My week of a social media diet proved to be exactly what I expected…I didn’t miss it. Yes I was on social media and did post here and there, but only for the times I allowed myself. I went from checking my phone every 10 minutes to only at lunch and a half hour at night. I realized a couple of things: I was able to enjoy other people and our conversations more without looking at my phone every 5 seconds, and also I realized I didn’t miss anything relevant and actually cleared my mind a bit. It was hard at first not to be checking my phone all the time, but I stuck with it. I read more, focused more, and was actually happier without the drama of Facebook and Instagram. I will not fully cut these things out of my life, but I’m definitely cutting back. It’s about enjoying your life and opening your eyes to the things around you and realizing there are so many things out there to enjoy in this world and those things are very hard to discover when you are glued to social media at all hours of the day. Get out, take a walk, CALL (yes I said call) a family member or friend and actually hear their voice instead of reading a Facebook comment, learn something new, get your eyes off the damn phone or computer and live a life. Sometimes we all try to hide behind a keyboard…I’ve been guilty of this as well. The world is losing the ability to socially interact with each other and I think it’s sad. Trust me, I’m just as guilty as anyone, but I know I want to change that. Try not to let the social media world or internet take over your life. Trust me, you will be better because of it. My life. I choose awesome. Always be you.
Abby
fun
Did I just road trip across country again?! Yep…Willie Nelson style
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5 days and 4 states later, I am at my destination of Lancaster, CA. This is my home for the next three months as I fulfill another 13 week assignment. In 5 days I drove through 4 states, saw amazing mountains, deserts, and beaches. There was a lot of IPod shuffle going on and Podcasts for days. Let me tell you, it’s amazing some of the songs I had on my IPod I was totally unaware of. Anyways, my pit stops were no name New Mexico, Tucson, and San Diego. I have been wanting to come to California for a long time now to work, however, in my profession you need a license in each state you work in and let’s just say that Cali was quite the process. But all is good now and I’m here! The opportunity that came up couldn’t have worked out any better. I was able to get a position near one of the cities I wanted to experience (Los Angeles) and am grateful and blessed to be able to stay with family friends right near my job! All things happen for a reason people, I truly am a believer in that concept. So now I yet again am able to experience the California and LA culture, but back to the purpose of this blog, the road trip.
Believe it or not, the 1500 miles it took to get here didn’t seem that long. I had beautiful scenery along the way and even got to spend a few days with a new great friend in San Diego. I have never been even remotely west in my life besides Dallas, TX. The mountains through New Mexico as well as Arizona were breath taking. Also, driving by myself I had a lot of time to reflect and think. I thought about many things on my trip. I came to the conclusion that my life right now is the complete opposite it’s been for the past 28 years. For example, Abby a year ago: Scared, never took chances, boring, non adventurous, wanted to stay in the safe/comfort zone at all times, non social, depressed and letting each day go by without “living.” Abby today: The complete and utter opposite of each and every term I just described me as previously. I’m out to live life and jump at new opportunities, meet amazing people, and have a hell of a good time doing it. Many may ask, “why did you change so much, what happened?” It’s funny because I thought at the time, the thing that happened to me was the worst thing in the world and my life was over, turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened. I won’t go into detail, but as I was lying on my couch for who knows how many days in a row from depression, I simply made a decision that I didn’t want that life anymore. I didn’t want to be depressed. I made a decision to get up, get going, start my life over, and never look back. Not looking back has led me to amazing new experiences, amazing new opportunities, amazing new friends, and an amazing life. Not everyday is perfect, I will be honest. However, I still believe I have an amazing life now, even if it’s not all great ALL the time. The days that aren’t great I forget about and move on to the next. Each day I get to experience is a great day in my book, good or not so good.
Sorry about my ramble, I got a little off topic there. Back to the point of this blog, my road trip. FYI, the Prius was the best investment ever….Just saying that if you are traveling across country every few months, getting 48 mpg is a huge money saver. Anyways, the pics at the top are ones I took along the way. Some of them yes I was driving, which probably isn’t the smartest thing to do, but hell I had to get some pictures somehow! I promise I was extremely careful and I didn’t text and drive:) Good night my awesome people, and stay with me on this journey in Cali. I have a good feeling about it….As always, live awesome.
Abby
What happens in Vegas
Ahhhh Vegas….The city that never sleeps…Very true. I stayed up until 5 am the entire weekend when typical me would have been fighting to keep my eyes open at 10 o’clock. They honestly pump that place full of oxygen allowing you to stay up extra late to spend and lose money. I am by no means a “clubber” or whatever you call it, but somehow couldn’t turn down the VIP table along with free drinks all night that were offered to the girls and I. I danced my ass off for 5 hours straight with a group of 30 something wall street/investment banker men on their annual “live it up” weekend away from their girlfriends/wives. It’s true, you really can get married in like a second if you want. I wisely chose not to. The casinos were amazing, as well as the lights, people, and night life in general. As far as money goes, I think I pretty much broke even, and that was thanks to finding a $100 bill on the ground at the casino. The reason I was visiting Vegas was to attend the 2013 Mr. Olympia Expo so I didn’t check out any shows, but I’m saving that for next time. The weekend was crazy! It was unreal to see so many muscles, six pack abs, and spray tanned individuals. The expo was one of a kind, and I actually had to go buy another suitcase to put all the supplements, samples, shaker bottles, and t-shirts I received.
I did not get to experience any shows, but I will be back. I met lots of new people, and finally got to meet a few Facebook friends I have literally known for like 3 years but never met in person. The girls I met were amazing, and I now have lifelong friends. I didn’t get to go to any shows only being there a few days, but definitely next time. Trust me, there will be a next time. In case you’re wondering, yes I saw plenty of Elvis impersonators as well as other “characters.”
If you have never been to Vegas I would highly recommend at least once in your life trying to get there. I will warn you that you will need to plan a second trip because there is too much there to see and do. You possibly can’t do it all at once. So start planning YOUR Vegas vacation, and possibly a second or third….As always, live awesome!
Abby
You don’t have to agree with my choices, but respect them.
Don’t lie. We have all been critical of others. At some point in our lives we have criticized someone because of the way they dress, speak, look, how they live, what they eat, etc. I will admit, I’ve done it. I used to do it all the time. However, when people started to criticize me and the way I live and do things is when I said to myself, “they don’t even know me or my story”, and it was then that I decided to not be critical of others anymore. It was then I said I would get to know someone before I made an opinion about them, and even if I didn’t agree with their choices, I would respect them. We all have the right to be who we want to be in this world. Frankly, it’s none of my business how someone dresses, eats, and lives. If their choices make them happy, I respect that. Who’s to say that MY opinions are right anyways? They are my thoughts and my preferences. That is what makes life great. We all have the choices to be whoever we want to be. It’s great to be an individual. People are the way they are for a reason. We often judge others based on our own backgrounds and experiences. If you want to know something about someone, ask them. Know someone’s story before you are quick to judge them. You may be judging someone on something they cannot control.
When I did my first figure competition, oh god were people critical. “She’s on steroids, she looks like a man, she must be starving herself, she probably doesn’t eat, blah blah.” Did it bother me at first? Yes. Does it bother me now? No. In fact, it makes me laugh. I know exactly what I did to get to that day on stage, and most of the criticisms people made were false. Regardless of what you do, you must not care what people think of you. I know this sometimes can be hard, but no matter what, there will ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS someone who will judge you in a negative way. You cannot please everyone in this world, and if you spend your time trying to convince that ONE negative person who criticizes you, you’re missing out on all the people who respect you. Trying to make that ONE person happy is a waste of your time. That one person will always put you down no matter what. Don’t make time for people like that in your life. Living happy means being surrounded by people who are willing to know your story and respect you and your choices. I don’t have time for people who are going to tear me down. That’s why I don’t pay attention to them. I do a lot of things in my life that people don’t understand. I have plenty of habits that others don’t. But if you are willing to ask me and get to know me, you may be surprised as to why I do the things I do. Instead of talking behind someone’s back, ask them their story. If you still don’t agree, that’s ok, still give them respect. Live as an individual and be different. If things you love are not the “norm” it’s ok. Happiness is what everyone strives for in this life, so don’t judge someone’s happiness. That is for them to decide. As always, live awesome.
Abby
1.15 Billion Dollars of pure Awesome…..Jerrasicpark aka AT&T Stadium
Last night I decided to do one of the top things I’ve had on my bucket list for years. Being a die hard Dallas Cowboys fan (don’t judge me) I’ve always wanted to go to a home football game. When I took a contract in Dallas I knew that if I did NOTHING else while I was here, I had to go to a game, and that I did. Now, I don’t care if you are or are not a Dallas Cowboys fan, if you ever have the chance to visit the stadium, take it. In one word. Unbelievable. From the 2,100 inch HD screen, to the site specific artwork, and the various live music throughout the venue, there is much more to see than just the action on the field. Mr. Jerry Jones outdid himself I must say. The venue is like a damn amusement park. An all out party! I”ve never been to any sporting event where each level has a live band playing the ENTIRE game. Not to mention the fans who paid to not even have a seat at the game but a “standing room only” party pass. Truly one for the record books. Here are some of the pics I took before my phone died last night.
I’ve decided that whenever I complete an item on my bucket list, I’m going to share it, review it, and blog about it. I will try to have an exciting life and exciting things to write about, I promise. 😉 Maybe I should do things other people have on their bucket list, you know, in case they never get the chance I can do it for you…sort of kidding but not really. Now there’s an idea! Hmm..may have to ponder on that idea for awhile.
As always, live awesome.
Abby
Wasted Time…
So, this week I’ve been experimenting. Often times we find ourselves saying, “I’m so busy, I can’t find the time to: Workout, start a project, clean, cook healthy, call a family member, do this, do that, and the list goes on.” I, myself, find that I tend to say I don’t have the time to do certain things. I wanted to see how true this really was. Each day I marked down how many hours of wasted time I spend during the day. What do I consider wasted time? Well even though I like doing some of these things, I actually do consider them to be a waste of time knowing I could be doing something more productive. My list included:
- Facebook/Instagram/Social Media-Yes I know I know, but trust me, the world will not end if I can’t get on Facebook for one hour to see who’s life is miserable, who hates their job, what someone ate today, what someone looks like at the gym, or the latest post of someone I have no clue managed to get on my friends list because I have no idea who they are.
- Television-Yep I’m guilty. I watch the drama filled lives of others on Reality TV and live vicariously through Housewives, the Big Brother House, and others.
- Napping-I don’t take a nap every day, but sometimes if I get the chance and I’m in a position to do so, I will nap. However, I tend to take longer naps than I probably should.
- Surfing the Web-This does not count social media. There are some things I need to look up to find out information for, but I also tend to wander the web and find myself at very interesting places to say the least that really have nothing to do with me or what I was attempting to get on the internet for anyways.
- Sleeping-This does not included napping, this includes that extra hour or two in the morning I hit the snooze alarm 50 times when I could have just gotten my butt up out of bed and had a 2 hour start to my day. OR the hour or two I spent tossing and turning and unable to fall asleep when I could have been doing paperwork or getting something productive done.
These 5 things I thought where my biggest time wasters this week. After a week of this I figured that on average I wasted roughly 4 hours per day. When I actually looked at this on paper and realized each week I could be wasting 28-30 HOURS! Are you kidding me!?!? That’s a lot of time I could be doing things that I love, exploring new passions, getting little projects done, knocking things off my bucket list, learning a new skill, calling family, reaching my goals faster, and the list goes on. It’s incredible when you really look at all the time we “waste” during the day, but then later mention that we just don’t have the time to do certain things. Now with this being said, I’m not saying I will stop getting on Facebook nor give up my dose of Housewife drama, but I will decrease the time tremendously that I’m doing these things and set aside specified times for those certain things as well.
Be more aware of where your time is going to. Try my experiment for a week. Write down what you feel are “time wasters” and how much time per day you spend doing these things. Take a look at the list after a week a then I bet you can’t say to yourself, “I just don’t have time to work out, I don’t have time to go back to school, I don’t have time to visit or call my family, etc.” I learned through this experiment that in fact I DO have the time to do a lot of things I say I can’t, but it’s about MAKING the time. My question to you is, do you REALLY need to get on Facebook right now for 30 minutes when you could be working out? Do you REALLY need to watch the latest episode of reality television on FOX instead of doing your school work? I promise that when you start to FIND the time to do the things you’ve been putting off, you will feel more accomplished, you will feel a sense of freedom, and your goals will get reached MUCH faster, and life will just be much more awesome!
Abby~
Living Awesome Project 