The beginning of a new year and the question of the day has been; "What are your New Years resolutions?" The people who say, "its just another day and I always strive to be a better person and do the best I can do", are my peeps.
Because come on, lets keep things real. We all know that if you run "Gung-Ho" out of the gate, before you know it you will run out of steam.
Baby steps!
Personally I really believe that if every day you take 3 small steps toward your big goal, you can achieve so much more.
Let me explain.
Goal Setting: Make sure you set a date.
Focus on what you want, not what you have to give up.
Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
Be specific. Reward yourself when you reach a goal.
Start with the basics.
Keep it real.
What you focus on expands!
Don't give up when you don't understand or know something.
Go to You-Tube and learn from others.
Also Google is your best friend.
You know, in life you do not have to re-invent the wheel because I hate to break it to you, that has already been done.
Just copy and paste from others but make sure to put your own unique spin on it.
We all have our own unique fingerprint.
God didn't make a mistake when he made you!
Last but not least, Inspiration is all around us.
Don't be so busy posting pictures (like I do), you will miss the beauty in the simple things.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
Day 61: Arrival back home in San Diego from Holland
Phew! Finally back home in San Diego after 2 plane rides in the last 24 hrs.
John, my darling hubby and Dobby (our furry baby) picked me up.
We stopped by the grocery store on the way home because I love to come home to a full fridge with yummy fresh foods and John doesn't really know what I like because that changes often.
Mind you it's almost midnight but of course in America (some stores are open 24/7).
That's another thing I just love about America.
Back home I started unpacking, yes I was tired but my adrenaline was pumping because I was just so stoked being back home with my loved ones.
John had hired a cleaning crew the day prior of my arrival and gosh the house looked AMAZEBALLS!!!
Shiny hard wood floors and it smelled like heaven.
My husband seriously knows my love language.
I could write a whole book on the love I have for my husband.
I laugh with my hubby more and more each day.
Marriage to me is like having a sleep over with my best friend every single night of the week.
So now I am back in America, I have so many new goals and dreams.
Yes I am a Corporate Flight Attendant but I am not flying enough for my taste.
I am Freelance, so whenever I get offers for flying gigs I take it but my last offer for a big International trip I had to decline because that same time I was visiting my family.
I couldn't cancel or postpone my family because they took that same time off and counted on me.
I don't ever want to let my family down because my hubby and my family is priority number 1.
Also I do have to admit that I have to promote myself more as a CFA (Corporate Flight Attendant) and send out even more resumes.
We all know in life nothing really happens unless you work hard at it.
My number 1 passion is really helping others stay/get fit and eating healthy.
I crave knowledge everyday on self development, nutrition and fitness.
This is why I am a Personal Trainer as well.
To be continued.....
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Day 60: Flying back home to the USA from Holland
To become an American Citizen and have dual passports (Dutch/American) is on my to do list for 2017.
It will cost around $1000.- and I will have to study and complete a test.
So after I got through customs/immigration, I joined Kelsey at the baggage carousel.
We had to grab our luggage and check back in.
Usually your luggage goes automatically from your departure point to your arrival point but in this case we had to recheck in etc.
So I flew from Amsterdam to Philly to San Diego.
All this took around 24 hrs.
Don't forget there is a 9 hr time difference between Amsterdam and San Diego.
So I was pretty much flying back in time. (hahaha)
After Kelsey & I grabbed our bags and checked back in we made our way to the gate for our last flight home back to San Diego.
Of course the gate wasn't nearby but that was okay because we needed some exercise after that long flight from Amsterdam to Philly.
We sat down by the bar across from our gate.
Here we ordered ourselves some Moscow Mules.
We chatted some more and we were both super stoked to be back home on American soil.
Gosh, I can't tell you enough how amazing America is.
Everything is so convenient and big and beautiful and clean and comfortable.
I called my mama back in Holland to tell her I had arrived safely back in The States.
Kelsey and I were planning to take some pix but we were both tired and we didn't really feel like cleaning up for the pix.
I got comfy and ran to the bathroom to take my contacts out and I was planning to take a nice nap on my last plane home.
After we boarded we didn't sit next to each other but that was okay because we both wanted to sleep.
I face timed John my darling hubby and told him that I was so tired and just wanted to sleep.
The girl next to me offered her window seat because she overheard my conversation with John and wanted to be nice.
I was super grateful and we ended up being friends after that flight.
....To be continued....
It will cost around $1000.- and I will have to study and complete a test.
So after I got through customs/immigration, I joined Kelsey at the baggage carousel.
We had to grab our luggage and check back in.
Usually your luggage goes automatically from your departure point to your arrival point but in this case we had to recheck in etc.
So I flew from Amsterdam to Philly to San Diego.
All this took around 24 hrs.
Don't forget there is a 9 hr time difference between Amsterdam and San Diego.
So I was pretty much flying back in time. (hahaha)
After Kelsey & I grabbed our bags and checked back in we made our way to the gate for our last flight home back to San Diego.
Of course the gate wasn't nearby but that was okay because we needed some exercise after that long flight from Amsterdam to Philly.
We sat down by the bar across from our gate.
Here we ordered ourselves some Moscow Mules.
We chatted some more and we were both super stoked to be back home on American soil.
Gosh, I can't tell you enough how amazing America is.
Everything is so convenient and big and beautiful and clean and comfortable.
I called my mama back in Holland to tell her I had arrived safely back in The States.
Kelsey and I were planning to take some pix but we were both tired and we didn't really feel like cleaning up for the pix.
I got comfy and ran to the bathroom to take my contacts out and I was planning to take a nice nap on my last plane home.
After we boarded we didn't sit next to each other but that was okay because we both wanted to sleep.
I face timed John my darling hubby and told him that I was so tired and just wanted to sleep.
The girl next to me offered her window seat because she overheard my conversation with John and wanted to be nice.
I was super grateful and we ended up being friends after that flight.
....To be continued....
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Day 59: Flying back home to The USA from Holland.
I had requested and paid for a window seat but unfortunately didn't get it.
I got a middle seat from Amsterdam to Philly.
Fortunately I sat in between cool peeps.
On my right by the window was sitting a sweet girl who was from San Diego. She was studying in Holland and this was her first trip back home to America after she had left to study in Holland a couple months earlier.
We became instant friends.
On my left was a British gentleman.
It's funny how its hard to understand The British language but I have no problem with the American language.
All and all it was a great trip.
When we arrived in Philly we had a couple hours lay over and Kelsey & I decided to sit at the bar across from our gate back home to San Diego.
But first let me tell you how my experience was at Immigration/customs.
Okay once you arrive in Philly at the airport coming from Europe you gotta fill out this paper in the plane just saying if you bring in foods or vegetables etc.
Now coming out of the plane you gotta go to this kiosk and scan this paper and your passport, oh and this machine takes a picture of you. Of course I didn't like my first selfie so I pressed on re-take. Hahaha what was I thinking? Silly me. Like this matters.
After this you go through immigration.
Here you get fingerprinted and eye scanned.
My finger prints didn't take at first and I had to redo it.
The officer looked at me puzzled after he looked at my information on his computer.
He saw my deportation background and my old blacklist status.
But because I have a Green Card and I am a permanent legal resident, this is all dismissed.
He gave me the advice to get my American Passport and become an American Citizen so my travels will be easier when I arrive back in The States from being abroad.
To be continued.....
I got a middle seat from Amsterdam to Philly.
Fortunately I sat in between cool peeps.
On my right by the window was sitting a sweet girl who was from San Diego. She was studying in Holland and this was her first trip back home to America after she had left to study in Holland a couple months earlier.
We became instant friends.
On my left was a British gentleman.
It's funny how its hard to understand The British language but I have no problem with the American language.
All and all it was a great trip.
When we arrived in Philly we had a couple hours lay over and Kelsey & I decided to sit at the bar across from our gate back home to San Diego.
But first let me tell you how my experience was at Immigration/customs.
Okay once you arrive in Philly at the airport coming from Europe you gotta fill out this paper in the plane just saying if you bring in foods or vegetables etc.
Now coming out of the plane you gotta go to this kiosk and scan this paper and your passport, oh and this machine takes a picture of you. Of course I didn't like my first selfie so I pressed on re-take. Hahaha what was I thinking? Silly me. Like this matters.
After this you go through immigration.
Here you get fingerprinted and eye scanned.
My finger prints didn't take at first and I had to redo it.
The officer looked at me puzzled after he looked at my information on his computer.
He saw my deportation background and my old blacklist status.
But because I have a Green Card and I am a permanent legal resident, this is all dismissed.
He gave me the advice to get my American Passport and become an American Citizen so my travels will be easier when I arrive back in The States from being abroad.
To be continued.....
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Day 58: From the beginning...Holland trip back to the USA
Okay, this may sound weird to you, but I pretty much skipped like a little girl (you know like you do when you are a happy) that day when I traveled back home to sunny California.
Yes it was going to be a very long day of flying and on a few different planes but I didn't care how I was getting there as long as I was getting there.
I have lived in Holland half of my life and the other half in America, so I think I can honestly judge.
To top that off, I have lived in Egypt, Italy, Hungary and traveled all over the world.
As a Flight attendant and as a model for TV commercials.
My road wasn't easy.
I've lived Illegally in America and I have been deported and paid the price for that big mistake by being on a Black list for over 3 years. (meaning I was not allowed in America).
Later in life when I made it back into The USA, I eventually got married to my first soulmate who passed away 7 years later at 42 years young.
One day he went to work and told me that morning how much he loved me and didn't come home that night.
A few years after that I met my 2nd soulmate, who is my amazing 2nd hubby John.
So, traveling back from Holland to my 2 loves, The USA and my John was and is always special to me.
After the long line of 1 hr and a half through security, I had to make my way to the gate where my plane was going to take off from.
Of course the gate was the furthest gate possible and after security I wasn't in the best mood because security officers are never a ray of sunshine.
I was pretty much cursing under my breath while making my way through the airport to my gate.
When I finally arrived at my gate I asked a gate agent if I was in the right spot for (I gave him my flight destination), and of course he answered short and grumpy.
I asked him where the bathroom was and he told me twice angrily.
So, you see The Dutchies can be grumpy too. It is not just the American airport personnel.
......To be continued....
Monday, January 9, 2017
Day 57: From the beginning...Holland trip ending, back to the USA
Oh my Gosh, I can not tell you how over the moon excited I was to be flying back home to my beloved USA and my beloved hubby & furry babes.
I asked my mother and her male friend Lucas, to please drop me off super duper early at Schiphol (Amsterdam airport).
Of course because International flights take forever and especially the security check lines etc.
And because I was gonna meet up with my darling Laura Bellai who's the author of Rokkie (a Dutch business book for female entrepreneurs.
I've known her for over 20 years and she has been very influential to me.
When I met her I was taking over her Front Desk Receptionist position at a big software company called Exact Software while she got promoted to be the right hand of the boss.
A few years after that she got married to the boss.
The reason I moved to America was partly because of Laura.
She had lived in America for about a year and raved about it.
So our meeting at the airport was as always so fun but of course too short.
We drank cappuccinos and posed for a little impromptu photoshoot.
I had to say goodbye quite quickly because the lines in front of security looked intense.
Let me tell you this line took over 1 hour and a half.
While all the travelers were walking like bumper to bumper. (kind of like a traffic jam)
Few steps forward, stop, few steps forward, stop.....and so on for 1 hr and a half.
At security they were not friendly at all and of course some of the travelers were cutting in line.
The Dutch don't like this, so some of the Dutch started raising their voice at these cheaters.
I was laughing because there is really nothing you can do, but make sure you take plenty of time before your plane takes off.
I always hear horror stories of people who fly into America and they complain non-stop about how rude American Customs/Security and Immigration is.
But let me break it to you and tell you this happens everywhere!
I totally understand that they are rude and in-patient because they are dealing with so many passengers and some of us (me too) ask the dumbest questions and we keep doing the dumbest things and we don't follow direction.
I would lose my cool eventually too, wouldn't you?
....To Be Continued......
I asked my mother and her male friend Lucas, to please drop me off super duper early at Schiphol (Amsterdam airport).
Of course because International flights take forever and especially the security check lines etc.
And because I was gonna meet up with my darling Laura Bellai who's the author of Rokkie (a Dutch business book for female entrepreneurs.
I've known her for over 20 years and she has been very influential to me.
When I met her I was taking over her Front Desk Receptionist position at a big software company called Exact Software while she got promoted to be the right hand of the boss.
A few years after that she got married to the boss.
The reason I moved to America was partly because of Laura.
She had lived in America for about a year and raved about it.
So our meeting at the airport was as always so fun but of course too short.
We drank cappuccinos and posed for a little impromptu photoshoot.
I had to say goodbye quite quickly because the lines in front of security looked intense.
Let me tell you this line took over 1 hour and a half.
While all the travelers were walking like bumper to bumper. (kind of like a traffic jam)
Few steps forward, stop, few steps forward, stop.....and so on for 1 hr and a half.
At security they were not friendly at all and of course some of the travelers were cutting in line.
The Dutch don't like this, so some of the Dutch started raising their voice at these cheaters.
I was laughing because there is really nothing you can do, but make sure you take plenty of time before your plane takes off.
I always hear horror stories of people who fly into America and they complain non-stop about how rude American Customs/Security and Immigration is.
But let me break it to you and tell you this happens everywhere!
I totally understand that they are rude and in-patient because they are dealing with so many passengers and some of us (me too) ask the dumbest questions and we keep doing the dumbest things and we don't follow direction.
I would lose my cool eventually too, wouldn't you?
....To Be Continued......
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Day 56: From The Beginning....Back to the USA from Holland
Okay, my 2 week trip visiting my family & friends in Holland was coming to an end.
So, what I learned is that I rather not visit during the winter because it's way to cold over there.
Mind you, if there was snow it would be fun but Holland hasn't really been getting snow the past years in December.
Also during the holidays in Holland it never gets as festive as in America.
I am a big fan of Christmas lights everywhere, this really gets me in the Christmas spirit.
It sounds weird but I feel I missed 2 weeks of Christmas while I was in Holland.
I am one of those people who decorates the tree the day after Thanksgiving.
Also I enjoy all the Hallmark movies about Christmas.
So looking back I would love to be in NY during the holidays, because NY goes all out during the holidays.
Oh and a biggie what really got me out of my comfort zone while in Holland was having no wifi.
I know, I know, you could say its better without wifi for a while to get a break and get in touch with yourself and blah blah blah.
We can discuss this subject till we are blue in the face because it is a very personal thing.
I use my wifi for pretty much everything.
My day starts with meditation, which I use my 10% happier app for on my iPhone. This doesn't work without wifi outside the USA.
Then I journal on my Five Minute Journal (also an app on my iPhone).
After this I blog on my computer on Blogger.com
And I listen to audio books on Ibooks (on my iPhone) and free podcasts.
This is all for my self development and to keep growing and learning in life.
I seriously crave knowledge daily.
Last but not least I listen to Pandora music Natalie Grant or Swedish House Mafia/Tiesto, depending on my mood.
I am not even talking about being able to post some daily inspiration on my Facebook.
So, there you have it, I am a social media/technology junkie.
I guess there are worse addictions to have.
....To Be Continued....
So, what I learned is that I rather not visit during the winter because it's way to cold over there.
Mind you, if there was snow it would be fun but Holland hasn't really been getting snow the past years in December.
Also during the holidays in Holland it never gets as festive as in America.
I am a big fan of Christmas lights everywhere, this really gets me in the Christmas spirit.
It sounds weird but I feel I missed 2 weeks of Christmas while I was in Holland.
I am one of those people who decorates the tree the day after Thanksgiving.
Also I enjoy all the Hallmark movies about Christmas.
So looking back I would love to be in NY during the holidays, because NY goes all out during the holidays.
Oh and a biggie what really got me out of my comfort zone while in Holland was having no wifi.
I know, I know, you could say its better without wifi for a while to get a break and get in touch with yourself and blah blah blah.
We can discuss this subject till we are blue in the face because it is a very personal thing.
I use my wifi for pretty much everything.
My day starts with meditation, which I use my 10% happier app for on my iPhone. This doesn't work without wifi outside the USA.
Then I journal on my Five Minute Journal (also an app on my iPhone).
After this I blog on my computer on Blogger.com
And I listen to audio books on Ibooks (on my iPhone) and free podcasts.
This is all for my self development and to keep growing and learning in life.
I seriously crave knowledge daily.
Last but not least I listen to Pandora music Natalie Grant or Swedish House Mafia/Tiesto, depending on my mood.
I am not even talking about being able to post some daily inspiration on my Facebook.
So, there you have it, I am a social media/technology junkie.
I guess there are worse addictions to have.
....To Be Continued....
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