Wrapping Up my Birthday Month

Yay!
2 miles today!

Celebrating Still

Beautiful Day in NC 9.28.11

Me on way to airport 9.28.11

Yesterday I spent some time with fam before heading to to the airport yesterday afternoon.  It was a beautiful day in North Carolina!

Day 25 of 31dayreset was to stop complaining for 24 hours.  Now that was a challenge considering that I was traveling during this "no complaining" time. :)

Today I got up at 5am, did my morning mile, breakfast, then took a nap...then went to my firm's regional meeting, went to salon, ran a few errands and was done for the day.  I noticed my knee was noticeably more sore....I think it's because I wore my 5 inch heels 3 days in a row when I was home.

Happy Birthday to Meeeee!!!!!

It has been a great day...

North Carolina  on 9.27.11

I actually woke up because I was dreaming that I was hearing this beeping sound.  It turns out it was thunderstorming like crazy and my alarm system was beeping...Now it was 6:30 am which still seems super early because I am still on pacific time...I call my parents they don't pick up.  Then my mom calls back.  I tell her, my alarm is beeping but I think they power went out and that's why it's beeping.  I mean it could not have meant anyone was in my house because my alarm would have gone off right? (Still sleepy but trying to be logical here).

Me at my Bday din with bday cake 9.27.11

Nonetheless, I want to make sure no one is in the house.  So with my mom on the phone in one hand and a 3 hole punch in the other hand (it was the heaviest thing in my bedroom that could be used as a weapon, lol), I proceed to walk through the house ready to knock out any intruders.  When I make it to the kitchen, I grab a butcher knife out of the drawer and replace my three hole punch with the butcher knife.  I walk through every room, turn on every light, look under every bed and open every closet until I am sure the house is secure.  Now actually, since all the doors were still locked and the deadbolt was on, it was a pretty small chance that someone was actually in the house.  Also my first logic was correct, since I sleep with the alarm on, if any entryway had been breached the alarm would have sounded VERY loudly.  Nonetheless, I refuse to be like the silly blonde girls in the scary movie that walk straight into danger, empty handed saying, "who's there?".  Hahaha!  This black woman will be prepared!

lush bath bar 9.27.11

I made a nice birthday breakfast for myself.  Then I had a nice bubble bath with lit candles, Duke Ellington and my Lush bath bar that was a bday gift from my BFF!  Lush has hand made bath and beauty products that are safe for your skin AND the environment.  My bath bar was sparkly and gold and makes the water all pretty and bubbly and sparkly, but the sparkles don't end up on your skin.  Ahhh, what a wonderful, relaxing bath.

MeBeforeSpa 9.27.11

Then I went to my parents house and tried to study while my mom got ready.  Well, what had happened was...I kept nodding off while reading.  My mom and I went to the spa.  I got a 1 hour massage.  From the moment the masseuse put his two fingers on each side of my neck, I knew it was a wrap.  I did not think I was sleep until I realized I was lightly snoring, lol.





When my mom and I were checking out at the spa, I looked at her and said, "Ma, you have lines in your face from where you slept during your massage."  She said, "You do too!"  We both laughed.   It was a gooood spa visit.

bday flowers from parents 9.27.11

When we got back to my parents house, I had just missed the delivery guy.  My parents had flowers a plant with flowers delivered to me.  Awwww, I love them so much.  They always send me a plant or flowers on my birthday and my dad always sends my sisters and me flowers on Valentines day.  Sooo sweet!



and dinner with fam....

thanking God for blessing me to see another year...

gotta write this paper tonight...but what if  I took a nap first?????

grit cakes from lucky 32 9.27.11

It's my birthday on the East Coast already!

it's already my birthday on the east coast!

Happy Birthday to Me!

me at early bday din with bff

Finally Home :)

me at parents house 9.25.11

Landed in NC at 9am...stopped by Bojangles (and it was such a disappointment), took mom to Sunday School, went home to shower and get ready for church....

Made it to church right before noon (church starts at 11)...then to my parents house after church for din...and then yes....

my afternoon nap :)

Then later this evening had an initial session with my new branding client...

Now off to bed...I sure do hope I can sleep on east coast time so I can get up on east coast time... :)

Saturday's Road to RedEye

me @sfo waiting to board 9.24.11

I'm currently posting this from my flight...I'm taking a redeye home to the east coast to visit family and friends for my birthday...                                                                                                                                                                                    Today was workout, breakfast, hair salon, brow appt gone wrong...urban decay...3 hours in the office...home for lunch...out for a brow appt with my new brow girl....bought some running shoes...home to clean, pack and shower before heading to SFO for my flight...I made it here JUST in time and there was no one in the security line in front of me...and 1 min after I sat down in the boarding area, they started boarding, yay!...oh and I did take a small "swig" of nyquil....I should sleep very well for the next 4-5 hours.  :)

In case I don't I have my audio books and the latest Essence magazine with First Lady Michelle Obama on the cover.  :)

me after morning mile 9.24.11

I'm looking forward to seeing my mom, dad, sisters and pretty little neice in the morning!!!!

Nite nite and Happy Birthday to Meeeeee!!!!

My new running shoes 9.24.11

Friday and FOUR days!!!

workout, work, dinner


I love September!

mebeforework 9.23.11

Five days until...

mebeforework 9.22.11

morning mile and squats....



work....



mac n cheese, broccoli and asparagus....

brocolli and asparagus 9.22.11

macncheese 9.22.11

Six days to go!

mebeforework9.21.11

Very quick morning workout before work today.

Great conversation today with the volunteer coordinator at Year Up.  I can't wait to get the info about my new mentee and get started working with this organization.

Terriyaki din (broccoli not pictured) 9.21.11

After work, cooked din of terriyaki shrimp rice asparagus and brocolli. :)  Then I read a some chapters for my Systems class.  This Wheatley book is pretty good.  Oh and about those TEN sources I need for my Education Finance KA....my accountability partner for school recommended that I use newspaper articles because they tend to be much shorter...AND he reminded me about Google Scholar, yay!

Meatlunch 9.22.11

31day reset today was to make your bucket list...well this is similar to my DIVA list I started last year.  A few things on my list included to lose weight, travel internationally, apply to PhD program and go to Hawaii.  Well, I applied to Capella's PhD in Leadership Program and was accepted last September.  I later applied to Fielding's Doctorate in Education program and was accepted in December.  I started school in June.  I traveled to Jamaica last year and wanted to go back this year to visit Negril...I hear it's much nicer.  I also wanted to go to Hawaii this year, but will be going in 2012 now.  I also lost 30 pounds last year.  :)  On my bucket list now is to travel to all 7 continents. I'm also working on my goal to be a professor and a writer.

SEVEN THINGS I'M LOVING ABOUT ME THIS YEAR....

Meonwaytowork 9.21.11

Number 7 - I love the "healed" me.  The hurt me was not bad...the hurt me made way for the healed me.  I went through so much emotional abuse and trauma last year....God healed me and even though, it's still a bit tender at times...my heart is much tougher now than a year ago! 

Number 6 -  I love my "resilience!"


Happy Birthday to Meeeeee!!!!!

SEVEN DAYS!!!

fresh flowers on 9.20.11

Well it's SEVEN days until my BIRTHDAY!!!!

These flowers that I bought on September 10 are still here...They didn't last quite as long as my last ones, but as you can see, they're yet holding on.

I was up last night with an upset tummy...that's what I get for eating that Round Table Pizza last night instead of eating my home cooked healthy meal.

Soooo, I overslept and had nooo time for my walk/run and my stomach still wasn't settled.  I forgot to take my pic as well...

I did have some fresh broccoli and pasta for lunch with the rest of that t-bone steak...about 1/4 of it was left and still good.

I applied to be a volunteer at an organization that is in line with my doctoral goals today.  I also got an email from my mentor in response to my September update.  I had told her of my current reading for one of my classes and my plan to complete an outline this week.  Her response...
"You're right the reading is key.  Without having read most of at least five books...and five articles, you simply won't have enough diversity in your evidence to begin to say something that will qualify as having scholarly weight and merit."

Wow was all I could say.  Ten sources before I even begin to write?  Ok, I know she is absolutely correct in that advice to me.  I have ALOT of work to do!

Today's 31dayreset was to ditch tv for a day. The goal was to eliminate a common time-waster so that you have more time to devote to the things that really matter to you. So for the next 24 hours, the challenge was to ditch television or non-work use of the internet.  I chose television.  And I must say...sometimes the tv is on but just as background noise.  I enjoy my evenings of no tv.  They are the most productive and most restful...makes you wonder...why don't I make this a regular practice and only watch television on special occasions.   Actually, my wonderful DVR makes that easier since I can record any television shows I want to watch and watch them at my leisure.  I can even schedule my dvr recordings online.  Sweet!  Meanwhile, I can stick to my goal of 30 minutes of reading during weekdays much easier.

It's the seven day countdown......

SEVEN THINGS I'M LOVING ABOUT ME THIS YEAR....

Number 7 - I love the "healed" me.  The hurt me was not bad...the hurt me made way for the healed me.  I went through so much emotional abuse and trauma last year....God healed me and even though, it's still a bit tender at times...my heart is much tougher now than a year ago!

Happy Birthday to Meeeeee!!!!!

Mondaaayyy

me at work 9.19.11

Me no like monkeys....

I did not make it out for my walk/run...too drained...did 20 squats before hurrying to work.  I was late so I just wore my hair up which I have not done in years.

Heard from a former mentee last night...it was so good to hear that her and her family are doing well.

I also took on a new client for my branding business today...she's got a great business idea and I'm excited to coach her as she brings her brand to life!

31day reset was about doing a time audit of your day...seeing where you waste time and how you can be more productive during your day....I think I've got that one down.

Gotta go to bed early.....

After all it's my birthday month and I need my rest :)

p.s. tomorrow will be 7 days till my birthday...smiling...

Restful Sunday

meaftrwrkout9.18.11

got my workout in, ran errands, church... and was 10 min early, imagine that?!

mebeforechurch9.18.11

didnt nap today because the cable guy came early....

i did get to hang out and chill for a while today...

it was nice

Cajun Seasonings

meaftersalon9.17.11

I woke up around 3:30 this morning and couldn't sleep and was hungry...probably because I had such a small dinner last night....so I popped popcorn and watched a movie....Once it was light outside I started my day...morning walk/run, salon appointment (read my systems class while under the dryer), ran errands... then I realized I had not eaten since my 4am popcorn meal....

I was so hungry that I decided to "fall off the wagon" and go to Five Guys.  So I'm standing in line in Five Guys and I see the guy at the front of the line giving his order. He paid for his order, turned to walk toward the drinks and I got a side view.  No offense to this guy, but he had a humongous stomach.  I immediately thought of how those burgers and fries would totally NOT help me with my health goal...I totally lost my appetite for Five Guys right then and there and left.

Should I nap today?_9.17

I went home and ate some chicken and broccoli instead.  The thing is, even if I had cooked my own burger at home, I can control how much salt and preservatives, etc go into my food.  As a matter of fact, I'm even moving away from these pre-made seasonings which tend to have more salt and other preservatives and making my own seasonings from scratch.  For example, I make my own cajun seasoning easy with onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, oregano and mustard.

So I was hurrying home because at&t u-verse said they'd be here between 12 and 4...I get home, eat lunch, straighten up and then start my studying for the day.  I wanted to take a nap but I so needed to finish reading and I also was not sure exactly what time AT&T would show up...But hey, I had been up since 3:30 am and it was 2pm and it was Saturday so a nap was in order....I figured I'd just wake up when they arrived... and it was a good nap!

I just love sleeping in the middle of the day with the warmth from the sun shining in the window, beating down on my face.  I don't put a limit on the length of the nap...30 minutes or 2 hours...my nap is about what rest I need at that time.  It's best when you can get comfy in pj's.  I wake up refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day...ah yes, naps are gifts from God.

mebeforemynap9.17.11

Well, I my phone rings at 3:30 and it is an automated call from at&t saying they'd be here before 6...they guy gets here at 5.  Turns out the hard drive on my cable dvr box had failed so I lost all my recordings...including the Sunday Best finale. sad face

viewfrommyapt9.17.11

It was a beautiful afternoon...too bad I spent most of it inside napping, reading and waiting for the cable guy.  The napping was good, the reading was productive...the waiting...not so much...

31 day reset to day is about relaxing, reflecting and commenting...tomorrow

Today...it's still my birthday month baby!

Friday On A Mission

Let me post this quick before I go into the rest of my evening....It is Friday, YAY!  It was a balmy 78 degrees and sunny today.  I walked/ran my morning mile this morning (with the monkey and while on the phone) and headed into work.  I just thank God for getting me through this work week.  I also thank God I have a two day break called the weekend before next week begins. 

meafteramwkout9.16.11

Today I worked 8 hrs, paid bills, cooked meals, washed dishes, washed clothes, hung out with coworkers this afternoon and after work, talked to family, friends and two of my accountability partners....I also researched some local travel agents that specialize in Hawaii travel...Yep even though I won't make it there for my bday vaca...I'm still going to Hawaii and gonna have a FABULOUS, luxurious and relaxing vacation...bet!

Meonwaytowork9.16.11

Every day I should be making progress...working on my goals...One healthy thing I did today was getting my mile walk/run in.  As for my specific workout, in addition to my mile, I also did some yoga postures as well as some squats.  Get it, get it!  For my education, I emailed a faculty member about our next Bay area cluster meeting and emailed another faculty member about some other students in the program that are doing work in the same area of my research interest.  I also researched hotel rooms and rates for Fielding's Annual Session next summer.  I'll review Wednesday's night's class, type up my notes and also finish the chapter tonight that I fell asleep on last night.

This t-bone I prepped tonight...I do believe that's meant for 3 people.  I wrapped it loosely in aluminum foil and placed it in a cold oven.  Turn on oven to 350 and cook for a while..once it's almost done, uncover and place on broil until the marinade/seasonings carmelize on top.  Yummy!

Today's exercise for 31dayreset is to write my ideal life narrative that tells a story about the life that I want for myself.  I have to write it all in present tense.  I'll postpone it for the weekend.

Did I mention it's the weekend baby?!  

And not just any weekend, a beautiful weekend, sunny with temps in the upper 70's and 80's...and even better, a weekend in September!

Seriously?

mebeforework9.15.11

I got up and did my morning mile this morning.  As a matter of fact, my workout accountability partner called me at 4:30 am to see if I was gonna get up early for a workout...see, I knew he'd be on it. :)  Oh and I did my new technique of doing 10 second runs.  I think it's gonna work. :) 
So work...well...we had a deadline for Friday and when I got to work they had moved it to 5pm today.  I expressed my concern about getting it done, not because I could not do it, but because the time it would take to complete all of the steps for all the changes in my region and the time it takes the system to process each of those change uploads.  Well we got them to extend it by 2 hrs.  I did have to remind my boss of the individual steps because he wasn't getting it.  I was like dude, seriously?! You gotta stop overcommitting your team and resources.  But ya know what, I'm claiming favor with God and man....and again, I will give God all the glory...bet!

meafterwork9.15.11

I worked till 7:30 and when I got home I rolled my hair and proceeded to call the cable company.  My internet has not been working and my cable has been out for three days as well....and I am not happy about paying for services that I don't have access too.  So they fixed it and are sending a technician out to fix it for good too :)
Honestly, I am pretty exhausted and trying my best to stay positive and get it in... Today is day 11 of my 31 day reset and it's about writing a letter to my lizard brain.  Now this lizard brain concept is from Seth Godin, one of my favorite contemporary business authors.  And considering how I'm feeling right now, it's probably the BEST time to write this letter...so I'll write the letter for this exercise in my journal, but tonight let me just start here with a letter to myself: Dear Christina, I know how you feel and that part of you that's telling you to give up, but woman, you are the bomb and a dreamer and you would not have those dreams if it was not intended for you to reach them.  So rest up tonight and GO FOR IT!  You got that AMBITION baby and you 'bout to make it happen!  Love me....
PS...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY

You Hold My World

meaftermorningmile9.14.11

This morning I did my morning mile and still made it to work in time for my 8:30 meeting.  I started out with my walk/run training, but ran too much and hurt my knee and had to walk the rest of the way.  I've been researching several different methods for beginners/non runners to become runners.  I think tomorrow I will try a more conservative walk/run method designed to be certain that there are no injuries.  It's basically that I will walk 1-4 minutes and then run for 10 seconds, repeat.  Also I should increase my distance each week.  The daily goal is to be able to walk and run while having a conversation without being out of breath.  There is also a 5k walk in Berkley on Sep 24.  I may sign up if I can find someone else in my Black Girls Run SF Bay area group to go with me.  The goal is to just get used to the distance and see what a race is like.  We'll see.
God is completely awesome and I thank him for getting me through my work at work and giving me understanding for what I did not understand and awareness for what I did not know.  I thank him for favor on my job.  It's still more to be done, but I give Him all the credit for getting me through the work of these past few weeks especially.  It has been all him.  Sunday's message was based on the scripture, if my people will humble themselves and pray...then will I hear from heaven.  I took that thing personally and just look at GOD!  Sis Gearl preached a message once...WATCH THIS SPOT!

broccolichickencasserole9.14.11

He also blessed me to be able to get off early and in time to prepare for my first class tonight.  I got off at 4:30..and oh how good that felt...came home, put on my pj's, put the chicken on ...for my chicken brocolli casserole and signed online for my class.  It was great!  I'm gonna love this class and it will provide a great framework for me thinking through my Education Finance as well.

For my Day 11 of my 31 Day Reset, focused on finding an accountability partner.  I chose two areas that I identified on my life map to get accountability partners for:

• Education:  I asked my classmate and friend going through the program with me to me my accountability partner for school....and hold me to my weekly, monthly and semester goals he's holding me accountable to....reading every day, writing on weekends, both drafts and final papers submitted for Ed finance at the end of Sep,Oct,Nov, keeping up with Systems assignments and completing my two KA overviews this semester.  He's emailing me his goals as well.
• Health: I asked my BFF to hold me accountable for my overall health goal making sure I do one thing everyday that contributes to my holistic health goal.  Another friend is holding me accountable specifically to my workout goal of working out 5 days each week.  My ultimate goal is everyday.

He holds my world in HIS hands.

One Thing

myprettyflowers9.13.11

Wow, what a day...thanking God for getting me through it.  Thank God we have brand new mercies each day because I sure am gonna need Him tomorrow as well.  I got to work at 7:30 am and left at 7 pm.  I did a quick (very) workout this morning and came home for a quick lunch of tilapia, shrimp and broccolli.  

Today is DAY TEN of 31 day reset.  http://howtoresetyourlife.net/  My exercise was to do ONE THING to move myself closer to the ideal life I mapped out in my life map on yesterday.  The one thing was not to be related to my daily to do list, but should be something that is personally significant to me and my ideal life, and builds some momentum for my journey.  It should be either something I had been procrastinating on OR something that terrifies me OR something that inspires me.  The main requirement for this exercise is that my ONE THING must be tangible and measurable.  

Reading for my Systems Class

Well I thought maybe my one thing could be that I did a short morning workout or ate a healthy lunch which moves me toward my health goal.  Or maybe my one thing could be that I emailed an update to my mentor or read a chapter for a class which moves me toward my education goal. Both of things are part of my daily routine.  My ONE THING today was that I sought God this morning...and it was beyond a daily scripture and morning thanks and prayer.  I really needed God today and I sought him this morning before work.  Talk about momentum toward my ideal lifestyle! Now while that may not seem tangible and measurable, I can tell you that today HE showed up for me at work in a way that was TANGIBLE and MEASURABLE and I thank him for it!

Progress...not perfection

mebeforework 9.12.11

So I started the day ready to take on every challenge at work....I ended the work day...around 8:30pm and did not make my deadline...the system went down so I took that as a clue that it was time for me to go home....

I soo don't want to cook tonight and wish I had some quick food to eat...I'm even out of popcorn...boo

After a day like today at work, it is important that I make sure my evening focuses on something purposeful for me.  Not that work does not serve it's purpose...right now, my job is my primary source of income and I am grateful to God for it.

Tonight I sent my social media updates to my virtual assistant who updates my twitter, facebook and now my blog for my side business as well.

I also worked on my 31 Day Reset exercise for today which was to create a lifemap.  A life map is essentially a visual/text representation of what your ideal life looks like.  The process involves visualizing (and then putting into writing) EXACTLY what you want your life to look like in 7 specific areas: lifestyle, work, education, finances, health, family and relationships.

My MBA graduation day

Here's the highlight of my circles on my Life Map:

• Lifestyle - living a true bi-coastal lifestyle with domestic and international travel several times a year
• Work - Consulting, full time pay on part time work schedule; writing, teaching
• Relationships - Close to God, spending time with friends often, a loving supportive life partner and husband
• Family - Spending time with family often, speaking with them daily
• Education - Completing my Ed.D, my doctorate in Education. (pic on the right reminds me I've done it before, I can do it again...pic with my sisters but I cropped them out esp since one f my sisters doesn't "do"online)
• Health - 20 pounds lighter, able to run a mile, healthy spirit and soul
• Finances - NO debt, 1 year savings, full estate planning, lots of disposable income for travel 

These look like my life goals but they are also what my good life looks like.  At this point, my life does not YET look like my map, and some areas seem to be so far away; however, I am encouraged as I remember that it is about PROGRESS not perfection. o
One day I'll get there...like my favorite scripture, "when the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream!"

Now, I'll do some reading for my class this week.

I just sang Happy Birthday to Me (the black version)...

Gratitude

So I made it church after all..Pastor Cora was the speaker and she spoke on 2 Chron 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray..." It was a good message to say the least.

My new furniture 9.11.11

My furniture was delivered and looks good. Yay!  I still need chairs for my dining room table, but a nice vase of fresh flowers always makes it pretty in here. :)

Catch up on Day 6, 7, and 8 for 31 day reset...

My fresh flowers on  9.11.11

Day 6...write your personal mission statement...well, I journaled that  but won't share it here.
Day 7...rest, reflect comment...
My favorite exercise so far has been the values in action because it's making your values and beliefs come alive.
My most challenging exercise so far has been the mission statement because it seemed like I was trying to put all my values in action into a small statement...I've done mission statements before but trying to limit my mission for my entire life in one statement seemed hard...but I find that most often we over complicate things...once I got to that point it was simple.
Day 8...gratitude journal
What am I thankful for right in this moment???

• Relaxing on my sofa on a Sunday afternoon.  
• I am also thankful that I am going home to visit family for my birthday at the end of the month. I am so looking forward to seeing my cute little baby niece who is walking now. :)
• I am thankful that I am able to pursue a few of my dreams and items on my diva list as I work on my Ed,D right now.
• I am thankful that God has healed my heart from a year ago as I was going through the biggest relationship heartbreak ever. 
• I am thankful for family and friends.
• I am thankful for God's mercy that I didn't get everything I have deserved as I am not a perfect person.
• I am thankful for God's grace and favor that he has blessed me with so much that I did not deserve but his grace made me worthy.

What's working for my good now??? I'm seeking God and trying to live every day on purpose.

Today I am grateful for...Jesus....and that is still SEPTEMBER, my birthday month!!!

Psalm 126

Psalm 126

1 A Song of Ascents. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." 3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad. 4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

I overslept and missed early morning service and waiting for furniture delivery guys now, but this is my confession!

Thank God for Saturday

I did my morning mile, ran errands and back home before noon.   My early afternoon nap was wonderful.

Me after my morning mile 9.10.11

I also did quite a bit of spring/fall cleaning.

Day 7 of 31 day reset was to rest reflect and relax.

Happy  Birthday Month to me!

Friday, oh Friday...

Today, Friday...was such an intense work day...I had coffee for breakfast and redbull for lunch.  After work, all I wanted to do was just go home and look at a wall....meaning I would love to go salsa dancing, or take in a movie or hang out at the YardHouse with friends, but my body, mind and spirit just could not take it.

I REALLY need a vacation!

Yes it is my birthday month and I am so glad it is Friday.

Day SIX of "31 day reset" is to write my personal mission statement....tomorrow...

Here's a pic of where I wish I could go tomorrow....

Today Was Better!

Me Before Work 9.8.11

Today was better!  I woke up with a headache but I had a great wake up call from a special friend back east. :)  I got to work early so I could finish my reports before my noon meeting.  Well by the time noon came, my head was throbbing.  I took 2 tylenol and 2 ibuprofen and halfway through the meeting it had stopped throbbing enough for me to think clearly.  But two things were going on here...first I really had to go to pee (yes, it's my blog, I say what I want) but couldn't and two, I was hungry for lunch, but it's hard to eat in a lunch meeting when you are facilitating the meeting.  I mean, you take a bite, chew and then you have to talk again.  Ha!
Anyways, I made it through the meeting, by the end of the day my head was throbbing again so I took a 400 mg ibuprofen, left work early taking my work home with  me and took a small "swig" of nyquil when I got home.  hehehe!

peas and rice

Oh and tonight I cooked seared halibut, peas and rice, cajun style!  Yummy!
So today was better, but why?... when I had a headache virtually all day and a full BUSY and INTENSE day of work that I could not finish because of the throbbing in my head.

Cajun Seared Halibut

Well, like I said, I had a nice wake up call from a special friend,  and then, I  received a very encouraging text message from my BFF and I also received an encouraging tweet message from my BCF (black coffee friend).

But what was BEST about today?
GOD woke me up to live another day!  


And why else???....wait first...

Today is Day 5 of "31 days" and today's focus was to envision your values in action.  For each of the values, I rated myself on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best, at how well I think I am living those values out...then I had to list specific actions that I would consider me fully living out my values.  I love today's exercise because it's easy to list your values and it's a challenge to rate yourself (honestly of course)...the real challenge however, is listing specific actions that make live at level 10 in all of your values.  I journaled them all out, but will share just a couple here:

Ambition - 7 now...to live at level 10, I would have to pursue all of my dreams every day.  One of my biggest pursuits now is my EdD...I want to open a leadership development institute for high school and college students and pursuing my doctorate in education is a huge step. Especially since I'm going to school full time and working a intense job full time and living my life as well.

Health - 5 now...to live at level 10, I would have to be physically fit.  I do not believe in diets; however I am currently paying attention to having a more balanced diet, i.e. more veggies and good fish and less bad carbs and red meat.  This can be a challenge since I'm a self proclaimed steak and potatoes girl.  I am also targeting daily workouts.  I am training for the Diva Half Marathon in May.  My first step is to be able to run the 5k, then the half marathon.  Walking and running is great exercise and improves your overall health.  I would also like to get back to Bikram yoga.  There is not currently a bikram yoga studio close enough to fit into my schedule.  In the meantime, I continue a traditional yoga practice to maintain flexibility.

Ok, back to it...and why else was today better???
Because it is still MY BIRTHDAY MONTH! Yay me!

"Happy Birthday tooo MEEEEEeeeeeee!"