Settling into 2012

New year = new attitude and new outlook on life makes for a much happier me. I typed up a fairly detailed list of goals I'd like to accomplish this year (don't do resolutions since I'm always trying to be the best me everyday),  2012 will be my year of put up or shut up for alot of things on my bucket list as well as some behavior modifications I'm gonna stop making excuses for. 

2012 To Do List

(In no particular order)

Get Concealed Weapons Permit

Skydiving

2 More Tattoos

Travel More (lots more)

Get a Passport

Start Tithing

Bikram Yoga

Cooper River Bridge Run

Start Tylen's College Fund (1 yr behind schedule, shame on me!!)

Start myself an additional retirement account (got some serious catching up to do)

New Job

Show my friends and family that I appreciate more

Get Baptized (that goes for me and Tylen)
Wall Climbing (James Island County Park)
Attend a Mixology class
Don't engage in gossip
Take Tylen on a legitimate family vacation
Complete Couch to 5k
Take and pass the CPA exam
Join professional organizations (AICPA, SCAPA, and NBMBA)
Financial Stability

I think this list is realistic and totally feasible. Fairly well into the new job goal, next up will be 1 new tat and trip to NYC with the girls (shriek!! Uber excited). I intentionally left my nonexistent love life off of there since I'm going to control what I can, and that's me, and put the rest in God's hands.

On to my favorite hobby...My Hair!! LOL

I BCd September 2010 so I've been natural for about 1.5yrs now. I have learned more about myself and have had to face a lot of my insecurities head on...and feel like I'm a better person for it. I totally love my hair, which I am typing as 4b, and love the person I am becoming as a result of my journey. I not only strive to find the best hair care practices but now strive for overall wellness: mind, body and soul. I love taking care of my hair (for my own selfish reason: its the only time in my day that's mine, I work two jobs and am a full time single parent). I started off all organic and could not keep my PJism in check. Then I said forget it, and submerged myself in cones, sulfates, parabens, mineral oil...you name it I tried it. That lasted all of two months. I'm back on my natural regiment, My hair's about collarbone length now and I have yet to straighten it (terrified of heat damage). So just gonna keep up my regular regiment....keep experimenting with new styles and continue figuring out what works best for me. My staples are as follow:

Henna

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner

Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition Conditioner

Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo

Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque

Castor Oil

Shealoe

Ecostyler Olive Oil gel

Anita Grant Rhassoul Clay Cubes

Honey 

EVOO

I'm seemingly finding my happy so far this year and pray that continues to be the case. It's amazing how the more you appreciate what you already have the more you receive. Feels good to be in a good place. 

Everyday is a new Opportunity to Live the Life You Want

As I sit back and think about this past year, I can't help but be filled with so much joy. Not because of the good things that happened to me, quite the opposite in fact. 2011 turned out to be the toughest year I've have since leaving my son's father in 2007. Discord came at me on every front possible; family, friends, and finances. Without getting into the sordid details, just know lots tears and harsh words and feelings of despair can be seen in the instant replay of my past year.
Despite the turmoil I faced, I have never been more at peace. God is truly so good. As the song says, I'm stronger, I'm wiser, I'm soooo much better. The level of strength and understanding I've gained, has given me peace I didn't think possible. Those who know me, know I've have my issues with mainstream religion (deeply rooted in family issues in my past), but me and God are ok now. I'm not what one would call a "holy roller" but I have deep yearning for total peace of mind, body, and soul and that can only come through a relationship with God. Granted I'm doing it MY way, but the central grounding it provides better equips me to deal with ma vie folle.
I honestly feel like a better person; I love and appreciate my mom and the great group of friends I am surrounded with and there are no words to express the love I have for my son. As I reflect on my goals for 2012, I want to start living my life and enjoying what's already here as opposed to obsessing about what I don't have or feel I deserve as well as being a better person, mother and friend. Now that I don't feel I am carrying my burdens alone, I can't help but be filled with joy as I think of all the opportunities that still lie ahead just waiting for me to get my ish together. Whelp, thanks to life's lessons, the message has definitely been received.

Carpe Diem!!

Did I just start a blog?!

Hello world!! As I sit here trying to understand how I'm suddenly motivated to start a blog, I come to the conclusion that its to have a voice. We as humans have an innate need for both acceptance and to feel heard. Though we have friends, family, co-workers or whatever, we can still feel as is we aren't heard. Everyone needs somewhere for their voice to be heard. We feel we have something relevant to say, hence books, magazines, the social media explosion. This blog, I'm hoping will be my voice, my outlet for what I feel I have to say, cause I think I am way past keeping a journal. Thanks to anyone who subscribes, at best, hopefully my life's lessons, misadventures and experimentation serve as a means to inspire to make your voice heard; otherwise the crazy twists and turns my life takes will at least serve as some entertaining reading.