The Optimistic Pessimist.™

Really? November? It's cold. It's dark. I'm stuck in a rut of stupid seasonal discontentment right now. I don't like the extreme cold, and I don't like the dark. Yes, it gets dark every night and I'm ok with that, but is daylight savings really necessary? I didn't enjoy the extra hour of sleep that some people may have. It frankly changed my schedule a bit and now I'm waking up at the buttcrack of dawn, before my alarm goes off, and it's just crap.

Ugh.

November does have good things that come with it... Thanksgiving is awesome. Gotta love to eat (not gain weight). Christmas is around the corner. The economy picks up a bit so hopefully that means more money in my pocket if we make good on sales. Plus, I am taking an actual "paid vacation" to go see my 'rents in Florida for New Year's. I'm very excited for that.

I love my parents.

The kids are super excited and are now desperate for the day when we'll go see their Floridian grandparents... They've even taken to crying because today is not the day, nor will tomorrow be. So we're taking it one day at a time, enjoying the time we have left of the year and hopefully it will be sunny and brisk in Jacksonville and it'll be a damned good time.

So let's make it through the month, and get on with the new year already!

It seems there is a trend to retail at this point in the season. I have to work all of two more days this week and then I have the rest of the week off. Unfortunately, for me, I could use the much-needed break to concentrate a bit more on my studies, but I could use the money much more to maintain my living expenses. I love my job, but the slow season always seems to damper my feelings towards it. My availability is not open, I can only work specified hours according to my lifestyle and this easily poses a conflict of interest in how many hours they can schedule me for. We have a decent number of employees and even among the part-timers, they are all struggling for hours, too. The college students have it hardest of all. At least I'm taking online classes where I know I always have time for that.

My schedule seems to be getting busier now that my term at Kaplan has started. School for the kiddos, (Big J and Little J) and day care for Ms. Sephy make my days a bit more busy. This is not a bad thing. It tends to keep me on my toes.

I work full-time, although it seems a bit farfetched wit hthe hours I'm being scheduled for, but again, given the availability I have, it's understandable and I can't be mad. A bit frustrated, but not mad.

School now poses a new schedule change. Bedtimes are going to be more strict in order to get them into bed and give myself the peace of mind while studying, reading, or even just posting to the discussion boards in my courses. I love Kaplan though. It's an amazing school with so many different choices for education. It caters to my busy lifestyle which is all I could ever want.

So, I'll continue to keep my head up, walk forward and not look back because the future is too beautiful to keep my eyes away from turning away.

What's your favorite thing about fall?

Fall is my favorite season of them all. I enjoy fall because of the changing colors in the leaves. The brisk air is refreshing and just right. I love throwing on a nice sweater or track jacket to go with a nice pair of shoes or sneaks.... just for athe fashion of fall. There are so many looks and accessories to choose from!

Just gotta love fall.

OMG. So I'm looking at my modules, and checking what needs to be updated in my profile and I check my archives (found to the left of the screen) and see I've only posted 9 times this year (10 with this blog)!!! I can not believe I've been that quiet about everything.... Maybe this was a year to remember in my mind and not from everyone.... It's been a rough year and I am now really acknowledging that fact.

I guess we all have to go through it. I definitely lived a full, and sometimes stressful, life this past year.... I'm newly 26 and I'm thinking this can really be a positive year for me if I work my cards right and continue to work hard. I am loving the feeling of accomplishment. With school starting I don't know how much I'll be around, but I'll try now that I have found my way back.

I'll try not to be a stranger.

Hey there. I know I've been MIA for a loooong time, but I'm back now and hopefully for good. I missed blogging, but I've got a real therapist (an actual person in an office with a cushioned chair and all-a-dat!) and it's taken some time to really get used to having more than one outlet. Especially one that is actually confidential and private and alllll to myself. It's a wonderful thing.

Anyway, what's new with me you might ask.... Well there is quite a bit new.

Last time I wrote I think I already had mentioned that I was working for Adidas.

• I am still currently employed there and very content with my line of work.
• I am still working on my Bachelor's Degree in Business Management - Retail Management. I'm starting a new term within the next week.
• Julian just recently turned 7 (just 3 days after I turned 26) and we had a blast at Chuck E Cheese for him. It turned out to be great.
• Persephone is already going on 15 months old and she is walking and saying no, giving kisses, giving high fives, and sassing back.
• Jade is now in pre-school and loving it. She loves the independence of riding the bus. She is also getting all this spunk and sass. She's a cuckoo-bird. I love her though. She's awesome. ♥
• I'm no longer a pedestrian.... Yes, it's true I bought a car! It's a nice one, too. It is an '03 Chrysler T&C. It was a good find. I was definitely lucky.

I'm very blessed and happy with the way my life has been going. Hopefully, things will continue to progress with all my perseverance.

Hope all is well with you guys. Take care.  

Are you going to tune in to today's Super Bowl game? If so, where and with whom will you be watching? Who are you rooting for?

Sure, why not? I decided to make my own super bowl party in my house. We bought our own snacks and then I made homemade Buffalo wings. Perfect snacks for the game. We're happy enough to be together. It's been an ecxiting game.

I'm trying to think of me. Think of myself and sparing my own feelings and affecting others surrounding me. I am feeling angry right now. Just so angry. I don't believe it's for selfish reasons, but because my feelings are hurt. I'm deeply wounded by the actions of my peers. I've decided I just will spare myself because I have the right to say no.

I am trying to get things prioritized appropriately. I want to do things with my life that no one can ruin. I will not allow anyone to ruin it for me.

Why is anyone so concerned with my damn personal shit? Why do they care, when I know they just want to be nosy? Feel like someone will do as they're told. I just feel aggravated at the way people butt into shit that has nothing to do with them. ARGH!

Ok. Done venting. Just needed to get that off my chest.

~~ Athena.

What do you always say you will do but never actually get around to doing?
Submitted by Beautifully Broken.

Going into storage to get some paperwork and baby clothes out.

Things I Love::

1. A 6-month old baby girl who is learning to crawl by scooting all over the floor. ♥
2. A crazy mad-girl who is 3 years old and thinks she's a diva.
3. Julian learning how to read and write.
4. Having the day off.
5. Making plans
6. Paying bills
7. Having a short break form classes online.

Things I Hate::

1. Having the day off.
2. Making plans.
3. Losing stuff.
4. Petty people
5. Retail being slow.
6. Paying bills.
7. Loans and Credit.
8. Feeling like I'm forgteting something...
9. Thinking it's Tuesday and realizing it's Wednesday.

What an amazing time to be alive, dontcha think? Just think of it. My son has no idea what Black or White is, so innocent, but he loves the fact that Obama is president. He doesn't understand the significance, but we have told his this changes the world as we have always known it. It is something that my son will know as a natural thing. God willing, this shows me how much the world has changed since I was a child. I can't imagine the things that those who fought for freedom, rights and liberties are thinking or feeling right now. I am astonished. Someone I know says he's checking out for the next 4 years. He's going to live but he's not interested, nor concerned with them. Another friend is concerned that pop culture plays to huge a part of it, rather than real politics. I'm also a bit concerned that once the party is over, will things begin to change? Will he do as he promised and make our world a better place for our children to grow up and deeply, truly believe that they can do and be anything they work hard for when they grow up?

All I want is for my son to know no racism, no colors or labels. I just want him to know he is human, an amazing human, that is welcome anywhere in the world.

What a world we live in now. I missed his inauguration because, of course, I was working, but I DVR'ed it and plan on watching it with my hubby to enjoy this history that we are sharing together.

I'm proud to be an American. No matter what the outcome of this term brings us. I know we're free to choose our own leader and I'm grateful for it.