1/2 Strawberry Cupcake Later...

7.29.2011, 
a Leo {if you believe in that sort of thing}
 & 1/2 a strawberry cupcake later...

{yes, I have self-control like that, believe it or not... all about moderation}

Girl celebrates another year lived...
{and a new picture...}

at 36 & looking back & looking AHEAD...

{i typically don't break it out too personal on my blog & just leave the bits & pieces of my life to be explored through my craftiness...)

• it's ok to be an auditor & an artist & not feel weird when people say the right brain/left brain thing, "auditors' aren't supposed to be artists'" (or vice versa)..yes, i break the norm.
• "you're too nice to be an auditor, you have personality"...gee thanks, which way should i take that..a compliment/offense, i'll choose compliment {as i give a side glance & confess i do not own a pocket protector, never wanted one, or sleep with a calculator crunching numbers in my dreams & a bazillion pencils freshly sharpened & a full pad of ledger paper} :)
• realizing i'm now over the "hump" of the 30s and feeling a bit saddened that gosh, i'm almost at 4-0...eeeek...
• crossing fingers {and toes wouldn't hurt too} everyday that i continue to age well like my 72 year old momma who still looks quite sassy, spunky, & cute (and the attitude to go with it...two words, Mary Kay {no, i'm not a consultant but it's good stuff i tell ya'}
• keeping the positive in all things...some try to break you down, i'll take that envy as adoration
• continue living & breathing "something" creative EVERYDAY
• will that Pinterest addiction ever go away?
• learning to trust again...after a few battles of heartbreak, mending, re-mending, just constantly working on that trust factor, in all relationships...
• always keep on giving more of myself to others than what i expect in return, it keeps the smile on my face and the skin glowing
• breaking the barrier & wishing more minorities of color were represented in this talented industry, there i said it, yes, there's beauty in ALL colors 
• starving to push the pencil in drawing again, loveeee drawing people but it's been so long {like since university when i explored it more in an art studio course}, but that talent just broods in my family genetics
• those who can create everyday for a living, feel BLESSED, SO BLESSED
• prayer always gets me to the next day
• family - my mom & sis - sustains & is never changing
• still missing my dad everyday as if sometimes he just passed away yesterday, he was truly a man & an amazingly quiet soul
• strawberry cupcakes ARE really yummy {ok, The Fresh Market cupcakes are to DIE.FOR, but i can make a mean homemade batch too, yes, i LOVE to cook & not just cupcakes :)
• Cooking more at home...kinda' hard when I'm traveling but being home & cooking is nice 
• maybe i'll go see more movies this year around (since people ask me "have you seen this movie or that movie...and i say, "hmmm...nope, what do you think?") i'm notorious for watching movies i've ALREADY seen a million times because i KNOW i like the plot, ending, etc and i haven't wasted my $, frugal but true {yes, i'm an auditor, maybe now it's starting to show...}
• happy to sign up at a cool gym in my neighborhood this week that is open 24/7 and i can still work it out
• keeping the travel fever - i {heart} travel
• realizing how lucky to be 36 and that i've visited countries i only DREAMED to visit, sometimes i still have to pinch myself {one of the wonderful perks in my past audit job}
• wishing i knew how to swim {yes, i confess}
• do i REALLY need to buy more shoes?
• last but certainly not least, taking life's bumps in the road & making them golden, there is no wrong, just keep on improving & refining
• realizing on my b'day that yes, i was on a plane flying home from a work trip and just bummed tired by the evening, so 1/2 strawberry cupcake & some fun creating it up solo in my art room in the evening, yes, oh "party girl" that i am :)

i'm ready to rock & roll it at 36 :)