Voice

  
Everyone has a voice but many of us do not know how to express ourselves or there are some people that use their voice a little too much.  Well, what is too much? 

We have to take a stand against all the naysayers and the people who always tell us what to do or even worse, they always tell us “No”.  You may have one friend or dozens, either way they cannot be there for you all the time and at some point you need to stand on your own and speak up.  What do you want?  What do you need?  It is your life and it cannot be directed by others and at some point you need to be the one to tell them “No”.

Some people sound like they are professionals in your situation but how can they be?  Every situation and every person involved is a bit different and you have to go on your instincts.  You are the one who is the professional of your own life but no one will believe you if you cannot speak up.

Sometimes I have a problem with expressing myself and making my wants and needs clear to others.  It is time for that to cease and I need to take my own advice and speak up and take control of my path.  So far this year I have been able to make un-regrettable decisions and I want to keep that up.  Everyday my path gets clearer just as long as I stay focused and try my best to express myself.

Finding your voice can be hard but I just cannot let others decide for me.


“…I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul” - Excerpt from Invictus by William Ernest Henley  

13,000 Feet of Adventure

On July 20th I posted a blog called I Need a REAL Vacation and I talked about how I was in Vegas doing homework and one day I will get the chance to do nothing on a beach or try something new like jump out a plane.  Well I did not think anything of that post would come true any time soon but on Sunday, August 14th I decided to jump out a plane and I survived!

I am terrified of heights and I hate that feeling of dropping, much like the feeling of that first drop from a roller coaster - hate it!  I have no idea why I agreed to do something like this but I am glad I did.  The purpose of going was for a friend's birthday but my personal purpose was to just live a little.  I have always been involved in many things that consume my time but I am so glad I got the invite to go on this adventure because I needed to see the world at a different angle - 13,000 feet in the sky type of angle.

Dropping out the plane was no joke as you see below but it was totally worth it!

 Would I do it again?  Never.  But never say never...

iLove...

Do you know what I love?

I love the smell of the grass being fleshly cut.

I love when you can’t sleep all night and the birds start to chirp while the sun is rising.

I love leftover pizza.

I love movie theater popcorn.

I love the color purple but I only own two things that are purple.

I love my Lord and Savior, I am grateful every day.

I love when it is 80 degrees at night.

I love falling asleep to the TV or music but a timer has to be on because my sleep cannot be interrupted.

I love challenges.

I love learning new things.

I love writing.

I love reading even though I haven’t finished my last book.

I love cartoons.

I love being a hopeless romantic.

I love to have bacon, eggs and pancakes on the weekends.

I love romantic comedies and action movies.

I love cooking even though I rarely do it.

I love my family.

I love having endless possibilities.

My Pumps

Dear pumps, stilettos, wedges, heels,

You have been so good to me since I transitioned from tennis shoes and flats to something that better suits my outfits. Don't get me wrong, some flats can add some flare but there is nothing like a nice pair of heels. I don't have too many but I have enough to realize that they are the only thing that can make you go from frumpy to fabulous.

When I started to wear them nearly everyday I didn't realize that they are better than any shape-ups out there and taking the stairs adds a little more to the unexpected workout.

Where have you been all my life? I suppose right in front of me but I apologize for neglecting you for so long.

Sincerely,
Ericka

posted from Bloggeroid

Bad Friend

Sometimes I do not feel I am the best of friend to my friends.  I sometimes forget about plans or I fail to make plans with my friends just to catch up.  It is important for people to reach out not only to keep your friends but to let them know that you really do care about what they are going through.  I think it is important to remember all birthdays but there are times where I forget and I feel really bad for doing so. 

Have you ever been running around town and you see that your friend just texted you or called you but there was no way they would have your full attention so you think to yourself that you will call them back but that never happens?  I do that from time to time and I feel horrible when I don't call them back.  I tend to be very busy but taking the time to at least say hi is important but I am guilty of not doing that. 

Do not get me wrong, I do not expect my friends to call me all the time because all relationships are about giving and taking.  I feel as though I need to give a little bit more to the people who really care about me.  Why burn bridges when you do not have to? 

So to all my friends that I have forgotten to call or text back, I am sorry.  Being busy is my excuse but I do need to slow down and show my gratitude to those who have had by back since day one.

I Need a REAL Vacation

Boy oh boy have I been busy! I have managed to stay somewhat sane in the last few weeks but I may be at the tip of insanity soon. I did take a nice "vacation" to vegas and that was a nice getaway but it was still business related. I did have a good time but the vegas trip was for a conference so there was not much time to explore and while I was there I was doing homework. Yes, homework in vegas is not cool unless you attend UNLV.

Decemeber is when I expect to finish my MPH so my Christmas gift will be to relax and enjoy myself...well, maybe. Of course I have other adventures up my sleeve because I just don't know how to sit still. Someone asked me if I ever went on a Spring Break vacation and I said no because that is the time you work full time and make money while everyone else is spending...duh! But maybe taking a break is what I need.

So one of these weekends I will do absolutely nothing, let's see how that works out. One day I will take a real vacation and do nothing on a boat or beach, eat weird food, and maybe try something new like jump out of a plane. That may not happen any time soon but you never know.

posted from Bloggeroid

Me, a Fighter? Maybe.

I am faced with a new challenge...boxing! So in the last few weeks I have been stressing out and worrying over issues I can't control which means I can't control my feelings. I may explode on people and that is something I am trying to avoid.

I have a friend who goes boxing and wanted me to try it awhile ago but I declined the offer because I refuse to get hit just for a workout. However, due to recent frustrations I needed something to do besides eating my sorrows. For some reason boxing came to my mind and she was the first person to call on.

My first day was brutal! I thought I was going to die. I haven't worked this hard since high school when I was running cross country then straight into basketball then track then summer basketball and I repeated that for four years. My second day wasn't any better but something about it made me semi-hooked at this point. As I am starting to learn and understand what I am doing and trying to fight through my soreness, by day three I was hooked.

It is tough but I like it. This is something I want to stick to and I haven't been happy about working out in a long time so we will see where this takes me. I might be the number one fighter in America...who knows.

posted from Bloggeroid