School---> work, Work---> school, School--->work; What to do and how much to do...

So I checked my marks a couple of weeks ago, finally after sitting on the fence in debating in knowing my results I bit the bullet and went on line.  To my amazement I passed, yes I am amazed, my friends and colleagues are not.  They knew I would do well and succeed beyond my expectations.  I am now off of academic advisement and am in good standing to be admitted to the Honours program.

I registered last week for the 2011-2012 Fall/Winter Semester and in typical fashion debated on taking more than the alloted 40% course load I assigned to myself.  In checking  what I have left to complete my Honours BA, I realized I have quite a bit to go.  For a moment it felt like I was looking up from the bottom of a very large mountain, but I need to keep reminding myself; its the journey NOT the destination.  I've been toying with taking on more courses but the idea is a bity scary in the sense of meeting my work and school obligations with success.  Curently with the course load I have registered for, puts me at 50% course load.  Another course will put me at approximately at a little over 70%.

In the midst of this change at work I want to be able to create a new role in what I already do, but am stuck in what direction to go in.  In my current role I have done pretty much everything and with no new project in sight that will challenge me in ways I have not been and no change to be promoted within the company my choices in avenues are definately different.  If I can not move vertically at the moment I will need to move horizontally, the big questions are how? and where?  Am still trying to figure this one out, and time is quickly passing me as I have to have some semblance of a plan before classes start after labour day.  Am not going to lie, I am a bit freaked out and a little stressed about it.

I know I am not one to be complacent, but being uncertain is something I do not totally enjoy and that is what I feel right now with the choices I have in front of me.  I do not want to over committ myself to something I am not vested in or will fail at.  I do not want to committ to something I know I will not complete or even enjoy.  Yet, I find myself feeling like I will be doing all of the above.  I have a few more years left to complete my degree and what I would really love most is just do that full time and not have to worry about working a full-time job.  However that is not a viable situation at the moment, alas I will need to make this work while pursuing this very personal goal of mine.

In an ideal world I see myself being able to take on my 70% course load as well as redefining and expanding my role at work.  In this ideal world I will be doing these both very successfully to the point that I get what I need to be enagaged in my work life until I finish my degree.

What would you do if you were me?  Do you think it is very advantageous of me to work full time and go to school full time these next two semesters?  What would you do in your work life if you had the opportunity to redefine your role?  Would you take it on along with school or would you just keep doing what you are doing and focus your efforts on school?  So many choices, so muc to decide....would love to hear what you think!

Yoga.....jury is still out

So in the midst of tying to keep on the path of eating right and fitting in workouts into my already busy schedule a friend and I decided to add Yoga to our workouts to keep us motivated in our journey's to our better feeling and looking selves.  Now I have not been the greatest fan of it as I am unable to clear my mind and truly focus on the task at hand, mainly due to the fact that there is sooo much going on in my mind that I have to keep up with.  Between what I need to do for work, school, home and then maintain some semblance of a social life when these essential activities in my life can be shufled around to fit this in I wonder if I can devote hours, months, and years to this journey why not 60 minutes dedicated to really giving this yoga a real chance?

I know I won't be some great kind of yogi, however being able to be flexible while detoxifying my body, quieting my mind and 'giving positive energy to my spirit' (as per my instructor from last nights class)....I'll keep you posted as to my progress on this.

What are your thoughts on yoga?  Is there a specific kind/practice you enjoy or not enjoy?  Do you prefer pilates or thai chi over yoga?  Where is your favourite studio to take classes at?

Pain is good...

So I did my first hot hatha yoga session on Saturday with my friend Nat!  I have to say I have never sweated like I did in that class, it was great, detoxifying and made me realize that I am not that flexible.  It made me realize that I need this challenge to get to that point of being able to go through a class like this and not be panting like I just ran five miles instead of doing a series of 10 up-ward dog, downward dog movements. 

Now that I have done my week of last suppers I am ready to get onto the train of hard work and pain are good things towards a better me!  Being able to make this change is not going to be easy but it is nice to know that I can share my journey with other friends who are on a very similar path of evolving into a better, healthier women!  So I have resovled to get to running before I get to work, so I must go pack my bag and lunch before I get some z's

Have you stuck with your new resolve/resolution for 2011?  If so how is it going?  If not, what has set you back and will get back on to the 'wagon'?  What else have you added to your workout routine/schedule?

The week of last suppers....

So this is my last week of enjoying all that is extremely bad for me but tastes ohhh sooo good till I get back on the band wagon of ensuring I meet my daily nutritional requirements in a very health conscious way.  I have to say I am comfortable with who I am as a person but not with the outside which encases it.  Look good and feel better is one of the motivations as well as doing a Biggest Loser challenge with my colleagues at work.  I am hoping that with a bit of ‘dosh’ at stake that it will help keep the competitive side of me motivated to keep me on the path of shedding the extra pounds. 

So my final supper will be one consisting of my favourite bar food; Chicken wings (spicy tasty sauced things) with a pint of beer!  Yes my former personal trainer has on many occasions pointed out that this bad dish is chocked full of the caloric intake of ....well I dare not say other than it is a guilty pleasure I will indulge in to kill a craving and kick start a new resolve.   Wish me luck!!!!!

What is your favourite guilty indulgence?  Would you do a Biggest Loser Challenge and if so how much would you wager?  A pound a week, two pounds a week with a $5 or $10 weekly buy in?

Technology...can you live without it?

Technology, we consume it like its water and then rely heavily on it sometimes much like addicts!  I say this because last night after I got home from my commute from class to come home, study and do a little be of catch up on my work from my day job my technology malfunctioned big time.  This left me feeling stressed, cranky and overall very unhappy. 

My desktop would start but freeze, my laptop would turn on but the screen was black.  I had essentially spent the time I had dedicated to being productive to trying to trouble shoot by myself and then with technical support.  I went to bed feeling defeated, and with the feeling that I had lost control of the things I felt I needed most to do the tasks which I had intended to do.  In my various states of frustration, I realized that really I could still do most of what I wanted to do last night, I should have just shifted gears and accepted that there was a problem but it couldn’t’ be fixed at that moment.  I realized I was fighting the inevitable and trying to win by trying to ‘fix’ my technical issues myself.  Now that I am writing this I know that there is a temporary solution to my problems and that in the meantime while these issues are being fixed I will make a bad situation into an opportunity!

Do not get me wrong here, I still require my technology (laptop, smart phones (yes plural), camera) however I do not need it all the time, the world will still go on and so will!  I am not going to go all crazy and do a techno-restricted fast, however I will do my best to unplug a bit more and do some things the old fashion way!  When I get my technical issues resolved I will hopefully try to keep this resolve moving forward!

How has technology affected your life?  Are you a junkie or recreational user?  What is your favourite gadget? What piece of technology could you live without for short period of time?  Have you ever done a technology fast where you unplug from everything (no cell, computre, smart phone etc)?

We are all busy but....

So with my busy schedule of going to school and working a full-time job I decided to join my colleagues in doing a Biggest Loser challenge.  I think it is a great idea to work as a group (even though competitively) towards making ourselves healthier as well as making some life style changes to a better us.  I do not know how I am going to fit it in, however that is not the point my point is that I will fit it in and it got me thinking about aside from my making myself into a better me, why not try to give back a little more this year?  I may not have the time in the world, and I definitely am not rich but I thought about donating blood, and the gently used clothing I do not use or cannot wear anymore. So this is a start, and I hope to continue to add to this list of items!  Either way I will keep you posted :)

Have you planned to give back this year?  If so how?  If not what would make you want to give back and where would you want to donate your time, self, or resources to?

New Year, new beginning; much like a pheonix we are reborn with newness

So 2010 came and went faster than I ever had anticipated, even though it was fast alot still happened and alot was learnt.  I realized that I had let everyone else control my happiness instead of me mastering control of it.  I learnt that I am stronger than I thought I was and that no matter what as stubborn as I am that word can be made into its better synonym, DETERMINED. 

I am determined to:  

• Let none else control my happiness
• Carve my own path
• Push myself as much as I can
• Leave the excuse of  I do not have the time to make myself feel and look better
• Give more to those in need
• Take care of my physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual health
• Take time to truly update my posts; which I have neglected

In short, do what make ME(EM) feel happy.  :)

It is not that I am trying to be selfish, this is not going to be a simple journey, I am far from perfect, however I know  at times I will but it is a triumph when I fall, I get back up and continue on!  I will peel back layers of myself and be proud of them as they have helped me become the person I am today and will be tomorrow.  The evolution of ME(EM) is ever changing and the change is the only constant thing!  Like the phoenix rising from the ash, I am reborn to experience new and great things

So with that ladies and gentlemen feel free to follow, and comment where you deem appropriate!

All the best for you in 2011 and I hope that you wish the same of me! 

 -raise your glass to CHANGE!