A little moment

Today I felt a bit overwhelmed and went out for a walk. My feet carried me to the Starbucks across the street. There were only 3 unoccupied seats. After I was seated for a few minutes a gentleman sat down in one of the other seats and made a phone call. He was calling a crisis hotline to tell them that this time of year was hard for him, he was bipolar and depressed, his medication was not working. He left them a number to call him back. A few minutes later I got up to leave and stole a glance at the young man who couldn’t have been more than 25 or 26 years old. He had his headphones on and was listening to music. My heart went out to him. I do hope he got a call back and that he was able to get the help he requested. My little situation definitely was not as overwhelming as his need.

Staying Healthy

  

I am very grateful that I am here communicating with you. Two days ago I began experiencing sharp pains in my arm and numb fingers. Yes, I instantly began praying that God would let me live to see my kids grow older and let me get gray with my love. A phone call and subsequent visit to my doctor calmed me down ( until I get the results from the x-rays tomorrow). I have let stress hijack my life but I am officially reclaiming my life.  

I am pescetarian and have been for the last 4 years. It all started off when I gave up meat simply because I didn't like it sticking in my teeth. Yes indeed, that was my original reason. I enjoy the occasional green cleanse, fruits, vegetables galore, salads and soba noodles. Working out for me entails at least 2000 steps (not enough I know) while at work, maybe 800 steps at home and Zumba classes once a week. My weight is in proportion to my height for a woman with definition but I could really tone that tummy up.

Yoga or Pilates look like they will be in my future and I'm thinking of adding a weekly Kick Boxing class. Now all I have to do is figure out when I'm going to fit those in between working, volunteering, family and down time. Oops, I guess down time is now exercise time. Wish me luck and stay healthy. It's less stressful!!

Memorable Moments

I have been very ho-hum recently about life. My steps felt a little heavier, pessimism was winning over optimism.  Who was this person?  Normally I am easy going, quick to laugh, mischievous, spontaneous, well adjusted being. Fast forward to last night. 

My teen daughter had commented earlier on in the week that we hadn't had our monthly dinner date sans the men in our lives.  I grudgingly agreed and then tried to reschedule. She was having none of it! "We're going out, we are chasing your grumpies away and I'm not taking no for an answer!" She said. I agreed then because I began thinking of the moments I would remember with her. 

She picked the restaurant ( a family favorite, Nava Thai), I made the reservation and last night I grabbed my wallet and off we went. We arrived to a cozy corner table and decided to start our evening off with Thai Ice tea for two.  Dinner included  some old favorites like Drunken Noodles, Srpring Rolls, Sticky Rice with Mango and new delights of Takoyaki with an octopus filling served steaming hot. 

We talked and laughed oblivious of the time about school, her life, relationships and my dreams for her. I learnt about what she thinks about in those quiet moments. My daughter is an amazing person and I am very proud of her. She is definitely more than I was at her age, wiser, smarter, more self assured and beautiful. I'm so glad she persuaded me to keep our date. Oh, we did take home some goodies for the boys:-)

Bittersweet Memories

Today would have been my parents 46th wedding anniversary! My heart was a bit heavy today because my dad passed away almost five months ago. Their relationship was affectionate so when she fussed at him or he pretended not to hear her we knew they loved each other. 

                             

                     This was the happy couple nine months before I came along.  

My dad loved cooking and we enjoyed listening to him sing all the current love songs, songs from his childhood all while preparing feasts that catered specifically to my mom. Many impromptu dance sessions occurred in our small kitchen with ten eyes watching the playful interactions. Their eyes saying many things I never fully understood until I got to experience love. 

His declining health brought many changes to their life and the roles became reversed. Mom now was the one who doted on him and it brings tears to my eyes when those grey eyes with blue flecks would light up when she walked into a room. 

When he passed away quite suddenly it was just him with mom, just like in the beginning. My parents taught my siblings and I many things about life and love but overcoming challenges with your love next to you is the best memory. My mom misses my dad more than she says and that's to be expected but more than anything she misses him telling her so himself. Happy Anniversary dad, we miss you too! 

Being Thankful

"Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else's fairy tale." Wale Ayeni

Recently I have been very reflective on this quote and in light of the multitude of events that have occurred over the last month, I have whole heartedly agreed. Life on the ground has gotten so constricting that I have been reaching upwards more then I normally do. 

Sunsets, sunrises, the way the light hits a changing leaf on a tree,driving through the park where the sunlight plays peekaboo with the tall trees, the butterfly that seems to alight on my shoulder when I step out my front door all bring a smile to my face and bring some tranquility to my day. 

                     

Talking to our children, one who is legally an adult and the other who wishes she was the adult, we share what we are grateful for. They are definitely thankful they have more options for play and schooling than we did and definitely not as much housework on Saturdays as we did but they are also mindful of how fortunate they are to have a parents who are supportive and can encourage them to be the great members of society. 

I am very grateful for the life that allows me to interact happily with people, supports my family, contribute to the economy, pushes me to grow - intellectually, creatively and spiritually, and for our parents who worked very hard to make sure we had a strong foundation. Can't forget to be thankful for being loved and for his heart, his love and his God loving being. 

I am thankful to God for every single one of my experiences because not only have I been shaped into the person that I am today but I have been fortunate to meet many inspirational people on my journey who challenge me to make a difference. Wish I could tell them all "Thank You" for keeping me humble and thankful. As I walk outside and glance at the sun going down, my mums glowing in the late afternoon shadow I smile because somewhere they know. 

Life, love, breath make me thankful. Oh, I almost forgot the beautiful beaches of my island home where I slip away daily in my dreams to rejuvenate my soul. The gentle waves caressing the shore and with the soothing breeze flirting with my lashes, I am thankful for another day.   You?

Reuniting over Brunch

We finally got to nail down a date for brunch after two years! Okay, before I continue let me share some history with you. I have been friends with these five women since we went to high school many moons ago and though we live within 30 minutes of each other we rarely get a chance to socialize except for the occasional function. Last year we almost had everyone together but stuff happened.

Fast forward to today and three of us from the group decided to meet at Chef Geoff's in Rockville for 11:30 and by 12 we were all together. The mimosas looked tempting so we ordered two mimosas and a cranberry and pineapple juice combo (one of us who will remain nameless didn't drink)  By the way, my brunch companions will be reading this. LOL! Food was delicious and being together was so invigorating.

We covered boot camp and zumba workouts, school reunions, GMO's, family and the funny and not so funny moments in life. There was a slight lull in the conversation and we glanced at our watches. Almost 3 o'clock and all the people we had put on "do not disturb" were texting. I am pretty sure if we did not get up from that table then we would still be there right now. How was your weekend?

The changing season

Feels like Fall is here and though I love wearing boots and a light jacket I am missing long days filled with sunshine, tee shirts, sandals and my glistening naturally bronzed skin.

My skin care is changing to a more emollient moisturizer for both day and night, my tried, true and updated Advanced Night Repair Serum from Estée Lauder, hydrating mask (Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask) and my favorite body balm from Jo Malone London (Vitamin E Body Balm).
My less tanned skin will be ensconced in rich, deep hues of purples ( Fall’s IT color) greens, reds, and gold tones. Top lipcolor on my list this year is the new formula from Giorgio Armani “Rouge Ecstasy” very hydrating and full bodied. Can’t decide whether I want to wear Diva, Red, Hot or Four Hundred.


Sounds like Fall is looking pretty good as long as the weather plays nicely:-) What are your favs for Fall?