My dearest Mario

Super Mario and I have always had a very special relationship... him and his games have been there for the most defining moments of my life. That plumber has a very special place in my heart.

But like any couple, we have our moments. But recently I've come to conclude that we have a rocky relationship. I think we've reached a point where we are just going in two different directions, we have grown and changed and just don't seem to be compatible anymore. You know how most couples go through this, and they make compromises, and they end up growing and adapting together? Well Mario and I, you see, his Go Karting stage is just a little too much for me... and that Princess... well let's just say I have some interesting alternate names for her.

And to mark today, which is a momentous occasion in our relationship, I would like to share a few things:

Firstly, I am so proud of Mario for taking the plumbing profession to new heights. He and Luigi are doing so well for themselves, especially after they pooled their resources together in Super Smash Bros.

Secondly, I would like to make a retraction of my previous "the princess is just naive" comment(s). She is Not. She is a total hoe-bag, excuse my french. And I Do Not Approve.

Like I mentioned, Mario has really been there for me... but not even he could help me when I got behind that wheel (or joystick rather). I was doomed. And when I got stuck in that train tunnel, I was scared and alone and I didn't know what to do, how to get out.. and Mario couldn't get to me. He was too busy, right? All the way up there on his third round, he paid no heed to me. And I have to say, that was the last straw.

So Mario darling, I'm leaving you. I might just decide to shack up with Yoshi. I know you don't like him, but maybe you should have thought about that before you decided to go out saving that pretty little princess of yours! Damsel in distress - why you little!!


Have a nice life Mario. I hope she makes you happy.


P.S. They're fake. Just thought I'd put that out there.

Prepare yourself for the long haul

This morning's horoscope inspired me to post today...

Overnight success is a seductive dream, but in reality it happens about as often as being dealt a royal flush. Don’t shy away from that elaborate plan because it’s going to require dedication and hard work. Prepare yourself for the long haul, and the results will justify your efforts.

I'm more of a grassroots, little picture, baby steps kind of girl. But I have one teeny tiny problem - I am "big picture" shy. I cannot think of the bigger picture, I cannot look that far into the future. I think small. I think 'how can I make this better right now?' If for some reason the effects reverberate into the future, so be it. But I have a problem thinking that far ahead. The could be many reasons for this, none of which I'd like to divulge right now. But anyways...I have this plan. And this is an exception - my plan for this plan, is to not really delve into the plan [for the plan] for a Lonnnng time. It's something that was a fleeting image in the back of my mind, an outline of sorts, something that wouldn't have or shouldn't have, rather, materialized for at least a decade. But alas! You meet people. Haha I just realized how much it sounds like I'm planning my wedding...but no.

I have a plan, and it wouldn't be the first time that someone has said to me, "Why wait? Just start now.". But this would be the first time that I have taken those words this seriously. The girl with my unborn daughter's name (lol) was just too logical about all the reasons why I shouldn't wait that I was out of rebuttals. I can no longer rationalize and justify Not Acting to myself today.

What comes now? A plan. A few meetings. A clearer vision. A realistic time line...I need to figure out how on earth I will budget time in the next few months to even think about the new idea.
And in the end, we'll see what happens. But for the first time I have to think about the BIG picture. I have to think "How will this materialize in the next 5 years?" ...yikes!

Stay tuned for a sneak preview of next week's "Days of Our Lives - Naila Edition". Haha could not resist, I was having a moment.

Good morning!

Gratitude

When I was in high school my mom started a Gratitude Journal - she heard about it from one of those new-agey spirituality books she reads. Since then, she has from time to time mentioned that I should do the same. I never liked the idea because it made me feel self centered, to harp over all that I have... but at the same time it helps me to really appreciate what I have and acknowledge that appreciation. And knowing just how fortunate I am punctuates the fact that I have a duty to share what I have, an obligation to use what I have for someone's betterment... perhaps part of that feeling 'grateful' is the idea of wanting to share it, and to share it you need to help people achieve whatever it is your grateful for - be it health, happiness, peace... at 2am that makes sense in my head... 

It's the 'new moon' [chandraat] tonight, so perhaps it's the lunar change, or maybe my hormones are out of whack again... But today, after spending a day alone to ponder the last few weeks, the last few months, and all the ups and downs I've experienced professionally, spiritually, emotionally I feel like projecting my gratitude out there into the world.

I am so grateful for my family. I have interesting relationships with my parents, but I think we are finally on the same page.
I am happy to report that my brother and I are closer than we've ever been.

I am grateful for the wonderful friends I have - they are my constant support and they aren't afraid to call me out on my bs, Thank You. I am grateful to the handful of people who get my lame jokes and laugh even when they don't - you're a "special" bunch.

I am grateful for the internet and how despite the bad rap it gets sometimes, it helps me stay close to the people I care about...but are sometimes too far away for a hug. So they get virtual ones :)

I am grateful for my health and sanity. As long as I have these, I can keep on trekking.

I am grateful for William - a man I met for 10 minutes in a store. Thank you for telling me the story about your daughter. Those ten minutes taught me more about the world than any book I've read or lecture I've attended.

I am grateful that I live in a place where heart wrenching stories are stories, where disasters and war zones are pictures and words and not reality.

I am grateful that I have the power to do something, anything, to help. And at every corner there is not only an opportunity to do good, but to see good.

I am grateful for ice cream, it makes my world, go 'round.

I am grateful for that moment of bliss when I'm walking in the pouring rain and my mind is a complete blank except for the humming of the rain coming down. And I have the goofiest smile on my face because I am just so happy and I don't care that people are watching the crazy wet girl walk home.

I am grateful for chance meetings, fb messages, finding cute messages written on ticket stubs, Mr.Braffenstein the giraffe, my nail polish collection (aka the greatest de-stressor of life!).

And tonight I am grateful for the purple slippers that Aruzo got for me - now that's a 'warm fuzzy' from camp that I'll be holding on to!

Goodnight world.