The Purple Corkscrew

Happy Weekend, friends! This weekend actually started off pretty monotonous for me, as I had no prospective plans in mind. Towards the end of my shift on Friday, I received an invitation to go out for cocktails, conversation and to possibly do a little tootsie-rolling with the girls. Although girls night out is always a great and ridiculous time, I kindly declined and settled for sweatpants and my sofa. I was genuinely excited to rush home, eat my leftovers and play several rounds of Kitchen Scramble – and I did just that. I know I sound lame but I was totally okay with being a hermit for the whole entire weekend…and that was my plan!

By the time Saturday morning approached, I had mapped out my whole entire day of doing absolutely nothing. As soon as I woke up, I brushed my teeth, made a bowl of Captain Crunch and tuned into my favorite 70’s sitcom – Good Times! (It never gets old). As I continued to embrace my low-key Saturday, the sunshine began to peek through my bedroom window. I happened to step out of my apartment door and it felt like an early spring day. I was pleasantly surprised as I had on a coat and scarf just the day before – but that’s Atlanta weather for you.

Considering the beautiful weather we were graced with, I started to second guess my reclusive day. As soon as I began to ponder the possibilities of going out to eat, shopping and having an excuse to rock my favorite Betsey Johnson sunglasses – my phone rang. My sister, Amber gave me a call to see if I had any plans. As I told her my current situation (watching Good Times), she couldn’t help but laugh at me. After we exchanged a few “kee-kee’s” and “she-she’s”, she invited me to a wine tasting later that afternoon in Avondale Estates. I love a good wine tasting and I haven’t been to one in months so I gratefully accepted her invitation.

Breaking Bad Habits

As we’re closing out week three of 2016, most of us still have a taste of the New Year on our lips. The self-improvement and goal-setting season is in full effect and everyone seems to still be focused on their annual aspirations. Whether you may be working on your summer body, building your credit or vowing to drink more water (self-noted), we all should have something we can work on to better ourselves. This is why setting goals are essential in life.

In the most simplistic of terms, a goal is a desired result. You must envision it, plan it and commit to it. Personally, I have several desired results that I would love to see come to past this year. Some of my goals are great and grandiose while others are simple and small. Regardless of how big or small my goals may be, I have to take action in order to obtain them.

Before I proceed, let me have a truth moment. Setting and obtaining goals have always been a challenge for me. Now, I am fantastic at envisioning something that I want – my colorful, sometimes idealistic mind is always on overdrive. I’m also very good at planning things out – Lord knows how many notebooks and planners I have tucked away in my closet, but when it comes to committing to something, that’s when it gets hard for me. I believe it’s because I’m scatterbrained. If a specific goal is too intricate for me, I tend to get overwhelmed and push it to the back of my mind. (Do better, Laura)

After doing some self-reflection, I now realize what I need to do. I have to take baby-steps and start with more simple, practical goals, which leads to my topic…

“Wepa!”: Puerto Rico in Pictures

Hey friends! First, let me wish a Happy 2016 to you all! I’m sure that the majority of you guys spent your New Year’s Eve painting the town, kissing your sweetheart at the strike-of-twelve or partying like it was 1999 (Shout-out to Prince)…as for me, I brought in my 2016 asleep on my sofa.

To be honest, I was totally okay with that. As I’m growing older and wiser, I’m learning to pick and choose when to throw my cares to the wind and when to have a much needed seat. Being able to balance a normal, quiet life and still turn-up with the girls every once in a while is the perfect middle ground for me. Besides, there’s a time and a place for everything, and my time and place was last month in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

About a year ago, my oldest sister, Amber proposed a girl’s trip to San Juan in celebration of her 40^th birthday. I had some money saved and I was experiencing serious vacation deprivation, so I jumped on the party bus to get my life in Puerto Rico! I went through the summer and fall holding on to all my coins (and vacation days) in anticipation of eighty degree weather in December. For six months, I worked hard with no retreat in lieu of a true five-day get away.

Once December 4th came, it was time to see what Puerto Rico was all about. My sisters, Amber, Naresh and I woke up on that cold, Friday morning and headed to the airport to start our vacation. We checked in, grabbed some Starbucks and sat by the gate as we caught the beautiful Atlanta sunrise.

(I had a great sunrise picture to correspond with the previous statement, but my phone is no longer in my possession for reasons I will further explain.)

Before we knew it, it was time to board the plane. Amber used to travel the world for a living, so her Delta Sky Miles account was loaded with frequent flyer miles. She scored herself a free, first-class ticket with all of the works! As for me and Reshie? Oh, we sat in coach with our Biscoff cookies and coffee…but hey, at least we had each other.

Anyway, let me get to the good part.