My Goal
13 years ago
Thursday, January 1, 2009
10 Year Review and New Beginnings
Recently, I have had a couple of major events that have taken place that are focused around 10 year anniversaries. In November, I officially had been with my company for 10-years and in December, Matthew and I have been together for 10 years as a couple. So, I got to thinking about everything that has happened to me in the last ten years and found that it is quite a lot. I re-met, dated and married my husband. I celebrated my 25th, 30th and 35th Birthdays. I adopted my first kitten (now a full-grown cat), I graduated with my MBA, went to my 10-year High School class reunion and moved twice once into an apartment and second into a house. I have changed job titles 3 times. I have read countless books, watched as many movies and started 4 new hobbies (crochet, quilting, digital scrapbooking and blogging!) I have developed an appreciation for wine (both white and red). I have made many great new friends and have lost a few old friends along the way! I have had long hair, short hair and back to long hair. I have traveled to Mexico (honeymoon), Brazil (business trip and first passport/visa) and Hawaii (vacation). Attended and participated in good friends weddings! I have experienced some deaths within my circle of family and friends but have also seen the beauty of new life begin within that same circle. Life has been very full with many ups and downs! It is simply amazing to realize how quickly the the time has passed. It almost doesn't seem like it is possible that it has been 10 years.
As a celebration of my ten years with the company, which was recognized in December the owner and president of the company presented me with a 4 day, 5 night Mexican cruise to Baja. (And yes to answer your question my jaw did drop on the floor!) I can honestly say I was very surprised by the lavish gift and never expected anything like it!
As I head into this New Year of 2009 I am not say much as making a resolution but making a commitment to live a better and healthier life! I have put into place a 10 week walking plan that begins today. The plan begins with 20 minutes a day and eventually works up to 60 minutes a day. I am going to increase my water intake and cut down on the Starbucks from everyday (or almost everyday) to once a week. These are my first little steps into a healthier me and my new beginning! I have not set a certain goal of weight loss but rather want to increase my overall energy level and enjoy life to fullest in the new year. (It also helps to know that I have a bridesmaid dress I need to fit into for a May wedding!)
May the New Year and the next 10 years be a fulfilling as the last 10 years!
As a celebration of my ten years with the company, which was recognized in December the owner and president of the company presented me with a 4 day, 5 night Mexican cruise to Baja. (And yes to answer your question my jaw did drop on the floor!) I can honestly say I was very surprised by the lavish gift and never expected anything like it!
As I head into this New Year of 2009 I am not say much as making a resolution but making a commitment to live a better and healthier life! I have put into place a 10 week walking plan that begins today. The plan begins with 20 minutes a day and eventually works up to 60 minutes a day. I am going to increase my water intake and cut down on the Starbucks from everyday (or almost everyday) to once a week. These are my first little steps into a healthier me and my new beginning! I have not set a certain goal of weight loss but rather want to increase my overall energy level and enjoy life to fullest in the new year. (It also helps to know that I have a bridesmaid dress I need to fit into for a May wedding!)
May the New Year and the next 10 years be a fulfilling as the last 10 years!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
I have been tagged as well....
The Rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog. (My tagger was kiki - http://doingmorethanjustsurviving.blogspot.com/
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
Here are the facts:
1. I am cat lover and have been since I got my first cat at the age of 3. They are best friend anyone could have and will forever keep your secrets. They will also love you unconditionally!
2. I am a huge hockey fan which I know is strange for a girl.
3. My favorite food is Mexican.
4. I am starting to gain a respect for sushi or more specifically rolls.
5. I have always dreamed for owning my own used book store so that I would have adequate space to store all of the books that I own. It would also give me an endless supply of books to read. Who knows maybe I will write my own book someday! (Ha! not likely since I can't keep up on my blog!)
6. I love the original "Star Wars Trilogy"and it is my favorite movie. The new one just can't hold a candle to the original even if it completes the story.
7. I love a beautiful sunset across the western colorado skies and it turns from pink, red to dark purple.
I now tag the following bloggers:
http://nobsthoughts.blogspot.com/
http://www.teampologeorgis.blogspot.com/
dontsqueezethejj.com
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog. (My tagger was kiki - http://doingmorethanjustsurviving.blogspot.com/
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
Here are the facts:
1. I am cat lover and have been since I got my first cat at the age of 3. They are best friend anyone could have and will forever keep your secrets. They will also love you unconditionally!
2. I am a huge hockey fan which I know is strange for a girl.
3. My favorite food is Mexican.
4. I am starting to gain a respect for sushi or more specifically rolls.
5. I have always dreamed for owning my own used book store so that I would have adequate space to store all of the books that I own. It would also give me an endless supply of books to read. Who knows maybe I will write my own book someday! (Ha! not likely since I can't keep up on my blog!)
6. I love the original "Star Wars Trilogy"and it is my favorite movie. The new one just can't hold a candle to the original even if it completes the story.
7. I love a beautiful sunset across the western colorado skies and it turns from pink, red to dark purple.
I now tag the following bloggers:
http://nobsthoughts.blogspot.com/
http://www.teampologeorgis.blogspot.com/
dontsqueezethejj.com
Monday, September 22, 2008
Mile High Girls' Weekend
This weekend I had the opportunity to get away from it all! I spent the weekend in Denver with my mom and we attended the Women of Faith conference! This was our third year to go and it was just as fun as the first time we went. I really look forward to this weekend because it is actually a pretty special time for my mom and I. It is nice to spend a few hours out of our busy lives to be encouraged and challenged by such an awesome group of Christian women. We laughed, we cried and we laughed some more. The weekend always begins for us on Thursday night after my mom and her friend have arrived in Denver and ends on Sunday when we all go back to our homes. It usually consists of late nights and early mornings as well as fits of giggles throughout the whole weekend! This time was no exception!
The conference was awesome and included some new guest speakers this year and the return of one who has been absent for a while. The theme this year was "Infinite Grace" and each speaker was phenomenal. One of my favorite speakers is Patsy Clairmont, she is such a dynamite woman and her spunkiness in her Christian walk is inspiring. I find that I have some things in common with her, the biggest one being my mouth! It is refreshing to see how God continues to work through Patsy to speak to those of us who aren't always mindful of our tongues. My other favorite guest speaker is Nicole Johnson - she is a dramatist and her sketches about life, love and the pursuit of happiness is always emotionally charged and heart wrenching. It was a pleasure to have her back with the Porch Pals this year, as she spent most of last year out on maternity leave being a new mom to her son Elliott. (who by the way is just adorable!) We also had the opportunity to hear some beautiful singing by Mandisa (season 5 American Idol contestant) and Nicole C. Mullen, their voices are so powerful and to hear their stories about how God has worked in their life and the journey they have been on was very encouraging. One new speaker this year was Louise Duarte, a female comedian/impersonator who had us all rolling with laughter and I had tears streaming down my face I was laughing so hard! It is such a blessing to have such awesome women in this ministry who give so freely their time to come and speak to thousands of women each weekend. What an uplifting experience and it definitely gets my system recharged!
The conference was awesome and included some new guest speakers this year and the return of one who has been absent for a while. The theme this year was "Infinite Grace" and each speaker was phenomenal. One of my favorite speakers is Patsy Clairmont, she is such a dynamite woman and her spunkiness in her Christian walk is inspiring. I find that I have some things in common with her, the biggest one being my mouth! It is refreshing to see how God continues to work through Patsy to speak to those of us who aren't always mindful of our tongues. My other favorite guest speaker is Nicole Johnson - she is a dramatist and her sketches about life, love and the pursuit of happiness is always emotionally charged and heart wrenching. It was a pleasure to have her back with the Porch Pals this year, as she spent most of last year out on maternity leave being a new mom to her son Elliott. (who by the way is just adorable!) We also had the opportunity to hear some beautiful singing by Mandisa (season 5 American Idol contestant) and Nicole C. Mullen, their voices are so powerful and to hear their stories about how God has worked in their life and the journey they have been on was very encouraging. One new speaker this year was Louise Duarte, a female comedian/impersonator who had us all rolling with laughter and I had tears streaming down my face I was laughing so hard! It is such a blessing to have such awesome women in this ministry who give so freely their time to come and speak to thousands of women each weekend. What an uplifting experience and it definitely gets my system recharged!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Blog Extraordinaire...Parenting 101
I never set out to be a blog extraordinaire...that title actually is bestowed to my dear friend Jodie who is blessed with a wealth of BM's (bloggable moments) that she can tell stories for hours and hours and it is all due to the lovely family she has that keeps us all entertained! Yet I still get some flack from friends because I don't blog regularly enough! I have come to find that some days my life isn't all that exciting and I don't have too many BM's to share. I also find that I actually spend more time blogging when I am traveling or on business trips. Go figures. In the end, I do what I can with what I have! So on to the topic!
I recently had an opportunity to meet with a girlfriend and be introduced to her children. In the time we were able to spend with each other I was once again privy to some parenting skills that I am not sure I would use in my own home when the time comes. Not all of them were the skills that she demonstrated but we were in a public place with other families.
Question: Do you give a sugar cookie to a child that is already hyped up and running around the restaurant like a banshee?
Answer: I think not!
Question: Do you give dessert to a child who didn't eat their meal, but rather shredded it into a million pieces?
Answer: I think not!
Question: When said child begins to throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the restaurant do you simply ignore it or punish with a time out?
Answer: I think not!
I realize that I am not a mom yet and so some of you may comment that I am looking through the situation with my rose colored glasses, yet I think the above questions demonstrate that the parenting that was dispensed was clearly inappropriate and I don't have to be a mom to say that!
Matthew and I have had many discussions on how we would be the parent is certain situations when we have observed our many friends who already have children. Some of those skills we would definitely incorporate and others not so much! I personally am not in favor of the "time out" method for punishment! I simply don't believe it truly works in most situations and instead I believe that the child needs a firm swat on the behind! Like with the questions up above, I could see myself or Matthew taking the child out of the situation and talking to them about their behavior and if it persisted, then a good firm swat would be in order. Keeping in mind that the discipline would happen away from every one's prying eyes. (There is nothing worse than to have everyone in the restaurant looking at you while you try to deal with a screaming child.)
I am not saying that parenting is easy by any means, it just seems that sometimes parents simply don't think or are way too cautious and end up making unwise decisions. I am sure when my turn comes, I will make my share of mistakes and it will lead to someone blogging about it but I also hope I can set some good examples of parenting for those around me.
I recently had an opportunity to meet with a girlfriend and be introduced to her children. In the time we were able to spend with each other I was once again privy to some parenting skills that I am not sure I would use in my own home when the time comes. Not all of them were the skills that she demonstrated but we were in a public place with other families.
Question: Do you give a sugar cookie to a child that is already hyped up and running around the restaurant like a banshee?
Answer: I think not!
Question: Do you give dessert to a child who didn't eat their meal, but rather shredded it into a million pieces?
Answer: I think not!
Question: When said child begins to throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the restaurant do you simply ignore it or punish with a time out?
Answer: I think not!
I realize that I am not a mom yet and so some of you may comment that I am looking through the situation with my rose colored glasses, yet I think the above questions demonstrate that the parenting that was dispensed was clearly inappropriate and I don't have to be a mom to say that!
Matthew and I have had many discussions on how we would be the parent is certain situations when we have observed our many friends who already have children. Some of those skills we would definitely incorporate and others not so much! I personally am not in favor of the "time out" method for punishment! I simply don't believe it truly works in most situations and instead I believe that the child needs a firm swat on the behind! Like with the questions up above, I could see myself or Matthew taking the child out of the situation and talking to them about their behavior and if it persisted, then a good firm swat would be in order. Keeping in mind that the discipline would happen away from every one's prying eyes. (There is nothing worse than to have everyone in the restaurant looking at you while you try to deal with a screaming child.)
I am not saying that parenting is easy by any means, it just seems that sometimes parents simply don't think or are way too cautious and end up making unwise decisions. I am sure when my turn comes, I will make my share of mistakes and it will lead to someone blogging about it but I also hope I can set some good examples of parenting for those around me.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Traveling Again
Today marks the beginning of another business trip. This time I am in Denver. Which isn't too bad because the weather is still beautiful in September and it also coincides with getting to see my mom. Every year in September we have a girl's weekend in Denver and attend the Women of Faith Conference. This is our 3rd year doing it and it is always a lot of fun! Now I just need to focus on the work appointments for tomorrow before I can play!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Flying the not so friendly skies!
I would like to say for the record that most times I actually like to fly! However sometimes the whole process of packing and checking in with the airlines is crazy! Yesterday evening Matthew and I made our way to the Maui airport! After passing through agricultural inspection (God forbid you should take a Pineapple home!) We then went to the TSA check-in and ended up having a problem passing through because they consider jams and jellies to be explosive devices and we couldn't carry them on the plane! Boy was Matthew upset! (Okay that is a huge understatement!) After having to take the bag back through inspection we had to check it on board! OH BOY! I wish I had know this would be the beginning to the worst ending of a vacation because I would have stayed at the resort for a few more days!
We finally both boarded the plane and headed to Honolulu! We were scheduled to have a two hour layover! When we got to our gate and checked in to get our seat assignments, we learned that our flight was delayed until 2:15 a.m. due to mechanical problems that delayed our plane leaving LAX. This was not a good thing! I was already exhausted after a day in the sun at the pool in which I got a little too much sun on my face, now I had to sit in Honolulu for 6 hours!!! We also couldn't get in touch with anyone in California to tell them what was happening because of the time change!
We finally arrived home from Maui at 11:00 a.m. this morning and our ride unfortunately was not at the airport! I don't blame her because it wasn't planned for us to delayed so long and she does have a job! It was just a bit inconvenient since I had been crammed into a small space for 6 hours at the airport and crammed into an even smaller space for 6 more hours on a plane that was completely full! (Have I ever mentioned I can't sleep on planes?) Yep you guessed it still can't sleep on planes!
I do have to say I had to roll my eyes everytime the crew apologized for the delayed flight and in the same sentence would say "Thank you for flying the friendly skies with United, we hope we can be your carrier of chose for your next destination!" Yeah right!
We finally both boarded the plane and headed to Honolulu! We were scheduled to have a two hour layover! When we got to our gate and checked in to get our seat assignments, we learned that our flight was delayed until 2:15 a.m. due to mechanical problems that delayed our plane leaving LAX. This was not a good thing! I was already exhausted after a day in the sun at the pool in which I got a little too much sun on my face, now I had to sit in Honolulu for 6 hours!!! We also couldn't get in touch with anyone in California to tell them what was happening because of the time change!
We finally arrived home from Maui at 11:00 a.m. this morning and our ride unfortunately was not at the airport! I don't blame her because it wasn't planned for us to delayed so long and she does have a job! It was just a bit inconvenient since I had been crammed into a small space for 6 hours at the airport and crammed into an even smaller space for 6 more hours on a plane that was completely full! (Have I ever mentioned I can't sleep on planes?) Yep you guessed it still can't sleep on planes!
I do have to say I had to roll my eyes everytime the crew apologized for the delayed flight and in the same sentence would say "Thank you for flying the friendly skies with United, we hope we can be your carrier of chose for your next destination!" Yeah right!
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Drive to Haleakala & Tedeschi Winery
On Thursday we packed another picnic lunch and headed out towards Haleakala on the east side of Maui. The drive, at times was just as narrow as the drive to Hana. Although the was only one 1-lane bridge; however, this time you had to watch out for the crazy bikers who were either biking up to the crater or coasting down from the crater! (Matthew wanted to do this activity! I wouldn't even consider coasting down this road!) (I also won't mention Matthew's driving as he was a bit mad at me from the last blog!)
The scenes below in the valley as we ascended the crater were awesome and you can definitely see it change literally right before your eyes! At times we were driving in the clouds! When we left the resort the air temperature was 82 degrees when we got to the top of the crater is was 55 degrees with a major wind which I am sure dropped at least another 10 degrees! I was sure glad I brought a sweatshirt with me! (because some crazy tourists didn't)
After our picnic lunch at the top we began our descent and drove to Maui's one and only winery. The Tedeschi Winery or Maui's Winery! We got there just in time to partake in their wine tasting and ended the visit with buying some really nice bottles of not just grape wine but a pineapple wine too! You will also see that Matt made friends with the locals while at the winery as well!
Our evening was spent going out to dinner at Tomato and Basil! This restaurant was recommended to us by the staff at the resort and they were not wrong! The food was excellent (okay I was a bit disappointed in my entree but the appetizers, dessert and Matt's entree were awesome!)
Enjoy the pictures!
The scenes below in the valley as we ascended the crater were awesome and you can definitely see it change literally right before your eyes! At times we were driving in the clouds! When we left the resort the air temperature was 82 degrees when we got to the top of the crater is was 55 degrees with a major wind which I am sure dropped at least another 10 degrees! I was sure glad I brought a sweatshirt with me! (because some crazy tourists didn't)
After our picnic lunch at the top we began our descent and drove to Maui's one and only winery. The Tedeschi Winery or Maui's Winery! We got there just in time to partake in their wine tasting and ended the visit with buying some really nice bottles of not just grape wine but a pineapple wine too! You will also see that Matt made friends with the locals while at the winery as well!
Our evening was spent going out to dinner at Tomato and Basil! This restaurant was recommended to us by the staff at the resort and they were not wrong! The food was excellent (okay I was a bit disappointed in my entree but the appetizers, dessert and Matt's entree were awesome!)
Enjoy the pictures!
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Molokini & Turtle Town
On Wednesday we went Snorkeling! This was a first for Melissa! We also used our new underwater case for the digital camera! Some of the pictures turned out awesome!
The Road to Hana
On Tuesday morning, Matthew and I took a self-guided tour "The Road to Hana". It is an interactive CD that has its own map and tells you about all of the wonderful spots to see along the way! It was our intention to get going early (mind you, early in the Poulin Household is 10:00 a.m.) Thus after a very quick and unsatisfying breakfast we took to the road about 9:30 a.m. By the time we had stopped for gas and beverages it was 10:00 a.m. Not very early as we eventually learned!
The drive is very scenic and is indeed winding! (Next time: Melissa's drives). Each site is a recommended stop and there are about twenty of them along the way! They are in fact beautiful and very different from the previous stop. It was about 2:00 p.m. when we finally stopped for lunch and we were still 3 miles from Hana and had a lot left to see. It was then that I decided we had left too late! We would definitely be driving down the mountain at night! (Ever seen Melissa scared? Drive down a winding road with crazy drivers behind you and your husband is zipping along the curves like it is a straight-away! I wore myself out just from the stress of riding down hill! This is why Melissa drives next time!!)
Below are some of the pictures from our many stops!
Unfortunately you can no longer drive around the entire island due to a major earthquake in 2006 that took out part of the road! Thus when we were ready to head back home we had to go the long way! It was 3 hours! It was very obvious that there are a lot of locals who drive this road on a regular basis, maybe even daily and they would drive like crazy people! All of the bridges are 1 lane and do you think they would yield...heck no!
All in all we survived and it is something I would do again! One funny note: on our CD the lady narrator began speaking about the Charles Lindburgh grave site. (He is buried on the East side of Maui). All of the maps we have been given indicate the site, many people mention that it is one of the stops you should make, yet the CD tells you not to go there out of respect for the family. ??? Then why is it printed on every map? If you don't want people to come to the grave site, then don't publish it!!! Enough said!
The drive is very scenic and is indeed winding! (Next time: Melissa's drives). Each site is a recommended stop and there are about twenty of them along the way! They are in fact beautiful and very different from the previous stop. It was about 2:00 p.m. when we finally stopped for lunch and we were still 3 miles from Hana and had a lot left to see. It was then that I decided we had left too late! We would definitely be driving down the mountain at night! (Ever seen Melissa scared? Drive down a winding road with crazy drivers behind you and your husband is zipping along the curves like it is a straight-away! I wore myself out just from the stress of riding down hill! This is why Melissa drives next time!!)
Below are some of the pictures from our many stops!
Unfortunately you can no longer drive around the entire island due to a major earthquake in 2006 that took out part of the road! Thus when we were ready to head back home we had to go the long way! It was 3 hours! It was very obvious that there are a lot of locals who drive this road on a regular basis, maybe even daily and they would drive like crazy people! All of the bridges are 1 lane and do you think they would yield...heck no!
All in all we survived and it is something I would do again! One funny note: on our CD the lady narrator began speaking about the Charles Lindburgh grave site. (He is buried on the East side of Maui). All of the maps we have been given indicate the site, many people mention that it is one of the stops you should make, yet the CD tells you not to go there out of respect for the family. ??? Then why is it printed on every map? If you don't want people to come to the grave site, then don't publish it!!! Enough said!
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