Can't thank you enough!

For this post, I wanted to take the time express and give my thanks to you Dr. Arini.  You have made this semester very enjoyable and easy going for me.  You have been so accommodating with all events that have taken place in my life this semester and I cannot thank you enough.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the pieces we had the chance of working on this semester.  Some of them came as a challenge to me such as the Literary journalism and Place essays.  I had never written a piece where I had to incorporate factual information and incorporate it into a creative nonfiction story so this was very new to me.  Another challenge I found myself in was trying to avoid getting to caught up in my descriptions and letting those concepts take away from my overall story.  Luckily I sought the help of some very intelligent and creative writers in the class who had given me great feedback and insight on how to re word and write my stories when I get into this type of situation. 

I really enjoyed peer reviewing others stories!  I think we have outstanding writers in this class and I wish everyone the best of luck.  Thank you to those who have helped me with my own work as it is greatly appreciated.  I will be sure to carry along the great information you have given as well as follow your own examples and pieces that I admire.  I learned a lot about others writing as well as my own style of writing as I was  able to do these peer reviews.  Thank you to all who read my pieces as well as shared their pieces with me!!

Overall as mentioned, I really cannot thank you enough for a great semester and being not only a great teacher but great individual with a good and understanding heart.  You have made this semester so much more smooth as well as likeable for me and I appreciate it.  I will definitely be sure to refer other to take this class and specifically from you! :]

Thanks again!!

 

"Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, we get a fairy tale."

November 30, 2012

Last night, November 29, 2012 marked my first Marine Corps Ball.  I was escorted by Corporal Samuel Rincon and call me cheesy but I felt like it was a scene cut straight from Cinderella; minus the big poofy ball gown though for I went for a more traditional black evening gown look.  However I dressed it up with blue heels to go along with his dress blues as a little bit of accent and character to my ensemble. :]

Getting ready for the ball was a bit chaotic....The ball was held at the Palms Banquet Hall which was on the base of Camp Hansen.  We got ready in the barracks with excited Marines constantly coming in and out of our room.  Needless to say I was able to get ready just not in the girly and slow and steady manner I would have liked!  Sammy looked great.  He was thrilled to achieve his blood stripe on his blues and dress in them for his first ever Marine Corps Ball as well.  I was honored to be on his arm and escorted around to be introduced to his higher ups and their spouses as well. :]

We were very fortunate to be seated at a table with his closest friends (Who are by far one of the greatest groups of guys I have ever met!).  One of Sammy's friends had said their Gunny had organized it that way for us.  Looking at my name tag I was a bit puzzled and had to joke around with Sammy and ask if had forgotten my name... My name tag read, "Ms. Gianna Ligianna."  My first name and then the letters "Li" followed by my first name again.  I could not help but laugh hysterically at this, for many people get my last name wrong (Liberatore) but I had never seen this spelling!  Sammy explained he passed our my name along with meal order over to his Gunny so that's where the misinterpretation might have came from.  I did not mind though in fact I thought it added even more character to the night and event!

After the opening ceremonies and cake ceremony were performed, dinner was served along with the traditional and giant Marine Corps 237th Birthday cake being cut and served.  Once dinner was over, the music and dance floor was officially opened.  Sammy, myself and his friends made our way to the dance floor where the fun had only just begun and did not seem to stop.  I had never seen so many grown men (Marines for the matter) be so excited to hear the song and perform the dance to the new hit "Gangnam Style," it definitely was a sight to see!

Overall we had an amazing time at the ball and it will surely be an event I will never forget.  I am also very happy to have had the opportunity to accompany Sammy to his first ever Marine Corps Birthday Ball as well for he has usually been on leave or deployed during this time.  I look forward to attending many more events and even Birthday Balls with him in the future. :]

"Experience travel, these are as education in themselves."

November 23, 2012

Well, it has finally come down to this... Officially the final day before I leave for one amazing trip and experience of a life time!  I am proud to say that Okinawa, Japan is my first stop to hopefully many new out of the country adventures.  :]

Today consists of last minute laundry and of course packing.  I have never been more nervous and yet excited at the same time.  I have decided to pull an all nighter tonight in an attempt to get on the right time when I arrive in Japan saying they are 16 hours ahead of us...My travel plans begin promptly at 5:40am where I board a United Airlines flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles.  From there a four hour layover in LA where I then will board my first International Flight to the Tokyo, Narita International Airport.  Another layover, this time only consisting of three hours and then I board my final flight on All Nippon ANA Airways to arrive in destination of Okinawa, Japan.  :] 

My biggest concern at this point is of course being able to navigate my way through the airports by myself.  Oh and of course making sure I don't over and or under pack, yikes!  Granted I do have layovers giving me plenty of time to find my way, however I have a sense of anxiety since I have never done this sort of adventure by myself or at all!  One side of me feels very anxious while the other is excited and and ready for the experience and chance to really be on my own and figure things out for myself.  Misplacing my passport is another concern of mine... I am just over thinking now!

All in all I am so ready and cannot believe this trip has come as quickly as it has!  Many updates to come as I set out on my Okinawan adventure. :]   

A week and a day and counting!!

I cannot believe how fast the time has already gone by.  From a mere thought, so stirring idea, to crazy possibility, to set in stone trip, I officially leave to Okinawa, Japan in a week and one day!!  I never thought I would ever have such an opportunity and never thought it would have been here within a blink of an eye!  Although so much to do still I feel I am ready for this amazing trip and next chapter in my life.

Aside from all the craziness that has been happening the past few months, I must say I am very fortunate to have Corporal Sammy Rincon in my life.  He has always been a great friend but these past months have proved he means so much more to me and I to him.  He makes the effort to tell me good morning and have a good day when in fact he is about to fall asleep.  He insists on using his lunch break and time to video call me  just to catch up and see how my day has been going so far.  He made it a priority to call me as soon as I was able and healthy enough to speak after an unexpected surgery I had recently.  Just hearing the concern in his voice makes me realize how much he truly and deeply cares.  He talks me through the events that have come up recently and assures me that all will pass, fall into place where it should be and in the end be okay.  It is truly amazing how even from 9,500 miles away he is able to put me at ease and stay positive.  I admire him in so many ways as an individual as well as a soldier and I make sure to tell him as often as I can.  Knowing my care packages I have sent bring smiles to his face and happiness throughout makes my days brighter as well.  Just being able to see and hear him through a simple computer screen makes me the happiest I have been in a very...very long time.  We often lose track of how long we talk for at times and it almost feels as if he is physically in front of me the whole times.  This whole experience seems completely surreal but as mentioned, I couldn't be happier as I have been recently knowing I have him there through it all.      

I am very anxious to see where the cards fall once I have traveled 9, 500 miles to see him and accompany him to one of the greatest events of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Ball.  I am not only honored but completely and utterly flattered that he has asked me and is willing to put forth the effort to send me there to be with him for it.  I have never felt so admired by someone and the feeling is reassuring, encouraging and helps me to believe in fate and waiting for the right timing in situations.  I have learned lately that timing is everything and we learn through it that some things did not work out when they did because it was not the right time for them to.  I am also beginning to see more clearly and understand the phrase of "Everything happens for a reason."  The twists and turns that life takes you are for reasons and lessons learned.  So who knows, maybe this trip will be yet another lesson learned to add to my collection or in fact be a chapter that all these reasons have led up to.  Time will only tell. :)  But for now I still have some major shoe shopping to be done to go with my dress for the ball!  Hopefully I have the time for this as I leave in 8 days!!!  

"Moving on is a simple thing; What it leaves behind is hard."

Well, it is official... One of the most important parts of me is gone BUT I could not be more happy and excited.

After a few month struggle of not wanting to sell my beloved 2 year old paint horse Marvin, I decided it was time for him and I both to move on in our lives.  He is ready for new experiences and going on to do "Big horse" things as well as make a new family very happy and cheerful all the time.  I am ready for new chapters in my life as well and eager to see where different paths of life will be taking me.  Once I had decided to official put him on the market I had many people interested and one in particular called me to tell me right away that she would take him without even coming to see him first!  It was the weekend before Marvin was to be picked up by his new family when I received a disturbing call from my trainer at 5 in the morning...

"Marvin got caught in a fence last night and his legs are pretty beat up...  There is one spot in particular we should call the vet about as soon as possible..."

My heart dropped for many reasons.  The main one being I can't stand the thought of seeing any of animals (children) hurt and suffering.  After calling the vet and having her come down we examined the wound and the look on her face made me lose the color in mine.  She began to make a tapping sound and exclaimed "That is his bone..."  The gash in his leg had cut straight through to his bone we were able to fit a thick syringe fully inside if it... She pulls out her x-ray machine and I nervously began to shed tears.  Fortunately the x-rays showed no sign of any fracture to the bone.  However she worries that with the cut being so deep and there being no skin present to stitch it up, to much air could circulate into the bone causing a disease and even possibility for the bone itself to die off.  I knew the healing process was going to be strict but I was willing to do whatever had to be done.  After telling his new potential owner about what had happened I never heard from her again which also broke my heart...

5 weeks, many antibiotics, a fresh new leg wrapping ever day, injected cleaning solutions, and steroid creams later, he is walking perfectly fine and ready to go out and play.  His wound has been scabbing over nicely with a little swelling and some scars and scratches still on his legs.  I decided to list him for sale again and of course to be sure to inform the potential buyers of his injury.  I received a call two days after I had posted him from a woman very interested in him and loves his bloodlines.

"I would like to put a down payment on him if I could and then pick him up by the weekend." she had told me.

I was ecstatic.  She as well as her facility and values sounded perfect.  We met the next day and I decided to hop on Marvin one last time before they got there.  A little nervous as he had not been ridden in almost two months with being out due to injury, he was perfectly fine and I couldn't have been happier.  She arrived at the barn with her friend and 13 year old daughter all of which fell in love with him instantly.  He warmed up to them very quickly and they could not get enough of his spunky, fun loving personality.  I knew this was the right thing to do, especially after seeing how he and the 13 year old little girl we connecting instantly.  After making the deal the lady noticed my trainer and recognized her.  She had actually bought a horse from my trainer years ago and could not stop telling me how much she adores her and will be keeping her forever!  This also made me feel reassured that he was in fact going to a great home.  My trainer also assured me by saying how wonderful of a lady she is and how well she takes care of her horses.

Overall, this was definitely one of the hardest things I have ever had to do thus far in my life.  However I think it is a stepping stone for me and for lack of a better phrase "time to be a big girl."  I am very fortunate to have met people who are eager and willing to care for him as much as I do.  it also fills me with joy to see how happy my little man makes others as well.  I am very excited for Marvin's new home and even more excited to see how he progresses and what he grows up to become!  I have also made new friends in this process of which I will be seeing from time to time to also see how my little boy is working out for them.

I am very grateful for the opportunity and time spent with Marvin.  I was the first one to ever sit on his back, ride him and trained him myself.  I have taught him how to be a broke horse and what riding is all about but he in return has taught me so much more... He has taught me patience, dedication, and what I think is most important, trust among many other great lessons.  He will always have a special place in my heart and i can only hope that I will continue to hold a place in his.

Congratulations to the Treadway family!  You own one very sweet, amazing and hard working young man. :)

Our last night and ride together :)      

“We can try to avoid making choices by doing nothing, but even that is a decision.”

This week I have come to find that not all decisions are always the best to make as well as the easiest to make.  Some people you would never expect can be hurt in the process of your decision for reasons you also did not expect.  It is times like these that really get you thinking and often over thinking your decision making skills.

How do you react to someone who after countless times of trying to get to open up finally does so when a potential life changing decision on your end has been made?  Do you simply accept their feelings and reactions to it and move on as it is YOUR decision and it already has been made.  Or do you think back on your process of making that decision and wonder, "Did I really think this through thoroughly?"  This has been my challenge for the week, and to be honest it has been one that I am still struggling with!

As much as I would like to have the confidence in myself to say that my decision I have made is going to be a great one in the long run and that everything is going to work out well, I can't help but take into consideration this unexpected persons concerns and reactions.  Is he right?  Am I making a potential mistake?  Am I not thinking of all the possibilities and outcomes of this situation?  Or I am possible over thinking it all now rather than living in the moment, moving on from a dead end and starting a new chapter...  There are the thoughts that have been boggling my mind for the past week.

 "Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach."

I think this quote does a great job at tying in what I need to do about this situation.  Stay committed and have confidence in myself as well as the decision I have made, but be open and cautious to other ways on going about it. 

"Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity"

Have you ever taken a second to stop...realize how much you have on your plate... AND COMPLETELY FREAK OUT?!  Anxiety has been taking its toll on me lately and it doesn't really sink in until I actually take a second out of my day to stop and organize in my head what all I have to accomplish in the next coming months.  Wondering if I should be writing more in my planner, making more reminders and calendar notes in my phone or add to my post it note collection also sparks anxiety!  Sometimes my mind races so much it is hard for me to even concentrate on what is at the top of my list and or my extreme priorities.

Conducting my lists and all the numerous upcoming events in my head I come to terms that my apartment is in fact at the top of my list.  With our lease being up at the end of December with scheduled move out date to be New Years, you can only imagine how much I am stressing about this situation in this already busy time of the year!  Reassuring myself that I will find a new place as well as coordinating with my current leasing office to see about other possible move out dates whether before or after our scheduled one is in my best interest as well.  I hope to plan and prepare things out accordingly as I am sure most people know the stresses of moving are horrific.

Learning to better plan ahead and prepare is something I am always striving to do better with.  Waiting to the last minute not only causes stress but more often than none a faulty outcome or just not the best.  In order to be successful and push myself and my capabilities I think taking on being a better planner is a great task for me to manage.  I feel thinking about all my tasks I have yet to complete and resolve only worries me more and makes me spiral down a path of anxiety.  I feel as if I look at things differently in the sense of a positive manner and that "they will get done," and "first things first," attitude all will be okay and work out well in the outcomes of each event or task.  It is all about maintaining that positive attitude while actually getting stuff done that will help me to better prepare as well as be completely successful in anything I do as a result. :)

 

She is Lucky, and so am I

This week and weekend I endured a scary happening that came very unexpectedly.  I was rushed into an unexpected surgery where my heart had then taken an even more unexpected reaction to the anesthesia.  I had known I had an abnormal heart beat for quite some time now as other doctors have noticed but it has never been a huge issues to me (as it really should saying it is my heart!).  After waking up and from the anesthesia and feeling as if an elephant was sitting on my chest, the doctor had explained that my heart rate would not stay at a normal rate as well as pattern during the procedure.  It often shot up and then dropped to extreme and worry some levels.  He referred my mother and I to a couple cardiologist to talk about possible procedures from here.

When I arrived home the first presence to greet me was my adorable and sweet old dog Lucky.  I had rescued Lucky a little over a year ago now and I am so happy to to have provided her a wonderful home to carry out the rest of her life.  She had come from a family where husband and wife were both physically and verbally abusive so she is scared of nay loud voice or noise and is mortified of thunder storms.  Having known all this and witnessing her reactions for myself I knew I had done the right thing in giving this sweet girl a new comforting home where she would not have to live in fear anymore.  What I didn't know, was how much of an impact that little lady was going to have on me and my life.

Lucky did not leave my side the entire time spent in bed.  When I got up to do absolutely anything, Lucky was right there to aid me.  I have never felt more comforted and taken care of as I have with her considering the state and condition I was in.  I cannot be more thankful to have her in my life and it means the world to me knowing how she did not leave my side and knew I needed to be watched over.  I feel I have truly been blessed  and she is the absolute perfect addition to my life.  When ever I need to be reassured or a push to get through something I know she will always be there.  I truly believe animals are smarter than we give them credit for.  I also believe they are guardian angels in disguise.   

Lucky is my best friend and I can't help but feel at ease every time I see her and she plops herself in my lap.  I truly believe she sensed that I took her home that day to give her a new life and she is in return has made mine a brighter as well.  One of the best feelings I think I have ever come across is taking her home and knowing in my heart how great of a thing I was doing and the wonderful life I was saving and now knowing that she in return would do the same for me.

 

"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list."

Just like any of us, a lot has been going on in my life lately, both great and not so great.  One things for sure though is that I have definitely been carrying a smile through it all.  :]  One of my greatest weaknesses however (and I am certainly not afraid to admit it) would be committing the crime of over thinking leading to a negative outlook or attitude.  My biggest issue is that sometimes I tend to find things or situations to good to be true and often seek out negativity in them so a sense of reality can strike me.  However I am learning that this evil method of mine is known as self sabotage.

This quote is very... very true.

I am learning to take things as they come.  Both with an open mind as well as an open heart.  To be curious and not judgmental and just enjoy the moment that is in front of me.  To not skip out on chances and seek every opportunity I get no matter what it may be.  With all that being said, I start a new chapter in my life titled "Journeys" and will be adventuring to Okinawa, Japan in November to attend the United States Marine Corps Ball.

Now, although very skeptical as well as anxious to the max I am learning to put those thoughts behind me and bask in the amazing concept of this opportunity.  This will be my first time out of the country and I never expected I would be traveling to Japan out of all places. I can honestly say I have never been more excited.  Excited to start my chapter of Journeys and hopefully be that much inspired to continue to add to it in the near future.  My dress has finally been purchased for the ball and in doing so, I had to stop and think to myself how surreal this all really is.  How many times in ones life does an opportunity such as attending the United States Marine Corps Ball in Okinawa, Japan come up?  And how lucky and fortunate am I to have been asked by one of the most amazing people and friends I have ever had in my life.  Totally cliche but it is true... I am one very lucky girl...  And more importantly I need to stop myself sometimes in the midst of craziness and realize, things happen for a reason, life carries on and all in all... everything is going to be okay... So continue to smile. :]

I have always wanted to venture out and see the world someday and I think this is  great place to start and cannot thank my Marine enough for helping me and giving me that little extra push with this process.  This is going to be a trip I will remember and cherish forever and cannot wait to see where it will go from here.  I am already looking forwarding to adding to this this chapter. :]

Follow your heart, but be quiet at first

This weeks lesson was all about trust in timing and in given situations.  No matter how organized we tend to think we can keep things together in our lives, there are bound to be those times and incidents where we have to accept and trust a situation will get better.  The hardest part about this concept for me, is the fact that I tend to over think things... a lot!  I may be accepting of a situation, however when my mind decides to, thoughts beyond thoughts and anxiety even begin to take over.  I am slowly but surely learning to handle and challenge these inner thoughts and feelings by accepting something for what it is, moving on from it and having a positive encouraging thought in the back of my mind rather than a million potential negative and questionable ones. 

A sad reality has to come to me where I have to sell one of the most important things in my life, my sweet horse Marvin.  I found him a great home and am very excited for his new owners to take him places and teach him new things since he is still a baby and learning.  This week Marvin caught himself in a fence and ended up tearing a hole in his skin that led straight to his bone.  Luckily there was no fracture and he was placed under vet care immediately.  I was mortified to call his new owner who had driven from California to Arizona to tell her the horrible new.  I could not help but think to myself on how horrible the timing was and more so how horrible it is for me to see him this way.  He is having a difficult time putting pressure on the leg but I have been working with him every day to help him walk at his own pace.  He has made great progress even within a few days but it is still a hard sight for me to see him in so much pain and struggle.  My concept of trust in this situation, is to trust that he will for sure get better and he will be even stronger than before.  Oddly enough I have found that I have to trust in the timing of this situation as well.  Instead of over thinking why this could have happened to me or poor Marvin at this time, I have to be strong and stable for the both of us and trust in his progress, health and future happiness.

His new owner was very understanding of the situation and wishes him all the best.  She cannot wait until she can finally come pick him up once he is healed, and I am grateful to have found such a wonderful person to take further care of him.  It's interesting the situations we find ourselves having to use trust in.  For me personally, I thought this was a new way to utilize this concept and I can even see it along the lines of having and keeping up with faith.  This one sure has been a difficult lesson to watch because I absolutely cannot bear seeing my child (as I call him since I have raised him since he was a baby), be in pain, suffering and struggling.  He is a tough boy though and I know he will pull through with the faith that me and his future owner are executing.  Lesson learned, trust that things do get better as well as fall into place accordingly.  

"Sometimes Being a Sister is Even Better Than Being a Superhero"

This week I got the honor of spending some quality time with my younger brother.  I say honor because I find my brother to be very special to me and not like anyone else in this entire world.  Events such as these always hold a particular place in my heart.  There is nothing more heart warming than the time spent with family and to know how happy you make someone and how happy they make you in return.  My little brother and I have had our share of sibling battles over the years but have both come out winners as we both consider one another our best friend.

"Gi, I want to celebrate my birthday in a mosh pit!" - Joey Liberatore

As an early birthday present (His birthday is actually October 6), I decided to buy tickets to a concert where Joey's favorite band "Of Mice & Men," were going to be playing along with the headliner, "August Burns Red," which he also loves.  I happen to be a fan to so I jumped right on the opportunity to get us tickets to the show.  Now, mind you the bands are heavy metal and I knew it was going to be quite the experience but I was ready for it and I knew how excited he was going to be to go to it.  As by request, Joey wanted to stand right up front and on the rail, so we did... and it was awesome!!  The look on his face even just when the bands were warming up made me smile and realize how happy he was to be there.  Of Mice & Men begin to play and my "future husband" (as Joey calls him) Austin Carlile, comes out on stage to sing and scream.  The crowd begins to surf over the rails, start circle pits and Joey and I mind our own and just sing a long or...completely rock out if you will. :)  It was a blast and an event I am so glad I was able to share with none other than my brother.
                                                          Austin Carlile - Of Mice & Men

     
                                                                    August Burns Red

These are the moments that stick with me and I reflect on and realize how wonderful it truly is to be a big sister.  To me, it really is an empowering as well as honorable feeling.  I take care and look out for him and as he is getting older he sure has been building his brotherly protective fortress around me.  He has seen me at my best and happiest as well as my lowest where I feel stuck.  He has been one to always have hold of my hand and pull me up and through difficult times as needed.  We share more inside jokes with each other than probably anyone I know and we have the ability to hold an entire conversation via movie quotes...I confide in him and trust his advice and words of wisdom.    

"Sometimes being a sister is even better than being a superhero."

Sometimes I feel like he is more of a superhero to me than I am to him.  I can only hope to be as much of an inspiration and important factor in his life as he is in mine.

Getting back in the saddle

As I am concluding this emotionally draining week, I have been working on staying in the positive and improving the way of handling situations life may throw at us.  Rather than run away and hide when times get tough I am learning to just bite the bullet and take things as they should come.  Hiding and cowering in a corner does not solve anything but in fact lets what weaknesses we may have shine through.  I intend to face every situation face forward and learn how to start from scratch again if the situation calls for that.

With trying to juggle a million different tasks and priorities there is bound to be a mishap her and there that may leave you all the way back at start.  My inspirational thought abut this was that sometimes we have to fall to the bottom to prove to ourselves that we can rise to the top.  This week I experienced a shocking reality that is common in today's society and quickly had to bear with the situation and think of my next move.  I had my breaking down moment and after a phone call from my brother he reassured me of my strengths and the courage I have to pick myself back up and move on.  Being my brother and knowing my life and love of riding horses, he of course referenced the phrase "Get back in the saddle Gi." and closed it with the remark of, "It's what you do best."  Now, horseback and competitive riding is a strength of mine, however I knew my brothers meaning was much more deeper in context.

Often we are confronted by a sudden halt or instance in our lives that can be can be considered a major game changing play.  Some may take it as a construction zone or road block, while others (such as myself) will take it as falling off a trained horse that has suddenly gone wild.  We don't always have control of where the block lands, or what the horse spooks at, but we do have the control to grip the reins as best as we can and hold on for the ride.

Now, although getting thrown off a horse entails some physical pain, I still see it as a method and lesson of perseverance both mentally and physically.  I see tackling a situation in which you feel knocked back down to the bottom like so...

The horse (or situation) throws you for a loop and you find yourself sitting helpless for a couple seconds in the dirt, catching your breath from the initial shock and realizing you're still alright.  You get up onto your feet, walk yourself over to the horse (situation) and think to yourself that this isn't a matter of being beaten, but rather a test of your endurance and durability.  Left foot in the stirrup and hand on the saddle horn you pull yourself back onto the animal (situation) swinging your right foot over and securely into the other stirrup.  You are locked in and ready to conquer what you set out to do.  That being to enjoy the ride and be prepared for anything that may be thrown your way.

I think I will use the phrase, "Get back in the saddle," as a life long motto. :)        

09-07-12 - "Time is Love"

This weeks lesson, and more so challenge was time management.  I experienced a couple different ways in which I had to balance my time accordingly, find the time to make time for other opportunities and even take note of the time in a different country.  Oddly enough, my current song I have had on repeat is "Time is Love," by Josh Turner, which I highly recommend for all you Country music fans.  

"I know I gotta put in the hours, make the money while the sunlight shines." - Josh Turner
With so many priorities, obligations, and other activities going on it is difficult to balance the time allotted for each  task.  For instance, for being both a full time employee as well as student I often get a sudden urge of anxiety as to what all I have to do and what I will be doing next.  Being able to plan ahead and look at my timeline of tasks, determining which task to tackle first as well as reassuring myself that IT WILL get done, definitely helps me to power through.  I liked this verse from "Time is Love," by Josh Turner because it illustrates that I have to put in the hours to accomplish what needs to be done in a timely manner.

"But anything I gotta get done, it can get done some other time." - Josh Turner
An interesting phrase relating to time and my attempt at time management.  When an opportunity arises, sometimes you have to just bite the bullet and take a chance right then and there.  I have learned that just as time is not replaceable, neither are certain opportunities.  Chances, are also not consistently granted from a genie.  I decided to take a chance and made a time sensitive decision this week.  One that is very important to me and I feel is a huge priority at the moment until it is resolved.  It is one of those instances where I feel as if the right situation comes up "anything I gotta get done, can get done some other time."  Sometimes we have to make way and push other assignments to the side for a little bit, only to officially complete others and ensure the fulfillment of the decision made.  I intend to do just this.

"Time is love, gotta run.  Love to hang longer but I've got someone, who waits." - Josh Turner
My last incident of time for the week has been keeping track of the time difference between Arizona, and a country across the seas. Now why in the world would I be doing such a thing?  A very close friend of mine was recently deployed again it has been quite a task keeping up with the time difference when we are actually able speak.  Here I thought eastern standard time was hard adjusting to, but I never thought I would have to be aware of someones time zone that was a day and a half and so many hours ahead of ours!  It is so nice to talk to him though, even for a split second to let him know he has someone at home thinking of him ("But I've got someone").  I enjoy devoting my time before I go to bed and when he is getting ready for work a whole day ahead, just to say goodnight (or good morning in his case) and wish him a good day.  Time is love and we both cherish the duration we get to speak but unfortunately, we both gotta run as well.  

This week has been a challenge I am thankful I have accepted.  I am looking forward to experiencing even more factors that will test my timing capabilities in the future to come.    

08-31-12 - "Gia and the Wonderful, Amazing, Not to Shabby, Very Great List"

As I conclude this week, I can't help but think thank goodness Labor Day Weekend is just around the corner...  If I could publish this week as a book, I would title it "Gia and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week."  On the positive side of things though there is always lessons to be learned which I in return am thankful for.  This weeks exercise:  Turning negative outcomes into reminders, not personal attacks.

"From the backstabbing co-worker to the meddling sister-in-law, you are in charge of how you react to the people and events in your life. You can either give negativity power over your life or you can choose happiness instead. Take control and choose to focus on what is important in your life. Those who cannot live fully often become destroyers of life.” - Anais Nin  

After a "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week," I decided rather than dwelling on it and then just simply moving on, I should reflect and take something useful from the given situations.  I stumbled upon this quote from French-Cuban author Anais Nin and thought it fit perfectly.  "You can either give negativity power over your life or you can choose happiness instead," she exclaims. Of course, if something goes wrong that results in a negative effect, us as human beings are not going to react with complete and utter happiness right away.  I often can take negativity as a personal attack.  I can jump to a sudden conclusion with a blink of an eye, smack a label on myself and then call it done.  This is me needing to learn the right way to take charge of my reactions as Anais mentions.  However I have come discover that just taking a step back from the negative outcome and asking, "How can I apply positive reinforcement to not only make the circumstances better at the moment, but to prevent this situation in the future?" can really take its toll as well as personal pressure off of me.      

I actually wrote down some thoughts about applying this act of positive reinforcement.  When stressful situations arise, I intend to refer to this "Wonderful, Amazing, Not to Shabby, Very Great List."  My intentions are to walk through the list with the incident as my companion, and once our walk has reached the end of the briefing, we will simply part ways and move on from one another.  "Take control and choose to focus on what is important in your life."  I feel as if creating this list and more so thought process is my form of taking control and of course focusing on what is more important in my life.  That of course if positive vibes and happiness.  A theory of mine is that if you are not constantly happy with yourself and life, you are not living.  And as Anais mentions, "Those who cannot live fully often become destroyers of life."

Lesson learned:  Don't destroy yourself upon negativity, but rather take charge of your response to execute sheer happiness and positive occurrences for the future.    

 

08-24-12 - My very simple and very first blog post ever

To be completely honest, I have always wanted to start one of these and can honestly say I am very excited to be doing one now.  I look forward to sharing my thoughts, feelings, views, outlooks and realizations I come to find in my life through my every day experiences.  You will discover that I am a very simple, yet full of a wide variety of interests, little girl.  I say little because I am only of 5 foot 3 inches and hold about 90 pounds to my name.  I may be little but I am an individual of big hopes, dreams and ambitions to come.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo Da Vinci
One of my absolute favorite quotes and one that I live by.  I have always been an individual who sticks to their own interests, dislikes, passions and knowledge.  I can talk your ear off about anything that I find intriguing and has made an impact on my life.  Aside from speaking my mind though, I thoroughly enjoy listening to others stories.  I find attraction in hearing new faces speak their monologues and it only inspires me more to write and create a fable out of it.  I love quotes, quoting people and coming up with my own interpretations of them. 

I'm a straightforward and never looking backwards kind of girl.  I enjoy the small meaningful things life has to offer and am simply content with it.  I don't need to be someone I am not only to surround myself with the wrong crowd that defies everything I am.  You will find I am open minded but stick to my word if there is passion behind it.  Which in the grand scheme of things, everything you do in life should be done with passion.  There's one view of my mine for you to gander at already.  All in all, I hold myself to my own values that I set on my own.  I am always in the works of creating and adding to my collection rather than just branding myself.  I am a lucid girl with a tiny bit of sass but none the less class.  After all, as Leonardo Da Vinci said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."