de-funking

***

I woke up yesterday in a funk, worked out hard, and felt phenomenal!..I even ran into an old middle school and high school classmate. I thought twice about saying hi because I was literally drenched in sweat but I'd seen her a couple times at the gym and running around Coyote Hills so I said hello. She was surprised to see me and despite me warning her that I was all sweaty, she still totally gave me a hug. Sweet. We chatted a bit and I went along my day.

But then around mid-afternoon, the funk came back! WTF? I thought I worked it off. Most of the time if I'm feeling out of it or grumpy or lethargic or <insert another negative feeling here> I just work out and its gone. But this time it was gone...only temporarily. That's when I knew I had more work to do...

This kind of work, however, is different. For me, I know that I need to do some emotional unloading. When I'm in a funk, I don't like it, and I attack the feelings head on. I don't put any blame on anyone and take full responsibility for what it is I'm feeling. Then, I figure out why I'm in a funk, process it, and move the heck on!!

Over the years I've become better at managing my own negativity so that I do as little damage to the people around me. This way, after I've processed my baggage, I move on feeling buoyant and light..my natural default, my homeostasis which I most definitely like :)

(Yes! A spontaneous happy face after a sentence is a good sign. I'm making progress.)

Too many big changes happening at once I think takes a toll on us. For me, the current changes I am going through coupled with my responsibilities are weighing me down in a way that is not productive so a change in perspective is definitely in order.

De-funking for me always includes a Q&A session kind of like this:

*****

Let's run through a made-up scenario shall we?

*****

What are you feeling badly about? (Define the problem)

Pretend Client says: "I feel badly that over the last year I've been putting in overtime and delivering quality work but I am not being recognized for it. I feel conflicted because I really want a promotion but how do I get a promotion if my work is not being recognized?"

**Below are more questions and answers that aid the problem-solving-process**

How can you change this?

1) What do you mean by not being recognized? Be more specific, please. Do you want to be verbally recognized? Do you want to be publicly or privately recognized? How often do you want recognition..after each major task/project, annually during your review period, or bi-weekly? This question will vary depending on the kind of work of you do and who your supervisor/boss is."

2) You say you really want a promotion. What kind of promotion do you want? Do you want added responsibility and pay? How do you go about asking for a promotion? How much upward mobility is in your current company and how have people in the past "moved up"? If there is little to no means for upward mobility you can (a) suck it up and stick around and wait or (b) find employment elsewhere ."

If you cannot change this situation, how can you make it better? How can you feel lighter?

(a) Sucking it up and sticking around.

Do you generally like the environment where you work and what you do? If the answer is yes, then stay. Focus on a good attitude, manage office politics astutely, and deliver quality work. With a little luck, something may open up.

If you don't like your work environment and what you do, but you need to stay..how can you make your day better? 

I suggest doing things you love interspersed throughout your day.

Here are some ideas:

1) work out during your lunch

2) nap during your lunch

3) call/text someone for a quick hello who makes you smile

4) look at pictures of people you love

5) watch something that makes you laugh

6) read motivational quotes on perseverance etc

7) re-live a moment where your incompetent boss/co-worker was utterly embarrassed or humiliated..HAHAHA ;D

8) TAKE a lunch

9) remind yourself why you do what you do

10) meditate

(b) Leaving.

Do you equally loathe your environment and what you do?

Then its probably time to explore your options. Meet up with your trusted whomever, have lunch, and talk about your options. As much as possible, be professional and give at least a two-week's notice if you are going to leave unless you really, REALLY cannot take it anymore and you might inflict some workplace violence on someone or have a panic attack or some other horrible outcome by you staying.

Most of all, do your best to access your situation and most importantly figure out what it is you really want and once you've got that figured out, GO FOR IT!

GOOD LUCK!

*****

Alrighty then. 

I think my Pretend Client feels better, and now, so do I. Quadruple smiley face is in order.

:-) =) :) ;-D

De-funking successful.

Have a good rest of the week everyone!

Everyday Escapes

Last Wednesday I took the kiddies to Coyote Hills.

Here they are checking out the map above and Gigi asks me where we are.

I show her and she says excitedly, "Here we are!"

In case you want to make your own visit or use their toilets instead of the porto-potties on your run/hike or are hungry and need a snack/drink, this place has it all.

Pleasantly surprised, we found the Visitor's Center to be visually stimulating & museum-ish. Definitely a good thing in my opinion :) Gigi will be four in June and Gavin two, so our "tour" needed to be brief and hands-on.

Here go the dynamic-duo opening drawers and learning a little bit about Native Americans.

They really appreciated the nature displays of animals in their habitats, most especially Gavin!

He would shriek in delight at the sight of an animal, point at them, and ask me what they were..that alone made the trip worthwhile ;D

I picked up my 2012 Trail Challenge t-shirt and picked up a couple of granola bars and water for our hike.

We chose a kid-friendly uphill stroll that had wooden steps.

Of course we were going at the pace of turtles because stepping up each one of those wide wooden planks was not easy for my boy.

We had ourselves some fun making the slow trek up with Gigi singing her hiking song...

and Gavin a total champ making his way up those planks...

And finally! We get there and make some memories ;D

My kids are definitely getting used to all my picture-taking because they sat themselves down and posed here on their own with only verbal prompting from me.

A definite scrap-bookable moment :)

And, he's off!!..

Impromptu-photo shoot coming to a close.

They take in the beautiful views....

..learn how to enjoy nature...

..and enjoy an active lifestyle while spending time with mommy :)

***

Here's the thing. I don't believe in waiting until the weekend or vacations or special occasions to celebrate. With some creativity, energy, and resourcefulness everyday escapes can be found very close to home and can lead to extraordinary adventures. 

Here's to livin' it up! One turtle step at a time.

Happy Monday Friends! 

gram-time

Synchronicity, Intuition, and Birthdays

This is a random post about random things because, you guessed it, I am random.

Synchronicity

A few months ago my sister in law Lorna and I were at the grocery store. She did her shopping and I stayed in the car with the kids. She got the items she needed and we were off to take her home. As we approached her driveway, she realizes she's accidentally left her wallet/wristlet inside of the grocery cart.

We quickly go back to the store (about a 5-7 minute drive), she locates the section where she returned the grocery cart, and comes back empty handed. She's upset but goes inside the store hoping to find it. She meets an elderly man who just wants to help. I stay back with the kids and park at the front of the store.

Meanwhile, these two ladies parked next to us begin unloading their groceries. One of them had a confused look on her face as if she was looking for someone. A thought popped in my head, "Ask her if she found a black wristlet.." I felt weird but did it anyhow. And guess what? SHE FOUND IT. She said that it was inside the cart and was hoping to somehow, find the owner. Just as I was thanking her, Lorna emerges from the store with the helpful elderly man and I share the good news that we found her lost item. We were all celebrating and hugging as if we hit the lotto or something...it felt like a Fringe moment sprinkled with Holy Water.

To top it off the elderly man said, with tears in his eyes that this was a "miracle" and that he had not felt this happy since his wife was alive. He shared with us that his wife passed away a couple of months ago and said that he was beginning to doubt the goodness in this world and that he really needed to experience this "miracle."


Intuition

I think we all have a little bit of psychic intuition. Some call it gut instincts, luck, divine intervention. Whatever you want to call it, I find this phenomenon difficult to explain and even more difficult to quantify.

Going back to the above story, what were the turning points here? I think there were two: 1) Driving back to the store as quickly as we did 2) Listening to my intuition and asking one of the ladies if they had seen the black wristlet.

Who was lost and found that day? I think we all found something we needed through each other that day.


Birthdays

The original venue for my pre-bday hoorah was originally at City Beach. I wanted something quieter but circumstances changed and we ended up at the Saddlerack (one of my fave places). Gerald even assumed an alter ego that night and went by the name "Mater G"..lol. We hooted and hollered and had a good ole' time. 

On my real birthday I set up a playdate with another mom from Gigi's preschool. She and I had met at a birthday party where our daughters really hit it off and we ended up chatting away.  At the end of the party, our girls were begging for a playdate. I have to mention that I am brand new at this whole playdate thing. And networking with other like minded adults is pretty frickin' cool.

So we get to Gigi's classmate's house and while the girls were playing dressing up, I shared with the other mom that we needed to cut the playdate a little shorter because we had family coming over for my birthday. Surprisingly, the other mom said, "Really?! Today is my birthday as well!" Wow, I thought.. what a way to break the ice :-) We talked about promoting healthy eating with our kids and even talked about starting a parents group for the preschool. Very interesting..my first playdate on my birthday with a birthday twin. Weiirrrrd...a little Fringey..but mostly COOL ;D

Throughout the day I received text messages, phone calls, and sweet FB birthday greetings. All brightening my day all the more ;D In the evening, we had dinner with the clan and had a good time. Mama decided it was going to be a karaoke night. Gerald, my parents and I sang till 3 am. LOL. The last time we did that was several years ago, pre-G times (pre Gigi & Gavin).

What's my message in this long post? That we're all interconnected and that we can affect positive change in each other's lives in seemingly small ways but yielding tremendous, unquantifiable results. This month I want to focus on connecting with a purpose.

There are three that I've committed to:

1) It is National Down Syndrome Awareness month. I dedicated my donation to a woman I worked years ago with Downs. All she wanted was to be independent and she did that before she passed away from health issues. Sue Hernandez, you will always be in heart.

http://www.kellehampton.com/2011/01/pay-it-forwardrock-oneder-fund.html

2) I became acquainted with Louisa Arcas, Jojo's sister who lovingly created a non-profit organization in honor of her brother. They are having their first fundraiser later this month. I'm helping out by spreading the word here and will be visiting the Prickly Pear during the day.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=333773916661944&set=a.333773913328611.75881.316941875011815&type=1&theater


3) A woman I worked with is doing her darndest to save her home. I've signed her petition below and hoping they are able to save their home from foreclosure.

http://signon.org/sign/help-a-middle-class-hard.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by=2705885

Please consider doing something simply for the sake of helping. Whatever your heart wants to do, please do it. I believe we are here on this planet for a reason. And one of those reasons is to help and inspire one another.

Please affect some positive change, however small or large you feel comfortable doing, within your own circles and let's see what we can do. I bet it's great. And on that note, have a wonderful and blessed weekend.

Happy Friday Friends!

Niles Library

Tuesdays are terrific because it means an outing to the Niles Library :)

Gavin and I started our morning at Starbucks after we dropped off Gigi at school. I had a coffee and he had a banana.

The artwork pictured above was created by a resident in celebration of the library's 50th anniversary. I need to warn you that this library is tinnnnnnyyyy. I'd estimate it to be around 600 - 700 square feet. Even still, I heart this place. It is super cute, quaint, and located in historic downtown Niles near the Railroad Station. Another thing I like is you can check out the most current issue of a magazine/periodical. In comparison to larger libraries, current issues are not available for check out and must be read in-house. They are open on Tuesdays only from 10 am - 5 pm.

We read some books on our own and skipped Toddler reading time today to enjoy the good weather to walk around, and of course, take a few pics along the way : )

Gavin found a pinwheel we got from Happy Hallow over the weekend and brought it along.

It turned out to be a good photo prop..

..that kept him busy and entertained while I snapped away.

"Let's go to the train station mommy." Ok :D

Hope your Tuesday is terrific :-)

Coyote Hills Regional Park

I've grown up in the southern part of the east bay and the first time I went to Coyote Hills was early January of this year. Ever since my discovery, I have been coming back to these hills, week after week. Rain or shine, for six straight weeks, I find myself here to run, hike, enjoy nature, and the beautiful scenery. 

The trail I've gotten to know the most is Muskrat Trail. Check out the Muskrat-ish looking creature I met above. Was it following me or was I following it? I don't know. All I know is I got lost (a handful of times.) But, I eventually find my way back. As an fyi, GPS does not work here, I tried it. Please PAY ATTENTION!

This is Bayview Trail which I discovered last week. Can you say beeee-yoooo-ti-ful! Ah... And the feeling you get walking/biking/running this trail is serenely exquisite.

This is Bayview trail heading toward Soaproot Trail..on my way to get a nice incline run :)

Words of advice: the best uphill workouts are off the beaten path. Literally. You have to get off the pavement and find the trails hikers have trodden upon. First of all, these paths are visible and have already been laid out for you. All you have to do is follow it. It's a little safe and a little scary because you're not sure where they'll lead. All of the ones I've chosen have led to very cool, hill top vistas. I highly recommend this!

CAUTION: Running uphill is tough but running downhill, can be scary! Really. BE. CAREFUL.

My "hill days" are usually Sundays. This weekly ritual is not only something I look forward to, but now crave. Being out there just feels right. You know: and Good. Tough. Scenic. Fun. That's all me baby!

Plus, it is a fantastic way to start off the week. I feel like if I can jog, run, climb these hilly beauts, I can accomplish whatever pops up during the week..with strength and a smile :)

Here's to creating happy and healthy rituals!

I hope you have yours and if you don't, please CREATE ONE! You'll thank me later.

Have a charmed & blessed week friends!

= )

For you Yelpers out there, here are more reviews about my new favorite place in town:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/coyote-hills-regional-park-fremont

Leaning out

Sometimes it is the things we really don't want to do that are exactly the things we need to do.

For me one of those things is beginning to end my often abusive relationship with food.

To make a long short, I begrudgingly began eating healthily two days ago by following my brother Lyle's lead (filling up on veggies, meats, fruits, nuts, lots of water..basically cutting out processed food items including bread & rice). Surprisingly.. I feel pretty dang good!! (let's see how long this lasts...)

I will experiment and see what kind of results I get by eating this way for at least this whole month while maintaining my exercise regimen. I will also be tracking my mood, weight loss, strength, endurance, & energy.

Oh, and by the way, I've lost 2 pounds in 2 days. Let the losing & leaning out continue!

It's the beginning of another month ya'll. Let's get crackin' ;-D