Very superstitious, writing's on the wall

While biking in to work this morning, yet another little blog post light bulb went off... but then I quickly dismissed it. "I can't talk about that, it's not set in stone yet... if I do, I'll jinx it..." I thought. And so my blog sits empty for yet another day.

I then realized that I'm a little superstitious. I fear that if I talk about something too soon, it will be jinxed and won't materialize into reality. I do this in real life as well as in Blog Land. When Homeboy and I started dating back in February/March, I didn't tell a soul. I wasn't hiding it per se, but I wasn't shouting it from the rooftops, either. Our friends harass us now about how long it took us to finally "admit it" on Facebook ('cause nothing is officially official until it's on Facebook, right?). I think that when I get the feeling that something good has fallen into my lap, I protect it in it's early stages, sheltering it from anything that I think may compromise it's survival until it's grown enough to support itself. Weird? Anyone else do this?

There are things on my life horizon that I'm hiding, things I want to share with you and write about. Do I take a risk and share? Do I ignore my superstitious fears, trusting that most end-results are in my control and not completely abandoned to fate? (I'm dramatic, no?)

Yes.

So, my job is ending next Friday. August 5th is my last day. I didn't get canned, I didn't quit... In a nutshell, my position was a temporary appointment and while I knew my employers would have jumped through the HR hoops to extend my appointment if I had asked, I chose not to. I just have this feeling that it's time to move on, that it's time for a new chapter. No, I don't have a replacement in place at this point, beyond my Avon business and fitness teaching. Maybe I should be more worried than I am, but I'm not stressed about it. In fact, despite the challenges I'm going to face, I feel like this is what is supposed to happen. I feel like it's time to finally jump head-on into the myriad of self-employed projects and dreams that I've put on hold for so long... I hope. I mean, I sense that my Avon business and my fitness teaching could be so much more than it is right now, but I struggle to find time to put into them because my time is spent here at my 9-to-5. And I don't love my 9-to-5. I never have loved any of my 9-to-5s, for sitting at a desk job sucks my soul, but ironically that is always the type of job I've had.

And then there is school and dance. More projects and dreams abound there, as well. That's a post for another day.

We Heart It

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. But I just have this feeling that it's all going to be okay. I have faith that it will all work out fine, for the best... I just have to keep trucking along, pursuing and fighting to make my dreams reality.

xoxo
J

Pedal Pusher

So. I'm sure you've all been waiting with bated breath since I last mentioned a pending change in my corner of the 'verse, so I am here to finally spill the beans. Last weekend I downsized from four wheels to two. No more car for me... I'm now a full-time bike commuter!

Most people ask "What happened??" with great concern, but this was a choice. The short version of the story is my youngest brother and his girlfriend are the lucky parents of the Cutest Baby Alive, my nephew. Life has been throwing them curveballs right and left, and one curveball in particular has been the inability to find a car that stays running for longer than a week. Cars are expensive, but when you have a little one a car is pretty much essential.

So I gave them my car. On Father's Day, I handed my brother an envelope with the keys and the title signed over to him. And then I asked him for a ride home :)

Sure, it's been an adjustment... I now only carry the essentials for my day – lunch, laptop, ballet gear, basic Avon business stuff and items to freshen up post-ride. Feel the burn, baby! I may be in shape, but any new activity requires muscles to be used in new ways - I was ready to call it a night by 9:30pm all last week and I’m not an early to bed gal. On Friday I calculated approximately how far I bike in a day, and it came to about 15 miles. Not bad. Oh, and the appetite! I’m a hunger monster anyway, but my food consumption has gone through the roof. The money I’m saving on gas and insurance may be traded in at the grocery store. Holy moly.

What was one of my biggest fears? Helmet hair, ha! But honestly, it's not been as bad as I expected. My bangs fluff back to life without too much effort. And my morning routine is much simpler, allowing me more time to snooze. There is no point in doing a full blowout or makeup face nowadays. Again, I was worried I’d be a hot sweaty mess upon arrival at work, but I change from biking getup to work-apropos outfit, dab on some powder and lip gloss, and I’m good to go. Thank the stars I work in a casual office.

Any inconvenience or adjustment on my part is far outweighed by the benefit to my brother and his li’l family. It was the right thing to do, so no regrets. FoCo is a very bike-friendly little city, so that helps tremendously, too. And you know I'm still sporting my girly style... hot pink Nike backpack; pink, black and white helmet; and my nails are still polished... today is sparkly red Ruby Slipper.

Wouldn't mind if this was the view on my commute...

All kinds of bike-related posts have been swirling around my helmeted head… such as beauty/fashion posts, potentially titled “Biker Babe Beauty” or “Pedal Pushing Pretty”… We’ll see what happens!

images We Heart It

Happy Monday lovelies!

xoxo
J

Nice to meet you

Welcome 2011, it's a pleasure to meet you! I have been looking forward to your arrival.

Not that I didn't enjoy 2010's company or time. We had our good times and we had our rough patches, but what relationship doesn't? It's time to wish each other well and wave good-bye as we embark down different roads.

I know we just met and barely know each other, 2011, but something tells me that you're different. I sense currents of change and transition in your energy. I sense something big... or maybe a collective of smaller things that will add up to big. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm projecting. But a flicker of spark deep down tells me otherwise. We shall see. We are only on Day 1 of this relationship, after all, and we don't want to rush into anything.

we heart it

See you tomorrow then?

xoxo
J