Thursday, August 7, 2014

Wednesday Words:

I hope you will all forgive me seeing as it is now my Friday morning and your Thursday night, and I am now just getting to post my Wednesday writing prompt. I am a few days away from ending this deployment and things have been busy trying to get everything set in order to leave the country.

I'm pretty excited about this one because I found a pin that took me over to Apple Blue who had a huge list of post ideas and I was immediately drawn to one prompt because I have actually been thinking about these for a while now. Since I'm leaving Afghanistan and getting ready to transition out of the Marine Corps I figure it's time to not just dream about the life I will be living here soon, but legitimately set goals to build the life of my dreams. Plus, if I set my goals on here there will probably be some accountability. So without further explanation, I present 5 Goals (to actively work toward this year).

1- Compete in a fitness competition: bikini category
 When the Monster was 6 months old I got a gym membership and a deal to work with a personal trainer. My trainer was so knowledgeable and encouraging she really opened my eyes to the fitness world and made me want to compete. Unfortunately when the Monster was just over a year old I ended up really sick and really out of shape and no longer had a trainer. I kept thinking about doing a competition, but I had no idea where to start and no idea where I would get the confidence to get on stage in just a bikini >.<



After I saw three friends on Facebook get up on stage I said to myself "I wish I could do that." Wellp, the wishin' stops and the workin' starts here! It has been 50/50 with the eating, having the chow hall cook everything is great but the selection of healthy eating is not. Working out is going well, but I get bored easily so if you have any ideas or have competed in a fitness competition leave a comment or email me I'm still a little clueless, but learning more every day... wish me luck!


2. Learn Spanish - like for real this time.
I am 100% Mexican third/second generation and I don't speak Spanish. I can pick out words here and there and I took a Spanish class in high school but nothing ever stuck. So when I get back I'm going to actually take a class and use it every day. I want the Monster to know Spanish, as well as really understand what culture he comes from, so if I learn Spanish I know he will have fun speaking another language and learning about our history.


3. Become Self-employed.
Transitioning out of a job I've had for 7 years is scary, but I'm also really excited about it because I would like to continue with Photography and a little writing (hence the blog) so why not be my own boss? Has anyone else decided self-employment was the way to go? If you have, especially in the photography realm I'd greatly appreciate any input! Even if you haven't but are thinking about it let me know, we can help each other during down times and share resources we've found with each other, besides who doesn't want a buddy or two to help along the way?


4. Improve the blog.
I know this sort of coincides with the previous goal, however I want to set this apart because I would like to own my own site. Blogger, you've been great but I really want to take this blog further. The first thing would be to stick to a schedule... oops. Once my photography work starts to resemble that of a portfolio, I would like to add a page dedicated to it. I'd like to improve my writing skills and increase the reach of the audience. I'm constantly on other blogs trying to see what ideas they have, and of course the SITS Girls site is a great place to look for blogging resources. 


5. Be a better Mom.
I saved this one for last because it is the most important goal I feel I have, the one that is closest to my heart and also the one that will be ongoing. I know through preschool I can probably homeschool the Monster so I want to make sure I'm there for every minute of it. Being away from him for this long has been the toughest thing I've had to do so far. He's grown so much since I've been gone and I can't wait to get back to him.  I have actually submitted paperwork to leave the Marine Corps early. It was a hard decision to think about, but I know that the Corps did absolutely amazing without me for 230 years before I came in and it will do just fine for the many years of its existence after I'm gone, but my son will only be little for a while, he'll only grow up once. After dealing with a couple Marines who need their hand held to do things I know for a fact I would rather be raising my own son than someone else's kid (who is actually a grown man). I do love the Marine Corps and mostly all the Marines I've crossed and walked paths with, but I Love my son more, and he deserves to have me there for the rest of his life. Plus, I'm always on Pinterest and I see all these awesome things to do that I know the Monster would lose his mind over having so much fun doing and learning different things.







I know I have other things I want to improve and goals I want to set, but those are the top five things I want to work on this year. If you have any advice, or want to join me in smashing one of these goals, let's connect and be each other's accountability partners.  Change is always an opportunity for improvement it doesn't always have to be scary.












Monday, August 4, 2014

Role Model Monday: Maisha of Ahsiam Works

Before the weekend kicked off, I re-posted some old writings having to do with being a role model for others. I would like to present to you 


In this series I want to give you examples of people I look up to for many different reasons, but  if you have any suggestions, please leave your role model's name in the comments and tell me why you look up to them.

I would like to start this series off with my sister, Maisha.

We are 13 years apart and only since I joined the Marine Corps have we actually begun a relationship or really being sisters. Though we have the same family, we grew up very, very differently. The way she carries herself with confidence and has a presence that doesn't rudely demand, but more commands respect is one of the reasons I look up to her. She has started her own business, creative as all hell and definitely one of the smartest people I know.

She has kindly agreed to answering a few questions. If there is something more you'd like to know leave it in the comments or check out her latest venture on Facebook.


What is your Home town?
Monrovia CA

Something you find unique about yourself:
I'm left handed BUT, I hold my pen & paper like right handed people. Meaning: My paper, pen and hand aren't tweaked at weird angles when I write. Lol I think I'm the only left handed person I've ever seen write the way I do. 

What do you do?
I'm a small business owner of Ahsiam Works LLC. 
I'm a freelance multimedia artist

  • Graphic design
  • T-shirt design
  • Tattoo design 
  • Acrylic painting
  • 3-D multimedia pieces
  • anything art I will create it

Who or what inspires you?
Everyday life
personal experiences
music
fashion
other artist's work
My imagination
My fiancé motivated me out of a very long 10 year funk.

What gives you the drive to do what you do?
Plain & simply put: Not wanting to be BROKE! Hahaha #TRUTH 

Do you have a set of core values? What are they? 
CORE VALUES:
honesty, loyalty, integrity, dedication

Do you have a life motto or mantra you live by?
4 main mantras: 
1. Speak the truth even if your voice shakes 
2. Tough times don't last but tough people do, screw your past, don't let it screw you.
3. I'm at this stage in my life where if it doesn't 
            a. Make me happy
            b. Make me better
            c. Make me money...      I don't have time for it! 

4. I refuse to be anything but successful! 

How have/do you overcome obstacles that pop-up?
First I go absolutely insane inside my head! Then I take a few breaths try to relax. Then I make a plan of action or two or three. Then I execute the plans until one of them works out. 

What has been a life-changing moment for you?
A life changing moment would've been moving two thousand miles away from home at 24.

Who is one (or more) of your role models and why?
Honestly anyone I've known or know who is a "go getter" are my role models. I always admired people who were successful in life through their own hard work! 

If you could spread a message to the world, what would it be?
"Get over yourself, be cool, be kind, don't be an asshole!" .... But then again what's the point!? We are doomed... This ship is almost SUNK! 

From left to write: Maisha, SheBear
(aka our mom)
and Beans before cornfed - circa 2009












***


Every person in this series has shown me in one form or another that we each need to take it upon ourselves to be the person we want to be. No one else will become you for you.

Do you have a role model you'd like to share? Leave the person and the reason in the comments.





Friday, August 1, 2014

Whether you think you can or you can't

This is an old post, but this is something I have truly tried working on ever since I wrote it.

***

I came to the realization that I’m lazy.

I was watching some random YouTube video of this acoustic group, wishing I could play guitar, and then it dawned on me; I can. I have just chose not to.

I have had numerous people encourage me and push me to do great things and I feel I haven’t lived up to my potential.  I’ve done a lot of shoulda coulda woulda and it ends now.
I started to think about all my hopes for The Monster and the kind of man I want him to be and how I hope he chases his dreams with the tenacity, fervor and fearlessness of a honey badger (yeah I said it- look those guys up, fearless!) And if I want my son to be that kind of man then it is up to me to be that kind of role model for him. I will not just tell my son he can do anything and everything he wants and set his mind to, I will show my son he was born for greatness.  I will show my son the satisfaction of hard work and accomplishment.  I will show my son how amazing he is.  Because it’s not just up to Dad’s to make their little boys into men.

***

The reason I chose to put this post backup is because it is something I felt I have worked on and think I've done fairly well. I've begun setting new goals for myself and working toward them with everything I've got. It also helps that the Sgt. is right here to back me up and keep me accountable to my new goals, hopes and dreams.

I also chose this because come Monday I'm going to start a new weekly post that I hope catches on. As most people would say Mondays suck, but I've realized while being deployed and working seven days a week - it is just another day and any day can be great if you let it. I want to bring positivity and encouragement to Mondays so if you're here I hope you'll come back after the weekend to see what I've got going for us.