This past weekend I spend time with my friend Nick who came down for what he called his gay-cation with Lauren, Karen and his boyfriend, Kevin.

We spent the day at Magic Kingdom enjoying the sights. Unfortunately one of the sights of Florida they didn’t want was the wonderful sudden thunderstorms. We got caught many times in the storm’s pouring rain but were lucky to always find an attraction to keep us from getting completely soaked. At one point, we just missed a random downpour by getting in line for “It’s A Small World”. Here is a quick video of us on the ride. Enjoy Justin’s dancing:

The storms allowed us to get exercise running from one side of the park to the other to see if the Jungle Cruise would finally be open. We weren’t able to see the Castle Show due to the weather but were treated to seeing one of the dancer’s back was scarred up from which I hope was only a drunken night fall and not a “Sleeping with the Enemy” type boyfriend episode.

We set up at our “secret” viewing area to get an almost front row sit to the fireworks early in the night. Unfortunately, 20 minutes before the show, we had to move the table quickly under the overhang when the storm poured on us one more time.

The Wishes fireworks were great and Tinkerbell, which we were afraid wouldn’t show because of the weather, flew right above us to end the night in the Disney magical way.

I realized on the way home that the weather didn’t damper our time together. It was the friendship and laughter that kept our day sunny. I am glad to have been able to spend another day with one of my best friends, Nick as well as make new friends from NYC.

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My friend Nick found this great book of questions that allow you to really think about your life and choices you would make in a variety of situations. He is going to post 4 of the questions each week and his answers.

Talking with him, I decided to do also post my answers to the questions each week. This will allow everyone just to get to know a little more about me each Monday.

This week’s questions:

If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

This is a simple question that reminds me of being in elementary school. When ever someone offers you a wish you ALWAYS wish for more wishes. This way you have tons of options when it comes to wishing. IT just makes sense.

Of course, if the rule was you could only have one wish and could not have more wishes, I think I would wish for good health for my friends, family and myself. I know it wasn’t for the world but I figure it is like in the movies when you wish it for the whole world there is this evil consequence so I recommend making friends with me if you want good health.

If you could spend one whole night alone with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?

I would pick Megan Mullally. I think she is a riot and from her talk show, I can see she is down to earth, quick witted and just fun to be around. I figure spending an evening with her will be filled with great conversation that is not just about her, lots of laughter and great food. I believe she also is a loyal friend and if you are lucky enough to be part of her circle friends you would have a friend for life who truly has your back. PLUS, I would have to get her to do Karen, just once.

If you could spend one whole alone with anyone in history, who would you choose?

I really can not think of anyone I would like to meet from history. If history means that past is no longer here, I would choose my mother’s grandma. I wasn’t ever able to meet her so it would be nice to finally spend time with someone my mom talks about so much. I know she is a sweet woman and full of funny adventurous stories. I know she is full of love and I would leave feeling great and able to connect with part of my family I would have never had the chance to meet without this opportunity.

If you could physically transport yourself to any place in the world at this moment, where would you go?

I know exactly where I would go Sydney, Australia. I do not know why but I have always wanted to go there. As you know it is a very long flight so it would be great just to be there in a moment. I have heard how friendly the people are and the city and sites look beautiful! I would to be able to just spend sometime over there, soak up the culture and maybe some sun rays and then head back home.

There are my answers for this week questions. I hope you will share your answers with me.

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Sibling rivalry is very common among brothers and sisters. I was lucky because I am 12 years younger than my closet sibling in age so I grew up basically like an only child.

Of course, I do have siblings. Two sisters and one brother. They are all in their 40’s, currently, until next year when my oldest sister turns 50. While at my sister’s birthday this past weekend, I started to think back on some of the memories I have from them:

My sister Donna invited me over to spend the night on many occasions. Having older siblings mean I also had an older niece who happened to be my age. We would play games late into the night keeping my sister and my brother in law up. She would always have slices of white bread, from her neighbors, for me because she knew I didn’t like wheat bread.

My sister Vicky and I would play tons of video games together. She was always there to help me with a flat tire or when my car battery died. She was the sibling who showed up at the hospital at 2 in the morning when I was bleeding from my tonsils stitches opening up. It was Vicky who gave me a wine cork when I was a kid and told me it would keep the monsters and nightmares away and I believed it.

My brother Eric had to deal with being the baby of the family and then 12 years later having a new baby brother. He would allow me to play with his Star Wars figures and read his comic books that he kept in pristine condition even though he knew I was careless and most lucky going to ruin them. It was my brother who rushed to my elementary school when my mom had forgotten it was the day we got out an hour early to rescue me and take me home. It was my brother and his friends who played shark with me in the pool until my eyes were red from all the underwater swimming.

I am sure I can come up with many more stories about my siblings including all four of us making a musical video singing MMMBop, the thousands of birthday party board games we played, and our family trips to Sanibel Island.

There are also tons of things my sisters and brothers have done through the years that have hurt my feelings. But, there is one thing I always remember, they are family. The hurt is the price I pay for loving them so much. Only people you truly love can hurt you and in the end it is worth it. The hurt is only a drop in bucket of a lifetime full of laughter, support and love.

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Spring is official here even if the weather where you are may not show signs of it. I love the spring because this is the time when everything begins again. I love watching the plants bloom and the animals return. The warm weather returns and the days start to be sunnier.

As you can see from the photo, for spring I started growing a small pot of clovers. I got it for a dollar at Target and I was amazed to see them blossom. Each day they reach for the sun through the window.

I realized I am reaching for the sun. I am ready to be outside reading in the sun again. I need spring just like all plants. This is my time to start a new me.

I have already been spending time spring cleaning my house and working on a plan for some house updates in the next few months. My home is growing in the spring so I should as well.

I decided I am going to set 3 personal goals for myself. Goals that push me to personally grow as a person. I want to use the spring to allow myself to be a better me. I am reaching for the sun like the plants. I want to soak up the sun!

What goals could you set for yourself to grow this spring? It is time to spring into a new you!

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This is my 150^th blog entry!  What do you write about on your 150^th blog entry? I wanted to do something fun to celebrate this accomplishment and I wanted it to be themed with 150 so, I decide to share 150 things about me with you.  I appreciate all your support and readership and I want to allow you to get to know me a little better. After 150 things, I think you will know more than enough. J  

1. My favorite holiday is Halloween
2. My birthday is October 14^th
3. I am the baby in my family
4. I graduated early from high school
5. My first job was at Pacific Sunwear (I was a mallrat)
6. I am scared of snakes and throwing up.
7. I am working on reducing my fear of flying. I do fly but I am not a fan.
8. When someone makes a good point that I agree with, I say “TRUE!” (That is the written form used in text messages, emails, and IMs) The in person version sounds so much more fun!
9. I stole a DVC Welcome Mat for my friend Nick because he is a HUGE Disney fan.
10. Outside of Florida, I have traveled to Nassau - Bahamas, Bartlesville – Oklahoma, Gatlinburg – Tennessee, Charleston – North Carolina, Hilton Head – South Carolina, and Macon – Georgia, San Jose – California, and Napa Valley – California.
11. My favorite Yankee Candle scent is Sun and Sand.
12. My favorite Disney movie of all time is the Little Mermaid.
13. I have had 3 pets in my life, First dog was Fluffy, (who we gave away because of bad behavior) my second dog was Rusty, (who passed away from old age) and currently I have my first cat, Piper.
14. The first car I drove was a white and sliver Grand Am. The first car I owned was a red Saturn Coupe. I then owned a Grey Jetta and this year, I bought a Red Honda Civic Coupe.
15. I am currently trying to learn how to juggle.
16. I love Cirque du Soleil. I have seen La Nouba, in Orlando, at least 5 times. I own a lot of Cirque merchandise as well.
17. My friend Becky and I purchased a tension rod for her shower and then created a song about it called, “I love my tension rod” which we sang for quite sometime.
18. I have been to two foam parties which were held in Orlando at the Club at Firestone. The first one was the best; the second one was just cold hence why it was the last.
19. I wore clear braces when I was 16.
20. When I go to Starbucks, I order a venti iced green tea or chai tea latte. I love Starbucks.
21. I love playing with stress toys and have them laying around everywhere, even in my car.
22. I am an Apple Addict. I have a Macbook, Ipod and Iphone.
23. A friend once convinced me to go to a “Paint Your Own Pottery” place. Since that one experience I have painted 2 coffee mugs, a candle holder, cat water bowl and a potted plant pot.
24. I was invited to a preview event when IKEA opened in Orlando. The only thing I bought that day was a potted mini palm tree, and white pot for it, which I named, IKEA.
25. I was on the Mickey Mouse Club when it was filmed in Orlando. I was in the audience in the episode when Dee Dee and Chase sing “Tell Me I am Not Dreaming.” Continue Reading »

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Did you ever notice how small the world is? We are really connected to each other and everyday I learn more and more how. Here are some examples from just the last month:

• Karen and I are both coaches and became friends through our certification program. We live in different parts of the United States and have never met in person. Randomly in conversation one night, we found out that my father and her grandfather were both born in Bermuda. Bermuda is a small island which is 12 miles long and 2 miles wide. How is it possible that two strangers would become friends who both have relatives in Bermuda? We both swear we are cousins now.

• I went on a date with a guy and took him to my favorite restaurant, Café Tu Tu Tangos which he had never been to. He ended up moving to South Florida shortly aster that for a couple of years. He has since moved back to Orlando. He is now the head host at Café Tu Tu Tangos. But what is even weirder is that he is in a masters program at UCF taking a course with only 6 students. I happened to be asked to speak to his class and found him there. How weird is that? What are the odds?

• Lastly, I had a client who ended a 3 year relationship and was ready to move on. He came to me to coach him through the process. I worked with him for 12 weeks and we were able to make a lot of progress. I understand where he was coming from because I had been in the same situation when I ended a 3 year relationship many years ago. At our very last session, he mentioned that he truly had moved on and happened to run into his ex and was able to thank him for the good times. His ex told him, "You sound just like an ex I had a long time ago." My client happened to mention his name and he was the same ex I had broken up with many years ago and said the same thing to. It was me he was talking about to my client when he responded to his thank you.

It doesn’t bother me to be so connected with people. It makes me feel I am not alone. I have learned to be careful how I treat people. Somehow they will always be part of my life and I only want positive, happy people around me. I use my connection with people to improve my life and I am thankful to have all the experiences I do.

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Ending my week long Sea World theme, I wanted to share this great book I have believed in for a long time.

This book is a lot about moving from management to leadership with great results. Based on the experience a manager has going to Sea World. He is amazed that they do not treat the killer whales negatively. There is no punishment when the whales do something bad instead they are just redirected to another activity. When the whales do something good, they are rewarded with positive reinforcement which is rewarded in hugs, rubs, fish, etc.

It all makes sense; how are you going to hit the number predator in the ocean with a stick then get in the water with whale and hope it doesn’t eat you.

In reality, it works great with people as well. Positive reinforcement allows people to keep moving forward instead of stopping because of self doubt or fear. Hearing negative things keeps us from believing in ourselves and taking the risks needed to truly live more productive lives. This is not about making people feel good, just to feel good. It is all about getting better results.

I know I have worked with and been friends with a lot of people who were very negative. I also noticed how my life, back then, was full of  self doubt and less action. It is when I got positive reinforcement I are really able to make great things happen. Again, this wasn’t people telling me I was great all the time just because. It was about the people in my life believing in me, supporting me and appreciating me.

Take a look at this book. It is a great story and a simple read. You will get so much from it.

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Continuing with my Sea World theme for the week, I went and saw the new show, Believe while I was there. During the show they said I quote that I just love:

"There is a moment when you stop wondering and just believe."

It really sums up a lot of what holds me back from really living life out loud. I allow self doubt to creep in and keep me from taking action and moving forward. I can spend a lot of time thinking of the best solution, asking others for advice and their opinions and then finally I may make a choice.

If I would just stop wondering about what to do and just believe in myself, I will make the best choice and move forward in life. It is hard sometimes just to believe in yourself but I am getting better at it throughout the years. I see the great results I get when I believe in myself so I know it is my best bet.

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This week was my ex’s birthday. I was preparing to send him the normal birthday wishes but then I stopped and started to think about what I was doing.

He has received all emails letting my friends know the exciting things that have happened in my life. He has received all the holidays text messages and cards I send to all my friends wishing them well. I just remembered though, he has not responded within the year. 

If any of my friends stop responding to my emails, phone calls or text messages, I take that as a hint that they are busy and I stop including them. They will get in touch with me later if they want to. But, why haven’t I discontinued to contact him? 

I figure it is because we shared more than a friendship. We had a relationship that lasted 3 years but that was 8 years ago. I think part of me is afraid of letting it go. It is easier for me to keep the contact because I get to hold on for a little longer. But what am I holding on to?

Our time has come and gone, I know this.  We had our great times but we learned that we just weren’t meant to be. We had separate goals and dreams. We had different expectations and we have selected different paths to follow in our lives.

It is easy for me to say I will always love him but who do I love? I love the him of the past who shared his life with me. I do not know who he is now, 8 years later. I have great memories of us but they too are of the past. He is not part of my present nor is he part of my future.

I decided it was time to let him go…

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Time is passing us by each day. I am guilty, like everyone else, on wasting time. This week the time change is kicking my ass so I spent all last evening in bed watching TV and doing nothing.  I had plans to start spring cleaning but instead I watched re-runs of shows I had already seen. I even went to bed early trying to recover but I am still dragging.

So this morning I decided to revisit my goals for this year. Sometimes I need to give myself a little kick to jump start my life back into motion. I haven’t set any goals that I won’t be able to achieve but I need to get re-energized to make them happen. I am looking at my goals and decided which ones can I make plans to tackle this month.

One being spring cleaning. I know how clutter in your house can really hold back your life so I going to commit to finishing all of my spring cleaning this month. If I just commit to it now it will be done and I can move on to more fun things to do.

Of course I am not going to just work hard all month, I need to have fun too so; I am also going to commit to going to Sea World this month. I haven’t been in years and it is one of my favorite parks. I have the tickets, I just need to pick a weekend and plan it out. Maybe I will even get to do the lunch buffet with the behind the scenes tour!

Now I am ready to get my life in motion. I will be making a plan for the spring cleaning and looking at the weekend’s weather to pick the best time for Sea World. Maybe I will even get to share some pictures from the day.

So are you feeling dragged down my Daylights Saving Time, why not revisit your goals and get yourself jump started again!

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