Summer of Swim....

Last year, I set a goal of wearing a 2-piece swimsuit on my family vacation to Hawaii.  I worked hard in the gym to look as fly as I could, but without stressing myself out. I had a ball in Hawaii, I mean who couldn't? I felt super confident in my own skin rocking a few 2-pieces.  Check out my summer suits of 2015.

Ava & Viv top, Lane Bryant bottom

Forever21 Plus Tribal Print suit

Swimsuits for all, GabiFresh Collection

Swimsuits for all cover-up, Lane Bryant top and bottom

Weathering the storm, while you're in the storm

The holiday season is upon us.  The trees are up, lights are illuminated, Santa and wreaths are all around. For many, the holiday season is truly, 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year'  but for some, it's an awful time of the year.  The reasons vary and coping methods are different. 

I can't recall when the holiday season became a not so happy time for me, but in the last few years, I've been able to acknowledge to myself, out loud, that I'm not truly a fan of the season.  This season, I'm finding it to be even more difficult because for the first time in my life, I have been unemployed for longer than 30 days.

I'm thankful to God that I'm not hungry, homeless, or naked.  I'm thankful to God that I have all that I need and some of my wants met on a regular basis.  I'm thankful to God that I have family and friends to be as supportive as I allow them to be to me.  But sometimes, more is needed.  And for me, a job is definitely what I need!   

Alameda County provides a myriad of services for the unemployed.  One of the services provided is stress counseling.  I'm not new to therapy and welcomed the opportunity to utilize this service.  I've been seeing my counselor for three weeks now and it's been a great experience.  I enjoy sharing my thoughts and fears to someone without judgement. She's providing me with some great coping tools to help me through this transitional period in my life. 

During today's session, I stated that despite my current situation of unemployment, I still look for a rainbow each day in order to remind myself how blessed I truly am.  Terra, my therapist, loved the idea and has given me the challenge to make note of my rainbows for the week so we can discuss them in our next session.  I have accepted her challenge.  Completing this blog entry is actually a rainbow.  I started it last week, but couldn't get my thoughts together to finish.  In thinking of my challenge, I recalled photos taken while in Hawaii to celebrate my 40th birthday.  My family and friends had been on the windward side of the island hanging at a beach where the locals go.  On our way home, it started to rain a bit.  After the rain along with the sun a rainbow usually follows.  I'm so glad I was able to capture this picture.
 
Capturing rainbows is how I will weather my storm, while I'm in the storm.  

                                                             Rainbows over Hawaii

Celebrating me: Aloha style photos

I had a  great time on my solo adventure.  Check out some of my photo moments.

1st stop, Shore Bird!

Mai Tai Special

Day time ride, Mai Tai Catamaran

`Driving`

Giving a `shaka`

Celebrating me: Aloha style!

1st day Iin Hawaii with the iconic Diamond Head

A few months ago, I decided it was time for me to plan a get away.  I needed something to look forward to because until that point in time, I felt the only things I had to look forward to were doctors appointments and physical therapy.  Let me tell you, that is not exciting, at all!

I was feeling guilty about requesting time off from work because schedule accommodations were already being made on my behalf.  I knew in order to move forward with a get away plan, I needed to make my request.  Once I got management approval for PTO, the planning began!!

I knew my trip would be a solo one, so I selected a location I felt comfortable.  Hawaii won and in two days, I was scheduled to go to Hawaii.  As it would turn out, my trip would be the six month anniversary of my broken ankle.  Subconsciously, this trip has become another celebration of getting back to `normal`.

I have been having a blast, thus far.  I have made some discoveries that I haven't thought of until now, but I am working through them.  For example, I can't walk in sandals for extended periods of time.  I had to buy comfy sandals and they have become my new bffs!  Walking on sand is tricky because the slightest tweaks causes some discomfort.  But walking on the sand where the water can hit my feet feels even better.  I have to be okay to sit and take a rest, again because I am not in shoes that provide the most support (sneakers).

At the end of the day, I am smiling, a lot because of what I have been able to overcome. And because I am thinking of those who have helped me along the way.

I am eternally grateful.