After weeks of seeing my social media feeds being overwhelmed with stories of the latest officials jumping on the "Change the Name" bandwagon, I feel compelled to pull out my virtual soapbox for a moment.
First, let me say that this post is not about whether the Redskins should change their name - frankly, I've had enough of that conversation. What is of greater concern to me is the fact that while it's all fine and well to say you feel this way or that about offensive terms (racial or otherwise), our actions behind closed doors are what we really need to focus on changing.
Racism, hatred and even stereotypes are all learned beliefs and behaviors and more often than not, parents are the unwitting teachers. We take for granted that a child's young age or seemingly inattentive behavior means they aren't listening or don't comprehend what we're saying. Well, guess what? Not only are they listening, but they're learning, repeating and even demonstrating some of our most despicable and hateful behaviors and attitudes. Don't believe me? Well, why else would a child talk about how they "hate" any language other than English or state that a classmate is rich because they're a certain skin color? Sure, out of the mouths of children these things may sound harmless and you may even be inclined to say "Oh, they're so young...they just don't know any better." Trust me, their age has nothing to do with it. They think it's acceptable because that's how they're being raised!
My point is this - if you want to fix the vast number of injustices and prejudices happening in our great nation, then start by correcting your actions at home and be the true role model our children need. For those who don't have children, don't think you're excused. It takes a village to raise a child and a nation to heal it's own wounds. If you're not part of the solution....
Take care of yourselves and be nice to each other XO
La Nena
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Monday, January 21, 2013
Living It Up in 2013
Happy New Year!!!
OK, I know I'm a bit late, but between the holidays and battling a vicious cold epidemic in our area, I've been a little busy. So, here we are more than half way through the first month of 2013, can you believe it?!?
For those of you diligently sticking to your New Year's Resolutions, I applaud you! Personally, I've never bought in to the whole resolution thing. By now, I probably would have conceded defeat and resigned myself to trying again next year. Instead, I prefer to reflect on the lessons learned and celebrate the goals I achieved during the previous year. Now, you might think that being home for the past 9 months would mean that there wouldn't be that much for me to recall, but you'd be wrong! I'm not going to go through all of my events in 2012 - we don't have that kind of time and quite frankly, there are some moments that I'd rather not relive even in memory - instead, I'll share with you the 3 most important things I've learned (in no particular order.)
1. Live out your passion and you will find happiness - Yes, I sound like a fortune cookie, but truth is truth. I've been working since I was 16 years old and have done everything from retail sales to Veterinary Technician work. I dedicated myself to giving 100% to each and every task that I did, no matter how big or small (and trust me, this is hard to do this when your day includes cleaning out kennels and litter boxes.) My last job was an Administrative Assistant role and I was in it for almost 12 years...yes, 12 long and (for the last 3) miserable years. Did I love it? No. Was I good at it? Yes. Was I ever happy with it? To be honest, no, I was comfortable and since the majority of the other roles didn't appeal to me, I stayed. Since being freed of my corporate shackles (how's that for dramatic?!) I've been able to focus on pursuing my passions for owning my own business and creating fashion designs. I'm not delusional enough to think that I'm going to be some overnight success and I already know it's tough and takes A LOT of hard work to be a successful entrepreneur. Despite these harsh facts, I'm unbelievably happy about the path that I'm on and it shows in my voice, my attitude and my outlook on each day! You better believe I'm going to be sure to keep this going for 2013!!
2. Eliminate negativity - Life is too short to let negative influences or reminders weigh you down. I don't care if it's a person, place or thing - if it is not adding something positive to your life, then it must go! We've all had or maybe still have at least one friend or acquaintance who just never has anything good to say about anything. Or maybe there's an object in your home that serves as a reminder of a dark time in your past; whatever the case may be, it's time to let it all go. I know it's not easy...many things worth doing aren't. While Spring cleaning last year I came across a folder that I created when I was probably 11 or 12 years old. Inside were newspaper articles and poems I wrote in memory of friends who had taken their own lives or were severely troubled and considered a danger to themselves. Since I did not attend their funerals and knew that I would not be allowed to visit anyone in a troubled youth facility, this folder was my way of mourning. This may seem a bit strange to some of you, I know, but at the time it was almost therapeutic for me. At any rate, last Spring I decided it was finally time to toss the folder and the sadness associated with it, out of my life. It wasn't easy, but once I did it I literally felt at ease and sort of relieved to have lifted that spiritual weight off my shoulders. From that moment on, I decided to purge myself of anything or anyone that brings me down. As the saying goes, "Misery loves company" Well, Misery is not welcome here and if you catch her trying to creep in to your world, I suggest you slam the door shut and lock it tight!
3. Be the victor, not the victim - The first step in achieving your goals is to believe in yourself, if you can't do that, then don't even bother trying. Life is never perfect and some face more trials and tribulations than others, but how you react to it is what determines your victory or defeat. In my 20 years of employment, I've been laid off twice. Both times I've been able to use the opportunities to my benefit and pursue more satisfying endeavors. In fact, the first time it happened, I was fortunate enough to have a friend working at a staffing agency in the same office building, so that afternoon, after packing up my desk, I went straight to her office and helped out for the rest of the day. I mentioned earlier, that last year's lay off afforded me the opportunity to pursue my passions, but more importantly, it allowed me to spend some real quality time with my twins and get them prepared for going to school. These may not sound like tremendous victories to you, but the point is that I turned negative situations in to positive opportunities, instead of wallowing in self pity or claiming to be a victim of circumstance. I had no idea how things were going to work out then, nor do I know how they'll be this go around, but between my self confidence and the support of my family, there will be no "going gentle in to that good night"; I will forever rage on!
As I said, these are just a few of the lessons learned that I'll be practicing this year. What about you all? I would love to hear what you'll be doing differently this year to live a happier, more balanced life? Remember, knowledge is power, so don't be shy - share!
Until next time, be well & take care!
OK, I know I'm a bit late, but between the holidays and battling a vicious cold epidemic in our area, I've been a little busy. So, here we are more than half way through the first month of 2013, can you believe it?!?
For those of you diligently sticking to your New Year's Resolutions, I applaud you! Personally, I've never bought in to the whole resolution thing. By now, I probably would have conceded defeat and resigned myself to trying again next year. Instead, I prefer to reflect on the lessons learned and celebrate the goals I achieved during the previous year. Now, you might think that being home for the past 9 months would mean that there wouldn't be that much for me to recall, but you'd be wrong! I'm not going to go through all of my events in 2012 - we don't have that kind of time and quite frankly, there are some moments that I'd rather not relive even in memory - instead, I'll share with you the 3 most important things I've learned (in no particular order.)
1. Live out your passion and you will find happiness - Yes, I sound like a fortune cookie, but truth is truth. I've been working since I was 16 years old and have done everything from retail sales to Veterinary Technician work. I dedicated myself to giving 100% to each and every task that I did, no matter how big or small (and trust me, this is hard to do this when your day includes cleaning out kennels and litter boxes.) My last job was an Administrative Assistant role and I was in it for almost 12 years...yes, 12 long and (for the last 3) miserable years. Did I love it? No. Was I good at it? Yes. Was I ever happy with it? To be honest, no, I was comfortable and since the majority of the other roles didn't appeal to me, I stayed. Since being freed of my corporate shackles (how's that for dramatic?!) I've been able to focus on pursuing my passions for owning my own business and creating fashion designs. I'm not delusional enough to think that I'm going to be some overnight success and I already know it's tough and takes A LOT of hard work to be a successful entrepreneur. Despite these harsh facts, I'm unbelievably happy about the path that I'm on and it shows in my voice, my attitude and my outlook on each day! You better believe I'm going to be sure to keep this going for 2013!!
2. Eliminate negativity - Life is too short to let negative influences or reminders weigh you down. I don't care if it's a person, place or thing - if it is not adding something positive to your life, then it must go! We've all had or maybe still have at least one friend or acquaintance who just never has anything good to say about anything. Or maybe there's an object in your home that serves as a reminder of a dark time in your past; whatever the case may be, it's time to let it all go. I know it's not easy...many things worth doing aren't. While Spring cleaning last year I came across a folder that I created when I was probably 11 or 12 years old. Inside were newspaper articles and poems I wrote in memory of friends who had taken their own lives or were severely troubled and considered a danger to themselves. Since I did not attend their funerals and knew that I would not be allowed to visit anyone in a troubled youth facility, this folder was my way of mourning. This may seem a bit strange to some of you, I know, but at the time it was almost therapeutic for me. At any rate, last Spring I decided it was finally time to toss the folder and the sadness associated with it, out of my life. It wasn't easy, but once I did it I literally felt at ease and sort of relieved to have lifted that spiritual weight off my shoulders. From that moment on, I decided to purge myself of anything or anyone that brings me down. As the saying goes, "Misery loves company" Well, Misery is not welcome here and if you catch her trying to creep in to your world, I suggest you slam the door shut and lock it tight!
3. Be the victor, not the victim - The first step in achieving your goals is to believe in yourself, if you can't do that, then don't even bother trying. Life is never perfect and some face more trials and tribulations than others, but how you react to it is what determines your victory or defeat. In my 20 years of employment, I've been laid off twice. Both times I've been able to use the opportunities to my benefit and pursue more satisfying endeavors. In fact, the first time it happened, I was fortunate enough to have a friend working at a staffing agency in the same office building, so that afternoon, after packing up my desk, I went straight to her office and helped out for the rest of the day. I mentioned earlier, that last year's lay off afforded me the opportunity to pursue my passions, but more importantly, it allowed me to spend some real quality time with my twins and get them prepared for going to school. These may not sound like tremendous victories to you, but the point is that I turned negative situations in to positive opportunities, instead of wallowing in self pity or claiming to be a victim of circumstance. I had no idea how things were going to work out then, nor do I know how they'll be this go around, but between my self confidence and the support of my family, there will be no "going gentle in to that good night"; I will forever rage on!
As I said, these are just a few of the lessons learned that I'll be practicing this year. What about you all? I would love to hear what you'll be doing differently this year to live a happier, more balanced life? Remember, knowledge is power, so don't be shy - share!
Until next time, be well & take care!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Career vs Family - How Do You Choose?
Recently, I've been having a lot of conversations with women who are struggling with the all too familiar dilemma of choosing between careers and family. Given my current status, I'm sure they expected me to be biased on this issue, but I'm not. During the past 8 months, I've learned that staying home is not for everyone.
Most people think this is a black & white type of decision - meaning, either you want to work or you don't. Well, surprise, surprise - it's not quite so cut and dry. One thing you may not realize is that there is an incredible amount of pressure and fear involved with making such a life altering decision. Just think - would it be easy for you to place your families' livelihood solely on your partner's shoulders? Are you really ready to make some serious personal sacrifices (goodbye name brand products & clothing, hello clearance racks & bargain bins). Sure, it doesn't sound horrible when you're reading it here, but believe me, it's tough!
For some, there is a greater concern of choosing between losing their identity or being viewed as abandoning their family should they decide to continue working. I have to admit, I was really surprised by the number of women who've said they feel as though their career is the last remaining hope to being identified as an individual and not "just Mom" or "So-and-so's spouse" . I know, I know - in these tough economic times, how can anyone judge an individual for continuing to work after becoming a parent? We all know children are NOT cheap, especially, if you plan to allow them to have a good, quality education. The fact of the matter is, no matter how advanced our society becomes there will always be "old school" expectations placed (predominantly) on women when it comes to raising children.
So, what's my advice for working through all of this? First and foremost, be honest with yourself about where your heart truly lies. Listen, deep down we already know what we want in most situations, but are usually too afraid to accept or voice our choices for fear of judgement. Your decision in this situation could call for some serious preparation, so time is of the essence - don't waste it fighting with yourself. That being said, if you are on a career path that you simply cannot walk away from, then by all means, continue working and be happy about it! Trust me, your family will benefit far more from a content, working parent than a miserable, stay home one. Next, have an open and honest discussion with your partner/spouse about your fears or concerns....ALL of them. My husband was actually a bit surprised to hear that he was one of my biggest concerns when deciding whether or not to seek a new corporate role. My fear was that he could resent me for causing him additional stress about our finances, if I chose to remain at home. In fact, my concerns over these pressures are exactly why I opened my DeSadas Style shop on Cafepress (which, by the way, you can check out here or "like" on Facebook here) and I began seeking freelance opportunities. Lastly, for those whom are concerned about losing their identity...I don't know how to say this delicately, so I won't - if you choose to peak out at this point in your life and become "just (insert title/role here)" well, that's on you. Personally, I don't understand how anyone could allow this to happen, but who am I to judge anyone? What I can tell you is that I was raised with the belief that you should always be striving for growth at every stage of your life. If you feel that you HAVE to choose to place your drive or ambitions aside for the sake of caring for your family, then let me remind you that your family will benefit far more from a content, passionate individual than a miserable one.
Until next time, my friends...
Be well & take care!
Most people think this is a black & white type of decision - meaning, either you want to work or you don't. Well, surprise, surprise - it's not quite so cut and dry. One thing you may not realize is that there is an incredible amount of pressure and fear involved with making such a life altering decision. Just think - would it be easy for you to place your families' livelihood solely on your partner's shoulders? Are you really ready to make some serious personal sacrifices (goodbye name brand products & clothing, hello clearance racks & bargain bins). Sure, it doesn't sound horrible when you're reading it here, but believe me, it's tough!
For some, there is a greater concern of choosing between losing their identity or being viewed as abandoning their family should they decide to continue working. I have to admit, I was really surprised by the number of women who've said they feel as though their career is the last remaining hope to being identified as an individual and not "just Mom" or "So-and-so's spouse" . I know, I know - in these tough economic times, how can anyone judge an individual for continuing to work after becoming a parent? We all know children are NOT cheap, especially, if you plan to allow them to have a good, quality education. The fact of the matter is, no matter how advanced our society becomes there will always be "old school" expectations placed (predominantly) on women when it comes to raising children.
So, what's my advice for working through all of this? First and foremost, be honest with yourself about where your heart truly lies. Listen, deep down we already know what we want in most situations, but are usually too afraid to accept or voice our choices for fear of judgement. Your decision in this situation could call for some serious preparation, so time is of the essence - don't waste it fighting with yourself. That being said, if you are on a career path that you simply cannot walk away from, then by all means, continue working and be happy about it! Trust me, your family will benefit far more from a content, working parent than a miserable, stay home one. Next, have an open and honest discussion with your partner/spouse about your fears or concerns....ALL of them. My husband was actually a bit surprised to hear that he was one of my biggest concerns when deciding whether or not to seek a new corporate role. My fear was that he could resent me for causing him additional stress about our finances, if I chose to remain at home. In fact, my concerns over these pressures are exactly why I opened my DeSadas Style shop on Cafepress (which, by the way, you can check out here or "like" on Facebook here) and I began seeking freelance opportunities. Lastly, for those whom are concerned about losing their identity...I don't know how to say this delicately, so I won't - if you choose to peak out at this point in your life and become "just (insert title/role here)" well, that's on you. Personally, I don't understand how anyone could allow this to happen, but who am I to judge anyone? What I can tell you is that I was raised with the belief that you should always be striving for growth at every stage of your life. If you feel that you HAVE to choose to place your drive or ambitions aside for the sake of caring for your family, then let me remind you that your family will benefit far more from a content, passionate individual than a miserable one.
Until next time, my friends...
Be well & take care!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thankful For Everything...Even Me!
The Thanksgiving holiday has come to an end and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! My home was filled with the lively sound of latin music, the rich smells of a wonderful feast, and joyous roars of love and laughter...it was FANTASTIC!! Every day, I am grateful to have the unconditional love and support I receive from my husband and the twinks. I am also fortunate to have family and friends that accept and love me as I am. What I am especially thankful this year to have discovered a new level of inner strength and belief in myself. Yes, I know it's a bit narcissistic, but it's true.
In my earlier posts, I commented on how the first portion of this year was rough and, to be honest, there were many times I almost gave up on any hope. All of this began to change when I decided to be responsible for my own happiness by pursuing my dreams and having faith in my abilities to make them come true. Because of this simple action, I can tell you that today I am happier and more fulfilled than I have been in a very long time! Furthermore, I believe that this new found "power" is helping me to become a better wife, mother and friend...who doesn't want that?!?
I've said it before and I'll say it again - If there is a dream you want to pursue, DO IT! We have but one life to live, my friends, and it's too short to waste our time and energy on things (or people) that do not fulfill us. Now is the time to make a plan, believe in yourself and march on! For those that are already happy where they're at, I applaud you and wish you continued joy and success!
In my earlier posts, I commented on how the first portion of this year was rough and, to be honest, there were many times I almost gave up on any hope. All of this began to change when I decided to be responsible for my own happiness by pursuing my dreams and having faith in my abilities to make them come true. Because of this simple action, I can tell you that today I am happier and more fulfilled than I have been in a very long time! Furthermore, I believe that this new found "power" is helping me to become a better wife, mother and friend...who doesn't want that?!?
I've said it before and I'll say it again - If there is a dream you want to pursue, DO IT! We have but one life to live, my friends, and it's too short to waste our time and energy on things (or people) that do not fulfill us. Now is the time to make a plan, believe in yourself and march on! For those that are already happy where they're at, I applaud you and wish you continued joy and success!
That being said, I will leave you with a few photos of my Thanksgiving and I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday weekend full of good food, great people and making memories that last a lifetime!
Travel safe & be well my friends!
 |
| No, I did NOT burn the bird! That's just how the sauce looks! |
My non-traditional centerpiece
 |
| Thing 1 having some fun! |
 |
| Thing 2 was so full of love & happiness! |
Monday, October 8, 2012
My Rock Star Life
By now, most of you know that I am a "Rock Star's wife" because I'm married to a musician. Some of you may know what this lifestyle is like, but for those that don't allow me to give you an idea of how crazy this life can be.
In the local scene, my husband is known as Dizzy and if you've seen him perform, you know that he enjoys living up to this name! He can get so charged up during a performance that he literally spins around on stage! His genre of choice is metal and the bands he's played in have performed all over the DMV. Many people find it hard to believe that not only am I married to this "crazy" metalhead, but I actually enjoy being at his shows and I'm a bit of a metalhead, too! For some reason it's still shocks a few people that I'm a Black woman who's in to metal...you'd think by 2012 we'd be well beyond such racial boundaries, but apparently not. Oh well, moving on. When I first met Dizzy, he was so heavily involved in music that I knew in order to be in a relationship with him, I had to be willing to accept his "other woman". I affectionately call her, Mistress Music. Mistress Music can be a relentless beast with a never-ending hunger and if she's not happy, then your musician isn't happy. No, really - if the music isn't coming out the way he envisions it, it's often best to steer clear of the hubs for a little while and let his frustration at not being able to heed the Mistress' call pass. Remember, musicians are passionate, emotional beings and though not all get to make it big in the music industry, every song and every performance is often done as if it's going to be their breakout hit.
As his girlfriend, and now his wife, I have always understood that the relationship between Dizzy and the Mistress will at times take precedence in our lives. Between recording commitments, band practices, shows and holding down a regular job, making time for the family might seem next to impossible. This is where I come in. Like many wives, I do my best to make sure that my family is happy, healthy, etc. and we all know it's never easy, but when you add in balancing all his band stuff, you can imagine how my life goes from hectic to crazy FAST! Furthermore, as a Rock Star's wife I also have to accept that sometimes the band commitments may have to come first and, to put it bluntly, sacrifices must be made all in the name of pursuing a passion. I think it goes without saying that our biggest sacrifice is our alone time. For example, most Friday nights typically belong to band practice and a couple times a month Date Night is spent hanging out at whatever bar or club the guys are playing at. If they're headlining, it means they're closing the show and my night doesn't end until some unearthly hour the next day! In fact, this just happened to us last month. Silence the Blind (hub's band) just had their last show of 2012 at the end of September and for us it was a 23 hour day. You read that right - a 23 HOUR DAY! The show was on a Friday night, but we still had our regular responsibilities of kids and work fulfill. So, just like any other day, we were up at 5am, went through our regular routines, I added in dropping the kids off at Grandma's for the night, so I could go to the show and we were home by 3am. You might think it's over once you arrive home, but you'd be wrong - we still had to unload some of his equipment and shower (metal musicians are sweaty beasts after a performance - no way do you want all that nastiness in your bed!) So, sleep was not a possibility until 4am Saturday! Sure, it's brutal and by no means glamourous, but in my opinion, this is a small price to pay for my husband's happiness and since it doesn't happen on a regular basis, it's really not that bad. The real bonus for me is that I get the opportunity to see my husband do what he loves most! Is there anything better than that?!?! This, my friends, is why I go to every show that I can. Most of the time, you'll find me right in front of the stage, cheering him on and snapping pictures like I'm the paparazzi! The times that I can't be there are tough, but it usually means the super powers of Dr. Mom are needed at home and you all know how I much I care about my little Twinkies.
Some people have praised me for being a good wife, who "allows" her husband to live out his dreams of rock stardom, but that's not how I see things at all. I am merely a woman who fell in love with a man, who was already in love with Mistress Music. I support my husband's passion with the same intensity and devotion that he supports mine...and that is what it takes to be a Rock Star's wife...
Until next time - be well, support local music & ROCK ON!
In the local scene, my husband is known as Dizzy and if you've seen him perform, you know that he enjoys living up to this name! He can get so charged up during a performance that he literally spins around on stage! His genre of choice is metal and the bands he's played in have performed all over the DMV. Many people find it hard to believe that not only am I married to this "crazy" metalhead, but I actually enjoy being at his shows and I'm a bit of a metalhead, too! For some reason it's still shocks a few people that I'm a Black woman who's in to metal...you'd think by 2012 we'd be well beyond such racial boundaries, but apparently not. Oh well, moving on. When I first met Dizzy, he was so heavily involved in music that I knew in order to be in a relationship with him, I had to be willing to accept his "other woman". I affectionately call her, Mistress Music. Mistress Music can be a relentless beast with a never-ending hunger and if she's not happy, then your musician isn't happy. No, really - if the music isn't coming out the way he envisions it, it's often best to steer clear of the hubs for a little while and let his frustration at not being able to heed the Mistress' call pass. Remember, musicians are passionate, emotional beings and though not all get to make it big in the music industry, every song and every performance is often done as if it's going to be their breakout hit.
As his girlfriend, and now his wife, I have always understood that the relationship between Dizzy and the Mistress will at times take precedence in our lives. Between recording commitments, band practices, shows and holding down a regular job, making time for the family might seem next to impossible. This is where I come in. Like many wives, I do my best to make sure that my family is happy, healthy, etc. and we all know it's never easy, but when you add in balancing all his band stuff, you can imagine how my life goes from hectic to crazy FAST! Furthermore, as a Rock Star's wife I also have to accept that sometimes the band commitments may have to come first and, to put it bluntly, sacrifices must be made all in the name of pursuing a passion. I think it goes without saying that our biggest sacrifice is our alone time. For example, most Friday nights typically belong to band practice and a couple times a month Date Night is spent hanging out at whatever bar or club the guys are playing at. If they're headlining, it means they're closing the show and my night doesn't end until some unearthly hour the next day! In fact, this just happened to us last month. Silence the Blind (hub's band) just had their last show of 2012 at the end of September and for us it was a 23 hour day. You read that right - a 23 HOUR DAY! The show was on a Friday night, but we still had our regular responsibilities of kids and work fulfill. So, just like any other day, we were up at 5am, went through our regular routines, I added in dropping the kids off at Grandma's for the night, so I could go to the show and we were home by 3am. You might think it's over once you arrive home, but you'd be wrong - we still had to unload some of his equipment and shower (metal musicians are sweaty beasts after a performance - no way do you want all that nastiness in your bed!) So, sleep was not a possibility until 4am Saturday! Sure, it's brutal and by no means glamourous, but in my opinion, this is a small price to pay for my husband's happiness and since it doesn't happen on a regular basis, it's really not that bad. The real bonus for me is that I get the opportunity to see my husband do what he loves most! Is there anything better than that?!?! This, my friends, is why I go to every show that I can. Most of the time, you'll find me right in front of the stage, cheering him on and snapping pictures like I'm the paparazzi! The times that I can't be there are tough, but it usually means the super powers of Dr. Mom are needed at home and you all know how I much I care about my little Twinkies.
Some people have praised me for being a good wife, who "allows" her husband to live out his dreams of rock stardom, but that's not how I see things at all. I am merely a woman who fell in love with a man, who was already in love with Mistress Music. I support my husband's passion with the same intensity and devotion that he supports mine...and that is what it takes to be a Rock Star's wife...
Until next time - be well, support local music & ROCK ON!
Click here to check out Silence the Blind on Facebook!
Get Mistress Music gear, like Dizzy's t-shirt, here!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Our Super Summer Vacation - Part 2
I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of our family vacation. If you're a little behind, no worries, you can scroll down to the Archives (on the lower right hand side) and catch up. Now let's jump in to the second part of our trip!
As I mentioned before, Ocean City has one of the best boardwalks in America and no trip is ever complete without having at least one leisurely stroll down it and we were lucky enough to have time for two! With carnival games, rides, all kinds of t-shirt and boutique shops, not to mention candy stores and even sidewalk performers, you can almost be overwhelmed by the boardwalk experience, but it is so worth it. At night, I find all the lights, smells and sounds to be almost intoxicating. They can make you feel like a kid in a candy store and you literally don't know what you want to do first. That being said, I suggest you plan ahead for how much money you want to spend there, because you'll be surprised how quickly you'll have spent a small fortune.
Our first trip down was on Tuesday night and it was magical! We made a quick stop for ice cream and then headed straight to Trimper's Rides/Amusements. Trimper's area is closer to the main road than the beach and they have great rides for the younger/smaller kids. We've been to Trimper's before and the twins always have a great time on the rides, but I think this visit was their best one yet! Why? Because this time they got to go on their first roller coaster with their Papi! Yes, my metalhead man proudly stepped up (without hesitation, I might add) to the challenge of riding the Wiggly Worm roller coaster with his kids! Watching the three of them whip through the small twists, turns and even a small drop, warmed my heart and will live with me forever. Once we had our fill of the rides, we headed over to the beach side of the boardwalk for a planned beach event. This year, Ocean City has fireworks on the beach every Tuesday night at 10pm for the entire summer (final show will be Sunday, September 2nd). As Thing 1 & Thing 2 have never seen them before, I thought this would be a great first experience! Personally, I can get lost in those colorful explosions for hours, but this time I could barely focus on them. I was too busy being completely enamored with the look of pure joy on my kids' faces. With each explosion they would giggle and squeal with delight, while shouting for us to look at how much bigger and brighter each new explosion was compared to the last! Their smiles were so infectious that I couldn't help but join in their happiness and by the time the approximately 15 - 20 minute display was done my whole face was sore! I could have lived in that moment forever and I'm so grateful to have been able to give my children such a beautiful memory that will hopefully last a lifetime! If you've never had the chance to see fireworks on the beach, I highly recommend it! I mean, really, everything is just better at the beach, right?!
Our second trip to the boardwalk was all about the rides and yours truly even got in on the action - sort of! This time we went to the Jolly Roger Amusement Park side. Much like Trimper's, Jolly Roger has lots of fun rides for kids of all ages and this time Hubs went on a couple of rides by himself. As for me, there was only one ride I was interested in going on - the Ferris Wheel! The Ferris Wheel is reported to be the largest one in Ocean City and I believe it's probably one of the most popular attractions. During the day, you get a magnificent view of the beach and the inlet. At night, there's nothing but lights as far as the eye can see - car headlights, venue lights, the boardwalk lit up bright enough to almost make it look like it's daytime - all of it is truly breathtaking. Needless to say, my favorite time to ride is the nighttime. So, after some serious convincing (it's not really hubby's favorite thing to do) and impatiently waiting in line, we finally had our turn on the Ferris Wheel! It was awesome! We laughed, talked and for the 15 minutes or so that we were on that ride, it was like the rest of the world disappeared...that, my friends, is why I prefer riding at night (peaceful sigh.)
Sadly, our last day came all too quickly and as we travelled down Coastal Highway to head out of town, we decided to make one last stop for family fun at a great indoor/outdoor miniature golf place called Old Pro Golf. Old Pro Golf has 3 locations in Ocean City and they each have a different theme. We chose the one on 68th Street because of it's indoor/outdoor feature. OK, I'll be honest - the dinosaurs on the outdoor course were just too cool for me to pass up! The indoor course was equally impressive with an "Under the Sea Adventure" theme. Both courses appeared to offer nice challenges for my little golfers, but since it was our last morning to soak in the ocean breeze, we decided to play outside. The kids would pretend that the dino and caveman sculptures were real and that they were trying to eat our golf balls! My husband and my son, both, got a hole-in-one, my daughter came very close and I actually came in last place, but none of us really cared - we were just happy that we did it together. Interestingly enough, that is the one thing all of us came home talking about - how great it was to spend so much time together.
If nothing else this vacation reminded me of the importance of not taking my family for granted and to make every moment together count. Sure, it sounds simple, but we all know it's not. Between smartphones, tablets and all other forms of portable technology we've become overly accessible to everyone. I advise you all to remember to unplug every once in a while and give your loved ones your full undivided attention...especially when you're on vacation! On that note, I'll bid you farewell for now and leave with a few pictures of our time at Old Pro Golf. Enjoy!
As I mentioned before, Ocean City has one of the best boardwalks in America and no trip is ever complete without having at least one leisurely stroll down it and we were lucky enough to have time for two! With carnival games, rides, all kinds of t-shirt and boutique shops, not to mention candy stores and even sidewalk performers, you can almost be overwhelmed by the boardwalk experience, but it is so worth it. At night, I find all the lights, smells and sounds to be almost intoxicating. They can make you feel like a kid in a candy store and you literally don't know what you want to do first. That being said, I suggest you plan ahead for how much money you want to spend there, because you'll be surprised how quickly you'll have spent a small fortune.
Our first trip down was on Tuesday night and it was magical! We made a quick stop for ice cream and then headed straight to Trimper's Rides/Amusements. Trimper's area is closer to the main road than the beach and they have great rides for the younger/smaller kids. We've been to Trimper's before and the twins always have a great time on the rides, but I think this visit was their best one yet! Why? Because this time they got to go on their first roller coaster with their Papi! Yes, my metalhead man proudly stepped up (without hesitation, I might add) to the challenge of riding the Wiggly Worm roller coaster with his kids! Watching the three of them whip through the small twists, turns and even a small drop, warmed my heart and will live with me forever. Once we had our fill of the rides, we headed over to the beach side of the boardwalk for a planned beach event. This year, Ocean City has fireworks on the beach every Tuesday night at 10pm for the entire summer (final show will be Sunday, September 2nd). As Thing 1 & Thing 2 have never seen them before, I thought this would be a great first experience! Personally, I can get lost in those colorful explosions for hours, but this time I could barely focus on them. I was too busy being completely enamored with the look of pure joy on my kids' faces. With each explosion they would giggle and squeal with delight, while shouting for us to look at how much bigger and brighter each new explosion was compared to the last! Their smiles were so infectious that I couldn't help but join in their happiness and by the time the approximately 15 - 20 minute display was done my whole face was sore! I could have lived in that moment forever and I'm so grateful to have been able to give my children such a beautiful memory that will hopefully last a lifetime! If you've never had the chance to see fireworks on the beach, I highly recommend it! I mean, really, everything is just better at the beach, right?!
Our second trip to the boardwalk was all about the rides and yours truly even got in on the action - sort of! This time we went to the Jolly Roger Amusement Park side. Much like Trimper's, Jolly Roger has lots of fun rides for kids of all ages and this time Hubs went on a couple of rides by himself. As for me, there was only one ride I was interested in going on - the Ferris Wheel! The Ferris Wheel is reported to be the largest one in Ocean City and I believe it's probably one of the most popular attractions. During the day, you get a magnificent view of the beach and the inlet. At night, there's nothing but lights as far as the eye can see - car headlights, venue lights, the boardwalk lit up bright enough to almost make it look like it's daytime - all of it is truly breathtaking. Needless to say, my favorite time to ride is the nighttime. So, after some serious convincing (it's not really hubby's favorite thing to do) and impatiently waiting in line, we finally had our turn on the Ferris Wheel! It was awesome! We laughed, talked and for the 15 minutes or so that we were on that ride, it was like the rest of the world disappeared...that, my friends, is why I prefer riding at night (peaceful sigh.)
Sadly, our last day came all too quickly and as we travelled down Coastal Highway to head out of town, we decided to make one last stop for family fun at a great indoor/outdoor miniature golf place called Old Pro Golf. Old Pro Golf has 3 locations in Ocean City and they each have a different theme. We chose the one on 68th Street because of it's indoor/outdoor feature. OK, I'll be honest - the dinosaurs on the outdoor course were just too cool for me to pass up! The indoor course was equally impressive with an "Under the Sea Adventure" theme. Both courses appeared to offer nice challenges for my little golfers, but since it was our last morning to soak in the ocean breeze, we decided to play outside. The kids would pretend that the dino and caveman sculptures were real and that they were trying to eat our golf balls! My husband and my son, both, got a hole-in-one, my daughter came very close and I actually came in last place, but none of us really cared - we were just happy that we did it together. Interestingly enough, that is the one thing all of us came home talking about - how great it was to spend so much time together.
If nothing else this vacation reminded me of the importance of not taking my family for granted and to make every moment together count. Sure, it sounds simple, but we all know it's not. Between smartphones, tablets and all other forms of portable technology we've become overly accessible to everyone. I advise you all to remember to unplug every once in a while and give your loved ones your full undivided attention...especially when you're on vacation! On that note, I'll bid you farewell for now and leave with a few pictures of our time at Old Pro Golf. Enjoy!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Our Super Summer Vacation - Part 1
Can you believe the summer is almost over?! The only thing keeping me from the brink of depression is knowing that football season is right around the corner! But, that's a post for another time. Today I want to tell you about the wonderful family vacation we had in Ocean City, MD. In fact, we had such a great time that I'm giving you two posts about it! In my opinion, Ocean City is one of the best vacation destinations in the DMV (metropolitan area comprised of DC, Maryland, Virginia). With 10 miles of free access beaches and a boardwalk that is recognized as one of the best boardwalks in America (see for yourself here), it offers something for everyone!
As I told you in my last post (Freedom is Beautiful) things have been a little crazy & very busy for me and my family, so we were more than ready for this vacation. Of course, in true rockstar style, my husband had a show the night before we left. I do NOT advise this for anyone! It is pure craziness to be out until almost one o'clock in the morning, knowing very well that the next day you're going to be trapped in the car for a minimum of 3 hours with TWO 5 year olds that must be entertained at all times - even the portable DVD system can't hold their attention very long. Truthfully, we were so anxious to get out of town that the show was a bit of a blur and we didn't really allow fatigue to set in until we got in to our hotel room. Ahhhh - our hotel room....correction - our oceanfront hotel room! This year, we stayed at The Carousel Hotel, which is about a 15 minute drive from the boardwalk. This was our second stay at The Carousel, but our first time in an oceanfront room and let me tell you, waking up to this sight every day was spectacular!!!
As for the hotel, while it's not a luxury resort type of place, it is very family-friendly with a bounce house for the kids, indoor & outdoor pools, an onsite restaurant and even an ice rink which features nightly performances by a female dance team that you can view for free! I know some people may not care about all that since, you know, you're at the beach and all, but it is nice to have these amenities whether you use them or not. Now, if you ever decide to stay at The Carousel, I have two pieces of advice:
1. Splurge for the oceanfront room (check for specials before booking)
2. Ask for a room on the 3rd or 4th floor
The 4th floor has the best view and you shouldn't hear too much noise from the outdoor pool/patio bar area, but know that their check-in is a first come, first served style, it's good idea to be patient and keep your options in mind.
We stayed for 5 fun-filled days / 4 glorious nights and had the time of our lives!!! Most mornings we admired the sunrise and had breakfast in our room. That's right, I went in to full Domestic Diva mode and made enough breakfast food for the whole week - pancakes for everyone! The first two days we were complete beach bums - out on the sand by no later than 9:30am and we didn't leave until we were hungry enough for dinner! Sadly, our sunscreen didn't have the same staying power and we all got a little burned, but we still had a GLORIOUS time! The twinks were ridiculously happy making sand castles and playing in the surf and we all had a blast watching my rockin' hubby be thrown around, sometimes quite viciously, by 3-4 ft waves. I remember thinking to myself a number of times, "Life doesn't get any better than this!" I mostly waded in the water, so I could keep a close eye on Thing 1 & Thing 2 (you guys are used to all my nicknames for the twins by now, right?) And, I have to tell you, I think I must have been a mermaid in a past life because I am never more at peace than when I'm in ocean. Speaking of peaceful, I can't tell you how nice it was to spend so much time disconnected from all of our electronic devices. I mean, we had our cell phones in case of emergencies but other than that we allowed ourselves to be unplugged from our social networking accounts and to my delight, my mister didn't bring his company cell phone nor his computer. For the first time in a long time, we truly enjoyed each others company, gave each other our full undivided attention and just lived in the moment. I advise all of you to do this as much as possible and see if it doesn't vastly improve not only your relationship, but also the quality of your "Family Time". At nighttime we came alive and ventured out to the boardwalk for some family fun, but we'll talk about that next time. For dinner we ate in the hotel restaurant and checked out a couple of the local restaurants. Before I tell you about that though, I have to say, for me the best meal of the day was lunch. All we ate were simple sandwiches and hot dogs, but the scenery and the atmosphere....well, I think we can all agree that nothing can compare to having a picnic on the beach! Who couldn't look at this all day?!?
Until next time my friends!
As I told you in my last post (Freedom is Beautiful) things have been a little crazy & very busy for me and my family, so we were more than ready for this vacation. Of course, in true rockstar style, my husband had a show the night before we left. I do NOT advise this for anyone! It is pure craziness to be out until almost one o'clock in the morning, knowing very well that the next day you're going to be trapped in the car for a minimum of 3 hours with TWO 5 year olds that must be entertained at all times - even the portable DVD system can't hold their attention very long. Truthfully, we were so anxious to get out of town that the show was a bit of a blur and we didn't really allow fatigue to set in until we got in to our hotel room. Ahhhh - our hotel room....correction - our oceanfront hotel room! This year, we stayed at The Carousel Hotel, which is about a 15 minute drive from the boardwalk. This was our second stay at The Carousel, but our first time in an oceanfront room and let me tell you, waking up to this sight every day was spectacular!!!
As for the hotel, while it's not a luxury resort type of place, it is very family-friendly with a bounce house for the kids, indoor & outdoor pools, an onsite restaurant and even an ice rink which features nightly performances by a female dance team that you can view for free! I know some people may not care about all that since, you know, you're at the beach and all, but it is nice to have these amenities whether you use them or not. Now, if you ever decide to stay at The Carousel, I have two pieces of advice:
1. Splurge for the oceanfront room (check for specials before booking)
2. Ask for a room on the 3rd or 4th floor
The 4th floor has the best view and you shouldn't hear too much noise from the outdoor pool/patio bar area, but know that their check-in is a first come, first served style, it's good idea to be patient and keep your options in mind.
We stayed for 5 fun-filled days / 4 glorious nights and had the time of our lives!!! Most mornings we admired the sunrise and had breakfast in our room. That's right, I went in to full Domestic Diva mode and made enough breakfast food for the whole week - pancakes for everyone! The first two days we were complete beach bums - out on the sand by no later than 9:30am and we didn't leave until we were hungry enough for dinner! Sadly, our sunscreen didn't have the same staying power and we all got a little burned, but we still had a GLORIOUS time! The twinks were ridiculously happy making sand castles and playing in the surf and we all had a blast watching my rockin' hubby be thrown around, sometimes quite viciously, by 3-4 ft waves. I remember thinking to myself a number of times, "Life doesn't get any better than this!" I mostly waded in the water, so I could keep a close eye on Thing 1 & Thing 2 (you guys are used to all my nicknames for the twins by now, right?) And, I have to tell you, I think I must have been a mermaid in a past life because I am never more at peace than when I'm in ocean. Speaking of peaceful, I can't tell you how nice it was to spend so much time disconnected from all of our electronic devices. I mean, we had our cell phones in case of emergencies but other than that we allowed ourselves to be unplugged from our social networking accounts and to my delight, my mister didn't bring his company cell phone nor his computer. For the first time in a long time, we truly enjoyed each others company, gave each other our full undivided attention and just lived in the moment. I advise all of you to do this as much as possible and see if it doesn't vastly improve not only your relationship, but also the quality of your "Family Time". At nighttime we came alive and ventured out to the boardwalk for some family fun, but we'll talk about that next time. For dinner we ate in the hotel restaurant and checked out a couple of the local restaurants. Before I tell you about that though, I have to say, for me the best meal of the day was lunch. All we ate were simple sandwiches and hot dogs, but the scenery and the atmosphere....well, I think we can all agree that nothing can compare to having a picnic on the beach! Who couldn't look at this all day?!?
Back to dinnertime! There is one restaurant I have to tell you about, Higgins Crab House - it's an all-you-can-eat place and a "must see" for crab lovers! They have two locations, but my personal favorite is the one on 128th Street. They have outdoor seating and even though some of the seating is right next to Coastal Highway, the main road in Ocean City, it's still relatively peaceful. The one thing you should be aware of is that occasionally some inconsiderate (insert explicative) person may decide to smoke out there, regardless of small children or even pregnant women being around them (grrrrrr - makes me so angry). Moving on - since I'm a vegetarian, I order my and the kids' meals from the a la carte menu, while my hubster gets his grub on with the all-you-can-eat crabs and chicken platter. Yes, you read that correctly - crabs AND fried chicken, plus corn, coleslaw and all-you-can-eat fries!! Obviously, I can't tell you first-hand how it is, but I can tell it must be phenomenal because despite his lips being on fire from the Old Bay, my man put down 3 fully loaded trays of crabs!! I even had to use my ice water to make him a cold compress for his lips so he could keep eating!
So, there's your first glimpse in to our vacation. I hope you've enjoyed it! Next post we'll get in to our putt putt golf adventure and our time on the boardwalk! If you want to know more about Ocean City, check out their official website here and find out more about The Carousel here. For now, I'll leave you with a couple of pics of The Carousel Hotel and Higgins Crab House.
Until next time my friends!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Freedom Is Beautiful!
I'm baaack!!! I have to tell y'all, so far 2012 has been one heck of a roller coaster ride. The first couple of months kicked my butt in every way you might imagine. Stress at work, led to stress at home and you know it all went downhill from there. The only good to come out of it is that I lost 11 lbs. in two weeks and apparently became so stressed out that my typically high blood pressure normalized itself - go figure. Fortunately, this chaos was short-lived and I was back on track just in time to be let go from my job in April.
Now don't start tuning your violins or pulling out Kleenex for me because I have to tell you, I LOVE my new found freedom! To wake up each morning and not have the stress or tension that comes with the morning commute and high school histrionics of office politics is incredibly liberating. To be honest, this change was a long time coming. For years, my husband and even my mother have been practically begging me to leave my job. I wanted to...I really did, but when you've got excellent medical benefits, bills to pay, etc. it's hard to just walk away and if you think being laid off makes it any easier, you're wrong. In some ways, it's a little harder because your exit isn't really on your terms and sometimes you tend to take it a little more personally. This was not the case for me though. I'll admit my first reaction was one of anger. I felt like after 11 years of service the least they could have done was have the decency to let me go the night before, so I wouldn't have had to waste my gas on the morning commute - 45min or so driving a SUV in stop-and-go traffic is not cheap. Fortunately, these feelings quickly gave way to a sense of relief, followed by excitement! I was actually thrilled to be let go! Yes, you read that right - I was thrilled and I left the building that morning feeling like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders! As I said, my family had been asking me to move on for quite some time and truthfully speaking, I can't blame them. I'd been unhappy in my role for years and tried to move out of it, but despite my best efforts I simply couldn't. Like anyone else, I shared my frustrations with my husband & my mother, but I never really realized how much my misery affected them. It became blatantly clear when I called both of them (individually) to inform them of my release and they both responded by saying "Good! I've been telling you to leave for the longest time and now it's finally over!" All I could do in response was laugh and agree with them that yes, it was finally over.
Of course, my departure caused a stir and the rumor mill started churning out stories before I even got to my car. Someone actually believed that I went out in some sort of rage and had to be escorted by Security. Well, I hate to disappoint my "haters" but it was not nearly as exciting as all that. At the end of the day, I was employee #whatever with X amount of dollars attached to me and it was my time to go...nothing more, nothing less. Like many others that have left before me, I value the experiences I had with my former employer - good, bad or ugly I learned something from each and every person I encountered there.
So, what are my days like now? Well, I'm still up at 5am and end somewhere between 11pm - midnight. I spend a few hours each day preparing the Twinks for kindergarten and having some real quality time with them, organizing and re-structuring things to make my house a complete home, indulging my entrepreneurial spirit via my new t-shirt/product design company, DeSadas Style, and looking for opportunities to work as an independent contractor. Is it a lot to have going on all at once? Absolutely, but it's so worth it! Seriously, independence is truly meant for me. I know in my heart of hearts, I am now exactly where I am supposed to be because I've never been happier! I have spent my entire life trying to be part of the conventional model we're all taught to conform to from birth and quite frankly, it's never worked for me. Through all my years of schooling and becoming part of the working class, I have asked the same question "Why do I have to do things this way or that way?" The customary reply is "This is the way the world works...so, this is how it has to be." Well, I no longer accept this answer and for those of you whom are ready, I challenge you to do the same. For those whom are happy where you're at - carry on! I am doing what's best for me; you need to do what's best for you. It's taken me a long time to accept that this change in my life was not only necessary, but vital for me as an individual, but also for the sake of my marriage and my family. I am finally free of the herd (aka Corporate America) and I'm never going back!
Wish me luck & buckle up - this is going to be quite an adventure!!
Now don't start tuning your violins or pulling out Kleenex for me because I have to tell you, I LOVE my new found freedom! To wake up each morning and not have the stress or tension that comes with the morning commute and high school histrionics of office politics is incredibly liberating. To be honest, this change was a long time coming. For years, my husband and even my mother have been practically begging me to leave my job. I wanted to...I really did, but when you've got excellent medical benefits, bills to pay, etc. it's hard to just walk away and if you think being laid off makes it any easier, you're wrong. In some ways, it's a little harder because your exit isn't really on your terms and sometimes you tend to take it a little more personally. This was not the case for me though. I'll admit my first reaction was one of anger. I felt like after 11 years of service the least they could have done was have the decency to let me go the night before, so I wouldn't have had to waste my gas on the morning commute - 45min or so driving a SUV in stop-and-go traffic is not cheap. Fortunately, these feelings quickly gave way to a sense of relief, followed by excitement! I was actually thrilled to be let go! Yes, you read that right - I was thrilled and I left the building that morning feeling like a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders! As I said, my family had been asking me to move on for quite some time and truthfully speaking, I can't blame them. I'd been unhappy in my role for years and tried to move out of it, but despite my best efforts I simply couldn't. Like anyone else, I shared my frustrations with my husband & my mother, but I never really realized how much my misery affected them. It became blatantly clear when I called both of them (individually) to inform them of my release and they both responded by saying "Good! I've been telling you to leave for the longest time and now it's finally over!" All I could do in response was laugh and agree with them that yes, it was finally over.
Of course, my departure caused a stir and the rumor mill started churning out stories before I even got to my car. Someone actually believed that I went out in some sort of rage and had to be escorted by Security. Well, I hate to disappoint my "haters" but it was not nearly as exciting as all that. At the end of the day, I was employee #whatever with X amount of dollars attached to me and it was my time to go...nothing more, nothing less. Like many others that have left before me, I value the experiences I had with my former employer - good, bad or ugly I learned something from each and every person I encountered there.
So, what are my days like now? Well, I'm still up at 5am and end somewhere between 11pm - midnight. I spend a few hours each day preparing the Twinks for kindergarten and having some real quality time with them, organizing and re-structuring things to make my house a complete home, indulging my entrepreneurial spirit via my new t-shirt/product design company, DeSadas Style, and looking for opportunities to work as an independent contractor. Is it a lot to have going on all at once? Absolutely, but it's so worth it! Seriously, independence is truly meant for me. I know in my heart of hearts, I am now exactly where I am supposed to be because I've never been happier! I have spent my entire life trying to be part of the conventional model we're all taught to conform to from birth and quite frankly, it's never worked for me. Through all my years of schooling and becoming part of the working class, I have asked the same question "Why do I have to do things this way or that way?" The customary reply is "This is the way the world works...so, this is how it has to be." Well, I no longer accept this answer and for those of you whom are ready, I challenge you to do the same. For those whom are happy where you're at - carry on! I am doing what's best for me; you need to do what's best for you. It's taken me a long time to accept that this change in my life was not only necessary, but vital for me as an individual, but also for the sake of my marriage and my family. I am finally free of the herd (aka Corporate America) and I'm never going back!
Wish me luck & buckle up - this is going to be quite an adventure!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Ugly Truth About Being A Parent
While everyone's experience is different, the one thing that I can assure you of is that being a parent is the greatest, most beautiful, horrifying, frustrating and joyous experience you will ever have in your life! Sleep, as you know it, will cease to exist and the terms 'exhaustion' and 'fatigue' will be completely re-defined. Will your life change? Absolutely! In some ways it will be better and in other ways...well, it'll just be different...but not bad, just different.
The best piece of advice I can give to anyone who is pregnant (especially for the first time) is "just don't think about it." Yeah, I know...not what you expect to hear, but believe me, truer words have never be spoken. When you become a parent, you cannot allow yourself to become bogged down with the thoughts of new responsibilities, can you really take care of an infant, are you even ready to be parent, what will your family do, if anything ever happens to you...you get the idea. The truth is, once your baby is born all bets are off and you better be ready to hit the ground running!! Newborns, infants and toddlers can be very demanding in many different ways and they don't understand or have the patience for you to pull yourself together every time you decide to get lost in your thoughts or fears. Some days you will literally be on auto-pilot and that will be a good thing! Other days your mind will easily go to dark places that leave you with a heavy heart, wondering if you can handle it all and simply wanting to run away. You may even find that you're mad at yourself for having such thoughts, but I promise you, it's all completely natural....and for those who may be wondering, "Is she talking about postpartum depression?" Well, yes and no. The phase I'm talking about can happen anytime from the moment you give birth onward. Like I said, everyone is different, but most new moms and dads (yes, they do have feelings and fears, too) will go through this at least once during the first few years of their child's life....just, remember it's normal and it will pass.
Despite this ugly truth, having children really does add something to your life. Yes, they are a lot of work. Yes, they will frustrate you, at times. However, rediscovering the world through their eyes, feeling the pure love in their hugs or the genuine laughter combined with their smile is simply amazing and well worth any sacrifice you have to make.
So, with that, I bid you adieu and say "Go forth and prosper!"
The best piece of advice I can give to anyone who is pregnant (especially for the first time) is "just don't think about it." Yeah, I know...not what you expect to hear, but believe me, truer words have never be spoken. When you become a parent, you cannot allow yourself to become bogged down with the thoughts of new responsibilities, can you really take care of an infant, are you even ready to be parent, what will your family do, if anything ever happens to you...you get the idea. The truth is, once your baby is born all bets are off and you better be ready to hit the ground running!! Newborns, infants and toddlers can be very demanding in many different ways and they don't understand or have the patience for you to pull yourself together every time you decide to get lost in your thoughts or fears. Some days you will literally be on auto-pilot and that will be a good thing! Other days your mind will easily go to dark places that leave you with a heavy heart, wondering if you can handle it all and simply wanting to run away. You may even find that you're mad at yourself for having such thoughts, but I promise you, it's all completely natural....and for those who may be wondering, "Is she talking about postpartum depression?" Well, yes and no. The phase I'm talking about can happen anytime from the moment you give birth onward. Like I said, everyone is different, but most new moms and dads (yes, they do have feelings and fears, too) will go through this at least once during the first few years of their child's life....just, remember it's normal and it will pass.
Despite this ugly truth, having children really does add something to your life. Yes, they are a lot of work. Yes, they will frustrate you, at times. However, rediscovering the world through their eyes, feeling the pure love in their hugs or the genuine laughter combined with their smile is simply amazing and well worth any sacrifice you have to make.
So, with that, I bid you adieu and say "Go forth and prosper!"
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Aspire to Inspire
A couple of weeks ago, I was at a family gathering celebrating my nephew's graduation. The air was thick with the love and laughter! Everyone in the house was involved in conversations ranging from politics to the trials and tribulations of married life. As I looked around, I couldn't help but feel proud to be a part of such a dynamic family! What makes them so dynamic, you ask? In all my life, I personally, have not met a family that is more proud of who they are, where they come from (VIVA, EL SALVADOR!) and if you don't like it....well, that's too bad and they'll be sure to let you know EXACTLY what you're missing out on!
As I sat there taking it all in, I found myself hoping that one day, when they're all grown up, the Twinks and their cousins will be able to enjoy such gatherings and share in the same sense of family pride. As we know, actions speak louder than words, so from that moment forward, I decided to make a more conscious effort to be a model of inspiration to my children (and maybe even the rest of my family) by making sure that we do our best to stay connected to all of our loved ones - both near and far. Then I thought, why stop there? Why not try to be a positive influence on everyone in my life? Laughter is contagious, so why can't the same be true for a positive attitude or random acts of kindness? Now don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to become a Saint or anything. I do have a mean temper and a wicked tongue, but I am trying to live a happier, healthier life and part of that includes surrounding myself with more positive influences. So, why shouldn't I try and do the same for others?
I hope that reading this post has awakened something in you. Aspire to inspire your friends, family even your co-workers, by bringing some positivity into their world. You'd be surprised how something as simple as a kind word, a phone call just to say 'hello' or the sight of a random act of kindness can influence others to want to do the same!
As I sat there taking it all in, I found myself hoping that one day, when they're all grown up, the Twinks and their cousins will be able to enjoy such gatherings and share in the same sense of family pride. As we know, actions speak louder than words, so from that moment forward, I decided to make a more conscious effort to be a model of inspiration to my children (and maybe even the rest of my family) by making sure that we do our best to stay connected to all of our loved ones - both near and far. Then I thought, why stop there? Why not try to be a positive influence on everyone in my life? Laughter is contagious, so why can't the same be true for a positive attitude or random acts of kindness? Now don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to become a Saint or anything. I do have a mean temper and a wicked tongue, but I am trying to live a happier, healthier life and part of that includes surrounding myself with more positive influences. So, why shouldn't I try and do the same for others?
I hope that reading this post has awakened something in you. Aspire to inspire your friends, family even your co-workers, by bringing some positivity into their world. You'd be surprised how something as simple as a kind word, a phone call just to say 'hello' or the sight of a random act of kindness can influence others to want to do the same!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)