My Energies

This post is going to be about how I spent my free time, without husband and child.  Yes, I've developed my baking skills, that much I can say.  I don't regret it, my office mates benefit from the sweets in the office and I perfected my skills.  I practiced baking at least once a month but since I've been back, I haven't baked in two months.  We had a barbecue and I decided to make peanut butter balls.  Thanks to youtube, I was able to ad-lib and it still turned out OK.  Sometimes you can't follow a recipe to the T because we are all built with instincts.  (Hmm..I think that's way too much, I don't want to add that much "this or that.").

Here's the end result of my recipe:

Meanwhile on the other side of the earth, my 7 year old daughter has lost her front tooth.  She is growing up without me!

I look forward to seeing her pictures from her Spring Break vacation.

I am spending my energy also on choreographing some dance moves to music and remember some more video routines so I can teach a full Zumba class without the DVDs.  I'm not a professional instructor but it's fun for me to practice my creativity.

Today we had a beautiful weather in Baghdad and I spent it out in the sun and also assembling palms yesterday for church. I never participated in such and having been here, my energy has also been on church activities. I like being a part of the community and helping people from various background. Besides church, bible studies, I'm keeping busy still with fitness, tennis, treadmill and sorts. Haven't lost much weight but I guess my diet needs more revision.  It will come with more self-discipline and of course, choices.

Well that is it for this week.  I'm off to bed to catch up on sleep which I finally can get after a busy week.

Enjoying the Nice March Weather

It is now going onto the third week of March and we are having beautiful weather.  Not much long before it becomes too hot here in the Middle East so I'm enjoying it.  I can't wait for my trip to Petra and to see my family again on my last Rest and Recupe vacation.  It's going to be hard re-adjusting back in their life after 10 months being away but hopefully it will be a smooth one.

I am happy that Jason is taking time to go to birthday parties which he never did for the 5 years of Alyssa's life.  He's stepping up when there is no mommy there.  Here's a cute picture of them in the choo choo train ride at Stephanie's son, Jeremy's birthday party.

I am keeping busy in hopes that time will pass by soon.  I've joined the Catholic church choir, volunteer to lead Zumba and do the DVDs and do Karaokee nights every other Friday.  If I have free time, I'll do some greeting cards now as the first few months I did lots of scrapbooking.  Now if I can fit in study time great.  I want to be prepare for my next job too.  I work hard to excel but hopefully things will be come easier in my professional as well as personal life.  

Lent Time - a Time of Sacrifice

This is going on the third week of lent and have decided to give up a few of my favorite things.  But at the same time, I am fortunate that I am blessed with abundance as well.  For example, I have friends who have invited me to work out with them.  I have now at least 3-4 people who would like to exercise -- and all this time I always get a trainer because I like having company to work out.

I now have someone to run on the treadmill with; someone to do battle ropes with; friends to join for Zumba DVD classes and ab class, and last but not least, someone who will be working weights in the morning.

I will see how fast I lose the pounds because the diet is the harder portion.  In a place where food is abundant such as the buffet cafeteria.

I will have to pray for the Lord that I will be able to change my ways of eating because until that happens, weight loss will always be temporary for me.  And as I turn 40 in a couple of months, time is not what I will always have!

On the plus side, my spiritual side is developing more having more time to meditate. I spend Saturdays going to service at two churches.  I just hope that I will gain some more strength and wisdom to deal with daily life while praising God.  At the same time, I am showing love to my fellow brothers and sisters.  I think that is what I'm called to do.

As I end this entry, I want to leave an important scripture, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."