Thursday to you! Hope your week is going well, and you’ve found at least 3 good reasons to be thankful. Whether you’re thankful to God, the universe, a family member, a good friend, or just plain ol’ thankful, I hope you are. I’m thankful for love, blogging, and blog buddies.

I usually have a nice little list of things I’m thankful for. Not this week. And it’s not because I’m not thankful. I AM. For SO much. But it’s the week of looooove. I’m in love with the most amazing person in the world, and I’m sharing the short version of the story of us. To read the story, show some love to Victoria over at Victoria Writes. She’s a blog buddy of mine. We follow and comment on each other’s blog posts. And we’re both writers. She’s REALLY good. So when you hop over there to read my guest post, be sure to check out some of her posts. Spread the (blog) looooove!

To my regular blog readers: There’s a little (or big) surprise at the end of the guest post. I’ve been keeping the secret since Christmas day, and decided to unleash it and let it run free, but that’s where you have to go to find out the big (or little?) awesome secret!

Vix, thanks a mil for the opportunity to guest post. I know it’s not always easy to let someone else cook in your kitchen. I appreciate it. Much blog love to ya!

Wordless Wednesday: Lucky Lady

From Miami. Ma brought me two pairs of jeans and a pretty dress. Dad brought my requested 2 runner tanks and fitted athletic pants, toothpaste, and a devotional I'd ordered some time last year.

 

Writing + reading supplies - Notebook/Journal, pen, post-its, planner, multi-colour pen, whiteboard, dry erase markers, simple touch nook

 

Valentine’s Day lovin’! Babe got me a bag full of goodies that are awesommmmme. A coaster, a sticker, fun socks, havaiana flipflops, metallic pens (!!!), a very cool wallet I REALLY wanted (!!!), tea, tickets to Empty Bowls, movie vouchers (which we’ll use to see Hunger Games!), and a giant card, HANDWRITTEN! Love it!

 

Valentine's Day Dinner - Mushroom+cabbage topped steak, sweet potato mash, carrots, asparagus, and zucchini-squash medley

Valentine’s Day 2011

I went to work, as usual. Nothing special. I don’t remember whether or not flowers or other special treats were delivered to other people in the store. I probably didn’t notice. I didn’t care. Nothing had arrived for me. No one had thought of me.

I was dating someone, but he was on his way out. I was no longer interested. I’d lost interest shortly after Christmas. For some reason, I was very lazy about getting out of the relationship. I just made myself unavailable and become almost comatose. Unresponsive. He was just not the right person for me. He was nice enough, but it just didn’t work. We just didn’t click. He was quite happy, but me? No. He was busy. He worked, worked, worked. He had a child. I wasn’t really interested in step-mothering. His values were not in line with mine. Above all else was money. Becoming a millionaire. Like an obsession. I was appalled.

I met someone. I met her months before things started to really break down. She was a friend. Then, she became a really good friend. Soon enough, I was enamored. Now, don’t get the wrong idea. There was no rebound. There was no stealing. There was no plan. One thing just fell apart, and another came together.

One of the ladies in the front office came to my office carrying a little gift bag. In it was a bottle of tequila (*swoons*), two cupcakes, and a card. They were from her. It was Valentine’s Day. And she thought of me. Enough to pick out some of my favourite things. For me. I didn’t even want to eat the cupcakes. They were so pretty. And so special. She was so special. And she still is.

Later that night, he called.

“You ain’ even mention the flowers and shits what I sent you.”

I held the phone to my ear, waiting for the punchline.

Silence.

“What?”

“The shits what I send you. You ain’ say thanks or nuttin.”

“First of all, don’t swear at me. Secondly, what are you talking about? I got nothing from you.”

He seemed pretty surprise. Shocked, really. That I didn’t get “the shits” that he sent. It did not take long to realize what had happened.

“Stop jokin’! You ain’ get the stuff what I sen’? I sen’ it to Donald’s Furniture!”

“Um…” I stifled my laughter before saying, “I don’t work at Donald’s Furniture. I work at Roberts…”

I hope the “Alicia” at Donald’s Furniture enjoyed the flowers “and shits” sent by a man who was too busy trying to be a millionaire to pay attention to where THIS Alicia worked. I thoroughly enjoyed my cupcakes, loved the card, and still smile when I see the bottle of tequila in our kitchen that she and I only open for very special occasions. In ten days, we’ll be celebrating our first year together, so we’ll welcome Jose Cuervo – the only man allowed to live with us – to join us.

Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all! Wishing you lots of pretty flowers, yummy chocolate, presents in tiny boxes, and looove.

Got any good Valentine’s Day stories? Do tell!

Vix wrote and shared a good V-Day short story in this post. She has a V-Day theme going on this week, so keep checking it out. Especially on Thursday for my guest post with a surpriiiiise for yooou.

Weekend Recap

Another great weekend for me. Yay!

I don’t think anything out of the ordinary went on after work on Friday. Probably a movie?

Ahhh... The joy of being on an island that's just 21x7 miles

On Saturday morning, I got up at 6:15 and got dressed for my run. It was raaainiiiiing. I drove out to my run spot. It was raining there too. Lucky, smart me… I’d packed my nook, my writing journal (where I’m plotting out my novel), and a pen. I sat, looking at the beach in the rain, using what was before me as my muse. I read a little and wrote a little. It was quite a productive morning.

From there, I went to yoga class. My mum didn’t go because she had to be at work for noon, and she’s not able to do anything aside from get ready before she goes to work. Gotta preserve the strength in her legs. The class was good, though a little difficult uncomfortable due to the activity of my cycle. Ugh. Anyway, I did what I could. I really could have done more, but I don’t like feeling gross. I spoke to the instructor after the class, and she said my mum crossed her mind a few times during the week. Her husband is a chiropractor, and although she likes to keep their work separate, she spoke to him about her condition. He’s happy to give my mum a free consultation. It’s possible that he could help her in some way. I’m not too sure about it, but hey! It’s something to try. Mum seems up for it. We’ll see if we can get her an appointment this week. But listen… This yoga thing… I’m really liking it! So relaxing, yet awakening.

After chatting with others in the class, and the chat with the yoga instructor, I went to get breakfast for mother and me. From there, I went to pick her up for work. Once I dropped her off, I started setting plans in motion for the day.

Like my scarf? It's very necessary. Holds back my 1.2" of hair.

I made it a BEACH DAAAYYY. Yeah, it’s “winter,” but this is THE BAHAMAAAAAS! Let’s beach it up! Truth be told, the water was COLD. Hahaha. Two of my cousins joined Babe and I in sitting on the rocks (I admit it… I’m the one who insisted on sitting on rocks when there’s lots of sand) on the beach. We chatted, read on nooks (ok, only one of my cousins did this… She’s reading the The Hunger Games every chance she gets which is really only when she has access to our nooks), ate chips, and waited for the sun to come out. It really didn’t. On the contrary, dark clouds rolled in. At some point, I looked around and noticed that everyone else left the beach. We were the last four. Hahaha. We decided to leave and go get DAIQUIRIIIIIIIS!

On the way, I stopped to a book store. I’ve been searching for a good planner for months. I wanted needed one with space for notes on each day. This way, I could write in competitions (deadlines) as well as plan out (set deadlines for) my drafts. Of course, this also required one of those pens with 4 colours, so I got one of those too. Annnd a whiteboard to keep me on track at home, and extra dry erase markers. And little post-its. Yes. I am a stationary and school supply junkie. And I like being organized. I finally feel like this writing life is coming together. YAY, me! YAY, writing! All I need to do now is set up my writing corner, and order this. (Please feel free to suggest similar products. I’m not finding anything to even compare this thing with.) I’m excited about this.

Skip ahead to Sunday night. I haven’t watched the Grammy Awards in YEARS. I used to like it a lot, but in the past 10 years or so, it has just gone down. The show just sucks. BUT. The death of Whitney Houston and talk of tributes made me want to watch it. AND I wanted to see my girl, ADELE, take home all those well-deserved Grammys. Babe and I don’t have cable, so I called my sister to see if it would be okay for us to watch it there. Before I even got all of the words out of my mouth, she said she WILL be watching and that we should come over. She even said she had snacks, and she would buy wine if we wanted. I told her no, we’ll drink VitaMalt (which she always has) and eat popcorn. When Babe and I got there, both my sisters were there, my older brother, and two cousins (one was on the beach w/ us the day before). My niece was in the room doing homework, but she eventually came in the living room to watch with us. We had a nice little Grammy watching party. The end of my weekend.

Today has been good. I’ve been feeling good. It helped that this song (best part is the horns, and then :38 onward) played on my iPod this morning. *dances like in a basement dance party in the heart of Jamaica, swinging imaginary dreadlocks* Great energy for a Monday. WOO!

OH! Can’t forget that my dad brought me stuff from Miami. Running clooothes! WOO! And my nook cover (which I didn’t get yet). And Ma brought me stuff too. Pictures later. Maybe tomorrow, maybe Wednesday.

How was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting? What kind of start did your week get off to?