Life – Page 19

Dose of Durkin – Death – Thoughts

October 19, 2017 by Alicia 1 Comment

I didn’t really know where this post was going, just thoughts and some writing I felt I needed to share.

I got an email today (Monday) from Todd Durkin. I’m subscribed to his weekly emails ever since meeting him at Blogfest/Idea World this past July. I read his book of WOW and if you haven’t read it, you NEED to. So much inspiration from Todd. I’ll admit, I don’t read every email I get. Sometimes I just delete it. Monday’s topic hit me hard though…death.

You know that topic you don’t want to ever talk about. That topic you really don’t even want to think about. How much longer do I have to live? Will I achieve the dreams I have?

I think 2017 has given me a lot of change in perspectives. Beginning the year with traveling with just a backpack, not knowing my next destination or what I was even doing the next day at times. That was hard and yet so freeing. Each day, I faced that type A planner in myself by learning to let go. The trip was worth it and I would take it again in a heartbeat. I started the year on such a high.

australia zoo koala cuddle 2 — holding a koala, one of the best days of my life

Then I came back to the states…back to reality, moving and finding a job. My anxiety and stress of when will I find a job, when will these rejection emails stop…crept up on me. I was thankful I did manage to find a job rather quickly in the grand scheme of things.

I had a job. I got back into working out regularly. I lost the 6 pounds I put on during my travels. I felt better. And then…August came. A sudden death followed by lots of food I don’t typical eat and I paid for it. I felt horrible, physically and mentally…not just from coping with this sudden death, but also because as much as I tried to keep up my workouts, they didn’t negate the amount of sweets I ate.

Shortly after that, we were preparing for yet another funeral. I was just finishing up my yin yoga training and that was hard. Hard, because yin involves so much emotion that I never knew. I went online and ordered stress relief oils. They were amazing when they came.

One thing I believe, life is full of lessons. I have learned and heard from many people how it’s how you react to the situation. A sudden death in the family doesn’t mean YOUR life stops. You have to keep moving forward. Take your time to grieve of course. Remember though, the person who passes probably wishes for you to continue living your life and being happy. It can take some time but make baby steps.

When September came, I thought, great a new month and I will get back on track. I worked to get back to the gym. I booked 2 massages that month. I worked on my self care. Everything was great…until it wasn’t.

September 14^th, I learned my uncle was in a serious accident. First there were hopes he would recover, though it would be a long road. However, just a couple days later, we learned the outcome was not good and unfortunately the decision to let him go peacefully was best. Nearly a week went by where I knew this but didn’t know when I would be booking a flight home. My sleep that week wasn’t great. I was glad though that I had my massage before heading to the airport.

Knowing that I was heading home, I arranged to meet up with a friend and spend some beautiful summer like days in September in Chicago. It was nice to not think about all the recent happenings and sadness.

During my time in the Chicago area, I had some sort of allergies. The day I flew home, my head was all stuffed up and I was tired. With my flight being delayed, I never made it to work (which was a team outing that day that I was sad to miss) and I opted to just pick up some food and go to bed early.

The next day, I was feeling a bit better, but still tired and still feeling off through the weekend. I opted for sleep over workouts. My body needed it. I got a terrible cold just as I thought I was getting better.

I looked forward to Wanderlust in Philadelphia that weekend. Wanderlust includes a 5K, yoga and meditation. One thing I am not good at, is sitting still. I need to learn meditation more. However, of all the components to that day, the meditation was the most worthwhile to me as it helped me realize just how much stress I was holding on to.

So many setbacks in the last 2 months and it has been a roller coaster. You can’t imagine how much I am looking forward to 2018, a new year, an even numbered year (yes I have a preference).

I have goals and dreams in mind for 2018 that I will share when the time comes, but here is where Todd Durkin continues to inspire me. You have to take action NOW. Sure the last two months haven’t been great. I have had setbacks, but that is why it is so important that I wake up each day and remember, hey it’s a new day. Hey I am still ALIVE!! Today I am feeling better and what am I going to do with my time? I am going to try to spend it to the best that I can, working towards my goals. The work can start now, baby steps to everything. Learning never stops. Brian teaches me that daily when he gets into a new project. Continue to learn and continue to work towards your dreams.

Every day you are alive and well is a day to be grateful for.

Thanks Amanda for letting me think out loud.

Enjoying Nature and Leg Day

October 16, 2017 by Alicia Leave a Comment

I can’t believe we are halfway through October already. I guess it is hard to believe because we had another weekend of 70 degree temps. I’m not complaining though. I think this week as we might get our first frost, I may need to bring out my Fall jacket. Though I also wonder by the time I bring out my Fall jacket, it may be too late and I might just need a winter jacket. Speaking of winter jackets, I’ve had mine since I was like 14 years old and I think this year I am finally going to search for a new coat. Any recommendations for a warm winter jacket appreciated.

Now back to the weekend. Friday at work actually went by fairly quickly. I am starting to get a few projects to do and that helps the day go by. I headed to my usual yoga class after work and it felt so good to stretch. I was good at doing yoga at least 3 times a week a couple months back but now it’s more like twice a week. I need to work on doing some on my own at home, maybe a quick 15 minute morning routine or something.

When I got home, Brian and I chatted for a while. I called a few people and then before I knew it, it was 9pm and I got into bed, watching Netflix for a bit. Saturday morning I slept in just past 7. It’s getting easier to sleep in with the sun rising later. I had some breakfast and then headed to get an oil change on my car. Luckily I was the third customer for the morning and it was done pretty quickly.

Once I got home, I had a bit of time to eat a snack and then head out for a massage. I am loving monthly massages. Not only do they help me destress and especially help my tight shoulders from sitting at a desk daily, but it has also improved my workouts.

I made a quick stop at Target and then picked up with ribs for lunch and headed home. Shortly after eating lunch, Brian and I headed out for the afternoon. We drove to Ithaca and walked around the top part of Taughannock Falls State Park. It was such a beautiful day and the parks were crowded.

We had planned to make a stop at the lower part of the falls as well, but when we drove down, we found out you had to pay for parking. Apparently it’s the last weekend they are charging but it seemed late in the season to still be charging. Somehow we lucked out with the top being free.

So instead we just took a ride and Brian (being the passenger) found a brewery to stop at on the way. I think Brian likes me driving so he can drink beer ;). Brian got 4 tastings at Hopshire Brewery. I made him get the hard cider to try and that was pretty good. As usual, Brian made me try each beer as well to see the look on my face, but I was surprised when I actually tolerated one of them quite well and took more than one sip. So my pick would be the Cohoperation that had a citrus and grapefruit taste and I think that’s why I liked it.

After the brewery, we made a stop at a cider place where Brian picked up 3 gallons of apple cider to make his own hard cider at home and I got a small bag of golden delicious apples for only $5. Golden delicious has always been a favorite of mine.

Along the drive, Brian and I enjoyed the country scenery. It almost felt like we were on vacation for a minute (at least to me) as we drove around. We then headed to Marathon to meet up with some family friends and join them for homemade pizza night. I don’t eat pizza often, but homemade sounded delicious to me and it was, along with ceaser salad. We enjoyed chatting and catching up since I probably won’t see them again until Thanksgiving.

We finally arrived home at about 9pm so it was a good afternoon and evening out and about. I wasn’t super tired, so I decided to read in bed for a bit before heading to sleep.

Sunday morning, I was awake and ready to start the day at 7:15. I got up and quickly ate and then changed for the gym. I was excited to do some squats again. From issues with my right hip to traveling to having a terrible cold, it had been a good month since I have done squats. While the squats were challenging, they felt pretty good. I really have to build strength in my glutes again.

After a sweaty gym session, I splashed water on my face and turned on the AC in the car and went to Wegmans. I think I looked somewhat presentable…I also think my legs will be like jello for a while.

I got my groceries for the week and got right in the kitchen when I arrived home. I made some vegan pumpkin scones which turned out so delicious and also prepped my meat to marinate for tonight’s dinner.

I was amazed how much I accomplished before noon. I’m writing this as Sunday afternoon has just begun so I’m not sure what I will be doing the rest of the day. I’m thinking an episode of This is Us and then some reading.

What’s your favorite apple?

Thinking Out Loud 10-12-17

October 12, 2017 by Alicia Leave a Comment

Hey guys!! I was so scatter brained yesterday that I forgot I had a post cued up. If you missed it, I wrote a post on my morning routine. I absolutely love the mornings and having a routine to follow helps me kick off the day with a good start. Night time routines…I definitely do not have and really should try to get into better habits in the evenings. I mean I am good about going to bed between 9 and 10, but I feel I need a better “wind down” routine.

Anyway, popping in with a little glimpse from the week so far. I swear lately on Wednesday, it has felt like Thursdays and I am always a day ahead in my head. This Friday is Friday the 13^th too. Eeekkkk.

Getting lollipops at the doctors office is the best. First time at a dermatologist and one of my moles looked suspicious so they removed the top layer to test it. Hopefully it’s fine, but if I have to go back and get it further removed I will and be glad I went in for a check. Planning to do annual visits from here on out.
When you subtotal 20,000 lines in excel it takes literally a good 5 minutes which feels like forever when you are used to things happening instantly. So I was doodling while I waited. I was afraid to use other programs on my computer for fear it would slow it down further or just crash my computer. Fun Fact: one of my first best friends taught me how to draw this dog and it’s still my go to…those are my art skills.
Back to aerial yoga this week but gripping and pulling is hard with my sprained finger still recovering. Amazingly weight lifting isn’t bothering my finger too much, it was just the holding onto silks when doing flips or lifting my body weight. Amazing when you don’t realize how important each finger is until one doesn’t function 100%.
this is bat pose
Steak dinner. Brian bought steaks and we planned to eat together last night, but then he forgot he had a class to go to so I was home alone, which wasn’t bad and I still got my steak, already cooked for me when I returned home from work and the gym
I finished off my breakfast cookies as a dessert after dinner. These are so good and my new go to breakfast whenever I have time to whip them up. I am so tired of hot oatmeal, but not tired of oats in a different form
I’m on binge with The Girl Next Door podcast again. I have just recently finished up their 2014 (first year) episodes. I just couldn’t listen to the fall episodes when it was summer outside, but now fall and holiday episodes are ok. I also listened to one of their first 2015 episodes talking about money and handling it as a couple. I am always fascinated by what other couples do with managing money. So far Brian and I have not had joint accounts, but I think we will open one soon for some shared expenses (aka wedding saving).

Thanks Amanda for the link up.

My Morning Routine

October 11, 2017 by Alicia 2 Comments

There’s no question about it, I’m a morning person. For many years, I have had a morning routine. It started back in my school days. I believe by the time I got to 6^th grade was when I really started to create my own morning routine. Fun fact: I asked for an alarm clock for Christmas when I was in 5^th grade because I knew for middle school I would need to take the bus and the school started an hour earlier. During the summer between 5^th and 6^th grade, I practiced getting up at 6am.

In 6^th grade my morning routine included eating breakfast first thing. I was always starving for breakfast. Then getting dressed, brushing my teeth, making my lunch and calling up my friend and telling her parents I would be over in about 10 minutes. [Back in the days before cell phones.] My friend was NOT a morning person and there were times I called and she wouldn’t even be out of bed yet, so my call was like a wake up call. I would head over a block to her house and if she wasn’t ready I would play look out for the bus and yes I would totally ditch her so I wouldn’t miss the bus, but luckily we always made it, somehow.

Fast forward 16 years (wow I’m feeling old now), my morning routine varies on whether I am going to the gym in the morning or not. If I am going to the gym, I have a 4:45am alarm (I know, it’s early!). I usually sleep in my workout top, immediately put on my pants, drink about half of a smoothie I prepped the night before and head out the door to the gym.

gym workout — stretching in the boxing area of the gym

I return shortly after 6 and then make breakfast part 2, cooking up some bacon and finishing my smoothie. If I am really hungry, I will also make some oatmeal. While I eat, I catch up on Youtube videos, Netflix or read blogs. Usually I do this for about a half hour and then Brian’s brother heads to work. I then clean up my dishes, brush my teeth, pick out my clothes and get dressed and then have some chill time. I usually have about 20 extra minutes in the morning. While some people might want to sleep 20 minutes longer, I use the time to write, pay bills online or just continue to watch Netflix. Being a morning person, I like to take my time and not feel rushed.

What changes if I am not going to the gym is I get to “sleep in” until 6am and then make bacon and oatmeal for breakfast and everything else the same follows.

I pack up my lunch the night before so I grab it from the fridge and put some salad dressing on my salad and then I’m ready to go. On a regular day, I arrive to work between 7:40 and 8am. I like to be early and my current job, the parking lot fills up quickly between 7:50 and 8am. If you are too close to 8am, you have to park in the far far away lot. OK it’s not that bad with our current weather, but in winter, I wouldn’t want to walk the extra half mile or so.

On the weekend, my morning routine is pretty laid back. I usually wake up between 7 and 8 unless I have to be somewhere early. I make breakfast. This is when I try to switch up my breakfast and make protein pancakes. After eating, I pretty much get dressed into workout clothes and head to the gym or yoga. I just like getting out first thing in the morning. Then while I am out, I can run all my errands. Saturdays are for grocery shopping and any other stores I need to stop at. That way, Sunday is for cooking and relaxing at home.

I feel like by having a morning routine, I can better tackle the day. It helps me feel organized. I always work better in the morning too. Once lunch hits, I seem to work slower, especially if I don’t have a specific project I am working on. Honestly if I had the option, I would love to work like 6-2:30 and then do my workouts mid afternoon and be home for the evening. Maybe one day I will get my optimal schedule. I also just like that the morning is my “me time.” I don’t like to have conversations in the morning and I especially don’t like to talk before getting food in my belly. I am a bit better at it now, but I like peace and quiet mornings.

When Brian is home, he usually sleeps in and I kind of like that we have different schedules so that I can have my peace and quiet. Even when we traveled, since I was the morning person, I would start breakfast or go workout while Brian slept. We realized that it helped our sanity because otherwise I’m a little kid jumping on Brian to get up so we can do something. I realized it’s better if I go do something for me while he sleeps and then when I return, he is ready to go.

Now I just need to get better at having an evening routine and putting my phone or computer away at least 30 minutes before sleeping.

Do you have a morning routine?

Are you a morning or night person?

« Previous Page