In case you were wondering.....

here is the link to my new venue....

Change of Venue

It's been weeks since I have updated this blog, and in those weeks life has changed dramatically. When I started this blog almost two years ago, I had just ended a relationship, started my first legal job and was adjusting to life after the bar exam.... Since then, not only have I grown as an attorney, but also as a person. This blog has seen me through many adjustments in life, a new relationship, trips and plenty of good times.... but, now I feel that it is not representative of the life I have been leading lately. So much has happened since this blog saw me celebrate my thirtieth, and ring in the new year of 2012...and now I feel as if I need a change of venue to express my life as it is now. I started a new blog that I want to use as a medium to chronicle my life as it has been lately. When I first began blogging, I used it as a medium to rant and complain about the many trials and tribulations I was experiencing. Looking back, I was almost embarrassed by the thoughts that had been ever present in my mind. I deleted my original blog because I felt as if it didn't represent the person I had become. I think I will be keeping this one up just for the sake of being able to reminisce on all the good times I had. The past two years have been a good run, and I would like to take everything I learned about life and myself into this new season.... With that being said, definitely let me know if you would like the link to my latest and I will be glad to provide you with that information. Regards..........

these last few weeks.....

have been a whirlwind of activities... emotions... ups & downs, celebrations... accomplishments & new beginnings... realizations & just simply living. It's been two weeks since my last post, but it feels like it has been an eternity. April has come and gone, and it is definitely May. I did my best to capture scenes from everything in the midst of trying to enjoy the moments... Baby showers, graduation parties, visit from one of the besties, cinco de mayo, business trip to Dallas, etc. etc.....

Four courses, four pairings.......

Last night was date night. It feels like we have been so busy lately that we really haven't had time to go out and have actual "date nights."

We went to Carino's for a monthly event they have where a chef prepares off menu items and pair it with different wines to compliment the food. Four courses and six glasses of wine later, and we were definitely feeling great. I believe we will be implementing this event into our agenda monthly........

a glance....

The last few days have truly helped me get closer to feeling like myself again.... It's definitely been a process, but I'm embracing this self metamorphis with open arms.... On Friday night, I went to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of my church at a gala that was held downtown... I love dressing up and I love formal events. It was great to reflect on all the history our church has been apart of the past fifty years.... Saturday, I slept in...which was awesome...ran errands & chilled around the house until it was time for me to attend a birthday celebration for a friend. My boyfriend aka the life of the party at every party, started the night off right by providing the birthday girl with a shot of Patron... good food & good times.... Sunday, church provided a much needed word.... and an awesome brunch afterwards with my buddies.... and an obnoxiously long nap... I also did something that I have never done before. I went to the movies by myself (not sure why it took me so long to actually do this) and saw Think Like A Man... I really ENJOYED the movie, and I will probably go see it again before it leaves theaters... overall a very peaceful Sunday...

The work week should be busy, and hopefully it will fly by... This upcoming weekend will be a whirlwind of events, followed by another busy work week...including me going to Dallas for a few days for a CLE training class... but prayerfully I will find the time to rest and ensure that I dedicate some time in the midsts of it all for myself.... PS--- I don't really like the way my blogger looks now... have I been gone that long that the entire format has changed?

lately

I haven't felt like myself. I've tried and tried to get back to my normal self, but unfortunately I have had no such luck.

One of my girlfriends and I had dinner Friday night at McCormick & Schmick's.

After dinner, we went to Dessert Gallery, where we sat on the patio talking and enjoying our desserts....

The rest of my weekend has been spent sleeping for hours at a time, thinking thought provoking thoughts (does that even make sense?) and trying to figure out why I have been in such a rut.... I also feel as if I have been suffering from a major case of relationship envy...so I temporarily deactivated my facebook account so I can be more focused on living my own life, than making comparisons to others. Hopefully that can shift my focus back on to what and who is important instead of enviously wishing I had more, and second-guessing all the things I have been blessed with.

I truly enjoy social networking, but sometimes I feel like it gets to be a bit much. I'm generally not an envious person, but I do have my days where I wish I could trade places with other people, or wish I was experiencing great things or wedding planning, or getting married or preparing a nursery (well, that one not so much...) or decorating my summer cottage, etc. etc., but that is so not my life right now. I know everything happens according to God's will and plans, but seeing it everyday and reading about it so often can definitely lead to a serious case of relationship envy...or at least for me it does. I know I have a great man in my life, an awesome career, good friends and loving family so I really have no reason to feel down in the dumps....but for now I think I need to just take a break from it all and focus on myself.

April is almost over, and the next couple of weekends will be pretty busy. One of my best friends is coming to visit, another is graduating, another is having one of her baby showers here in the city and there are a ton of others celebrating birthdays this month. I also have a gala to attend for the 50Th anniversary of my church. Prayerfully, the fun will take my mind off of the lately feelings.....

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you"
(Matthew 7:7, NLT)

"Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward"
(Hebrews 10:35, NASB)

p-inspiration

Wednesday Love

I love that all my afternoon hearings were reset by the court...thus making my Wednesday easy & stress-free.

I'm loving that the work week is almost over, and EASTER is this Sunday! By far one of my favorite holidays.

I love the fact that APRIL is already here. This year is flying by, and I have a lot of fun things occurring in my near future.

I LOVE INSTAGRAM!!!!!! (and the view from the courthouse.)

I'm also loving that my attitude has improved tremendously since the other day..... Life is too wonderful to sweat the little things........

...exhale

This past week was probably one of the most stressful I have had in a long time.... Between work, and having issues with my car, to just downright feeling as if I was in over my head with everything... I can honestly say that I was beyond happy for the weekend. A lot of times, I am guilty of letting things I have no control over literally drive me insane. I have a tendency to spazz out prematurely, to let people anger me beyond recognition and to forget that God never puts me through anything I cannot handle. I try and I try to remind myself to stay calm and stay positive, but sometimes I let it all get the best of me. But I digress..... I am truly a work in progress....

In the midst of it all, I convinced myself that my weekend would be awesome to make up for all of the not so awesome-ness that occurred during the week.... and fortunately, I was correct.

I was without my car for the majority of the work week. Friday night my boyfriend and I went out to celebrate one of my girlfriends birthday... We went to the same venue I celebrated my birthday at, and had an amazing time... so amazing that of all the pictures that were taken that night, none are appropriate for public viewing... good times indeed, lol!

We woke up early Saturday morning, and although it pained me so, I traded in my car and got a new one.... Most people would think this was a joyous occasion, but I'm apparently the exception. I was so depressed getting rid of my car. I hadn't planned on getting rid of her for at least another year or so, and I did not want to do it....

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person on the planet, who takes pictures of their old car at the dealership, in lieu of being excited (I'm excited now & feeling extremely blessed and thankful) about their new one.... but me and that Ford Escape has a lot of good memories.

I spent the remainder of my Saturday evening resting and reflecting....

Sunday morning, we had an amazing Palm Sunday service at church. It was definitely a word I needed to hear in light of my rough week.

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)

“The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!’”
Psalm 118:14-16 (NIV)

After church, I ate, then spent some quality time with my boyfriend and his son at Chuck E. Cheese's for a 4th birthday celebration. In the words of my boyfriend, "Chuck E. Cheese's is like Vegas for kids." Lights flashing, shelling out tokens, the allure of winning as many tickets as you can.... although I don't agree with it, I definitely can see why some of the locations in the area have started selling alcohol for parents... It can be overwhelming, but I had a good time..and so did his son. I definitely wouldn't mind going to Dave & Buster's or some adult equivalent of Chuck E.'s so I can play skeeball without feeling too old....

I was about to head home to get some rest, but then I got a call from my boyfriend asking if I wanted to go see New Edition in concert that night... of course I said yes! His best friend got tickets to the concert and thought to invite us as well, and we had a great time!

The spontaneity was just what I needed. I ended my night with my favorite person and woke up feeling refreshed this morning... Instead of losing myself, I really need to learn how to take a moment to breath.... exhale, and not let the world get in the way of my happiness.......

Nothing is really ever that bad that I should convince myself that I can't get through it. The Lord has been good to me, and proven time and time again just how awesome He is!

thrive, not just survive....

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"
(John 10:10, NIV)

Monday Blues....

Today was definitely a Monday.

weekend~

Despite my desire to spend the entire weekend in pajamas, I managed to have a few adventures, and really enjoyed myself the past couple of days.

My work-week was hectic as usual, but I found the time to go shopping and pick up a few more spring items that can be worn in court under a blazer... and once I slip off the blazer, I could wear them out if I were to go to happy hour after work...

After work on Friday, I met up with one of my girlfriends downtown. We walked around window shopping & enjoyed happy hour at Guadalajara. They had yummy food and great drinks, definitely will be one of my new happy hour spots....

Saturday, I slept in.... got my hair done & met up with my boyfriend. After a long nap, I woke up hungry and decided I wanted to try out a new restaurant... in Galveston. The weather over the weekend was AMAZING, but I had not anticipated everybody and their mother wanting to escape the city for a random mid-day beach trip... Needless to say traffic was ridiculous. I hate traffic. I also hate when my plans don't unfold as planned. So instead, we drive probably twenty miles towards the beach & try out a restaurant that is near where we were headed... Instead of letting the detour ruin my day, I took my boyfriend's advice and calmed down. The place we ended up eating at had AWESOME food and cheap drinks. We ended up having a great time, and I forgot about the traffic mishap. My Saturday definitely ended up being a good day.

Today my pastor gave a powerful sermon. I made my friend take pictures on my camera (I was too embarrassed, although everyone else was taking pictures).

After church, I went to see the Hunger Games movie, which I really enjoyed. I read all three novels, and loved them. Since I read the books, I did pick up on the differences between the movie and the book, but they put out a really great adaptation.

The rest of my Sunday has been one long, long nap, whereas I woke up to catch glimpses of Once Upon A Time, respond to text messages and catch the end of Celebrity Apprentice.

I have a hearing in the morning so it would behoove me to get to bed early..... Blessed to see another day.