Keeping your Eye on the Prize

It's not about the crown...

"After all of this that it’s not about a crown, it’s not about a winner, it’s not about the judges, the clothes, the fleeting fame, the trip to Las Vegas, it’s about love."

              -Mallory Ervin, Miss Kentucky 2009, 4th Runner up at Miss America 2010


It's more about the journey and the passion that carries you through.


The Miss America Pageant took place in January in Las Vegas.  And, in the past I have shared the live experience with my mom.  We travelled to Atlantic City (okay so it's my mom's second home-not much of a travel, but I'm talking about the experience), and when the pageant moved to Vegas, we followed (not too shabby for my mom). 
I was once a part of the organization: As a competitor in Miss Staten Island, Miss Binghamton, and Miss Syracuse; and as a board member of Miss Staten Island and Miss Richmond County.  Now I am a spectator: Who cries sits in awe during the bathing suit and the question portions; and forget about what happens to me when I watch them name the top 3.  Chills, dreams floating by, and cries of achievement, proudness, and the love of competition come over me. Feels like it was just yesterday, right Christine and Kimberly?
Recently I had the pleasure of sharing photos of my pageant days.  The joy overcame me again.  Even though I never achieved the crown, I was runner up. Runner up! In no way will I ever say that it was never enough. And in life if I am never the top, el jefe, the best, The one.

So as to continue on my last post, achievements are great but not achieving yet collecting thoughts from them is as good.  Well, at least that's what I am telling myself.  And it's not just the collection of the thoughts though.  It's the reflection. 

Thought: I might never be "The one." Reflection: I never thought I would be.
Thought: I'll never be on top.  Reflection: Sure I will-in bed.  But really, from the top where can you go, down? Not on my to do list.
Thought: I'll never be the best.  Reflection: I don't need to be the best.  I need be at MY best.

Please think of me during the next 3 months-I aim to achieve. But I know the journeys will be amazing and the experience like no other.

Journey through the adventure of life

It feels like it's been forever since I have last written.  And I have truly needed to write just haven't found the time.  I know...make the time! So here I am making the time.  So many thoughts to gather and hone.  So many feelings to sort.  So many achievements to celebrate.

Achievements First:
*In January, I signed up for Super Charged and Slim in 7 days. A healthy (mind and body) program coached by MomsCoachForLife.  This program introduced me to recipes made with some foods I have never heard of and some I would never touch.  Or so I thought.  Mushrooms, dandelion greens, chard and kale. Enough said.  I loved all the recipes minus the beets.  And some I still incorporate into my daily life.  The program also gave me an outline of what healthy mindful things can be done to make us less stressed during my day.  Cleansing my impurities with an Epsom salt bath in the AM and sometimes PM.  15 minutes of heaven.  And in my new jacuzzi; it's wonderful.  Also, a morning thought or motivation tried to keep me on track.  Not so much.  Ohh and the coffee withdrawal...OMG.  But I haven't drank coffee with milk since then.  And I have it maybe every other day.  All in all, the program was worthwhile and I recommend that you take a peak at her other programs.  Super Charged- sure!  Super Slim-not so much.  But that's okay.
*In February, I applied for a Fellowship.  I didn't get it but I needed to find some kind of achievement in the situation.  I dug deep on this one.  After much thought, it was an accomplishment that I was able to decrease my resume from 3 pages to 1 page.  Sound bitter?  Well it was a feat!  And next year, I will work smarter in order to get the fellowship!
*I went through the month of February without celebrating my birthday every day! But the celebrations that I had were amazing.  Very thoughtful and always good food and drinks abound!
*In March-I started amping up my workouts.  And I'm loving my back and shoulders, and arms as a result.  Waking up at 5am, after sleeping in a bed with the ever cuddling Dan, is one hard task.  But I do it and I am super glad that I do it! Thanks to my workout partners and trainers it makes it all fun!  And I get Dan to come with me to my night workouts and he loves it too! 
*So it's still March...even though it seems like May.  I love this weather. I will be picking up my running and working on my core.  Can you believe my trainer today, said wow, looks at those guns?  And he doubted my ability and endurance.  I'm super proud of the curves!!! 

I think I will save my thoughts and feelings for later.  But I leave you with this:

"Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings - always darker, emptier and simpler."Friedrich Nietzsche

Tell me your thoughts!! 

Megan's Chicken Sausage & Uncle Ben's White Rice

Megan's Chicken Sausage & Uncle Ben's White Rice: I just voted for 'Megan's Chicken Sausage & Uncle Ben's White Rice' in the Ben's Beginners Cooking Contest. Vote from 9:00am PST 2/27 - 11:59pm PST 3/11 to help them win $20,000 and more. Let's get kids cooking!