Self-Improvement Movement

               Alright, I know what you're thinking...it's only been like sixteen days since my last post, (a new record for me if I might add) anddddd you're right, I'm sorry it's been a crazy time! (Which is what I'd say if I had actually been that busy, which I haven't to be completely honest). With that being said it's not that I haven't not been busy, if that makes sense (there's gotta be some grammar error in that somewhere but it's the best way I can say it,) I legit never knew that working an 8-5 job everyday could be so exhausting (cue my mom's I told-you-so speech) but being completely honest I haven't written because I haven't been so passionate about anything lately that I felt the need to blog about it. Like yeah I've started a couple of drafts on different subjects, but the problem is I'm not the kind of person that can just write to write something, I tend to ramble incoherent thoughts together and it comes off as half-assed, which is so not me, and I wouldn't wanna put you through that kind of torture! 

      Now with that said, the last couple of days I've been super focused on self-improvement, any possible way that I could work on becoming a better me internally and externally. Internally I've been trying to focus on improving my relationships with the people around me, especially the people that I feel like I don't show how much I love and appreciate them as much as I could (Yes mom, that means you lol ;)) and also working on some of the character flaws I have, because Lord knows I have quite a few; impatience and being an ocd overly perfectionist are just the tip of the ice burg for me. 

       On the other hand, the external aspect of my self-improvement movement has been mostly centered on getting myself on a healthy diet regiment, and getting fit. Now before someone starts on the "you're gorgeous just the way you are spiel" I'm not saying that I am dissatisfied with the way I look, because I'm not, I'm just trying to actually make myself become fit; because somehow I don't think my idea of exercise, aka sitting on the couch, eating a bag of chips, and watching the people on the screen workout is what a fitness instructor (or any person with common sense) would consider being fit. 

         So because of this I've decided that I'm going to start going to classes (zumba, yoga, spinning etc.) since I HATE the gym, like with a PASSION (don't ask me why I just do) and I know that if I get one of those videos that tell you how to workout I would never have the self-motivation to actually follow through on the work outs, in fact I'd probably be on the couch yelling at the instructor to stop telling me what to do because s/he doesn't know my life story (while eating a bag of chips of course). So with all that in mind a class where I'd actually have to go and not eat chips because all the people in the class would stare at me like I had three heads is the way to go, NO EXCUSES. 

         The final part of this external aspect is to try to cut down/ eliminate the amount of soda I drink a day and instead to switch to a detox water that everyone has been talking about, which apparently eliminates all of the toxins in your body, while also slimming you down, and the icing on the cake (as if a banging waist is amazing enough) IT ACTUALLY TASTES GOOD TOO! Say whaaa! Yes many of the different detox waters (and yes there are millions of flavors) taste great and can be mixed and combined in innumerable ways to match each and every individuals taste buds so we can all enjoy shedding a few easy pounds. 

          So yes my self-improvement movement is set to commence this week, but I will need your help. Knowing how I am, I'm usually super into my improvement plans for like two weeks and then I'm just like ehhh I can skip a day or two...oh whoops its been two years guess I'll wait till New Year's to make getting in shape my resolution...for the seventh year in a row; I give you full permission to be on me about keeping this plan in check, and if you see me eating like 6 chocolate glazed doughnuts you are fully allowed to knock it out of my hand (I may SERIOUSLY dislike you in the moment, but I promise I'll love you later on :D)and I will make sure to post updates on how my movement is going as time progresses. 


         

On Graduation

     So it hit me like a stack of bricks, two years ago today I took that walk across a stage, received my diploma, and was ushered into the "real world" no longer a child but a fully functioning member of society, "a grown up." I seriously can't believe how quickly these two years have gone by, it seems like just yesterday that I was at my prom, attending Temple's overnight orientation, and starting my official day of college and today was kind of like a wake up call, like what have I really been doing these last two years? Where did all that time go?

    Now don't get me wrong, I have been doing a lot between being a full time student, working, and basically trying to figure out what the hell to do with my life it still felt to me like I really hadn't been doing much, I mean I have so many friends that have gone from one endeavor to another, others that are consistently traveling, and some who decided to settle down and start their families, all options I could have opted for but didn't.

  So I really sat down and thought about what I had been doing these last two years and realized, I was focusing on creating the me that I wanted to be, and knew I could be. Starting college made me realize that maybe some of the choices I had always assumed would be right for me might not be the best fit, e.g. medical school (recipe for disaster!) I think that before college I had been so focused on what seemed like the "right" choice that I deluded myself into thinking that yea I wanted to become a doctor, live in Philly for the rest of my life, have two kids, and live a "happily ever after."

  But what I've learned recently is, a "right" or "safe" life isn't what I want, first reason being anyone who really knows me can vouch for the fact that lawyer is a better option for me, with my need to have the last word and all, and I've gotten really into the idea of moving out of Philadelphia (the sooner the better!) Not even because I don't love the city, but because I feel like to fully get the independence I need, I need to prove it to myself that I can be on my own, maybe even in a city where I don't really know anyone, or my surrounding, and see if I can make it.

  The final thing that I've learned in these two years is that there's no such thing as that "happily ever after" life won't always be sunshine and rainbows, sometimes the prince doesn't rescue the princess, and you know what THAT'S OKAY. I think that those bad days where nothing seems to go right and the world seems like it's out to get us, need to happen because it brings us back to reality, to the fact that yeah things are gonna go wrong sometimes, maybe so that better things can come together, or maybe just because those things weren't meant to be for us, maybe just at the current time or ever, and again that's okay.

  What matters through all of it, is how we get through it (if we get through it at all) and the people who stand by us through it all, those are the people that we want and should always keep in our lives. I can honestly say that the lesson I've cherished the most I learned since graduation is just how important the value of a true friendship is. I've made and lost so many friends these past two years, and when I look back at the ones who've stayed and never left, I can't help but feel immensely thankful for how they put up with my mood swings, talked me through all the hardships I went through, and cheered me on through all of my accomplishments, and I know that it's through their unwavering support that I've been able to fully become the me I am today.

  So to all the St Huberts grads today, from a semi recent alum I must say, cherish the friends who root for you to succeed, the ones who won't just get you in trouble but stick with you through the consequences, the ones who point out all of the good characteristics in you when you seem to be falling apart, and help you pick up the pieces after it's all said and done. Yeah, it's been a serious awakening these past two years for me, but I wouldn't change it even if I could.

   And because I can't help myself heres a couple of pics from my graduation and some of the people who've helped shape the women I've become.