WOMENBRAKINGTHECHAIN.ORG

HIIIIIII

I've been away for quite sometime.  However,  I haven't forgotten that I started a journey to get to know me.  As I am still doing so, I've started a new blog with my sister and best friend.  This Blog is more me because its main purpose is not only to help other women, but to create a new network of women who are advocates of health and fitness. Please check out our new blog: 

WOMENBRAKINGTHECHAIN.ORG. 

 

I am still here

It's been a while since I've posted anything and I've broken my goal in actively communicating to my journal of a new beginning, but I am here to break the chain.  I've been involved with so many things and I've been stuck on thoughts of certain relationships.  As tomorrow keeps coming and my hopes keep growing for a better tomorrow I am still aiming for a better me.

In changing and maintaining a peaceful mind I've entertained myself in reading more self-help books.  I just recently finished reading The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux.  It was a very interesting autobiography that expressed her loyalty to her belief and love for God.  It was very inspiring to see how much she gave herself to Him.  I am amazed and proud of her devotion to God. I just started reading the following book on my 'To Read List',  "Th Art of Happiness" by The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler,M.D.  I'm excited to finish the book and write all about it.

It's amazing how there are many people searching for inner happiness and love.  It definitely gets hard learning how to love oneself through the toughest insecurities and still be able to search for happiness.  I've struggled with certain insecurities that have taunted me till now, but enough is enough.  It's time for me to appreciate me.    

I've made it my duty to look for different outlets to release some stress and zone out the things that have no significance in life. I've realized that there's so many things that I've allowed to negatively affect me.  It would be people or things that have no relevance to my life and its useless constantly fighting it off. I've kept myself closed in a box for quite some time but now I fear no one and I will attain what I set my mind for. I pray that I acknowledge what needs to be worked on in me to become a better person.  Live, Love and Laugh a phrase worldly known.

Stay tune for topics such as Tom boy meets Girl.  

 

Project

Although I've been away for sometime, I've been trying to keep busy and increase my productivity to  motivate for a better life.  I finally finished The Cristina Project however, I'm not too satisfied on the final project, therefore I will try again to make it what I expect it to be.

While envisioning my second attempt to Cristina's Kindle Cover, I started Jeanette's (my cousin/sister from another mother) cover. With this kindle cover I wanted to make it more versatile.  When I think of Jeanette I think of sports and outdoorsy. I started with a soft blue yarn.  I chose a double crochet pattern to practice more the basic patterns of crocheting.  In my attempt to Jeanetify it, I added a lime green bamboo cord as the border.  I made sure the measurements and pattern were consistent with my vision.
  



         






Before and After.

 In my mission for self-improvement I bought a couple of more books to keep me focused and determined.  Inspired by Gretchen Rubin and friends.  

mY aTTEmPT

I finally finished The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  This book has given me the motivation to believe in self-improvement.  I've been surrounded with people who fail to reach their full potential because they settle to what they THINK is their luck.  You have to try or you will never know what you're capable of.  I strongly believe a person can be whatever they put their minds too.  I've heard stories that have left me appreciating the things I have without for one second, discontinuing my pursuit to greatness.  I've been blessed to see some parts of the world and I've grown hungry to just seek more wisdom.

Reading this book was a stepping stone in realizing that I am meant for something great.  At that moment when I finished the book, I told myself that this is the beginning of my own Happiness project.  Towards the end of the book and of course throughout the book you see how much people in this world go through similar situation and search for happiness, satisfaction and/or self-fulfillment.  I believe that we all need to look life in the eye and say I am ready to overcome the challenges. 

I am ready to be happy or at least content in my own skin and life. 

In effort of having more control of my life, I've started attempting to eat healthier or at least incorporate more healthier foods in my daily diet.  Let me tell you, that's not easy, especially when I have to consider not losing the weight I already have (up coming blog healthy vs. Junk). I started writing down everything I've been eating throughout the day and researching the approximate amount of calories, protein and carbs it obtains.  

Based on my Google research, I've calculated  my Basal Metabolic rate ("The Basal Metabolic Rate (or BMR) is this background rate of energy consumption, just to keep your breathing, circulation and metabolism ticking over"), which is 1414.  I then Calculated the calories I may burn doing various activities such as, cycling, handball, dancing and/or running.  One example I chose was dancing, which calculated 855 burned calories.  I then read that I would need to add that amount to my Basal metabolic rate to come up with the total amount of calories "I need" to maintain my weight. Now, if I want to gain I would need to add about 500 calories more to my total.  Why 500? Well, because I heard it was more effective.  From who? Beats me.  :-/ sorry.  But I am sticking to it, it seems right.  It's obviously an ongoing research. 

Yesterday I was a hot mess.  I started off with 2 boiled eggs and I did something beyond stupid.  I was given advice that in order to lower Bad Cholesterol I should drink Apple Cider Vinegar  in the Morning. Worse mistake ever considering I suffer from indigestion Uggh!!!!!!  It was nasty.





I think I may need to research a little bit more. :-) 

Stay tune.

I have been going back and forth of whether or not I can really keep up with this blog and my random thoughts.  I haven't gone anywhere, I am still here. Constantly brainstorming the execution of my journey to happiness, self improvement, and self satisfaction.   I am almost done with my crocheting project for my dearest cousin/sister at the same time starting up a new one for my other sister from another mother. I won't give up and I am sticking to my search for a better me. 

GROwTH!

Touching back on the book that I feel I won't ever finish. I'm not a big reader however, I am trying so hard to be. I get distracted so easily.  Besides that, I notice a quote that hits me right in the core.
 
"Happiness, is neither virtue nor pleasure not this thing nor that, but simply growth.  We are happy when we are growing".
                                                                                                                                                                     
I also grasped the argument that Gretchen mentioned "it isn't goal attainment but the process of striving after goals. GROWTH".

Growth is what I am lacking to feel that I am accomplishing.  I have these high expectation for myself and I expect to grow every second I can.  I am so ambitious that I am lost in knowing where to start.  I want to figure out what I am truly destined to be doing. 

I have always had this feeling that there's not much time to find the real me.  There's so much unsuspected surprises that scare you to think that time is too short and sometimes you have to be two steps ahead to never feel behind.
 
Can someone be too ambitious and miss out on something great?

Is "happiness and ambition in fact really incompatible"? Something I always ask myself.  Another thing to think about.

Crocheting it Up!!!!

Every week I think of possible activities that I can participate and really say I've done it all.  Besides my desire to travel all around the world, as i've mentioned before I am ambitious to learn it all.

I am currently working on a small crocheting project. :-D  Something I grained interest at the age 15 because of an old friend. I am still a beginner due to the long break in crocheting. However, I am still looking to become an expert as time and PRACTICE goes by.   

A sneak Peak  at my "first" crocheting project since the last time I can remember. 

This is my attempt to create a Kindle Cover for my dearest Cousin Cristina.  My perception of her personality is a big time "Fashionista".  She defines beauty in her style and of course her inner beauty is without words. I started by choosing one of her favorite colors.  PINKKKKK!!!!  Since I am no Crochet expert like my good friend Danielle.

Check it out she's amazing  

http://hookmeupbrooklyn.blogspot.com


The pattern I chose was as simple as a half double crochet throughout each row and a slip stitch to stitch the sides together.  Nothing too crazy.

To make it CRISTINAFIED I added a little umph to it.  Some gold to glamorize it .








Well,  the final product has yet to be finished.  Stay tune.  :-)