I just took an unbelievable power nap. I say it like I'm ready to run 10 miles before taking over the world. Not exactly. But on a positive note, I'm not ripping my eyes out in sheer exhaustion.
Sunday win.
Its been a hectic week as I covered for a few colleagues getting in one last summer vacation. I still don't know what day it is, but had a blast throwing in some new peeps on the crazy train. Sweat, laugh, push harder, repeat. Never a dull moment, that's for sure.
The best moment came when one guy said "Your nice smile is just so deceiving. My glutes hate you."
Ha,..you're welcome. Its no secret that men often dislike any type of leg training. *Not ALL, but I rarely meet an average gym-going male who is thrilled to squat, lunge, or do anything that will cause soreness in the posterior region. I'm convinced if they had to wear yoga pants on a daily basis, they would do squats until blue in the face.
These guys love yoga pants.
Apparently on the 7th day God made yoga pants,...and Adam cheered.
So needless to say, after a couple of sessions there was a new appreciation for total body training,...and relaxed fit jeans.
NYC Life and Leisure...
I am truly convinced that I will either be severely injured by a taxi or a pigeon.
Both are absolutely ruthless in NYC, but its the pigeons that are sending me over the edge.
In a city of millions, these God forsaken birds are simply not phased by human beings. It never fails that as I'm trecking it across town, I come extremely close to punting a few on accident. I used to feel bad about this, as I am not one to wish harm on an animal for no reason,...HOWEVER this was before one went all kamikaze on my head last week.
I went slow motion Matrix-style to dodge the flying hazard, and nearly gave myself whiplash.
It suddenly put the quiet subway rats in perspective....they might be gross, but at least their not in my face.
Hard to believe that it was exactly a year ago this Thursday that I flew up for interviews.
I remember seeing the skyline thinking holy crap, is this real? Am I ready? I'm literally leaving everything I know. And then like clockwork, the details of how my life would be if I ignored my internal "yes" and continued my path would play in my head.
It was the greatest internal battle between what is and what could be and NEEDS to be, that I've ever experienced. Even to the point that others' belief in me or lack there of became irrelevant. Not that I didn't value the support or want it in my life, but the fact was that it was MY personal conviction and determination, focus, and willingness to work hard that would make the difference,....not their opinion.
Talk about some eye-opening moments. NY will do it to you, that's for sure.
Looking back, I am so thankful for the struggles. Sometimes what we may perceive as "closed doors" are merely hurdles...
Just jump. Leap. Get off your butt and be willing to do whats necessary to get over it! Believe me, I say this to myself just as much as I do my clients.
One year...
I've learned so much, but the one theme which surfaces every time is Change...Its inevitable, necessary, but how we grow within it and respond to it is ultimately a choice.
We will either be an agent of change, sensing a necessary step from what we've always known towards something new and greater to fulfill our purpose,...being open to struggles, growing pains, and the opportunities along the way.
OR, we will travel life's path as a victim of change,...with constant opposition to anything outside of the familiar, "safe", or comfortable. Refusing to relinquish control and adapt to any potential growth opportunity for fear of the unknown. Its the infamous "life happens TO me" mentality, and there is nothing more confining.
The changes I've initiated and/or adapted to over the last 365 days range from a smaller living space to a constant reminder that despite experience, experise, and desire within your field, in this city you are replaceable. Talk about a tough pill to swallow,...and yet when this reality sets in and really sets in, you will either cave or seek excellence Every. Single. Day.
Not merely being great at what you do, but actually DEFINING what you do.
For this extra push, I am grateful.
So cheers to one year...The good, the hard, and the scary. Its been a beautiful ride so far and here's to much more ahead... :)
Monday, August 24, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Forgotten Skippy and Lonely Pam
It is an absolutely gorgeous day in the city.
Clear blue sky, light breeze, and thank God low humidity. After Monday morning I was fairly certain I would die at the hands of humidity. In theory I should be used to the sauna-like feeling, but people forget that in the south we go from our air conditioned homes, to an air conditioned car, to another air conditioned building, and that 20 second walk between each may be the longest 20 seconds of our life, but we endure because we are tough, but mainly because sweet freon awaits...
All that to say that waiting on the subway platform in 95 degrees is equivalent of waiting in a heated port-a-Jon,...without the momentary relief when your pants drop.
So cheers to a cooler day with a breeze.
...its the small things.
The last two weeks have been quite the grind since our return from Florida.
Vacation was absolutely wonderful,....sleeping in past 4am,...reading books,...taking naps,...laying by the pool,...it was pretty much exactly what we needed. I'm sure my clients were ready for me to tone it down a notch. God bless them. Ha
The return flight was not exactly what I needed, and I basically left any sanity I gained from that trip right there in the Tampa airport...
It started out as a normal trek through security: shoes off, put your mess in the bin, wait for the person in front of you to realize the line is moving before glaring at them and their 3 bins, hands in the air, and then grab and go.
Well, my grab-n-go part wasn't exactly that. They grabbed my bags and said they needed to do a full search. Ok fine, its 6am, at this point you argue with no one only because its 6am and no one in their right mind has enough energy to do so.
Not even me...and I was on my 3rd cup of coffee.
So I stepped aside as they pulled out my jar of peanut butter and explained it was over 3 ounces and had to go. Fine. Take my peanut butter deliciousness if you must.
Side note: if I were to try and sneak something on a plane, it would definitely be peanut butter.
...But I did later find out peanut butter is often used to smuggle drugs.
A little warning about this would have been nice before some stranger is man handling my skippy.
Next thing I know they are literally pulling every. single. thing. out of my luggage. The game of tetris I had to play to get all that crap to fit was now going up in flames and my underwear was being exposed to all of Tampa travelers.
Awesome.
Then I'm asked to step aside for a full pat-down.
Here we go...
The woman spoke so fast I could hardly keep up, and all I caught were a few words here and there about the back of her hand, inseam, and breasts. Again, it was 6am, I blacked out right after my skippy was confiscated.
She did ask if I'd prefer this little checking-for-hidden-needles ordeal in a private room.....as if it would be more comfortable behind closed doors with a stranger,
Ummm, no thanks...I'd prefer to be completely violated in front of as many people as possible. Lets just get the full effect.
So there I was,....suitcase open, clothes out, peanut butter gone, and one squeeze away from a total mammogram.
30 minutes later I managed to somewhat reorganize my suitcase and regain some decency to face the world. It was not pretty, but it would work.
The story doesn't end there.
By this time on a scale from 1 to totally crazy/irritated, I was a solid 8....Alanis Morissette status. Like, be carfeul I might be tired but I might just go nuts on you type thing.
But I had all my things and was ready to board. I roll my carry-on and whats left of my dignity up to the gate when Pam smiles and stops me. Ahh!! What?!
My bag was too big. By literally an inch.
An inch.
She wanted to check it and I could go to baggage claim in NY. At that moment I felt like Ben Stiler in Meet The Parents when he has death grip on his bag and threatens the flight attendant to take it.
That was me.
Chris looked at me like Oh dear God she's gonna blow.
Pam couldn't stop smiling....ugh Pam stop it with your rules and positivity!!
....As my bag was taken and I was led to the plane, I concluded 3 things from my experience:
1. Peanut Butter is not always worth fighting for
2. Refrain from sarcasm during your pat-down,..it is not funny to the stranger who's hand is on your inseam
3. Pam made zero friends that day
The smell of hot sewer welcomed me back, and I was ready to roll.
NYC, hello beautiful...
****Exciting news to come on next post!!!
Clear blue sky, light breeze, and thank God low humidity. After Monday morning I was fairly certain I would die at the hands of humidity. In theory I should be used to the sauna-like feeling, but people forget that in the south we go from our air conditioned homes, to an air conditioned car, to another air conditioned building, and that 20 second walk between each may be the longest 20 seconds of our life, but we endure because we are tough, but mainly because sweet freon awaits...
All that to say that waiting on the subway platform in 95 degrees is equivalent of waiting in a heated port-a-Jon,...without the momentary relief when your pants drop.
So cheers to a cooler day with a breeze.
...its the small things.
The last two weeks have been quite the grind since our return from Florida.
Vacation was absolutely wonderful,....sleeping in past 4am,...reading books,...taking naps,...laying by the pool,...it was pretty much exactly what we needed. I'm sure my clients were ready for me to tone it down a notch. God bless them. Ha
The return flight was not exactly what I needed, and I basically left any sanity I gained from that trip right there in the Tampa airport...
It started out as a normal trek through security: shoes off, put your mess in the bin, wait for the person in front of you to realize the line is moving before glaring at them and their 3 bins, hands in the air, and then grab and go.
Well, my grab-n-go part wasn't exactly that. They grabbed my bags and said they needed to do a full search. Ok fine, its 6am, at this point you argue with no one only because its 6am and no one in their right mind has enough energy to do so.
Not even me...and I was on my 3rd cup of coffee.
So I stepped aside as they pulled out my jar of peanut butter and explained it was over 3 ounces and had to go. Fine. Take my peanut butter deliciousness if you must.
Side note: if I were to try and sneak something on a plane, it would definitely be peanut butter.
...But I did later find out peanut butter is often used to smuggle drugs.
A little warning about this would have been nice before some stranger is man handling my skippy.
Next thing I know they are literally pulling every. single. thing. out of my luggage. The game of tetris I had to play to get all that crap to fit was now going up in flames and my underwear was being exposed to all of Tampa travelers.
Awesome.
Then I'm asked to step aside for a full pat-down.
Here we go...
The woman spoke so fast I could hardly keep up, and all I caught were a few words here and there about the back of her hand, inseam, and breasts. Again, it was 6am, I blacked out right after my skippy was confiscated.
She did ask if I'd prefer this little checking-for-hidden-needles ordeal in a private room.....as if it would be more comfortable behind closed doors with a stranger,
Ummm, no thanks...I'd prefer to be completely violated in front of as many people as possible. Lets just get the full effect.
So there I was,....suitcase open, clothes out, peanut butter gone, and one squeeze away from a total mammogram.
30 minutes later I managed to somewhat reorganize my suitcase and regain some decency to face the world. It was not pretty, but it would work.
The story doesn't end there.
By this time on a scale from 1 to totally crazy/irritated, I was a solid 8....Alanis Morissette status. Like, be carfeul I might be tired but I might just go nuts on you type thing.
But I had all my things and was ready to board. I roll my carry-on and whats left of my dignity up to the gate when Pam smiles and stops me. Ahh!! What?!
My bag was too big. By literally an inch.
An inch.
She wanted to check it and I could go to baggage claim in NY. At that moment I felt like Ben Stiler in Meet The Parents when he has death grip on his bag and threatens the flight attendant to take it.
That was me.
Chris looked at me like Oh dear God she's gonna blow.
Pam couldn't stop smiling....ugh Pam stop it with your rules and positivity!!
....As my bag was taken and I was led to the plane, I concluded 3 things from my experience:
1. Peanut Butter is not always worth fighting for
2. Refrain from sarcasm during your pat-down,..it is not funny to the stranger who's hand is on your inseam
3. Pam made zero friends that day
The smell of hot sewer welcomed me back, and I was ready to roll.
NYC, hello beautiful...
****Exciting news to come on next post!!!
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