Happy New Year!

I decided I would go back and see what my New Year's Resolutions were last year to see if I followed through on any of them.

1. Workout (which I do now anyway, but I want it to be more of a routine)
2. Loose 15 lbs. (even though I don't feel fat in any way, I want to loose those last 15).
3. Take the stairs the majority of the times (I live on the fourth floor, which in NYC is really the fifth floor because the lobby doesn't count. This will definitely help me with resolution #2).
4. Meditate more (I need my quiet time).
5. Be more giving.
6. Pursue my calling.
7. Expand my knowledge of crochet.
8. Learn how to knit better.
9. Read more books.
10. Gossip less (I try not to talk about people, but sometimes I find myself doing so)
11.Be grateful.

Let's see how I did. Well, my exercise routine came to a screeching halt when I messed up my knees and hip (btw, I hurt my left knee at work again). I definitely have not lost any weight. Actually, I've gained about five pounds (of course I weighed myself after having my mom's Xmas dinner). I haven't been taking the stairs at home at all, but since I take the subway all the time, I do take the stairs then. I have not increased my meditation time. I do, however, take a few minutes at night before going to sleep and thank all of those higher beings that help me throughout my day to day activities. I have been very giving, but you could always do more. My crochet and knitting have improved, but lately I haven't been able to dedicate much time to it. Although last night, while I was icing my knee, I did do some knitting. I've been reading plenty of books. I'm not sure I've increased my reading, but I've bought plenty of books this past year. Reading is a form of meditation for me. So, I try to get my hands on as many books as I can. I have made an effort to not gossip as much, but I still find it difficult. I don't mean gossiping like "Oh do you know what this person did?" I mean commenting about other's situations if the conversation comes up. I have to work on that one. Last but not least, I have been incredibly grateful. Like I mentioned before, I give thanks about everything.

So, what do I expect from myself for the new year?

1. Enjoy more of life with Dan.
2. Be more grateful.
3. Meditate more.
4. Set aside time for my hobbies.
5. Go away with Dan more often.

I shortened my resolutions because life should be simple. As long as I'm enjoying life, everything else should fall into place. I hope you all have a great new year. Have fun tonight!

Xmas Eve!

Christmas Eve it is! I can't believe how fast time is flying. My mom and I were talking about this the other day. Either we're extremely busy or time is going by faster. This has been compounded by the fact that today is my first day off this week and I'm not done with gifts! My apartment is a mess, which I should start cleaning now. My poor pooch needs a bath that has to happen to day. He's looking pretty yucky. Since Dan began working on Saturdays, we haven't been able to take him to the groomers. There's just not enough time!

Anyway, I'm sure I'm not the only that is pressed for time. With all the cleaning and shopping I need to do, I plan to take it easy. I've become stressed to the point that I'm having nightmares. Two nights ago I was screaming for help at the top of my lungs in a dream I was having. Last night, I dreamt that the televisions in my apartment turned on by themselves and I became really scared (if anyone knows me well, they know I don't get scared over spooky stuff). A chill pill is in order.

Well, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope everyone gets what they've been wishing for!

I'm Pooped!

We are very near that time of year where holiday stress is way up. I am not exactly stressed about Christmas, but I'm tired. So as a result, I've kind of lost the Christmas spirit. You can't blame me, the next day I have off from work is Christmas Eve. I'll actually have two days off together and all I could think about is staying home and relaxing. I'm not in the mood of celebrating. I won't even have time to prepare for it. On the 23rd., I'll probably pull another ten or eleven hours, which leaves me exhausted for Christmas Eve celebrations.

It's already happening. On Sundays, I try to go out and only last about two or three hours. Yesterday, we went out to get some gifts and food shop. While we were food shopping, I got cranky and wanted to get home. The night ended well because I got to watch one of my gifts. Dan and I never wait for Christmas to give each other gifts. He got me "The Lost Boys" on DVD (I have it on VHS), which is one of my favorite movies of all time. We sat down, ate popcorn, and watched it. After the movie was done, I went straight to sleep.

I don't know how Dan is doing it because he's been working six-day work weeks for seven weeks now. He holds it together better than I do. I've only been doing it for almost three weeks and I'm falling apart. I suck! I give him lots of credit for working so hard. We deserve a vacation and we won't be taking one anytime soon. We'll have to do a little weekend getaway soon (of course we'll have to stop working weekends).

I'm Getting my Butt Kicked!

I am sooooo tired! The minute I get home from work, I eat and fall asleep on the couch. I just did it now. It was about 6:30 and I fell asleep on the couch and woke up about twenty minutes ago (9:40). The same thing happened to me last night. I knocked out for a few hours and woke up. This is going to be a tough week for me. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, I won't have the luxury to nap. Those are going to be long days for me. I might go into the office tomorrow super early and leave early. I was able to escape today because of a seminar I had to go to. I don't let's see.

By the way, I am really liking this job. Granted, I haven't been on the phone with anyone, but the challenge of the job excites me. For the past two days, I've been dreaming (literally) about different scenarios. I told one of the guys at work about it and he laughed at me saying that it's sinking in. I would love to take the plunge and quit bartending, but Christmas is less than two weeks away (not to mention Dan's birthday on 1/03). I can't walk away from cash right now. I'm hoping that by the middle of January, I'm done. That's my goal.

I'm going to be licensed in about 37 states. Most importantly, though, I'll be licensed in NY, NJ, CT, and FL. The last one being very important. I travel to Florida very often so getting loans down there shouldn't be a problem. So my dear Floridian readers, you know who to go to if you need a mortgage. Distance is not a problem. I feel this is the best move I've ever done career wise. I've never been excited about a job and I've never liked one, but this one gets me fired up.

Well, got to go. I have dishes and sleeping to do!

Well, I've Been a Bit Busy

Let me start off by saying that work has completely overtaken any free time I basically have. I'm not saying this because I'm swinging both jobs. The hours I'm spending at my bartending job have increased and not because I've been picking up any shifts. The place is mobbed from when we open up until we close. On Friday, I spent ten and a half hours there and yesterday was twelve. I'm not complaining because I am making really good cash. I'm just tired.

Today was our first day off (Dan is also pulling six-day work weeks). We did a little shopping. I'm upgrading my wardrobe for the new job. I have to say that I've gotten plenty of clothes for little money. With all the coupons and sales stores are having, I can't complain! I've gotten four sweaters, three pairs of pants, and two blouses for about $170 (and I actually spent less because I had a $75 gift card from my birthday). Can you believe that?

By the way, I think I've gained some weight. I went up a size, but my old clothes still fit me. Nowadays, designers are cutting clothes so differently that I end up trying a bunch of different sizes. Every store is different. Low rise pants fit me horrible because they don't take into account my big ass. I'm not being mean about myself. I've got back. I'm not ashamed of it, either. Those low rise pants are not meant for Latinas like me. I've got curves and lots of them. And you know what? I love my body.

I realized this today in the fitting room. I don't have the best looking legs. I could definitely flatten my belly. My arms say bye-bye every time I wave, but whatever. I'm happy with the way I look. For a long time, I hated how curvy my body is. Nothing fits right, but that's not my fault. They make clothes for women that are suppose to look like boys. Very few designers make clothes with us in mind. Those that do are Daisy Fuentes and J Lo. There is a brand called Apple Bottoms, which I've only seen ads for. I'm not aware of any other brands that help me out.

There you have it! I do need to work out again. My knees and hip have stopped hurting. It's time I hit the pavement. I just need some free time. Since I'll be making my own hours at this new job, I'll make sure I schedule workout time. I love how my body feels when I workout. No matter how much I workout, I'll still be curvy. Even if I shrink in size, I'll still have a hard time buying pants. Whatever, whatever, whatever...

Updated Xia

It's 1:30 am, and I'm not even remotely sleepy (big problem since I have to work tomorrow morning). I'm hoping a little blogpost will help me relax enough to want to close my eyes.

So, here are a few things of interest to me:

1. I love waxing!! Back in the summer, SG and I decided to go half on a wax warmer, wax and strips (we live next door to each other, which makes it easy to borrow). I've always gone to get my eyebrows wax and actually been doing it myself for quite some time (microwaveable wax). Ever since I got my own warmer, I've been adventurous from waxing my bikini, to my arm pits, to my legs!! I just finished my legs (I only did the bottom; my thighs aren't a problem). It took me two hours, but I'm not use to doing it yet. My legs have always been a problem for me because I could shave in the morning and not have smooth legs at night (that's the European side of me I could give thanks to). Bye-Bye rough legs! Hello smoothies!

2. I got a second job! I put this as #2, not because waxing is more important, but because I'm still a little shocked about it (hence the no sleep part). While I waxed my hairy legs away, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I'm not sure if I'm excited about it (and believe me not in a bad way). It hasn't hit me. The new thing to add to my resume is Mortgage Specialist. I have a friend of mine that does this and is so great at it that they want to make him a branch manager. In order to do so, he needs to develop his own team. We actually hadn't spoken in awhile, but he asked one of my friends to contact me to see if I would be interested.

I met with him today and to my surprise my new coworkers were welcoming me to the office (nothing like a little pressure). I spoke with the branch manager and he seemed very friendly. One of my other friends started about two months ago and really likes it. He is in the same dilemma that I'm in because he hasn't left his other job. The company pays for your training and licensing, which means you need to come in on your own time and learn the tricks of the trade. He was very excited about the job and sees the potential. The friend who asked me to come is doing very well.

I took the job. It seems like something that I wouldn't mind doing. Once I get the hang of things and close on loans, I'll be able to quit my bartending job. If I can't find a decent job in my field, I need to branch out. I don't like sales, but I do it everyday. It's the same concept as a restaurant. People come to you. It's a win-win situation. Let's hope I like it and make plenty of money!

There you have it! Two new things going on with me. The latter being the most important. This is a big change for me. Wish me luck!