It’s been awhile since I’ve sat down to write, again. What can I say? It comes in spurts!
Almost a month ago, I turned 30. As my birthday approached, I was in many aspects, truly dreading it. But 30 has come… and gone… and I’m still here… 30 feels a lot like 29… but in my particular situation, it’s been a hell of a lot better than 29.
To date, I’ve lost nearly 50 lbs, and continue to work at the life changes I’ve implemented. I have cut more than 6 inches off my waistline, changed my diet, implemented a routine, and I’m learning to have fun again. I don’t think my stress level has been this low… well… ever. haha. I’m continually learning, taking things in stride, and looking for opportunities around every corner to better myself.
The results have not gone unnoticed. I sincerely appreciate the comments by those around me when they take just a minute to say “Wow, TJ, you look great. You have definitely lost weight, and you just look all around happier.”
That truly helps cement my mentality – no looking back. Continue to move forward. Take those lemons that life threw at you and make a lemon drop daquiri! Okay, maybe a lemonade will suffice. 🙂
I know that the changes I’ve begun are no where near coming to an end. I strongly felt it was past time to re-invent myself. So. New adventures abound!
My 30th birthday was a blast – decided to have an 80s party. A throwback to the decade I made my initial mark on this world. I was joined by many old friends, some new ones, and some amazing folks who are like, or actually are family to me. I was able to cut loose… be social, and yeah, celebrate the anniversary of my birth with a large liquid diet.
Following my birthday is my cousin’s birthday. Matt. We are a year and ten days apart, and I’ve decided to refer to him as my brother-cousin. Not only because he is as close to me as any brother truly could be, but because we often have to stop and explain that we are cousins, not actually brothers. So I gave up the repeated explanations – we’ll just be brother-cousins. (Hey, if there can be sister-wives… my analogy is a lot less explanation warranted).
For Matt’s birthday he planned a destination celebration – an all time favorite – Las Vegas. I didn’t really know how I would be able to swing it financially. Again, blessings upon me… my Grandma and Matt split the cost of my plane ticket as a gift for my birthday. My cousin, also quite the avid gambler, had complimentary rooms at the Rio (all suite hotel). So hotel stay and plane ticket were taken care of! Um… I think financially, with these developments, I’m able to make this trip!
I have to admit – I was more excited for a quick weekend in Vegas, than I was for a week-long supposed “once-in-a-lifetime” cruise to the Western Caribbean! This would be the first time Matt and I were in Vegas together without our families with us. Not that we don’t love our family, just this was a new experience and adventure!
To keep true to the old adage – “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” I’m not going to write out details of all the events that took place. So in short – plane landed, out to bar, return to hotel at 6:30 AM, sleep for three hours, get up, go to pool, swim and tan (or burn – first time ever.) Go to show. Show stunk (performer got injured, show got lame). Go out for Matt’s Birthday (in a limo, paid $25.00 to get in club door – ugh.) Return to hotel. Go to sleep at 5:30 AM. Wake up 3 hours later. Go to pool. Gamble, win SITC progressive jackpot (almost 300.00… yeah baby). Go to airport, return to Seattle. But truly – a fantastic trip, as compact weekend trips go!
As July faded away, and August came in to full view, things finally started to calm down again. The summer rush had subsided, the warm weather was here, and my thoughts turned ahead. August 18th will mark the one year anniversary of my Grandma’s death. As a separate post, I’m going to include the creative writings I penned in her honor and in remembrance of her. They are called “A Letter To Nana” and “A Year Later, For Nana.”
Just a little background on “Nana”. That was the word my siblings as I used for my mom’s mother – my grandma. Nana and Bumpa. My dad’s parents were (in accordance with Chamorro (Guamanian) tradition) Nana and Tata (those are abbreviated forms of the words which mean grandma and grandma in the native language of Guam).
Anyways – we will be attending a memorial in observance of the one year mark. I was asked to read the creative writings, but everything inside me tells me I just won’t be able to make it through the readings without breaking down. I let them stand alone as they are – a tribute to an amazing woman who was and always will be my Nana.
That’s the extent of my goings on and life, for now, as it is. I will again close with a quote which has saturated my mind:
“Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will.” -Jawaharal Nehru
Until Next Time….
~Tj
