Survival of the holiday week.

Being on leave with nothing much to do and nowhere to go was difficult.  Not that everything revolves around food, but remember I can't detour one little bit off this diet, so heading into the midlands to go to Rawdons would be out of the question - unless of course you pack your lunch and head on out....but how could one go into the midlands and not partake of the food and drink.

I tried to keep myself as busy as I could doing odd jobs around my flat.  I cleaned up, got rid of papers that had lost their importance, threw out things that I no longer needed and sorted my pot cupboard out.  I could have washed my car...but I wasn't really feeling that inspired to do so.  I did however get the new radiator cap and am happy to report that the radiator is once again working as it should.  I learnt that each cap has a different amount of pressure - interesting.

I had some reading material - reading all about Henry VIII and his court and his 6 wives.  I have also been catching up on the Tudor series with my mother.

Played a bit of golf  - it was quite a hot day when we headed out and we only had 1 lt water to share.  I got rather dizzy and had to quit and go in search of more water and shade.  I can't really go out and be that active on this diet, the calorie intake is not that high, so you can't go off and waste it - as I said, I got dizzy and a bit nauseous, next time I'll take more water, a cracker, fruit and go sloooooow.

So it was rather trying going through easter weekend and other public holidays.  All these celebrations usually centre around food in my family.  It is difficult to sit and watch my family eating bacon, eggs and toast while I sip on a sprite zero.  It is difficult sitting through my brother braaing spareribs and then munching on them.  It's difficult going to movies and smelling the popcorn and not buying some.  This journey is a difficult one.  However, I have willingly chosen to do this, I do not want to fail, because I know if I do, I will let go totally and very much doubt I'll have enough strenght to go at it again. I WILL NOT FAIL!  I WILL NOT CHEAT! I take one day at a time.  I make my food as delicious as I can and I make look as good as I can.  I eat it and enjoy every healthy bite.

This is my lean season.  I have sampled so many delicious dishes in my life that I can go for a year without.  Besides it's not like I'm not eating.  I eat three small healthy meals and for that I'm graciously thankful. 

Yup my friends.  It is not easy to lose weight.  It is a difficult journey.  I have to keep myself in check all the time.  For people that only have to lose 10kg or so, you don't understand what it's like.  For those that have never been overweight, you don't understand what it's like.  I give myself pep talks every day.  I say no to everything that I am offered.  I don't want to fail and that is why I'm steaming on ahead.

IT'S WORTH IT!!!  My normal jeans are too big for me now.  The 'bum' hangs, the leg area is too big and they just don't stay up properly anymore.  They look terrible on me.  I am absolutely delighted about it!  My black smart pants are also getting too baggy.  It feels awesome.  I have now moved onto my tighter jeans.  The thing is, they are not as tight as they were before...dare I say they have even gotten a little baggy in the bum and legs too.  Joy! absolute joy!  When these get too big, I have another pair that I will get into.  So, yes, all the difficulties are so worth it.  My body is getting smaller, leaner, thinnger every day.  It puts a smile on my face because I know in my heart of hearts I'm going to achieve this goal - every day I'm good is success!

So if there are people reading this blog that want to put their minds, soul and body into losing weight - go for it. I encourage you to take this bull by it's horns and do it!  Just do it....NOW!

Be healthy! 

Birthday Cake

I am blessed!  I am grateful for all the blessings in my life.  For my family, for my friends, for my finances and my health.  I really do not have much to complain about.  I had so many fantastic birthday wishes from all over the world and again really really blessed to have that much love in my life.  Today's pic was my birthday "cake"  My mother stuck a candle in a peach and lit it.  Yes I did blow it out and I did make a wish!  The peach was delicious!!

My mum, dad and brother went all out and got me some fantastic gifts.  I must say that I'm feeling that the universe is smiling upon me once again.  I have found my passport *check*  The only problem with my radiator is the cap, which is easy to replace *check* Met with my financial adviser and we are taking a more aggressive approach to investments and I'm adding unit trusts to my portfolio *check*  Diet is STILL going well *check* Got paid early this month *check*  All in all, my life is going pretty well again and those bumps have been smoothed over. 


What do I learn from all this?  That things do come right again, you just got to hang in there and take it for a bit.

My next test.....due to easter and freedom day, I'm going to be off from work from 4pm today (21 April) and only returning to work on the 28th of April.  A week off - which means I'm going to have to keep myself busy because being idle may mean checking out the fridge and it's contents.  I'll go play some golf, may go to the movies, visit mates and clean my little flat.

Yeah, today I have that bubbly excited feeling inside my tummy.  I don't know why, it could just be that I'm in control of my life, truly in control and loving it.

Next up date will only be in a weeks' time.  So stay healthy and live your best life.

Happy Birthday to Meeeeeee!

Yup, the 20th April is my birthday.  I am a whole 35 this year **wobble** wow 35 years old, I can't believe!  I am not celebrating with food or cake, though I did take in some samoosas for the girls at work and there were hot cross buns with real butter, cheese and honey, along with marshmellow and chocolate easter eggs.  What a celebratory feast.....NOT for me. I did however keep a few of the goodies to take to my brother and he can enjoy.

I AM OKAY WITH THAT!

 I am drinking my water out of a wine glass today and have stuck to my diet 100%.  People, I don't know if you realise how very serious I am about losing this weight.  I WILL NOT CHEAT!  It feels wonderful too.  I have focused on this goal and every day I'm achieving it and will continue to do so until it is done.  I am celebrating my health, my life and my success.  I've been successful in pretty much all aspects of my life...I've travelled, I've got a good job that pays pretty well, I have an awesome family (though they drive me crazy now and again), I have a few really good mates.  Now it is time to lose the weight and do other things.....like bungee jump.

It's been a really good day.  A beautiful day outside - well it was when I left for work, don't know what the weather is shouting now.  I've had friends and family send lots of lovely messages, work has been busy but pretty smooth - I've been very nice to some very irritating clients *insert golden halo*.

Tonight I'll be visiting with my mum and brother.

So a quiet birthday this year, no major party, no huge celebrations but still a great one none the less and it's going to be a fantastic year.

4 Weeks In.

Today is my 4th week of being on diet.  The diet itself is going extremely well. I feel stronger than ever to stick to it.  Saying no is getting easier.  I do find that a lot of layers are being peeled back emotionally and there are a number of different emotions surfacing, one being anger.  I'm dealing with it, sometimes well and sometimes not so well.

My weekend wasn't good emotionally.  I was very very down and had to do everything in my power to remain cool, calm and sort of sane.  I didn't really succeed all that well.  At the moment or rather from this time of my life I want people that are uplifting, encouraging and that add to my energy rather than drain it.  It takes a toll on me physically, mentally and spiritually - to the point I have to physically remove myself from such negative energy.  When it comes from family, it can be very difficult to deal with.  Of course those emotions also want to make me turn to food and take comfort there.  The weather was rainy and blue and only added to the crush.

The universe is also pretty much showing me whose boss, so I've decided I shall end my war with it and remember Job.  The man from the bible that went through much and still remained true to his God.  I'll take a lesson from that and continue my way.

I also try take out postive lessons out of negative experiences.  This experience shows me what kind of people I desire in my life and that I want to bring positive energy to people around me.

As we make our way into autumn then winter, the diet may get harder as the body will want all those comfort foods.  I've just got to keep to it.  Every day gets me closer to the end result - a slimer, healthier me.

Health is wealth!

(as I sign off today, a favorite song plays...I just came to say Hello....hello.....hello...hello ... ooh ooohoooh)

 

Judgement and Taking Control.

These are the 2 things I want to talk about today.  The first being "Judging Others" or in terms of this blog "How I Have Been Judged in the Past".....Fat people are scorned by society, they are pointed at, laughed at and the butt of many a joke - mostly nasty and not the funny haha.  Society, well media, potrays fat people as constantly scoffing their faces, messily, greedy and very pig like, they are shown to be highly lazy and many times stupid. It is no wonder then that people will point and snigger or whisper some nasty thing to their companions, and then the group does the obvious STARE....come on.  The fatty then embarressed turns and makes like they didn't hear or see what was done.  I used to do that, pretend like I didn't hear....and then I had enough.  Do I walk around pointing at people and whispering about them or open and obviously make fun at them. I got my "muchness" back one day and decided, no matter how awkward I was going to confront those very people that pointed, sniggerd, laughed or whispered. Fat people are human, fat people have feelings and yet they are made to feel like sub citizens of this world.  I have had my fare share of the above and will list a couple of experiences here.

1) I was with another overweight friend of mine at the Hilton enjoying a wine evening, when a middle aged , dare I say gentleman walk passed my table and saw my friend approaching.  What my friend didn't see was that he laughed behind her back and made an obvious joke about her at his table.  I was LIVID.  How dare he do that in public to my friend.  I got up, shaking in my boots and approach his entire table.  I then proceeded to tell this man that he was being juvenile and was in need over some obvious growth.  He had no clue who my friend was, what her life was like or why she was that way.  This man was shocked that I, another fatty, had dared to approach his table and confront him so directly.  He got up and came to apologise. 

2) Lunch with my gran at thr gardens.  A group of older people (60+) sat sipping on their wine.  I had to pass their table with my grans and my lunch in hand.  The one little old lady said rather loudly to her mates "Look at that fat girl" The whole table laughed.  I didn't know being fat was funny and I wasn't going to let those old people make fun of me for no reason other than my weight.  I went to their table, told them I had heard what she said.  Pointed out they were obviously old and prunish and still in some need of growing up and that it's so much more difficult to change who you are on the inside than to change the outside.

3) The most recent incident, a mere week or so ago - while on my diet!!!  My mother, Mark, Esther the sausage dog and I went down to the wharf to have a walk around and let the lil sausage have a run.  Approaching a group of people, a twenty something woman turned to her mother or aunt, said something and then they both turned around and did the STARE.  Okay perhaps I jumped to conclusions, but I've been around long enough to know what it meant.  All I did was walk past her, keeping eye contact and did the "I'm watching you" move with my fingers.  I think I also mouthed it to her.  Then rolled my eyes in dramatic fashion.

So yes I have been laughed at, sniggered about etc.  Initially I didn't confront those people.  Now, best they beware, I will not be quiet, I will speak up and hold them accountable for their words.  I may not care what they think of me in the long run, but I will let them know that they are the ones with the problem.

That was one aspect of Taking Control - and yes my "muchness" has grown. 

Second aspect is control of other things in your life.  Today I'm about finances.  I decided long ago that I wanted to retire in comfort one day and decided over 10 years ago to invest in a couple of policies to that end.  What shocked me today, when I received my "10 year anniversary" is how little this investment has grown. Not much more than my actual contributions - sickening!!  So what do I do.  Do I just carry on adding money into this limp project, or do I take control of those finances, do some homework, give the broker a tongue lashing?  I've made an appointment for next week to find out the exact amount of my contributions and the % it's grown.  I already know that I will close these two policies - though I cannot withdraw the monies - will invest their lump sum into something (research needed here) and will open something that shows more promise and will be an investment.

I'm finding that since I've been in control of my eating habits for close to 4 weeks, it's infiltrating many other aspects of my life and it's such a wonderful feeling.  I feel in control of my destiny somehow.

I would want for each of you to take control of your lives - in every aspect and live this beautiful life to the absolute full!

DICE...and all things Nice.

Let's start with all things nice.  It's so very nice that my usual jeans are getting too big for me.  Yes they are baggy around my waste, bum and legs - yay to the power of 10!  Even the black pants I wore to my cousins' wedding are loose. It's wonderful.  Giving up all the fatty and junk food in order to get these results is worth it. NICE indeed!

Kitchen Dice.  Got a couple of pics (they're a little fuzzy as I didn't use my flash - yet at the time of taking them they looked fine!) Here are recipes for those of you that are looking for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Lunch:  Cheese "pizza"  First up: weigh your veggies - in this case I used tomatoe, onion and mushrooms and give them a quick simmer.  Place on 2 cracker bread, sprinkle your 60g cheese over them (you'll have left over to nibble as you "weight" for them)  Next place under the grill and grill till the cheese melts. YUM! and healthy....

Dinner:  So you've heard of Minestrone Soup - usually a mixture of chunky veggies.  I've done my own version and called it Mincestrone Soup.  Weigh your various veg to make up 110g: Leek, marrow, red pepper, fennel and green beans.  Don't forget to add your garlic, and if you want a bit of a sting, some chilli.  Get water on the boil and add in your chilli, garlic, rosemary and a dash of balsamic vinegar.  Let that boil for a while.  Add in your 100g mince.  Add in your chopped veggies and let that cook down.  Finally, just to soften the chilli sting add a good splash of sprite zero.  Serve with 2 cracker bread or 2 provitas.  It really is delicious, healthy and filling.  I had to pack mine as I was on the go...

I must say that eating like this, I feel clean on the inside and I know that I'm feeding my body what it needs.  I still have not cheated and do not intend too. 

I'll make sure the pics are a better quality next time.

Health is wealth!

21 Days!

I've made it to day 21.  This was my first goal that I set.  It is said that it takes 21 days to break or make a habit and that is what I set out to do.  Survive 21 days so that the new habit of healthy eating is created and the old habit of sticking whatever I wanted in my mouth, broken.

I'm not saying that this is it, that I've arrived or that it's going to be easy.  Not at all.  What I am saying is that it can be done, it is a small goal that I've achieved.  The next small goal is a week away, to make it to 4 weeks (1 month).  I'm all about setting small goals quite close to one another.  It's my way of giving that pat on the back.   With each small goal I make the closer I get to the end goal - The BIG one.  Total success on the weight issue.

The weekend wasn't too bad - I did have a night where I battled a little.  Saturday night = Braai Night at a friends' place.  Ah man and you now how delicious boerewors smells on the braai!!!  I was of course prepared and had made quite a delicious soup, which I heated up and ate before everyone tucked into their meal. For my "drink" I had a lt soda water and 1/2 lt diet sprite.  I mixed the two and created a rather, not too sweet, drink.

I let everyone there know that I was on a diet and to be free to speak up if ever they saw me cheating.  Initially I wasn't going to tell anyone, but it's better being honest about these things. People then know why you decline a dinner invite or why you've become a tad less social (especially around food).  I'm very comfortable letting people know about my plan and how I'm doing.

I've got a couple of more food pics that I'll be putting up - different takes on my lunch and dinner.  You can make very healthy, tastey food without the spices.  Thank goodness for garlic, chilli and herbs.  I'm loving the clean feeling inside.  I'm no longer bloated and my eyes are sparkling.

21 days into this.  My new habit is created.  I'm ready for my next 21 days.  Bring on the success!

The Craziness that is Me.

For the very first time on this diet I felt low last night.  I got home after visiting my mum and just, well hit a low.  Small things during this week piled up on one another and just crushed me.  I suffer from extremely bad hayfever.  I've had tests done and so many things can trigger it off from ciggarette smoke, perfume to sunshine and trees.  It is extremely frustrating and if you've never had extreme hayfever will not know what its like.  If my nose is not blocked like it's packed with concrete, it's so runny I literally have to plug my with tissue or I sneeze so much, to the point of losing my breath.  Then I have to deal with the itchyness - hell!  The corners of my eyes and my eyeballs itch uncontrollably.  My nose, inside and out itch. The sinuses itch.  My lips, mouth, palate and throat itch.  My inner ear and pina itch.  My skin itches - it's pathetic and can push me to tears and outbursts.  So there was that.

The second thing was my passport.  I have turned my place upside down looking for it.  I even went to the bank, the last place I remember using it and it wasn't there.  The third thing is my car - the radiator gauge started climbing on Wednesday, so I've been keeping an eye on it and carrying water and filling the radiator as needed, don't know why the car is running hot as nothing has gone wrong.

Normally the above doesn't get to me and I'm always upbeat.  Not so last night.  I felt "weighed" down by it all.  My normal habit, whenever I felt frustrated,irritated or low was to turn to food.  I'd make myself something delicious - it numbed these feelings somewhat and I would generally 'feel better' - not that it did me any good you understand.  So now that I'm breaking this habit, I was at war with myself last night.  I knew I wasn't going to cheat - my will is such that only death will break it at this stage.  The thought of cheating makes me physically ill - I would hate myself so much if I did that this time around.  I knew this journey was going to be tough!  So, here I had to turn away from doing what my usual habits dictate - it's like ripping myself in two and trust me, I do have the mental conversation going on, which at times does turn into verbalising.

I did have a cry, saying out loud "it's so hard" and "why does it have to be so hard".  I didn't get to the 'why me' stage, I knew why already - my decisions lead me to where I am today.  This then turned into questioning the universe, because now I didn't even feel like I'd lost any weight.  I had a conversation with the universe that I'm walking this path, I'm putting in the effort and there is no way it was going to cheat me out of the results.  This time it had to play fair with me.  I had told the universe that it was very unfair in it's dealings, because the rich got richer, the poor poorer, the price of petrol is going up again, which of course will effect everything else, but lo and behold the universe wouldn't allow a decent pay increase.  I also told the universe that it's mantra of putting out what you'd like to receive was bull shit and gave it the finger - literally.  Anyway so I told the universe that it wasn't going to cheat me out of my reward - it's physics - so there!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand this brings me to today!  Today I can say I'm strong.  This mountain will be moved.  I will not give in.  My phillosphy in life is to take something positive out of every situation. So what is the positive out of last nights craziness.  I stuck to my guns.  I held fast and I did not cheat.  I did not numb my frustrations with food.  I let them be, I faced them.  I will get medication for my hayfever, I will have to get a new passport and I'll keep an eye on the radiator and if it continues to play up, will go get it checked out.

I started my morning with a scrambled egg mixed with 65g tomatoe, onion mushrooms and chilli. I wanted something warm as the day was cold and rainy.  I also have made chicken and mushrooms and chilli for lunch, again, something warm and something a little more substantial than cheese and salad. 

It's nearly weekend time again.  I already have a braai to go to at a friends place.  Another test of sticking it out I'm sure.  Which means come Monday it will be day 21.  That is my first goal - to reach 21 one days without a single cheat.  I already know that I will achieve that goal - I feel it.

Go out and enjoy your time, your friends, your family.  Make healthy decisions that ensure you will be here to continually enjoy those things that make you happy!

Welcome to my Kitchen: DICE

The diet is going well as it should.  I'm still very amped and have lost none of my will power to see this thing through.  For those of you that lean more to the visual side, here are a few pics showing the food I eat and how I prepare my meals.  Okay I have to say placing these pics is no easy feat as they are not going where I want them to go.  So we shall stick with a very simple layout.

Breakfast:  During the work week I stick to 175 ml plain low fat yoghurt.  I marry that with one fruit: Plum, pear or Mango.                            

                                                        

175ml yoghurt 1/2 larg pear

Combine yoghurt and fruit

                                                 

Lunch:  I have 2 provitas or crackerbread.  A variety of veg that has been weighed: cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, red pepper, onion. 60g Cottage or Tussers cheese. Garlic and garlic chives to season. 

All ingredients

                                       

Weighed out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner:  I mostly eat chicken during the week.  On weekends I'll spoil myself with steak or mince.  I'm very fussy when it comes to fish and do prefer fresh fish.  This dinner is made up of chicken, mushrooms, baby spinach.  1 cracker bread and 1 provita. Chilli, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. Meal simmered in water only.

Everything needed for dinner

Well until I get to know how this blog works properly when it comes to pics, you have some pics with captions some without, but I reckon that you guys are smart enought to know what's going on in each pic :)  When it comes to this way of eating, weighing everything is very important.  I also find that it does help to make your food visually appearling and to season it as you are allowed.  I keep in mind that I'm eating to live and not living to eat, so my body is quite satisfied with the amount of food that it is getting and all it's requirements are met.

I'll put up variations of Breakfast, Lunch and dinner.  I'll show my mini "pizza", my virgin drinks, my curries etc. See you in my Kitchen soon.

Let's Talk About Food.

It does seem that a lot of my conversation these days revolves around food.  Healthy foods.  How to make the food tastey.  What food are you eating. What food is on offer at the grocery store. Bad food. Foods we need.  Food programs. Food, glorious food.  Food truly is a delicous and wonderful thing.   I would however like to add, I'm not obsessed with food.

It just so happens that I'm more aware/conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth. Knowing the choices about the food I choose to eat will ensure a certain outcome.  I'm pleased to say that another weekend has passed and I've been 100%.  The thought of straying off this path doesn't sit comfortably with me. Not only will I be disappointing people around me, but I'd be letting myself down ... again, and I don't want that.  This is the first time I believe that I am actually going to succeed in losing weight - how odd does that sound.

My stomach is more used to it's smaller portions and though I still feel empty, I do not get hungry.  I always make sure I have my 1lt water bottle next to me, and constantly sip from it during the day. 

As I've mentioned I feel like it's done, it's just a matter of walking the journey out.  I tick each day that goes by, another good day, another 100% day and it makes me feel so good that I've stuck to it for that day.  It's all about embracing each day.  It's easy to get distracted and disheartend when you think of being on diet for a year, not so much when it's just for today.  Today I plan on being healthy.  Right now I plan on sipping that water.  Conquering "the now moment" at every "now moment" will guarantee that I am successful.  If I think of 6 months down the line, I get a bit dispondent and overwhelmed.

Today's lunch consists of 3 large cherry tomaotes, 2 tsp onions, 60g baby spinach leaves (raw) and cottage cheese. I've seasoned the cottage cheese with garlic chives and a touch of garlic, salt and pepper.  2 provitas. This makes quite a delicious little salad and is satisfying.  You've got to find ways to make your food appealing to the eyes.  We eat with our eyes...you didn't know?  If it looks delicious, it will definately appeal to the senses a bit more.  You want to eat that healty food. 

My mangos are taking a long time to ripen, so in the meatime I've been scouting the aisles for a replacement fruit.  No easy task.  I do NOT like apples.  I will only eat them if there really is nothing else on offer and even then, I'll have to be really hungry.  I haven't been in the mood for oranges/naatjies/grapfruit - too citrusy for my mood at the moment.  Grapes are a no no as they contain too much sugar.  The peaches haven't tasted peachy of late.  Hmmm talk about finding yourself in a fruit fix.  So, opted for plums and pears.  The pears are huge and though I'd love have one whole fruit to count as one, that would be "wrong".  So I have divide the pears in 2 - they are that big and I have to say delicious.  Firm, textually just right (don't like my pear powdery), sweet and peary.  I can't say the same for the plums though.  As I munched away at my plain yoghurt and plum this morning, I was thinking about the lack of plum taste in my plum.  It didn't taste anything like how a plum should taste.  I expect a plum to have that deep, rich, sweet taste of a ruby plum.  Alas, it tasted like .... well like nothing much acutally.  There was flesh, a slightly sweet juice and a touch of tart from the skin - so disappointing.  

One more week and that will be 21 days.  The habit is created.  Back to today though -  Viva Monday, Viva healthy eating and Viva weight loss.

Digging My Heels In!

By the time I got to the grocery store (yesturday) to buy a few more veggies and protein I was so frustrated.  It could have something to do with the heat and that I only have african air con (an open window).  I was irritated as I walked up and down the aisles.  The variety of fruit and veg on offer did not please me.  I wanted fresh brussel sprouts and there were non.  Come on people of the grocerty store, I need variety, I am on diet and need you to provide what I want!!!  Of course everything that I wasn't allowed was readily available and looking oh so very appealing.  The thought did not cross my mind to cheat though, and that is a break through.  No one knows what an overweight person goes through when they are on a a mission to lose weight.  Every day that you succeed is truly a huge milestone.  The warring that goes on inside and the self-frustration play major mind games with you....That is when you have to dig your heels in even more and say with conviction "NO - it's not worth it to give up"!

I made my way around the store and got what I needed.  I added in a diet fanta.  When I got into my car (scowled at a few idjits along the way), I cracked open that diet fanta like it was a beer, had a cooling, satisfying glug and lifted the can in salute.  I made it through the grocery store and pretty much had kept sane.

I'm on day 11 and I have been 100%. I'm half way to creating a healthy habit.  "They" say it takes 21 days to make a habit, so I'm getting there.  10 More days and then this should start being a breeze.  Look, it's not like I'm wanting to eat everything in sight and in all honesty I don't have cravings.  It's the frustration I have with myself.  All the why's start cropping up.  Why did I let myself get like this.  Why didn't I have the conviction before. Why me. Why can't I just pop a pill. Why does it have to be so hard.  Deeeeeeeeeeeeep breath in - draw in the positive....let out all the negative.  Then I remind myself that what matters is now, this moment, and in this moment I am rectifying the problem.  I am losing weight, I am eating healthy, I am positive, I am hungrey *wink*.  So I take refuge in living in the now.


I cannot believe April is already upon us.  The month of easter: damn those toasted hot cross buns with real butter smeared over them, damn the easter eggs.  It is also the month of the death and resurrection of Christ (if you follow a christian belief) and my birthday.  So how does this all effect me.  Today my boss brought in those hot cross buns and they were there for easy pickings.  I didn't even get up to inspect them, just stood far away so that the smell couldn't reach me. Check.  Christ - a fantastic being.  I don't follow the norm on this front.  I like to look at Christ and see how I can apply Christ in my life - thus I take a more spiritual view on these matters, but for a literal view: the death of old fat Lou and the rise of a healthier, slimmer Lou - it won't take 3 days but it will be complete in it's due time. Check.  I'm turning a whole 35 years - wow!  35 Single, no dependents, no property.  Society dictates that by my age I should have been married, have 2.5 kids and own properties and be well on my way.  Ja, I missed that boat alright.  So what does this year hold out for me.  I definately do not feel old, I do not feel the burdons of society, I have sooo much to look forward too:  Adventure, travel, a change in career...who knows.  At 35 I feel I have a good grasp on the world around me. I am not iffy, nor do I let mundane, trivial things bother me.  I am my own person and I love who I am. Check check.

It is on that note that I shall welcome the weekend.  A challenge, but one that I willingly embrace and one that I already know that I will conquer.  Come Monday it will be a whole 2 weeks. Be well.