My 35th Birthday

Wow! 35 has arrived before I really had a chance to savor 34. As soon as I turned 34, I started to say, "Well I'm going to be 35 soon. " I shot from 33 to 35, well maybe I was 34 for a few months... 6 months tops. I guess 35 is one of those ages, not quite early thirties but not old enough to be 40. It's an in-between age. A milestone.

Nonetheless, today has been a great day so far. Keeping with my birthday traditions, I took the day off from work. I tried a fairly new local spa down the street from me. I treated myself to a massage and a facial. Both were wonderful however, I liked the facial better for the focus on the neck and shoulders were I have the most tension. Since the spa sells OPI products that are rare to find, I scooped up my favorite nail color - "It's All Greek to Me." Finally I stopped at another salon to get a mani and a pedi. What a great day to pamper myself. Tonight, I am off for a nice dinner at the Spice Market Cafe at the W.

This day always makes me nostalgic for the days when my mom and I would celebrate together. Her spirit must have been (actually I know it always is) with me because as I was soaking my feet in the tub, a pregnant woman and her mum (about 35 and 70 respectively) walked into the salon to have their nails done. I swear I almost cried. They were so kind and gentle towards one another. They joked with each other. The daughter wanted her mum to get French tips because they were different and fashionable but the mum thought it would be too "racy" when she went back to her village. I thought about my mom. She always said that I made her feel young again. She loved listening to my music because it kept her current with the latest artists that were out at the time. It really made me long to see and hug my mother again.

I am looking forward to what my mid to late thirties hold for me. Lately I feel that there's some pressure maybe just from myself to choose a more concrete direction in life. To be or not to be childless. I can't say that I feel 100% maternal all the time. Part of me wants to continue working even harder. I enjoy the rewards of being successful. There are also many things that I want to do and learn that I'm afraid will change if I have children. On the other hand, I want to have these tender moments at the nail salon with my own daughter and have a big family.

One thing that I do know is that I want to get more involved in charity work. Particularly with cancer patients and their families because this is really close to my heart. There's a song from Beyonce's recent album called, "I Was Here." People that know me will laugh because I love her but this song is very powerful. The lyrics have really resonated with me and actually make me think how I want to be remembered.

Here are the lyrics:

Copied from MetroLyrics.com

I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, and something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget

I was here I lived, I loved I was here I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here

I want to say I lived each day, until I die
And know that I meant something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see

I was here I lived, I loved I was here I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know

I was here I lived, I loved I was here I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here
I just want them to know

That I gave my all, did my best Brought someone to happiness
Left this world a little better just because
I was here


Only God knows what lies ahead but I have been blessed so far. Life is great! Happy Birthday to me!

Where to Begin? I'm back again!

My three month hiatus is over! I'm back and still loving London.

So I have a lot to catch up on in my blog which I may not get to so I might as well start with the relatively here and now.

On Saturday, 4 inches of snow fell in London. I can't say that I had that warm gushy feeling as it so peacefully came down. I thought of the dreaded mayhem it could cause and the disruption to my every to my life as they don't know how to deal with it this side of the world. I guess over the last two years I've gotten spoiled by the mild weather in London. Now I start to shiver after 40 degrees!

Anyway, it wasn't as bad. Heathrow was well prepared compared to the last time. Buses and trains were running without too many delays. It actually brought a smile to my face to see all the parents and children (adult children too) out in the Common on Sunday afternoon, throwing snowballs and making snowmen. Our grounds guy, shoveled the walkways, get this...with a long wooden plank.

The rest of my Sunday involved having a great Sunday lunch - beef roast with roast potatoes and all the trimmings at a cute tucked away pub near Clapham North with Amber, Stuart and Jason. Afterwards, we came back to mine and have some tea and wine with the heat cranked up. A perfect Sunday!

In my quest to lose a few pounds by my 35th birthday this month, I am trying the Dukan diet. People swear by it and have had dramatic weight lose. It is similar to the Atkins in that you eat protein but only for a short period of time. The diet is broken up into phases. There are no carbs, fruit and veg during the Attack Phase. The Attack Phase lasts 2-10 days depending on a true body weight calendar that charts your phases and the results are amazing. According to my personal plan, I only need to do the Attack Phase for 2 days for 2 lbs. However, I am going to push it a bit and move into the next phase after 5 pounds. The next phase consists of gradually adding veg and protein back into your diet. I'll give it a shot. Day One hasn't been too bad!