#37-Gym Buddies

I went to a trainer once for a tryout session. It was a 30 minute session and it was okay. I felt as though I could have done the same workout on my own. Though he showed me a few new moves that were beneficial to my workout. Afterwards, he took me in his office and wanted to talk numbers. He said that I could train with him for 6 weeks for $400. I listened to his speech as he tried to convince me it was a good deal, but I wasn't buying it. Plus, I could do other things with $400. I kindly said no, but he still contacted me every once in a while to see if I was in I was interested. You've got to respect his hustle! I feel that trainers are okay if you need motivation, but I really love gym buddies. You know that person who agrees to have a gym schedule with you and workout. Today it was my husband and it was nice to have him there with me at the gym. I am a little competitive so having someone with me pushes me to workout longer. I think it's because subconsciously I want to workout better and longer than them. Also, it's nice to talk to someone during a workout. As long as you actually workout and don't gossip about who Kim Kardashian is dating! Hopefully I will continue to have him as my gym buddy because I am in pain right now! Ouch!
-M

#36-Baby Making Music

Yesterday I watched the Soul Train Awards and they had a tribute to Anita Baker and Ronald Isley. I totally forgot how good baby makin' music is. Let me explain what baby makin' music is! So it is usually R & B music, sometimes you can add a little easy listening music, but it is usually music that provokes people to get a little busy in the bedroom. Hence the words, "baby makin'." I hope that everyone is filled in on the birds and the bees and how babies are made or to be correct, how pregnancy occurs! That statement is for the right to life people and medical health professionals. I loved the music they played on the show last night from the 70's, 80's, and 90's. I don't think people make baby makin' music anymore. A lot of the music now is usually meant to get down and party in the club. Sometimes babies may be made that way, but that's another subject! I miss how the singers used to just stand there with a microphone without all the bells and whistles and just sing! The audience would fall over the singer's stage presence and next thing you know they need an ambulance to come through! I loved the way the smooth sounds were so gentle and loving especially when Marvin Gaye sang songs like "Sexual Healing." Can we bring those times back?! Well I guess not, so we will just have to play them in our CD player. Oh I forgot, MP3 player! Where has the time gone? What ever happened to records?! Just try to not make babies unless you can really take care of them, otherwise, listen away!
-M

#35-Forgetting your responsibilities!

Okay I won't make this blog long because I am having a great time on my birthday! I will only say this, "Have fun whenever possible and sometimes forget your responsibilities (when possible). Plus, you can be responsible tomorrow. Life is too short!"
-M

#34-Birthdays!

Tomorrow is my birthday and for the first time in a long time I am not super excited about it. I am not negative either about it. I am pretty much neutral. I am turning 29 years old, so of course I am happy to celebrate another year on this planet, but that is the only thing I am excited about. Maybe because I feel as though I have everything I need right now, so gifts or anything would be nice, but I don't feel that hunger to have them. This past year, I have begun to be thankful for non-material things. I am happy that I have a peaceful place to live, great friends and family, and someone to share my life with. My birthday is around the holidays so I never got huge gifts because Christmas was right around the corner. Maybe I just learned to appreciate the small things around my birthday. Though this is the first birthday in a long time where I am not spending it with my New York friends. (We always have dinner on each others' birthday, but my husband will be a great substitute) Dinner with them will be the only thing I miss, but hey I am alive and happy to celebrate another year. Next year will be a different story as I hit 30 years old (a.k.a. the big one). I welcome my 30th birthday next year with open arms!
-M

#33-Positive Airport Tips

Don't you remember when flying on a domestic airline was so easy and comfortable? Remember when they used to give you peanuts and not charge you for a "snack pack?!" Those where the good old days! I have put together a few positive tips to make your traveling less expensive and a little like the old days!

1. Invest in a reusable water bottle. I got mine from TJMaxx for like 3 bucks and I love it. I take it to the gym, the beach and to the airport. Before you leave to go to the airport empty the bottle and go to the water fountain and fill it up after going through security. If you like lemon water, put a few slices in a plastic TSA approved bag and put it next to your toiletries when you need to take it out to put in that nifty gray bucket! Also, if you don't want to buy a bottle, just empty out any plastic bottle and reuse it! You will save 3 or 4 bucks on water at the airport. If you like H20!

2. Make a sandwich at home or even carry leftovers in tupperware. I carried my Thanksgiving leftovers on the plane and ate it a little cold, but it was still good! I warmed it up before I left and it stayed lukewarm. If that's too adventurous for you, just make a sandwich. You can even make a salad, just put the dressing in a ziploc bag and put it with your bagged toiletries (if any). You can get plastic utensils from the airport food places. Money saved: about $7 or so on airport food or "Market place snack packs"

3. Pack your own snacks. Chips, nuts, whatever you like. It's a solid so it's TSA approved!

4. Pick your seats as soon as you buy your ticket. Where you sit can play a big part in your comfort during the flight trip. Choose a aisle seat on a long flight! It would suck if the person in the middle or the aisle seat slept the whole flight!

5. Definitely check in online and print your boarding pass up to 2S hours before your flight's departure. You can skip everything and go straight to security.

6. Try not to check your bags because of the crazy bag checking fees! I usually pack light and fill up my liquid toiletries in a traveling kit. You can find it in any drugstore and at some dollar stores if you really want to save. When I am going to places like my mom's house, I just use her toothpaste, face wash, etc. Also sometimes they have to check your bag last minute because of lack of space. Can you say free checked bag? Just know that reports have said airlines have made a huge profit off of checked bag fees. I'm just sayin'!

7. There are other things that I won't suggest because they involve lying just for comfort and I don't want TSA after me! Plus lying is wrong! Ex: faking low blood sugar to get free food, faking injuries to get wheelchair access and early boarding, etc.

Special thanks for these tips from:
- The lady who I saw fill her empty water bottle and gave me the idea. Genius!
- My aunt for convincing me to take a plate of Thanksgiving goodies today.
-My parents for showing me the art of saving money!

Hope you enjoyed the positive airline flying tips today!
-M

#32-Turkeys

I am so stuffed right now that I can barely write this blog! During Thanksgiving we not only give thanks surrounded by family and friends, but we eat turkey! Yesterday I spotted a few wild Turkeys in the rose garden and felt a little sorry for them.We aren't eating wild turkeys during Thanksgiving, but we do chow down on the other domesticated birds! You can choose to bake a turkey , broil it, or even deep fry it. Today we chose to eat a turkey breast wrapped in cranberry stuffing since it was a meal for two. I am thankful for the turkey, the gravy, and all the other fixins' you put with the meal. Furthermore, I am just thankful that I have a meal because there are people who don't! So let's raise our glass to the number one bird in the house today. We salute you!

-M

#31- Cities that promote walking

My legs are so sore right now! I walked yesterday with my luggage (a small bag) from the BART (San Fran's subway) to my aunt's house and today I walked to Trader Joe's to get some groceries. I love to walk to places you need to go or just to take a sightseeing walk. In my neighborhood in Orlando, people usually drive, but I love to see people walking or riding their bike occasionally. Sometimes I walk to Publix grocery store if I am only getting a few things. It is great exercise and plus you can save a little on gas. (Okay like .50 on gas, but hey it's something) When I lived in New York, I was always in shape because I walked everywhere. Women in New York have the greatest legs because all you do is walk, hike, and go up stairs; it's like a daily workout! When you walk to the grocery store or work it's great exercise because you don't realize you are exercising. In other cities where everyone drives, people bombard the gyms trying to lose excess weight. After my journey yesterday and today, I feel as though I don't need to go on the treadmill or my favorite, the elliptical machine for a week! I really think this country should invest more in public transportation and rail systems for basically every major city in each state, except cities like Boise, Idaho! Doing this would definitely tackle our issue about obesity and would save money on gas for everyone. Well, maybe that is just wishful thinking. If you live in a city that promotes walking be glad that you are able to exercise and stay fit without even realizing it. You will probably live a healthier and longer life!

-M

#30-Airport People

So today I am doing by blog from good old San Francisco! (Singing, "I left my heart in San Francisco") This city reminds me of New York because of the subway and all of the different types of people. People are always asking you for money on the streets, even more than in New York. My husband and I are in two different coasts for the Thanksgiving holiday and I spent most of today at the airport. I love people watching in the airport because there are so many different types of people from all parts of the world. It reminds me of certain neighborhoods in Manhattan where you can look at everyone and know what part of Manhattan you are in. In each city airport there are people from other parts of the world, but there are also people from that city. In Orlando, everyone is in flip flops with t-shirts and jeans on. In Charlotte, North Carolina you saw everything from cowboy hats to girls with a cool hip downtown vibe. I loved the ladies in boots at Charlotte's airport. The cowboy boots and knee highs were worn perfectly with their skinny jeans. You know you are at LaGuardia airport in New York because everyone is running around like they are late to work! That's New York for you. It's so interesting to experience people outside of your neighborhood or city. You get to see what the United States of America is really about. A cosmopolitan of people just trying to get on a plane to anywhere they can get a turkey and some dressing (oops I meant stuffing :)!

-M

#29-Packing

Tomorrow I am traveling to California. I am going to the Bay Area and I love it there. I'm so excited! Today was such a busy day because we are packing. I was doing laundry, cleaning, taking out the fall/winter clothes, and basically getting things together. I usually hate packing, but today it wasn't so bad because I love to travel. Packing makes me feel like I am getting ready for an unknown journey. My body pretty much hurts right now and so today's blog may not be that long, but that's okay. I am preparing for a great trip to see my family, so I've got to get everything ready. I am sure today's blog isn't that in depth and positive, but who cares?! I am going on a great trip and I am packing for it! That's all!
-M

#28- Cooking

Cooking is very therapeutic for me and I love to find a new recipe to tackle. Though there are times when I don't cook and I go out to eat, but then I say to myself, "I could have cooked that and cooked it better!" I've been cooking consistently since I was 9 years old. My mom was a single mother, so I started cooking for her when she came home from work. I actually thought I would go to culinary school instead of college. After working in a restaurant and seeing the difference between cooking at home and in an industrial kitchen during a rush, I am glad I decided to go to college. I figured that I could be a chef in my own home. I am happy that I have a kitchen that I feel great about cooking in. My old kitchen in New York was the size of a full size mattress, but my kitchen in Florida is a lot larger. I enjoy mixing together the ingredients and hoping it comes out fabulous. I don't mean to boast but it usually does! Yesterday I made Baked Ziti and it was so good, mmm what will I make today?!
-M

#27- Being Different

Growing up I always felt different. I am not sure if everyone feels that way, but I always felt that way. The moment I knew I was different was at the tender age of 5. I went to Montessori school and we had a trip to McDonald's. Every kid loves McDonald's right? Not me! I had never been to McDonald's. I didn't have fast food until I was about 12. My mom refused to feed me any fast food, plus my mom was going through a vegetarian phase. I remember eating Tofu and Brown rice and vegetables, but a Happy Meal oh no! She would feed me chicken and fish, but I didn't eat red meat. From what I remember my mom said that the school wanted everyone to have a happy meal with a hamburger, but my mom requested that have chicken nuggets. I am not sure if this is just a random memory, but I remember the feeling on that day. I remember the kids asking me why I didn't eat McDonald's and that I was weird because I didn't. I also have a memory of always bring peanut butter and honey sandwiches on whole wheat to lunch when I was young and the kids making funny faces at my weird sandwich. I have so many other stories to tell, but I won't make this a sob story about my life!

It's not until I am slowly approaching 30 that I realize it's great to be different. I am understanding that sometimes you won't do things like everyone else, but they aren't the ones living your life and walking in your shoes. My wedding was even non-traditional, but that is how my husband and I wanted it. It was the best day of my life and I did it by my rules. I only wish I decided to do that earlier, because when I look back on my life things might have been a little different. But hey, you live and you learn. Well, I've learned that being different is alright with me!
-M

#26-Tenacity

There are moments in my life when I am truly lazy, but there are some moments when the adrenaline kicks in and I go above and beyond for the task. That is called being tenacious. I really love that word. When it rolls of my tongue, I feel like going out there and taking over the world. What does it mean to be tenacious? There are several definitions via freedictionary.com. The first one is, "Holding or tending to hold persistently to something, such a point of view." Other words in the definition involve, "grasping firmly," "cohesive", "retentive," and "stubborn." Stubborn?! Isn't that a negative word? I guess it depends on how you look at it. When it comes to my career or achieving a goal, I am usually very tenacious. When I hear that word it makes me want to do better and be a better person. Maybe it's okay to be stubborn when someone doesn't call you back for an audition, or give you an interview after you sent in your crisp and clean resume. Being stubborn (or tenacious) makes you find a way to make that person hire you or improve on your skills. If we didn't have that tenacious drive, maybe we would be sitting everyday on the couch eating Flaming Hot Cheetos. I've spent a couple of days doing exactly that and yes the Cheetos part! Everyone needs their couch potato day. Without tenacity I wouldn't feel that I have accomplished something and I don't know about anyone else, but I love that feeling. I am not sure if I will feel tenacious tomorrow or even the next day, but I will take it for now and continue doing what I need to do!
-M

#25-Our family members' children

So a while ago I was thankful for children and how they show us to have more fun and not take life so seriously. I am also thankful to our family members' kids because they give us a little practice lesson and insight on how it will be when we have kids. I babysat again for my nephew (by marriage, but still my family :) and let me tell you thank you for that kid because without the practice I don't know what I would have done as a new parent. It's great too because he is 2 years old and I at least have another 4 years to practice. I have been working in schools usually 1st grade to high school, but it's been a really long time since I was consistently with the young ones. Everyone says when they have kids that they will do this and do that, but when you are trying to cook food, clean up and whatever else you need to do, you will forget those promises you told yourself. I vowed to not have my kids watch a lot of TV. After watching the little one for a full day, I will be using TV to do those much needed chores. Also, as a parent all you can do is your best. No one can be the "perfect parent." It just doesn't exist, especially when you have both parents working. I am so glad that other people's kids have helped to give me the thumbs up on my imperfections. Thanks for the practice and letting me know that it's okay to wait!!
-M

#24- Sleeping In!

Okay so they say that the early bird gets the worm! Whatever! The early bird is probably tired all day with bags under their eyes and needs a 5 hour energy shot. Also, someone is always throwing bread crumbs in a nearby pond (crumbs of focaccia are so much better than worms). I would tell the bird that slept in to go there. Someone is always throwing away food. Sleeping in is the best feeling ever. When you are always getting up early in the morning that one day that you sleep in feels like the best day of your life. Someone mentioned to me yesterday that when you have kids you never get a chance to sleep in. Kids are definitely in the future, so I think once in a while we will need to hire an overnight nanny or someone to come so I can at least get to sleep in one night a month! The feeling when you can just stay in your pajamas, watch TV or read a book and you don't need to go anywhere is the best. I hope that everyone gets to sleep in at least once a month. These days we are always on the go and find it difficult to just sleep in a little. Maybe it will make you feel better, and trust me you will still get that worm!
-M

#23- Holidays

I love the Holidays. I'm not just talking about Christmas, it means all holidays for all religions. Today my Muslim friends and family have a Holiday and it was like most Holidays. It involved food, family, friends, and more food. This holiday usually calls for a slaughtered sheep. (It's a long explanation and I won't get into it and no we didn't actually slaughter a sheep) Just know that it felt like any other holiday with my family. One thing I love about the holidays is the tradition. Family comes together and celebrates with food and conversation. There are usually smiles all around though sometimes there is drama. That's just how family is! My family has a tradition during Thanksgiving where we hold hands and say what we are thankful for. I love this tradition and I miss it. We would always hold hands, say what we are thankful for and someone was bound to break out in tears. It brought us closer to each other and those were times when I really appreciated my family. I love the random songs and decorations and it makes everyone feel so happy. No matter what religion you practice, everyone still loves a good old fashion Holiday celebration!
-M

#22-Love

Love is a beautiful thing. I have strayed away from talking about love because I know so many love cynics and I wasn't sure how they would take it. Since I've been married I have received all kinds of responses from, "Congrats" to "Uuh I wish I was married" then to "Just remember there is always divorce!" I try to listen to the simple congrats and get the other voices out of my mind. I do know that I am lucky to have found someone to share my life with, but that doesn't mean that others aren't because they haven't. Love comes in so many shapes and sizes. Love isn't just between a man and a woman or a human to another human. There is love when your dog barks and greets you at the front door. (For my best friend's dog, she loves her owner so much she pees to show her excitement of her owner's safe return home) Love doesn't come in just one package and it's not always rosy and sweet. You can still love a person and temporarily hate their behavior, but that love will always last. Always remember that love is all around you and it doesn't always come in the form of a Saturday night date. Sometimes it's just a dog peeing on your carpet because they love you!! BTW, I sooooo want a dog.
-M

#21 - Comedy

I usually don't find most comedians very funny. If I was an audience member I would probably chuckle at a few jokes, but there are only a few comedians who make me crack up. I think it usually depends on the topics that the comedians speak about. I usually laugh at political comics (because politics right now is so funny without anyone calling attention to it) and I laugh when comics talk about relationships or marriage. I think people laugh at what relates to them. No matter if you laugh at the black comic or the redneck guy with a crazy Southern accent, comedians definitely brighten up our lives. Studies have shown laughter can improve your health and even burn calories. Plus it makes you feel great. I could have a bad day or moment and watching a comic or being with a funny friend will make you feel better. Do you know that feeling when you are laughing at something so hard your chest hurts? I have a love hate relationship with that feeling. When you laugh that hard it physically hurts (only for a moment), but it feels so good afterwards. I need to laugh more often even when I am feeling at my worst. Laughing will improve those frown lines and even make you look younger. FYI!!!
-M

#20 - Exercise!!!

So I've been trying to exercise for three times a week and I love it. Though this week I was just so emotional and tired that I didn't exercise at all. I felt lethargic and I wasn't eating very well. I ate a PF Chang's frozen dinner and let me tell you it didn't taste like the food from my favorite Chinese chain. There were tons of sugar in the sauce and it clouded the vegetables in the dish. I should stick to making my own food! So today I went to the gym and worked out. I've been doing cardio for about 30 minutes and then lifting weights. Let me tell you ladies if you are afraid of lifting weights, don't! Lifting weights is the best thing you can do for your body because the more muscle you have, the more fat will burn off even when you are watching TV! I was always afraid of getting too bulky, but I'd rather have muscles than fat! It's also helping those love handles that I suddenly got after getting married. (Now I know why they call it love handles, they are so hard to get rid of) Well, I feel so much better after working out. It gives you an adrenaline rush and makes you feel better. At first I never want to go to the gym, but after I do I feel amazing! Only three times a week and it makes you feel great. Also, going to the gym isn't the only thing you can do; there is dance, yoga, and even having a little lovin' is a workout. Protect yourself of course!!! :) Have a great Saturday.
-M

#19-Dreams

Today I am not talking about the dreams that happen when you go to sleep. I am talking about the dreams, the wishes that you want to happen in your life. When I was younger I would dress in my mom's clothes while she was at work and pretend I was a business woman. I would come up with scenes probably firing an employee or getting a promotion. Sometimes I would pretend I was sitting with Oprah talking about the next movie with Denzel Washington. I was an only child so maybe that is what kept me company, but I knew that it was my dream to become an actress. It has been an interesting journey from playing Joan of Arc in middle school acting competitions, tap dancing as a chorus girl, and then moving to New York performing in shows. I love theater and I love how people can be inspired by a performance or script. I find myself feeling as though I have achieved my dream, even though some people may think being in Hollywood would be on top of my dream arc, I beg to disagree. My dream was being in the industry and enjoying it. I find myself now finding a new dream, it may still be in the business and might take a different form, so I am listening to myself and really listening to my dreams. Acting was never my only dream. Most people don't just have one, achieve it and then say, "Okay no more dreams for me!" Life would be incredibly boring if that was the case and we would have nothing to motivate us. Our dreams make us get up, push ourselves and dare to be different. I love my dreams and hope to achieve every single one of them. What are your dreams? BTW- The picture above is an old picture of Eartha Kitt taking a dance class taught by Katherine Dunham back in the day, also James Dean is in the back. Crazy!! Imagine if they never dreamed!
-M

#18- To the ones who make us better

This is a thank you to the ones who make us better..........












Dear (Fill in whomever makes you a better person),

Thank you so much for making me a a better person. Even though I hate the mirror that you show me everyday, I do appreciate it. I thank you for your honesty and dedication to our relationship. Sometimes it is so easy for people to walk away from the ties that bind the two, but you never let me. You never let me walk away because you show me that with any relationship there is work involved; that everything worth having takes hard work and determination to make sure it sustains. Life seems so quick these days, things can change in the blink of an eye, but you remind me that we can preserve what we have. Our relationship can change, but will develop like a nice glass of French wine. It's worth it and it will always stay that way. This dedication will never change as we get older. Thank you for making me the best I can be and them some! I only hope that I fill that same void you fill in me. We are partners in this game of life, and thank you for playing with me.

Yours Truly!

#17 - Technology

So I have a Blackberry (a.k.a Crackberry) and it's the last thing I look at before I go to bed and the first thing when I wake up. I look at facebook, check my alarm, and other silly things instead of going to bed. Technology can have negative effects, but I think it has changed our society for the better. Now you can instantly look up something on Wikipedia or google anything (yes I used google as a verb). Telephones have changed so much throughout the years. Remember back in the day when you were late to a meeting? You couldn't call if you were stuck in traffic and they would just wait for you and hope that you will show up. I hate waiting so I'm glad cell phones became popular just as I entered adulthood. You can easily text someone in a minute to tell them something simple, especially if you aren't in the mood to have a long conversation. I sometimes wonder how we would react if these things were taken away from us permanently.

I went camping once and I turned off my phone for like three days. It was great being in the outdoors and enjoying all the gifts from Mother Nature. I felt free from society and all of the craziness. Though what if all that technology was taken away for months or years? I am sure that we will adapt to the new non-technological environment, but it might be a little hard. Anyway I don't know if that would happen anytime soon, so in the meantime, I will just appreciate the technology for what it is; something that just adds to an already great life!
-M

#16- The ability to learn

So yesterday was kind of an awakening. I read the popular book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and now I realize what the hype was about. Plus I think any book that sheds some light on how to make money like the rich will be a best seller. I read the book in about 4 hours, now let me tell you that I don't read a lot and for me to read a book in 4 hours was an achievement. There are several things I liked and didn't like about the book, but the book basically let people know that we have the ability to change our financial situation in life. All we need is knowledge, confidence, and a little guts. If you want a lot of money, then you need to know a lot about money. If you wanted to be a successful doctor, you would go to medical school and learn everything about medicine, then you would complete your residency that would further teach you more about your speciality, and even after that you are continually learning. I always said that I would love to have a lot of money and I don't mean like billions of dollars, but to just not have any debt and feel like I am ahead of the game. Though, I was one of those people that it you even said the word "accounting," I would run away! After reading the book I felt so much more educated in real estate, corporations, and taxes and found myself wanting to learn more. I sometimes forget that I do have a brain and it loves to learn new things. And let me tell you when you are going to work everyday, cooking, cleaning, and come home and sit on the couch your brain doesn't get much of a workout. I hate when people say, Oh she or he is so smart. That person who made the comment is smart they just don't think they are. It just takes the will and our brains will just do the rest. I hope this continues because when you have knowledge you have power and it's as simple as that. (and I don't mean going to school, you can have knowledge without it; just a thought)
-M

#15 - Our Heroes

So writing the blog this weekend was really hard! I mean it was really difficult. I don't know how I was able to write anything positive with my negative Nelly attitude. All I wanted to do this weekend was crawl into a ball, cry and complain about everything in my life. Yesterday I slowly started to feel better after watching Black Girls Rock on BET. For years I have been so upset with the programming on BET, but slowly they are showing more positive faces of the African-American community. On the show, they displayed so many reasons for black women to continue to love themselves and stay positive. The show gave a tribute to not only famous people, but tributes to the heroes that we don't normally hear about. There was a young girl who organized donating books to people who don't have access to books. She took her love of reading and shared in with others.

I remember when I graduated from college my step-father (may he rest in peace) told me that I was his hero. For the life of me, I didn't know why because I felt like I didn't do anything that special. Though one day months before he passed he told me the reason why I was his hero was because he always wanted to move to New York and pursue his dreams and he never did. My step-father lived in Michigan his entire life, but he was always traveling. He hated to stay in one place, but he had several businesses and he never worked for anyone else. I always thought he was so brave, but he didn't do his one dream. He thought little old me was so brave because I moved to NYC. We all have a hero that may not be famous, but we do have someone that inspires us to become a better person. My heroes inspire me to be the best I can be. Thank you to my non-famous heroes!
-M

#14- La Familia

Family, can't live with them, can't live without them! Family can take so many forms. If you don't have your biological family, your adoption parents can serve as your family and sometimes friends can be your family. I am an only child and let me tell you that when I have children, I will never let my child be the only one. Growing up I always wanted a brother or sister until when I became a teenager. When I became a teenager I didn't want anyone to steal the spotlight! When you are an only child you only need to share with your parents. I look at my friends who have siblings and my husband,who has a ton of them, and I see how they sacrifice for their siblings. They are more likely to know what it's like to give and to share with other people. I have slowly learned how to share and how to let people in more. But when you come from a world in which you didn't need to worry about anyone else but yourself, it's kind of hard to change.

I am also learning how family can be there for you when you are feeling down or send you a cute card that makes you smile. Since we are getting close to the holidays it's the perfect time to spend with your family. My family is all over the U.S. and hopefully I can get on a plane to see them. As I get older, I learn to appreciate them even if they get on your nerves sometimes. I mean everyone has their weird quirks about them, but one thing you can always depend on is family.
Enjoy yours!
-M

#13- Television

We are so lucky sometimes I don't think we even realize it! When I look at television I see how lucky we are and that there is so much wealth in the world! Even the days when I feel like I haven't achieved enough or done enough, or made enough money. Television can sometimes make you feel the opposite, it can make you feel more negative about yourself, but I never look at it that way. I love watching the Real Housewives series (please don't judge me). So yesterday I was watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills via DVR (another reason why television is so great). Taylor was giving her four year old a birthday party that pretty much could pay for my student loans, credit cards, car loans and still leave with money to survive for the rest of the year! The little girl didn't seem to care about the extravagant party, but Taylor sure did! She invited her friends for a catered lunch and champagne, plus crazy gifts like diamond necklaces. I though to myself not only is this lady crazy, but they are spending a lot of freaking money! Then I realized that there is a lot of money in this world and that it is available and abundant even when it doesn't seem like it. Even when I look on TV and see other people struggling in the world, seeing the flood victims in Haiti, I still believe there is abundant money in this world but these people haven't been able to get it. For some people it may make them angry or upset. Why do some people get to have money and others don't? Though money is like everything else, some people have it some people won't. Those people that have money may not have love or family or self confidence. Someone will always have something that you want. I think it is just in our human nature to want something someone has. I am so glad though that we have TV to show us all this crazy stuff. Television gives us the news, dramas, comedies, cooking shows, reality shows, and the list goes on. It shows us the outrageous moments of our humanity and the beautiful moments that make us who we are. It can be something that is negative, but hey I love it so it's a positive for me. Thank you television!
-M

#12 - Free and Cheap Stuff

So everyday is definitely like a box of chocolates you never know what you gonna get! Oh Forrest Gump. Some days are good, some days are not so good and I guess I need to roll with the punches. The great thing that happened to me today was that I went grocery shopping and got two great bargains that saved me a lot of money. Remember yesterday how I said that if you find money on the ground it can make your day so much better? This was exactly what happened.

Right now ,I am, along with everyone in America, trying to save on groceries or anything for that matter after coming out of this recession (or maybe we are still in it, not sure). I got a coupon in the mail from Whole Foods welcoming us to our new neighborhood. The coupon read, "One Free Rotisserie Chicken." Uuuh what? A Free Chicken? I love Rotisserie Chicken because you can easily make it last for four days if you are single or for us it will last for two meals. You just make a salad with it and it makes a great lunch or dinner. Plus at Whole Foods the Chicken is like 8 bucks. I was so excited to give the lady at the counter my coupon and with pasta, cereal, tofu, and my organic beans (don't forget the chicken) the total was like 8 bucks! Next, I went to the regular grocery store (a.k.a the cheaper one) and all the Perdue chicken was 50% off. I didn't question if this chicken was safe because the date was okay and all that chicken for like 3 bucks was amazing! I gave it a sniff to see if it was okay. Cheap chicken is fine as long as it doesn't send you to the emergency room! I'm always curious if other people get as excited about getting a bargain. Sometimes I wonder maybe I am just weird, but it's like I said yesterday, I think everyone loves free money. Plus it made me feel so much better today!
-M

#11---Money, Bling bling, dough, moolah

I love songs about money. Remember that song that goes "I want money lots and lots of money, I want a pie in the sky, I wanna be rich!" Hopefully I got the lyrics right. I tend to insert lyrics that don't belong in songs. Anyway, money for some people can be positive or negative, but for this blog we are going to say that money is positive! Yesterday I bought a lottery ticket after having a weird dream with five numbers and I just picked a random number for the powerball. No, I didn't win the lottery. I went to the 7-11 to get the ticket and the lady at the counter was so excited about the amount of money you could win for this week's lottery. She said in a high pitched voice, "Do you know how much it is, like 130 something million dollars. Oh my gosh!" She kept gawking about the amount of money, while I escaped out of the slurpee store! She was too excited about just the thought of millions of dollars. How would she react if she won? Whew! Isn't it funny how money makes us so excited? If I find a few dollars I didn't expect or a 20 dollar bill on the ground, I usually declare that it's my lucky day! Even if something bad happens after I find that 20 dollar bill, it doesn't matter because I found that 20 on the ground. It's funny how money can make us so happy and make us so sad when we don't have it! Though for most people, we always have money, we always have change or at least 2 dollars in our bank account. Sure it's not unexpected money, but it's still money! Just a thought. Have a prosperous day!
-M

#10-Slowing the F Down

So I just moved to Florida about three months ago and I am now just getting settled into things. The hardest thing for me to get used to was living in a slower paced city. I lived in New York City for about 7 years and everything was so fast and now I am moving to a place where people take their freakin' time! The bars close at 2am instead of 4am and everyone takes nice leisurely walks/runs in my neighborhood. Before that I was in college for four years where I was studying, in class, or partying! There was always something to do! But I will tell you in the last few weeks slowing the F down has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. I'm not only slowing down in pace, but I am being more reflective and realizing what is important in life.

I love living in America, but I will tell you that I feel like our country doesn't want to slow the F down sometimes. We are always looking for the next best thing, the quickest fix, but everything in life is a process and it does take time. I love that quote, "Life is journey and not a destination." Your journey might take a few years, or more, but it's about enjoying the process along the way. I am so grateful for my journey so far and there have been times where I have been impatient, but everything has worked out. When I lived in New York the best days weren't the days I was busy running around going from audition to audition then to work. The best days were relaxing in Central Park, going to dinner in the Village, or chillin' on a rooftop or backyard (mini backyard of course). Those days were meant for an episode of Sex and the City when the girls would have brunch at the same diner and casually walk and talk down Broadway. Basically the days when you slow the F down! I don't think life was intended to be spent running around trying to get to the top (and to the top of what?). Maybe I am wrong but I would rather spend my day taking my time!
-M

#9 -The right to choose

So today I woke up and as usual the first thing I do is look at facebook on my phone. I feel like I should be doing something better like meditate or something, but I like to see what other people are doing. All my facebook friends have status messages about voting today. Some people were promoting voting, some were upset that more people weren't at the polls this morning, and some people were just plain happy to vote! One of the reasons why I love to vote is because about 50 years ago I wouldn't have been able to vote. I wasn't alive 50 years ago, but my grandparents were unable to vote at that time. (Parents weren't of age to vote) Even before that women weren't able to vote. When they gave women the right to vote black people in this country still couldn't vote. (crazy!!) For African-American women the government said women can vote, basically only white women. I still can't believe that a group of people were denied in picking who runs this country. I have so many feelings about this current election and I will say that I am not so positive about it. The way that our country is being run politically (and socially) is unacceptable and I take my hats off to those in the political system that are trying to make changes. Sometimes I feel as though I am just picking the better of the two candidates but not the best candidate for the job. Anyway, since today is voting day I realize how lucky we are to be able to even choose the better of the two candidates instead of not choosing at all. In some countries the people don't even get to choose. I am thankful for those people who fought for me and all people to be able to vote, decide, and have a choice. Have a great Voting Day!
-M

#8- 90.8% Employment

So I was watching the View today and Barbara commented on Jon Stewart's speech at the end of the rally this weekend. The ladies argued about how media is effecting how we live our lives in a positive and/or negative way. Joy pointed out that the media focuses on the 9 point whatever unemployment instead of the 91% or so employment to get great ratings and create fear in the American people.

I looked at the current unemployment rate in our great nation via google and the rate is 9.2%* as of September 2010. So that means that we have 90.8% employment going on in this red, white and blue country! I know that some of you may say well Positive One, you are one of those 90.8% of people working so of course this would be positive for you! How wrong are you! I am actually in the 9.2% right now as I spend my day sending out resumes and finding ways to make money. But when you hear that we are at 90.8% employment everything doesn't look as bad. Of course people are losing their homes and can't pay their debt, but maybe we should focus on the people who still have their homes and are paying that credit card bill every month. I know I am giving a lot of money in interest to those banks! Though I will be honest, that was my decision to put trips, clothes, and other random things on that card. I take responsibility and am vowing to never throw away money to any bank! So basically right now we are 90-10. Now if we were 50-50 that's half of us without a job and that will freak anyone out, but 90-10 ain't that bad.
-M
*(US Department of Labor Statistics via google data)