Face to Face With Kryptonite.
Seven years ago was the last time I’d spent time with the man I call my kryptonite. Until yesterday, that is.
I call him my kryptonite because no one before him (nor after him, actually) was able to make me feel the way he did — like I was under a spell of some sort. Granted, I was still a baby having barely turned twenty-one. He was a little older which was already intimidating and frankly, he was my first NORMAL guy.
What is “normal”? Well, there was no abuse, verbal or otherwise. He just was not a jerk to me. He had a job — three actually. He had finished high school (and not via continuation school) and was going to college on top of that. He met my parents. In fact, I’m pretty sure we even double-dated with my parents once. He took care of his parents. He didn’t stalk me. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
There wasn’t anything spectacular or out-of-this-world about him. It was just new to me, so I fell harder than I normally do. Put it this way, the last ex was around for four years before I used the “L Word” and even then was hesitant and unsure. No, I didn’t “L” kryptonite, but I’m sure it could have been the case if I stuck around. I hated not being in control of my emotions and ran away from the situation.
Anyway, we’d managed to reconnect a few years ago via email and have seen each other maybe three or four times by accident in the last seven years. We finally got together yesterday to catch up over breakfast.
The night before, the kryptonite had the same effect on me as he used to. My stomach was in knots and I couldn’t sleep. I felt like a child stricken with puppy love — it was disgusting and I’m quite embarrassed. But it was mostly anxiety. As you know, I’m in love (supposedly), so it wasn’t like I was thinking our meeting would move in any particular direction. I was just nervous… I had no idea what to expect.
It was almost like we became two very different people since we’d last talked. I definitely have grown up since twenty-one and both of us went through some emotional things that I think changed us. I survived. Overall, I had a great time sitting with him and catching up, remembering old times and what not. Hopefully we’ll see more of each other now.
Go With What You Know.
Virgo horoscope for today:
Today things are starting to make sense. Extra perception help put all the puzzle pieces into place. Now that you know what’s what, make your move. Don’t waste time overanalyzing the situation. Go with what you know.
Back Fat.
The girls and I went to David’s Bridal last night to get fitted and purchase the bridesmaid dresses for Thijs and Lynn’s wedding scheduled for July 2009.
I was completely grossed out by my “back fat”. I kept arching my back and staring at it with disgust. I swear, I don’t think it ever existed before. WTF??!
And of course, just like all the other girls, I refuse to go up a dress size. Those darn bridal dresses already run small, so we’re all already wearing sizes larger than usual. Instead, I am committing to getting rid of my “back fat” as well as the other “flabs” that weren’t showing as obviously. I’ll continue eating better, working out regularly, inducing vomit, etc. I’m kidding about the last part.
But the question is… how the heck do I get rid of that nasty flab?
What exercises do I do? Any suggestions?
Ayanna Rae Hernandez.
One year ago today, I had the privilege of witnessing your birth, Miss Ayanna Rae Hernandez. You were absolutely beautiful from the beginning — like a little angel. There was Christmas music playing in the background and it seemed like the perfect delivery. There was no screaming, no fighting, no negative energy. In fact, it was smiles, laughs, and cheers for your mom the entire nine or so hours that I was there.
So a year has flown by and you’re truly growing more beautiful every day. On top of that, you’re constantly laughing and smiling like we all were in the delivery room that day. It’s almost like that environment molded you into the bouncing baby that you are today.
It is my prayer that you continue being bright and cheerful as you get older. Life will not be perfect nor will it be easy, but if I could impart any advice to you, it would be to stay positive in all things. If I were ever given an opportunity to go back in time to fix anything in my own life, it wouldn’t be the trials and hardships themselves — it would be my attitude amidst the adversity. Everything happens for a reason, but it is your responsibility to yourself to search deeply for the good when the surface appears to be all bad.
The people around you love you very much, Ayanna, and we are so excited to be a part of the journey you are now taking. We will have the rest of our lives to create more and more memories with you, but please always remember that your family, family friends, and godparents have your back regardless of the circumstances.
It will be important, as you get older, to listen carefully to the wisdom of your family and also to the wisdom God will begin to instill in you. He has a plan for you that is beyond what you can possibly imagine, so always have faith in that promise. Oh yeah, and no boys until you’re thirty-five.
Love you, Ayanna.
Ninang (godmother) Gem
I Give Good Aura.
I went to Target yesterday and noticed that there was a woman following me. She was a young (early 30s) Middle Eastern woman in jeans and a sweatshirt. I wasn’t feeling threatened or in danger, but I was really uncomfortable for obvious reasons. She followed me through the section for greeting cards, then feminine products, that upstairs in the baby section, then the book section, then back downstairs through the section for office supplies and then the jewelry section.
The entire time, I was contemplating in my head as to whether or not I should turn around and confront (and embarrass) this woman. I put my very best face forward, though, and did nothing. I told myself that it’s the holidays and I really shouldn’t be so confrontational.
We’re in the jewelry section and she finally speaks to me.
HER: “Hi, excuse me.”
(I turn around and notice a Target bag hanging on her wrist while her hand is holding a Cinnabon bag… and it smelled good!)
ME: “Hi.”
HER: “God, I’m sorry. It must be so weird that I’ve been following you around! I’m not crazy, I promise.”
ME: (Giggles.) “It’s okay, did you need something?”
HER: “Oh, no! Well, I was actually wondering if you’d be interested in a psychic reading, because…”
ME: “Oh. No, it’s okay…”
HER: “Well see, I’m actually off duty right now and was heading home when you walked in. I noticed you right away because you give off a good aura.”
ME: “I do?”
HER: “Yes, it’s amazingly clear. It’s great because it makes it easy to read and communicate with. Are you interested in a reading?”
ME: “No thank you. I’ve actually got plans…”
HER: “Are you really sure? We can do it here if you want, right now.”
ME: “I appreciate it, but I’m running a little late already…”
HER: “Here’s the thing. I can tell that you’re extremely confused about your love life and we can find out more if you’d like.”
ME: (Jaw dropped, but laughing.) “Wow. Well, I really can’t — I’m so sorry.”
HER: “It’s okay. Here’s my business card and let me write my hours on there if you change your mind.”
HER: (Writing.) “I need to run and pick up my kids. Have a good day!”
ME: “Thanks!”
Man. Am I that obvious? Is my heart on my sleeve?
Ohhhhhh.
Happy Friday! A friend shared this video with me and I think it’s too cute:
Reminds me of when Kayla once opened the fridge door and screamed “Who the hell ate all the food?” I believe she was four at the time. Haha.
Kids say the darndest things. Care to swap stories?
We Don’t Need No Water…
A really good and long-time friend of mine has burned a bridge with me. This sort of thing happens quite a bit because I suffer from what I call Mama Hen Syndrome. In short, I care too much about everyone else and I tend to put everyone else above me.
Is there something wrong with that? There shouldn’t be. But what tends to happen is that people take advantage of my compassion, my loyalty, and my support. They take, take, take… and when it comes to something I need or a commitment we’ve made together, they’re halfway to Mexico. It doesn’t bother me the first time. Not even the second or third time. Dozens of letdowns later, much like now, I’ll finally start to realize that the friendship favors only one of us, and I’ll move on. Our bridge is on fire.
We don’t need no water — let that motherf*cker burn!
I Love You, But…
Last week I posted about a weird situation in my love life. A week has gone by and guess what? I think I love the guy. Guess what else? I want to leave it at that and just move on. I know, I know… one step forward, two steps back.
I’ve sort of become a compulsive dater in the last two years after a long-awaited breakup from the ex. Do I love everyone I am dating (or have dated) since the split? HA! No way. In fact, I was with the ex for about four years and only said and felt it in the last year we were together. A few months before we broke up, actually. Coming to the realization that I think I love this one guy is a pretty big deal for me, but it would be unnatural for me to NOT complicate this. You see, I can’t just love him and live happily ever after. I have to make things difficult.
In the last week, I’ve decided that I think I love him and I’ve also decided that I will not be pursuing “more” from him than what we have. We share a great friendship, I think. I enjoy hanging out with him. He’s a great conversationalist. He’s even a great listener and an even better source for knowledge and advice. My biggest problem with the ex was that we also shared a great friendship — a little lackluster in the things that matter to me today (like intelligence and knowledge), but I’d never deny it was a great friendship at the time. We opened it up to more than that and what happened? I lost four years and what I thought was a great friend. I will not risk losing that again. We’re great where we’re at and I’m okay with that.
So yeah. I love you, SB. Truly. But I have no intention of changing anything at all. Not at this point, anyway.
How long before you think my foot is in my mouth?
A Happy Hour Indeed.
This is not a sponsored post.
My good friend Ron and I ventured out into the Haight-Ashbury today hoping that we could enjoy a beautiful Friday the way any two recently unemployed people would want (and need) to — frugally.
We arrived around 3pm, had a quick and simple Mexican lunch, and did quite a bit of window shopping. I managed to pick up The Ring on DVD for my sister — cost me only $2.99 at Amoeba Music! She hasn’t seen the movie and we tried to rent it last weekend. I’m pretty sure the cost to rent might even be more than $2.99 these days so I thought it was a good deal, no?
We came across a little Hot Cocoa Bar called Coco•Luxe that had the cutest little setup, divine truffles, and heavenly hot chocolate… swear! The menu had a $7 Tasting Plate that included a hot cocoa and two truffles of your choice.
The simple yet cutesy menu.
The selection of truffles in detail.
I chose the White Chocolate Cocoa, Gingerbread Truffle, and Dreamy Orange Truffle.
Ron selected the Mint Cocoa, Green Tea Truffle, and Banana Split Truffle.
The White Chocolate Hot Cocoa was amazing. Much better than what you’d ever get at Starbuck’s, for sure! The Gingerbread and Banana Split Truffles were my favorites of the night and I’m not really big on sweets. A sucker for truffles, though!
Truffles can be purchased directly from their website! Visit the Truffle Guide for details on their available flavors. Yum!