Farewell 2009...hello 2010

Lessons Learned in 2009

1. Live like there's no tomorrow. Life is too short for regrets and not saying what you mean! R.I.P. Lorena! Love you...
2. Sometimes there are things that are more important than your own happiness. It's called growing up.
3. When they call for hurricanes in the Outer Banks....listen. It's not like them calling for hurricanes at the beach. Put the lawn furniture away and don't leave the towels or bathing suits outside.
4. Halloweein in Orlando is a must at least once in your life. Oh and don't pack so much you come back with way more stuff than you came with.
5. No matter what happens know that you are strong enough to handle what has been given to you.

My soapbox to leave 2009 and welcome 2010....

Every once in a blue moon something amazing happens...we may not expect it, we may not like it, but regardless it just happens. And when it happens you can do one of two things...face it or run away. Of course running away would be the easiest thing to do...why not? Your life would be simpler, your life could go on as you know it, but there's one thing about running....no matter what you run from; it will eventually catch up to you. So, why not face it from the get go. It's easier said than done especially when there are so many factors that need to be considered and when people can get hurt, including you. But sometimes, just sometimes facing the situation is so much easier when it's no longer about you. It might be better to do with with help, but sometimes you can't help that situation. Sometimes, you just need to be unselfish and acept the challenge that has been given to you and see it as a blessing. After all, "He does not allow the tests you face to be greater than the grace he gives you to handle them."

So to 2010 may I and all those that I care about enjoy every moment that we face, no matter how scary or hurtful it may be. May we accept what has been given to us as a blessing and become better people for everything happens for a reason! No matter how things turn out; may we always make the best out of the situation. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

My Resolutions...

1. Live my life according to what I know is right and what will give us the best life and not make decisions based on what someone else wants.
2. Kill em with kindness...no need to stoop down to other people's level. It's their choice if they don't treat you well or respect you. As long as you know who you truly are.
3. Just be happy =)

802 days left

So, I haven't made much progress on knocking out this list...and right now a whole lot of it is going to have to wait. I guess I could be angry for not taking advantage of certain situations in which I could have knocked some of these out, but what are you going to do?

But I have worked on somethings even if I haven't been keeping track.

#3 Finally gave up my number #1 bad habit!!! If you've been around lately you know what this is!
#16 Paying off my BOA CC...1 more payment left...thank goodness!!!
#39 & #40 guess these two go hand and hand but I'll definitely knock those two out next year =)
#45 Do not buy a purse for 3 months! I sure didn't....now for #44 I can't say anything about that!!
#79 Make my bed everyday for a week...it's pretty much made all the time now =)
#94 Look into getting certified for event planning....umm yeah waaaay too expensive!!!

Since so many things are going to be changing I probably won't be keeping up with my 1001 in 101, but using this mainly as a true blog I guess...I'll continue with my 1001 in 2011...hopefully =)

Update and Changes...

So, it's been awhile since I've updated this so I've been able to cross off a few things off my list, start on others and have come to the conclusion that I really need to change some of the things on my list.

#27 Go jetskiing.

Yay...that was kinda fun. Sort of. haha! Thanks to Erin and celebrating her birthday at the Redneck Yacht Club in Eastern Shore for that experience. Guess I'll just have to wait for her to give me those pictures. haha! I'm not gonna lie...I was kind of afeared as Janice would say. One, the bay was super choppy, and two I had no idea what I was doing. I picked up quickly but I definitely was freaked out going so fast and so far out. I know, I know I'm a control freak and not knowing where I'm going or how fast or if I'm gonna fly off the jet ski drove me nuts! Note to self...don't get on the jetskis right after you put block on!

# 48 Watch a Nationals game in their new stadium.

I really don't know why I put myself through those games, but I guess my family will always be Braves fans. haha! Thought they were going to pull through in the 9th inning...after we had already left our seats, which were quite nice might I add. Stadium is gorgeous, but definitely a lot smaller than I expected. The best part of that trip was the VIP Lexus parking...sweet!

Changes...

So I've decided "#86 Learn how to make a quiche" was one of those things I just threw on here because I couldn't think of anything else. haha. So I am now changing #86 to swim with sharks!

For reals huh...haha

Seriously…is it that difficult to put away a shopping cart?!? I always put mine back and in the rare instance that I don’t put it back I totally put it where no one’s car will get hit and definitely not in front of someone’s car!!!

Today I went to Farm Fresh to get a salad for lunch and I swear I was in there for less than 10 minutes. Why were there FOUR freaking shopping carts in front of my car?!?!? I mean is there some magnet that says “let’s put all the carts by the new car?!?” And it’s not just because I got the car…I’d be pissed if someone did that regardless of what car I was driving and the guy who had just put it there was staring at me from his car. Yall know it took every bit of me not to yell at his old ass! Granted he was older, but seriously the cart return was right behind his car which would have been the same distance he walked to put the cart in front of my car!! Uggghhhh!!

*Exhaling…ok done venting!

So…onto the real reason why I was supposed to blog…#85 Try a restaurant in Va Beach that I haven’t tried yet. Check. So, Janice wanted Dim Sum and yes, I said Janice because amazingly she now craves Jade Villa but sadly cause I’m a fat girl I’d already been there two days in a row with a different DeGuzman sister each time haha I suggested Forbidden City. I’ve always heard their food was good, but was kinda skeptical just because of the way it looked outside. Surprisingly the place was really nice, not what either of us expected. It was definitely clean and more of an upscale “Americanized” Chinese Restaurant (which you know means a little bit pricier). The service was good and the owner even came up to talk to us, although I think it might have been because I saw one of my aunties who just happens to be her good friend there. The food was pretty tasty…Janice’s shu mai were huge and if I do say so myself was a little tastier than Jade Villa, the chicken lettuce wraps Marshall ordered were yummy. They came with Romaine lettuce instead of the plain iceberg lettuce. At first we were kind of looking for the PF Changs’ sauce to go with it, but they were actually really tasty that you didn’t need the sauce. For our entree…I ordered the combination Pan Fried Noodles, Janice ordered the Salt and Peppered Squid and Marshall ordered the Triple Happiness. Pan Friend was a hit, crunchy noodles and a savory sauce…can’t beat that. The Salt and Peppered Squid got some mixed reviews. I guess if you’ve never had Jade Villa’s Salty & Spicy Squid then you’d love Forbidden City’s version, the squid was tender but to me the batter was kind of like eating sweet and sour pork, but it was yummy, had a little bit of kick because of the peppers but not garlicky enough for me. As you know, Jade Villa calamari is full of garlic, I guess that’s why Marshall liked Forbidden City’s version better. The best part of the meal was definitely the Lychee Martinis (just the right amount of vodka and loaded with lychee flavor!)

So my review: Forbidden City was really good, but would I choose it over Jade Villa…I don’t think so unless we were trying to go somewhere a little fancier. Sure their shu mai was a little bigger and tastier than Jade, Jade just has a bigger selection.

I got a feeling...

Do you ever notice how toxic relationships are like fast food… you know it’s bad for you, but it’s convenient, quick and easy and it’ll satisfy you for the time being and later you get buyer’s remorse! Haha! I’m just saying!

So, really I got a feeling that 28’s gonna be a good year…Woohoo! Haha!

I know it’s only been a few days, but they have been some really good days! #65 let go of the people who are not good for me…done!!! I know, I know I’ve said “I’m done” a long time ago more than a few times, but for the first time since that whole mess started I finally feel free! It’s so cliché, but it was kind of like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders and I just felt this overwhelming feeling of happiness. So, thanks to everyone for their slaps on the head…it finally sunk in. I know what you’re thinking “It’s about freaking time!” But I’m for real this time, not that I wasn’t listening to you all, I just didn’t know what I wanted, but now I do…it just took a really long time to see it!

#2 get my IS350. Done =)

See…28 is going to be a great year!

Woohoo....one down one hundred more to go...

#57 Catch a fish on a deep sea fishing trip!

Yay...so I learned how to fish this weekend! Poor Chuck (our mate), I got the line tangled up, I wouldn't touch the bait and surely wasn't gonna touch the fish I caught either! haha! I got four fishies although I have to admit I didn't even know I caught them. I mean the fish were so small and you couldn't tell if it was the weight or the waves...whatever I still crossed one thing off!

It was a great time with friends and family. Especially since they gave us our own boat! It's one of those things I will definitely do again, now that I know what I'm doing. Only thing I would do differently is remember to put the sunblock on!!! I was a freaking lobster afterwards!

Finally...my 101 List

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

So, it's finally posted..after 3 days of trying to compile it here it is. Some ridiculous, some attainable and some...wishful thinking I guess. Haha!

Do yours too!!! haha