December to remember. Awesome-ness!!

My blog----->   http://140-160andbackagain.blogspot.com/

I wanna keep this short and simple. 

2010 has been a year of ups and downs. I have learned so much about myself and the strengths and weaknesses I possess. I've been impressed by what I can accomplish and the love people have given me. I am blessed by every passing moment and even though it wasn't the better of years, I am still here and can honestly say I have become a better person. 

I have traveled around the world, lived in 3 different countries and had the honor of competing in the sport of cycling throughout Europe. It's been great. But honestly, when I look back, nothing compares to the moments I have with you guys. The minutes or seconds with you, getting to know you more on a deeper level.  So, thank you to all my friends who have been there for me. Thank you to all the new friends I have made and to those I will become friends with. I am grateful for my health and the chance to live a fulfilling life. I am grateful for my new job and a roof over my head. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. Thank you for showing me the many fun things about life. Thank you for everything. Thank you thank you thank you... 

Thank you to everyone who have read my blog and continues to. Thank you for your support and I apologise I haven't been consistently writing. It's been a rough November and December for me, but I continue to move forward. You will see more entries for January and I will have you guys in my heart with your thoughtful comments and advice. You guys have made me a better person and I in turn owe you guys big! 

No cheesy lines to end this blog entry, except to say... I hope to see you all soon, HAPPY NEW YEAR and I will talk to you soon. Be safe, ciao!! 

Music makes the world go round. Right??

(picture from http://www.meditate-on-it.com/meditation-music.html)

Music makes the world go round and it certainly helps me throughout my day. When a hint of a crappy day is around the corner, music comes and snatches that piece of s**t away. I can just whistle a tune  or sing a disney song and boom, I feel that much better at work. Once music grabs you, you're on a whole new planet. I cannot imagine anyone saying that music does not inspire. If you are that one person, I truly am sorry for you, but I would be happy to help you find a song that will. Music are like clothes, it can fit you to any occasion. lol.

This past week, I read a story about a man who had a goal of owning 100 things. This includes, socks, toothbrush, books, dvds, etc.. He was inspired to live minimally and felt owning too much possession can be distracting. In a way, I agree and I just felt I had too much junk that I have been lazy to get to and sort out. I finally mustered enough strength and will power to overhaul my home and sort out my stuff. Now I'm not going to own 100 things, but I've been sorting out what I really need and what I can live without. We always think we need to hang on, but we really don't. We feel so deserving of something and maybe because we worked so hard for it, but it's still a material item. We shouldn't be too attached to our possessions; they all and come and go. We get something new, we love it for a bit, then we get used to it, complacent and comfortable and then we want something new.  Anyway, if only I was able to take a before and after picture though. That would have been really cool because I gotta tell you, there was a huge difference, almost night and day. I'm not just done yet, but I am more than 50% done with this home. (Sigh of relief again)

Everyday for breakfast, I've been making sure I eat a healthy one. I have been eating cereal with either reduced fat milk or soymilk in a bowl and with either OJ or water. Last time, I said I'm going to take it slow with this whole eating healthier thing. Just putting yourself out there and going all out can really burn you out. So with eating a good breakfast and keeping it different everyday, I actually look forward to eating something good for me in the morning. They say variety is the spice of life and I have to agree. Eating the same thing everyday can be so traumatising and keep you away from certain food, like me and Subway. Lesson learned. Variety variety variety! Next, different snacks.

Before I go, I have to say. It has been a relief to hear from the Orthopedist saying that my xrays of my knee are negative. For now, a physical therapist will be working with me and hopefully that'll do the job. HOPEFULLY! If not, next plan of action, TBA. I've been resting my knee when not at work, and when I need to exercise, I just use the elliptical and/or swim. I always said I wanted to get back into competition and maybe ucla's master swim team can be in the future? Time will only tell.

Finishing December strong.

Lately, I've been thinking about my birthday. And even though it wasn't the most glamorous or festive of usual birthdays, I thought it was one of the best birthdays by far. Everything was simple but meaningful. At the stroke of midnight, I took my dog out for a walk. Nobody was outside and it felt like it was just Forza and I in the world. It was quiet, still and I was able to think with a clear head and imagine all the possibilities in my life.

Taking that back to today, my birthday gave me a glimpse of what can become of today and tomorrow with hard work, determination, humbleness, and gratefulness. With 2011 coming around the corner, I want to finish off this month with a bang. I took my birthday as a motivating factor to be stronger as a person at 27. Now with just three weeks left, I CANNOT let up now. Most people look to January as the time to start fresh and work on our goals. But for me, I wanna finish strong NOW so for 2011, I can come into the new year with more confidence (hopefully) and lean with a new swag, lol.

I have to say, work has been less stressful. I feel I've been able to get through work more and more without stressing out. Yes it's mostly good stress, but I know we can all due without most of it. Recently, I've learned about people in Ethiopia and how some of them have to walk miles just to get something to eat, go to school or barter goods. I personally can't imagine walking 20 miles just for something I can pick up locally with my car. But thinking about them and how I don't want to take things for granted really got my mind working and not complaining at work. "So and so yelled at me and is telling me this and that..." 'Ya??? Well, my son just walked 20 miles to get our family a few glasses of water in the sun. So I guess I can understand where you're coming from.' --- so ya,  complaining doesn't seem so appetizing to me right now.

On another note, I've still been trying to eat healthier. I've definitely been inconsistent. My knee has been holding me back, which kinda got me down again leading to me eating bad mixes of consumable items. On the brighter side, I've decided to let medicine help me back with my recovery process. I don't want to work out just to get fitter without helping my knee out. It'll just backlash in the future. So today, I'm seeing my Orthopedist. What's the point of looking good for the sacrifice of a better knee? Nothing, cause a better knee will serve a better purpose in the future, like carrying my children and playing with them, or putting up our X-Mas tree. But anyway, wish me luck today!