Music Friday

A Mexican artist that I love. 

No Spanish required.

Just listen. 

Whine and Coat Hangers

I have moved many, many times.  In the last 8 years I have spent stints living in San Francisco, London, Bangkok, Seattle, Portland, New York City, Cancún and soon to be Madrid.

I'm working on the process of packing up my things, sorting through old stuff and selling things off.  I have to put all my personal belongings in storage. Which means it will cost me money and that takes away from my travel budget, therefore STUFF HAS GOT TO GO!

I'm getting rid of all the things that just sit in a drawer and I never use like the calculus calculator from high school, or the clip-on-book reading lamp I've never used, a box of stickers I was "Saving for a special occasion" since I was a kid.

I'm taking some jewelry, clothes and shoes to consignment. The closet is getting a major filtering - skinny jeans and fat jeans are going - if you don't fit, I don't want you in my closet (I have weighed the exact same for almost 10 years, I think it's time to part ways).

All those books I bought and haven't read (including one from college that I wrote a paper on that I never read, but always thought it sounded interesting and would get around to it.... well I haven't).

I have some stuffed animals and Barbie's I thought my kids might want some day, but that's still many years away, so time to keep one or two and let go of the rest... Time to move forward.

But you know what I'm keeping?  My coat hangers.

I know, it's so random.  I have this weird thing - I HATE BUYING COAT HANGERS!  I have moved so many times, which means I have bought hangers more times than I like to think about.

And it has become a totally random pet peeve.


I don't like buying hangers. They are expensive.  They become invisible and there is no cool gadget or fun feel to them.  They are just hangers. A necessary item for the closet, that quickly become forgotten and invisible and there is no avoiding their expense.  Believe me, I've shopped around for the best deal (Quality and price).  There isn't one.

I've tried the cheap ones - they always break.
No thank you to the metal ones from the dry cleaners - they morph.
I'm not a snob, I don't need fancy wood ones.
I just want a decent hanger for cheap.

I usually opt for a mid-priced sturdy plastic type.  Which are about $0.75/each.  Doesn't sound bad, but translate that to a normal-size closet, that works out to at least $40.

But then of course I need a few for pants or items I don't want to wrinkle - so I have to get the kinds with clips which usually are ~$1.25/each.


In the end we're talking $60 for HANGERS.  And that's just too much for THAT.

When I move to Madrid, I guarantee you I will have to buy hangers.  Ugh.


But I have decided that when I move back to California I will have MY hangers neatly stored away and waiting for me.  And those $60 I won't be spending on hangers can go towards something else...

p.s. Duly noted that this is a bratty First World Problem post.

Globetrotters Bucket List (At Home Edition)

I recently read a blog post written by a globetrotter, she did something brilliant - created a Bucket List for returning home.  After months and months of being on the road and traveling the world she was about to return HOME.  A scary moment for any world traveler.

I've been back in the Bay Area for a few months and will be departing again in October (moving to Spain - woot!)  I have about 4 months "to kill" and I'll be damned if I just waste them away!  I think a Bucket List is most appropriate... here it is! Already done a few!

Bike ride across Golden Gate Bridge

Do More Bike Rides!

Go camping in one of the National Parks

Movie at the Kabuki Theatre

Giants Game at AT&T Park

de Young Museum - Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibit

Bonfire at Baker Beach

Climb the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps

Summer concert (TBD!)

Golden Gate Bridge 75 Years Anniversary Celebration

Stern Grove Free Concerts in the Park!

White Water Rafting - American River

Dance, dance, dance - Salsa whenever possible

Eat at some of the restaurants on this Top 100 SF Restaurants list

That's what I got for now, MORE ideas welcomed!

I LOVE SUMMER!

Here's another good Bucket List for the Bay Area.

The Beach in Me

I'm a coastal girl.  Take me anywhere in the world and if the ocean is near me, I'm happy.  

There is something about growing up near the ocean that makes me never want to be away from it.  Maybe its the fact that the human body is 80% water, perhaps we used to be mermaids (merpeople? mersons?) or maybe its because thats what makes EARTH unique from all the other planets in the galaxy - WE GOT WATER.  Who knows.  I'm not here for some philosophical rant or even a mushy-gushy ode to the ocean.   What I'm trying to say is that I've learned a thing or two from the beach!

Humans United, woot!

Ever been to a beach in Thailand? Or Japan? Or India? or Mexico? or the US?  Notice anything...?  Everyone does the exact same thing:

We swim
We relax
We sit
We read
We jump
We giggle
We play
We build things with sand
We snack
We spend time with family and friends

We drink beer
We enjoy the moment
We allow ourselves some freedom

IT IS THE SAME NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO

Humans are drawn to beaches.  And pretty much do the exact same stuff, and have for a long time.  Beaches are a place for leisure, relaxation, calmness and being free.  So, if I'm right.... that means that we all kind of seek the same pleasure/enjoyment/sense of just being in the moment and having a little fun.

If these waves could talk...

I was at the beach one day and I was noticing the marks where the tide had come in and gone out.  I thought - Wow, it does that everyday.

Everyday.

Since...... ??? I don't know how old this beach is.

"Beach- How old are you?"

Millions (or billions?) of years?  This beach has been here for a while.  The waves are constantly coming and going, THEY NEVER STOP.  It is a consistent rythym, and for what point?  Does it need a point?

The sand is old too.  Wait, what the hell is sand? Where has it been? How many times has it come and gone? I guess it used to be a shell, or fossil or a rock, but how many times has it been something else and become sand and then done it it all over again?

Ok so maybe I'm getting a little lalalala here... Or maybe you get me.





When I'm at the beach, I always have the feeling of "ahhhh, livin the good life"



Every. Time.






There's just something special and I never can get enough.  I have a wonderment for the ocean.


Maybe you do too?

Just think for a second.... the fact that the WAVES and the TIDES are related to the MOON (WTF?) is just crazy.  And I realize - what the hell do I know?  I'm just one person, one lil dot on this teeny lil planet in this infinite galaxy, in a tiny lil blip of history that is part of something much much bigger than me.  This beach has been here FOREVER.  And Millions of people have pressed their foot in the sand and made a mark, and the waves have washed over it... over... and over again.   And that's when I realize worrying about my salary or my to-do list or how many people follow me on twitter, just.... doesn't. matter. at. all.

Photo by Alfredo Fiori

Then comes the moment... When everything matters less.  And I feel

OMmm... LALALA

Ok, so if others all over the world are heading to the beach for the same relaxation---- to just enjoy and just BE... then maybe,

MAYBE...

hear me out here... MAYBE they've thought similar things too...

And... that makes me feel like I'm connected to EVERY PERSON on the planet in some lil way

That we are all equally part of this whole planet/moon/universe/galaxy thing, and then I feel like

WHOA

Life Is Awesome

Social Media Takes Over my Life

I started blogging recently and its been a waterfall of SOCIAL MEDIA ALL DAY EVERYDAY.

Wow.  I didn't see that coming. I thought Twitter was lame (I still kind of do!)

I was one of the last of my friends to create a Pinterest.

Facebook and I have relationship issues.

I started my blog 2 years ago and ignored it for the last year and 10 months.

So what gives?  Well, I'm a SOCIAL person and I can do it all day long and in my sleep wherever I may be.  But what else? Because you can make money off it.  You can get a job.  Make friends.  Build a following (woot! I feel popular).

Put that all together and it feels like I am creating a path for myself that's leading to something.... something I'm gonna like a whole lot.  I don't know what it is yet, but something is brewing.

Basically being social means creating connections.  Creating connections leads to opportunity and discovery. And that is GOOD STUFF.

I'm no expert, but here are some resources around getting a job, marketing yourself and building your skills and a career using Social Media

Social Media Misc...

• Check out one of my favorite sites - The Suitcase Entrepreneur and sign up for her newsletter, get a free eBook on Social Media Workout! 
• Danielle Sleeper gives her feedback on what worked and what didn't using social media in job searching in the field of International Education. Check it out. 
• Other favorite person is Lea Woodward who built a business educating others of how to create a Location Independent Career (Read: You get travel/live anywhere)!
• AND WHO DOESNT LOVE THIS NAME: SheTakesOntheWorld.com <--- YES!  Check out Natalie MacNeil and her online business that rocks and how she is using social media and online marketing to have fun and live a life she designs. (I'm next! I'm next!) 

Pinterest - its the new hottest thing!

• Ashley Houston is a social media junkie recently shared some great articles with me: 
• Washington Times on Why you should get on board with the fastest growing social media site in history
• Business Insider gives the basics of How To Use Pinterest - The Hottest Site On the Planet
• Check out this interview with Ashley on how to get ahead using Social Media
• Both Mashable and AOL have articles that talk about how it can help in your job search
• Like Infographics? - Check out this article on using Pinterest for Social Media Marketing Strategy
• Find more at www.SocialMediaOnlineClasses.com

HAVE FUN! And find me 

TWEETING

PINNING 

FACEBOOKING

LINKING

A Man I never knew...

Carlos Fuentes died today.  I didn't know who he was.

All the Spanish language news stations and Latin America related websites that I follow had postings about him.  So, I decided to check out who he was.

He was a writer.  And all over Latin America today, people are probably mentioning "Hey, did you hear Carlos Fuentes died?"  So, let me share a bit about what I learned...

Born in Panama, son of diplomats, he grew up in Uruguay, Brazil, United States, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina and studied in Mexico City where he started writing novels.  His first were published in the 1950s, his most accomplished are “The Death of Artemio Cruz” and “Terra Nostra," he is one of the best-known novelists and essayists in the Spanish-speaking world.

etc... etc... etc...

This is a guy who had a lot to say, and he did.  He believed in the power of his words and he shared them.  He took the time to educate himself and get out there and tell others what he knew, believed, felt and thought.

Rock on.

He traveled the World.  And through his travels he learned about his identity, became passionate about justice in Latin America and spoke against the corruption within it.

I am inspired.

He thought of himself as a “transopolitan”- one who felt at home anywhere history and culture were valued or debated.

I would have liked to have him in my circle of friends.

This Washington Post article describes that, Mr. Fuentes in addition to his career as a novelist, he led an intellectually restless life as a political provocateur, an essayist, a screenwriter and playwright, an editor, an ambassador and a cultural historian.

One cool dude in my book.

Learning about Carlos Fuentes today has done one obvious thing: inspired me to follow up and read more on him, pick up one of his books or essays, bring his words and life into my cultural knowledge.

It also inspired me to tell you about him. Because the thing with learning about other countries is not just about trying the food, going out dancing, or just visiting the sites.  Its about understanding the people.  By learning about Carlos Fuentes today, I feel a more connected to a culture that is different than my familiar.  I have a better sense of some of the cultural values of Latin America, México in particularly, and the type of people who make that country.  I know a bit more about the history, politics and consciousness of the people.  Now you also know a little bit about him.

And what better way to leave this world, than to be remembered. 

Señor Carlos Fuentes
November 11, 1928 – May 15, 2012

Learn to Laugh in Spanish! jajaja

Learning a language is not easy! But the best thing is, it's pretty fun.  I love learning Spanish and even more so I love speaking Spanish, and EVEN BETTER than that is being able to understand humor in Spanish.  Laughing in Spanish is fun fun fun, it sounds like this:

jajajaja

jejejeje

jijijijiji  

(if you are lost or confused: in Spanish "J" sounds the way "H" does in English, therefore J is used by Spanish speakers in virtual laughing, I think it just looks funny so it makes me laugh more!)

Here's some of my favorite ways to laugh and enjoy learning Spanish...

Bueno, Entonces...  

One of my all time favorites! The creators have a great sense of humor and teach fun stuff... using funny photos, cartoons, they'll help you know the street words you will run into!
Check out their free trial!

They also have fun videos like One Semester Spanish Love Song:

Fluent in 3 Months
This guy speaks 7 languages and has millions of resources and ideas of how to learn., for example listening to Podcasts, here's some tips.   Check out this blog post how to learn Spanish from music, featuring "La Tortura" from Shakira.

Fluenz
If you are willing to pay, this seems to be the best option out there. I'm not a fan of Rosetta Stone, their strategy puts me to sleep.  Fluenz is more interesting, modern looking and a whole lot cheaper.

Spanish Pod
I've never used it but it gets a lot of great reviews!  Check it out and report back to me!

I also try to get my news in Spanish, so I follow CNN Español, BBC Mundo, and my horoscope sent to me en Español. FUN STUFF :)

Check your skills - how many do you already know? 100 Spanish Words To Know (I knew 99, guess which I missed?)

Anyone have a favorite language resources? Spanish humor website?  I'm collecting more resources! :)

Meet my Mom

Today a lot people are talking about moms.  I thought I'd take a minute to tell you about my mom.

She's pretty cool lady, I have to say.  A native San Franciscan, born in the 40s, graduated high school in the 1960s, helped run a family business in the Haight Ashbury, moved to Mexico by herself in the 70s, world traveler, jewelry expert and glass artist.

What else is worth mentioning?  My mom is a good person, a cool friend and a balanced mom.  She was loving and nurturing, while being supportive and organized.  She raised me to be able to stand on my own two feet and be as capable as any woman can be.  She taught me a sense of adventure, curiosity and openness.  She taught me skills to make me independent, self-sufficient and confident.

When other kids around me were getting new expensive gifts and toys, my mom made me earn my allowance, save it and buy things for myself.  When I had a rough time as a teenager she never told me what to do or how to be, but just reminded me of my best qualities.  When I have lost my way, she's been a great listener.  When I've gone off for adventure and moved to all different corners of the world - she's always come to visit, every time.

Mom, 20 years old living in Mexico

My mom is super awesome.

Mom in México

Mom and my sister in the 70's

Mom and I at the top of the temple in Cobá,
Way to go mom climbing pyramids in 90 degree tropical heat in your 60's I'm impressed! :)

Mom and me in Arequipa, Perú

Mom at the top of Machu Picchu

Mom and her daughters

Four generations :)

Grandma, Great Grandma, my mom and my sister (whoa, 70s!)

Mom looking pretty happy tobe a grandma! (Welcome Oliver 3.2.2012)

Mom and Grandma at the flower market in San Francisco
(Grandma had a career as a florist and owned a flower shop on Haight Street)

FU Money

A while back I started tucking a way a little account with some "emergency money".  I did it while going through a break up several years ago.  I didn't know what the apartment situation would be and it was in the midst of a financial crisis at work.  My stability was potentially really fragile, so I cut back on spending and started secretly saving.  The account grew slowlllly and by the time there was enough to actually help me out, I didn't need it anymore.  So, what to do? New laptop? Fun vacation? No, I'll just leave it. I'll pretend like it doesn't exist and just let it be there if I ever need it again.

Apparently, this is called fuck you money defined as: is the amount of money you need to be able to do anything you want to do, including (but not limited to) being able to say "fuck you" to anyone.  Fun stuff.

This goes along well with a belief in self empowerment and self reliance, in other words - I'm not going to sit around and whine, cry and complain, I'm going to take care of myself and if/when necessary I'll get myself out of a bad situation. It's a bad ass concept and I encourage you to get yourself one.


Let's take a look at how it works...

Scenario 1: Miserable job
You have a job you hate. After months of trying to fix things or find a new job, nothing has happened.  You're at the end of your rope. What's the solution? Leave.  Tap into your FU Account and bounce. (Note: behavior in video not recommended! I do not believe man in video actually had an FU Account, but it would have been good if he did).

Scenario 2: Bad relationship

Let's say you're in a failing relationship that's totally dragging you down and each day you feel the life being sucked out of you.  Maybe you're living together! Well, the FU Account is here to save the day! Leave - tomorrow. And get yourself in a better situation.

Scenario 3: Life sucks

Work is stressful, your family drives you crazy, your friends are all married and you're alone.  Easy solution --> cash in on the FU Account and go here:

How much should your FU Account be?  I recommend at minimum one month salary, even better if its 2 months. And just put the money away in an account and pretend like its not there.  And it will be there when you need it most.  Or maybe, you never need it. And that's great too, so take yourself on a vacation anyway. 

A short FU Account Inspirational story here. 

Surprise!

Creo que ha llegado el momento de practicar escribiendo en Español en mi blog.  Ufff!! Recentamente, yo leí una cita que dice "Hace algo que se asusta cada día", entonces esto es la!

Tenia la idea despúes de yo vi el video de 1st Semester Spanish Love Song. ¡Tiene que verlo! Es muy gracioso.  Y yo puedo entender todo...  que bien, entonces tengo un nivel mas advanzado que nivel uno! pero en realidad tengo que practicar mucho, no he practicado mucho en dos meses y yo se que las palabras y la gramática esta muriendo en mi cerebro.

Para aprender una idioma, (en mi opinion) se necesita aplicar dos hábitos:

1) la necesidad
2) ignorar el miedo

En este momento,  no tengo miedo de hablar ni escuchar.  La problema es no tengo la necesidad de usarlo. Puedo vivir en Inglés 100% al tiempo sin problemos. Esto es un gran razón porque en EEUU hay muchos que no se pueden hablar en otra idioma.  Quiero estar diferente (Que sorpresa, eh? jaja)! Y cambia mi mentalidad, porque soy una miembre del mundo y una viajera entonces necesita hablar en otras idiomas.

Cuando yo digo algo incorrecto no me importa... pero cuando esta escrito, ¡que avergonzado!  Pues, ni modo.  Esto es mi diaro, entonces necesito poner algunas posts en Español.  Tal vez ustedes me puedan ayudar?  Estoy buscando algunos blogs, estaciones del noticias (especialmente en España), y cuentas de twitter que estan en Español. Cosas pequeñas por la practica. Otra cosa es me encanta leer citas y Comics (historietas?) tambien.  ¿Alguien tiene recomendaciones?

He estado escuchando de la radio ayer en el canal de Español, y ellos estuvieron hablando sobre algo de relaciones entre mujeres y hombres, y quería entender todo, pero el sonido en la radío estuvo difícil y el conexión fue como 80% bien, entonces, al final solo podría entender un parte. Usualmente puedo entender la tema y la idea, pero perder los detalles. uups :-/

Poco a poco, va a estar mas articulos en Español, y quizá un día algunos en Catalán o Portugués!

un beso

PD: Yo sé que hay una gran cantidad de acentos que faltan, pero me cansé.

How to hug yourself?

I know, I know...

So if I haven't lost you already, hear me out.  Try to put aside your defenses against all things cheesy, corny, sappy and mushy and just hear me out!

I think we can all agree that life has its ups and downs and keeping a positive outlook is a good approach to making the most of life.  I can say that I've been doing a pretty good job lately.  I've been taking the good, leaving the bad and pretty upbeat most of the time.

But lets face it... the work it takes to reprogram the brain to think "can do"; "glass 1/2 full"; "positive side of things" takes work and a lot of practice.  And nobody can do it 100% of the time. The moments when it just happens naturally is pretty awesome(!!!) and the moments when it doesn't are when we practice.

I've been on the up and up for a few weeks or months now, I kind of lost track.  I'm seeing the fun in the daily and rolling with what life hands me.  Stressing and worrying less, flowing and growing more.  But then recently... I just got sad.  Just sad. No good reason, not really sure why. It just happened.  And ya know, I just wanted a hug.

For those single folks out there, you probably totally get me. And in all honesty, those in relationships too. Because the person you are with isn't always there, or doesn't realize when you need a hug, or maybe they just don't hug you enough. And maybe, sometimes we just don't know how to ask for one.


Generally, it's not good to rely on outside sources to give me what I need on the inside.  So, then what? Well, I have to do it for myself.  What I've learned about being happy, is to tap into my inner source and give myself what I need, that way anything that comes externally is bonus material and nobody is obligated to fill a void. Therefore if that external source goes away, I'm still good with me. If nobody is giving me compliments, I give myself a few. If nobody is paying attention to me, I give myself some. If nobody is noticing how hard I'm working, I notice.  It works pretty well with a lot of things.  But hugs? I haven't figured that one out yet.

Ok, let's lighten the mood a bit... :)

Happy-hug-me-Monday* everyone!

*I just made that up, but I like it, and I'm gonna add it to my personal philosophy on Mondays.

I'll settle for adventure.

I gotta get out of here. Again.

I had that feeling creep up on me again today. It just came out of nowhere. I was driving home from the grocery store on a beautiful Saturday morning. All is well and fine. The day couldn't be more lovely!  But I just gotta get out of here.  I feel uninspired and things are so simple. Life is easy and uneventful.  I have a great life, its so great and so easy and so... blah.

Being, the adventuress that I am, I think LETS GO SOMEPLACE NEW!  I love new, new exciting, difficult, challenging, adventurous and interesting.

And then, I think - when will I stop resorting to that option? When will I be able to just sit still and be content? And find joy in a familiar, regular routine. Are other people happy sitting still and being in the same place all the time?  Is it possible?  Or is that why there's so much cheating, lying, stealing, deceit and pointless drama (example: The Kardashians)? Do people just need something new and exciting in their lives?  I don't know the answer, but I just wonder...

There is this whole gigantic world out there with so many people, places, experiences, adventures, journeys, wanderings, new things, old things, fun and excitement!  And me? I'm the kid in the candy store, and I want to try everything!  I feel excited and exhilarated!  Even when I encounter those bad, and yucky bits - I'm glad that I got to discover what I don't like so that when I find what I do like - it's bliss!

What is it for me? Is it the travel? the globetrotting? The living simply so I dont have to work full time? the newness? the challenges? I'm not really sure, to tell you the truth.

I could just keep on living like this forever. It's my life and I get to decide what I make of it.  There just seems to be this nagging from society, or inside me or who knows where, this mentality that...  "Well, eventually, I will settle down".

Settle.

Ugh. What a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad word.

That is the antithesis of my life. 

But then again, don't get me wrong: I want a career, a partner in life, and of course a few kids.  There's many conventional things about me. I love cooking and inviting friends over.  Love having a gym membership and making friends with the staff at my local grocery store. I can be quite domestic, really.

However, the pulse for adventure and newness is so core to my essence, I just have to live my way. Which is usually pretty confusing. But, I just have to trust in myself. And, I suppose that is my journey.

Get the stomach flu & you'll feel better about life

I got the stomach flu this week, or maybe it was food poisoning, I'm not sure, but the point is I was laid up in bed for 36 hours (or hugging the toilet) and it was not fun.   Today I'm back in action! Not 100% recovered yet able to be out of bed, productive and active. woohoo! It's a great feeling.

When I got up today and had enough energy to shower and go downstairs for a cup of tea, it was like "wow! today is off to a great start!"  Suddenly, the simplest thing is a great accomplishment.

It reminds me of when I hurt my back, at 18 I herniated three discs (L4, L5, S1) - ouch!  Talk about a crappy beginning to the first of official "adult" status.  It was horrible.  It took months to diagnose because all the doctors said I was too young to have this kind of pain (therefore she must be lying).  Finally an MRI showed the evidence and more serious action was taken.  At that point though, things had already progressed and daily large doses of narcotic-based pain killers gave only some relief.  Definitely not enough to allow me to walk or move with out excruciating pain.  I fell off the radar and was home, bedridden for months.  I felt so sorry for myself thinking of all the other 18 year olds frolicking about without even thinking of how lucky they were.

But then, things changed and I realized that I was the lucky one.  I had this painful experience that gave me a lot of appreciation for a pain free life (when it finally did come).   I made a promise to myself that if I'm ever able to take the stairs again, I will skip the elevator and do so, because I'll be so lucky to have that kind of mobility again!  I've stayed true to this, and even if its a 12th floor, I'm hiking it all the way up, no complaining.

I've built a lifestyle that includes yoga, pilates, bikram, swimming and weight lifting, regular visits to acupuncturist and chiropractor which all have resulted in beyond-the-back benefits that have turned my whole life into a healthier happier one.  The benefits are endless.

I had a plain piece of toast for breakfast today, and I ate really slowly, savoring every bite. It was the best toast, ever.

Why I finally started blogging...

I created this blog... about two years ago and it sat for months and months neglected.

I like the idea of blogging... I've been reading a handful of blogs casually for a while now.  I have dreamed of being able to blog and make money, but I kept on holding back because I didnt want to spend a lot of time on a blog that wasn't going to turn into anything.  What a silly idea.

I've only had a handful of blog posts since then, and I can say that its great.  I love the chance to keep track of myself, my life and put it down in writing.  I find the title of my blog... la gringa diaries to actually be perfect for me and my purpose here.  I plan to use it like a diary, and so far its helping me re-find my voice as a writer... and give more focus to my life.

So who cares if I ever make this into a business or a income generating blog.  This blog is where I write, express, learn, grow, share and you all get to weigh in... if you want to

Thanks. Check back for more profound musings.

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."

Benjamin Franklin

You only live once, but if you do it right - once is enough

I had a case of the Mondays yesterday.  Everything was in a funk.  I couldn't get myself motivated to much, but well, actually that's not true.  I was fairly productive. The struggle was in my attitude.  The lens I was using for the day was cloudy and muttled with worry, stress and fear.  I kept asking myself, what is different from today than yesterday that my attitude is in this place?  I was looking for things to blame and was making mental notes to stop spending time with certain projects or people because something about it was bringing me down. (great way to handle things, Vanessa!)

Well, then I tried to create some personal goals and focus myself.  Pull myself together and get organized about things.    It was a more productive solution, but in the end the whole day was a bit of a struggle.

Then I woke up today. And by accident watched this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxfZkMm3wcg&feature=g-vrec


And I remembered the attitude that I want to operate from.  The zone in my brain and self that feels the most comfortable and fun.  The way I want to live from the inside of me to the outside world.  If you don't like the video, then I think you can at least appreciate these quotes, which starts off with one my all time favorite quotes by Hellen Keller....

"Life is either a daring adventure, or Nothing." - Helen Keller

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." - Mae West

"Do one thing, everyday, that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt

"I never worry about the future, it comes soon enough." - Albert Einstein

"Action expresses priorities" - Gandhi

I don't own any of your products but thanks, Nike, for that piece of inspiration. I'll take it, and I'm going to be sure to make today count.