#Reverb13--The beginning

December 1st--At the Start:
Where did you start 2013?  Give us some background on this year.

It would seem that January would be a good place to start your year. For me, it was a little different.  After moving back to the Midwest from the East Coast in March of 2012, I started a new job and lived at home for a little over a year. Day in and day out was pretty much the same. I again became stagnant. Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. It wasn't until I moved to the city from the suburbs that 2013 started for me. I moved to downtown Detroit in July of this year and the summer flew by in seconds , it felt like. I said that it felt like my summer didn't start until I moved, but I know differently. 

Starting & Ending {reverb12- Day 1}

Last year I only got to prompt 5. Pushing myself to finish them all this year. Here goes...

#reverb2012 How are you starting?

Hoping for a more enthusiastic year. One where moments, people and places that would normally excite me actually do. 

Working towards a healthier 2013. Mind, body & spirit. I think I have never been more sick than I have been this past year. I am starting to eat healthier, exercise (yoga is cheaper than therapy) and not yet, but I'm hoping to find (that may be the place I have been going to all my life) a place to worship. I'm thinking all of these things go hand in hand. Healthy mind, healthy body, healthy spirit. 

Re-networking. Getting involved with my community and putting my skills to work. Whether it be freelancing, volunteering,  a writing group...

Instead of dreaming--DOING.

#reverb2012

Reverb11 {Day 5} Guilty Pleasures

 Describe 5 guilty pleasures

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1. Reality Television-

I wish I could say that I'm disappointed in myself for this guilty pleasure, but I absolutely am not. The first guilty pleasure is reality television. Ughhhhh I know! Stop judging me! Can't   I be an intellectual and watch people who are famous for no reason flaunt themselves on national television like idiots? Either way, I can't help myself. Bring it on team Kardashian, Rachel and ladies of Atlanta. 

2. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte-

When Fall rolls around, and Starbucks puts that cute little chalk sign up that says, "It's back!" I can't control myself. I go on a pumpkin overload from September until the friendly barista tells me that I have to wait again until next fall. In that time, I might get a Pumpkin Spice Latte 3 times a week. Maybe more. It's insanity. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin lattes; anything pumpkin please! Just put an IV in me. 

3. Lip Balm

It doesn't matter if I know I already have a lip balm for each purse, if for some reason I'm at CVS or any kind of convenience store, and I don't have a lip balm on me, I'll buy one. What's another one going to hurt? "Oh, Burt's Bees has a new flavor?!" Then I struggle to say no, but I usually lose and Mr. Burt wins. 

4. Ridiculously Long Showers

I can absolutely take 10 minutes or less showers but, when I don't have to, I 'll just stay in there....for like 30 minutes. It's just so nice and warm, I mean scolding hot! The hotter the better. I am so grateful to have heated water and I take advantage of it. In the winter time, it takes so much for me to get out of the shower. I know how cold it is outside of this bathroom. I know once I open the door and the steam gets swept away into the not as warm air as the bathroom, reality sinks in and I need to get ready for work. Then, I just want to jump back in! 

5. 90's R&B Takeover

Sing to me Mariah, TLC, Jodeci, Whitney, Babyface, New Edition! Must I proceed? I can't help myself. I have a Pandora playlist based off of "Candy Rain" by Soul 4 Real. Need I say more? 

Addition through subtraction {reverb11--day 4}

What have you let go of this year and how has it affected you?

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I let go of the past. 
I let go of a constant feeling of regret and the what if. 
I let go of needing the answer and started to live the questions themselves. 
I let go of my need to please. 
I chose to be happy in the present and look forward to what the future has in store for me. 
Letting go has allowed me feel what i repressed. In some cases it put me into deep misery and in others, I have been completely blissful. Letting go for me, means being happy now, in this moment. 

A moment in time {reverb11--day 3}

Tell us about one moment that you lived in 2011 that you will never forget.

"I know nothing of any certainty, but the sight of stars makes me dream." -VanGogh

This year has been full of moments of pure happiness, craziness, beauty, sadness and laughter. 

Completely simple, but beautiful was a night at the beach with James. The moon was full, bright, and it was a clear night so every star was out. 

The waves were a little rough, and we were going to jump in, but we decided not to. It was cold too, boy was it cold.  I think it was my first time ever sitting by the ocean at night. It was a time of pure joy and excitement. 

Appreciating the time spent with a person I care about tremendously and the true wonder of the earth and how beautiful it really is, was what made this moment memorable. 

There weren't any fancy fireworks or shooting stars, but the image of this night was beautiful just the way it was. 

Reverb11 December 2nd

Day 2 - My Children Will Do it Differently - If you could choose one thing that your children will do or experience in a different way than you have, what would it be and why?

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To never settle.

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I never want my children to settle for something that's not good enough for them. Whether it be a school, a job, or even a relationship, I want them to strive for better and not to settle for anything just because it's easier. 

Day One, One Word {Reverb 11}

December 1st, 2011

One Word. Encapsulate the year 2011 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing

that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2012 for you?

::

As easy as I thought this would be, it is definitely not the case. There are so many words I thought about and dissected, but just weren't fitting enough. The one I came up with was aimless. The definition of the word couldn't be more accurate.

Aimless: having no goal

Synonyms (to name a few): accidental, careless, casual, chance, pointless, wandering, unplanned and best of all INDECISIVE.

The antonyms on the other hand, are determined, directed, goal-oriented, motivated, pointed, purposeful and resolute.  
I chose aimless because that it was my life has been this past year. While many wonderful and meaningful things and people have come into my life, my goals have been put aside for too long. 
My word for 2012 will hopefully be PURPOSEFUL. And the meaning for that will show itself by this time next year.