Haven't met you yet

I got inspired by Michael Buble's song and decided to write up a list with 10 things I promise my future boyfriend/ husband/ partner. I don't know why if I'm feeling particularly lovey-dovey tonight, but I just am. I guess that one of the hardest things about being single is feeling that no one wants to give you a chance, even if you feel that you've got so much love to give. But hey, looking on the bright side, I guess it means that whoever does end up choosing me will be in a for treat, eh? I really don't know why we're all obsessed with love, but if you think about it logically, it really is such a pure emotion. Anyways, without further ado, here it is:

1. I promise that I’ll do my best to make this relationship work. I know that we’ll have some difficulties along the way (everyone does), but I promise that I’ll never give up on us. Even when you try to push me away, I’ll put my pride aside and fight for you. 

2. I promise that I’ll always be honest with you. Even if that means telling you that I think your sense of fashion is a bit questionable at times. And I promise that I’ll always be faithful and that I’ll come to you when I have a problem. We need constant communication and I’ll do my best at keeping you informed of what’s going on with me, even if at times all I want is to withdraw and isolate myself from the rest of the world.  

3. I promise that I’ll try my best to look good. I’m not perfect, and I’ll never be a Victoria’s Secret model, but apparently you like me, so I’ll do my best to keep it up. But most importantly, I promise that I’ll always try to be healthy and that I’ll make it easy for us to lead a healthy lifestyle. We want longevity after all, don’t we? 

4. I promise I’ll always encourage you to pursue your dreams and I’ll never let you give up on them. Even when you don’t believe in yourself, I’ll be your biggest fan, because at the end of the day, even if you can’t understand it, your happiness is my happiness. 

5. I promise that I’ll be adventurous. If I’ve chosen you, then it probably means that you have as much as an insatiable appetite for life as I do. So, let’s travel the world, let’s try exotic cuisines – let’s do everything together. Also, I promise that I’ll try my best to keep it interesting, even if at times I’m sure you’ll think I’m crazy. Hey, we only live once, right? Let’s make the best of it.

6. I promise that I'll want to grow old with you, and that even when we're old and wrinkly, I’ll still want to kiss you and think you're the sexiest man alive. I’ll always be your best friend and as such, I promise that we’ll never run out of things to talk about. 

7. I promise that you’ll be the first person that I want to see when I wake up in the morning, and the last person that I kiss before I go to bed at night. I promise that your voice will be my favorite sound (yes, I’ll even forgive you if you can’t sing like Michael Buble… hehe.) 

8. I promise that I’ll try my best to like your family. Even if I’m not their biggest fan, I’ll always be nice and on my best behavior with them. They are your family after all and they’ve been around for far longer than I have. I will never be the kind of person to take you away from some of the most important people in your life. 

9. I promise that when you’re feeling down, I’ll do my best to cheer you up. Even if you want me to tell you a joke, which I’m not very good at by the way, I’ll at least try. And when you’re feeling sick, I promise that I’ll be by your side, nurturing you back to health.  

10. Most importantly, I promise that I’ll give you all of my love. I’ll give you everything I have and more. I’ll always make you feel like you’re the only guy in the world for me. At the end of the day, you must know that a life without you is simply unimaginable. 

   

Some rules I try to live by...

I forgot where I found this, but I really liked it so I decided to share. I need to start applying some of these more seriously, though...


1. Don't panic. Don't take anything, not even these words (and especially not yourself), too seriously.
2. Never stop thinking.. If someone ever says to you ‘you need to stop thinking so much' just ignore them and keep thinking deeper... Your mind is the most important tool you have, if you stop using it, it will atrophy. FACT.
3. Daydream as much as possible, even if it's only for a few seconds at a time. Stare into space blankly and don’t ever punish yourself for doing it. There's no such thing as wasting time.
4. Don’t be afraid to talk about anything. Ask questions, and demand answers.
5. Everyone is original. Every life experience is case sensitive and unique. Every thing you do makes you more YOU than anyone else has ever been.
6. Stop rushing. Take your time and enjoy every moment.
7. Don't let anyone tell you what to believe. Discover 'religion' for yourself... It should never be taught, only found.
8. Talking to yourself is healthy. Who else do you have more in common with?
9. We will always be in a transitional phase. Look around you and know that everything will be replaced at some point.. This existence is only temporary.
10. If someone else has already said it better, don't be afraid to quote them.
11. There is no such thing as time. There is only your life- earlier today you were born and death is predicted later in the evening.
12. Every now and then take something that you see everyday and try to see it in a different light. Renew its existence.
13. Be happy... but don’t force it. That defeats the purpose. Discover what is making you unhappy, and change it.
14. You will always succeed in trying.
15. We are all crazy. every person you read about in the history books, already know, or will maybe meet on the street, has or had some kind of ‘disorder’...you just have to learn how to use yours.
16. we are all about as similar as we are different.
17. Ideas are just as valuable as people. Why do you think we keep making people? We hope new people will have new ideas to share- so don't let everyone down by keeping yours to yourself.
18. Words will always be just words. Only the feelings are real
19. Ask a child for advice, and never speak down to them. They may not know much, but they know what is important.
20. Prove you’re alive. Remind the world you are still here.

Update and sample workout

I realized I haven't updated you all on my weight loss journey in a while. So here's the latest picture I've taken. I haven't lost a significant amount of weight these last few weeks, but I've certainly shed some inches and feel that my body has just gotten more compact.

I try to do about 2 hours of cardio a day (running, the elliptical, Zumba, etc.) However, on alternating days I also like to do some form of high intensity circuit training using my own body weight or free weights (dumbbells.)

In any case, I decided that I would share one of my circuit workouts because I feel that it has been giving me the desired results. Each circuit takes about 15-20 minutes to complete, and I usually do 2-3 circuits. Now, the first part involves timed intervals - I use an application on the iphone, but you can use your time watch, phone, or even google "workout interval timer." In the first part of the circuit, you'll do one move for 60 seconds and immediately move on the next move. There are 10 moves in this first, timed section, and they are:

1) 1 minute jumping jacks

2) 1 minute squats


3) 1 minute punches (with or without weights)

4) 1 minute front kicks

5) 1 minute back kicks

6) 1 minute punches



7) 1 minute lunges

8) 1 minute jump rope - if you don't have a jump rope, just pretend that you do - meaning that you'll jump while you move both arms simulating the movement.


9) 1 minute of: You place one leg out in front and move your arms back and forth as if you were running, but you do it with weights (3-5 pounds)

10) 1 minute of the previous exercise, except you switch which leg is in front

Once you're finished with the first 10 minutes, you can set the timer aside an get some water. Now, you'll do the following toning moves:

10 seconds plank, immediately followed by 12 mountain climbers (repeat these 2 moves 3 times)
Plank:

Mountain Climbers:


15 pushups - You can do regular pushups, or the ones on your knees (whatever works)

10 Russian twist (left-up-right, as seen below.) - For this, I use an 8-pound dumbbell.


20 fast-paced torso rotations (left-right) - Similar to the Russian twist, except you just move from one side to the other as quickly as you can.

20 leg lifts on each leg (40 total)



20 hip lifts

Once you've finished all the moves, take a 2 minute break and REPEAT!  Anyways, I know this workout is geared more towards the ladies (sorry fellas!), but if any of you decide to give it a try, let me know how sore (or not) you are the following day! Oh, and as far as workout music goes - Pitbull is great!

Music Monday

This one goes out to all the hopeless romantics out there. lol. What can I say? I just finished watching the movie "The Vow" and predictably so, I'm in an extremely romantic mood. Anyways, I think that this song captures perfectly what being in love is all about. The truth is, I do miss being in love. But I have decided that I will no longer give my love out for free. All of my experiences have taught me that when a man really loves a woman, he will try almost anything to capture her heart. So, I guess I'll just wait until that man arrives for me. I really hope that I don't have to wait that much longer, though. Either way, I guess that as long as I have songs like these, a part of me will always believe in the magic of love. Anyways, I know that a few of you who read this blog are fellow romantics, and since this is Music Mondays, I decided to share. Enjoy!

Pablo Alboran - Solamente tú 

Regálame tu risa,

enseñame a sonar

con solo una caricia

me pierdo en este mar.

Regálame tu estrella,

la que ilumina esta noche,

llena de paz y de armonía,

y te entregaré mi vida

Haces que mi cielo

vuelva a tener ese azul,

pintas de colores

mis mañanas solo tú

navego entre las olas de tu voz

y tú, y tú, y tú, y solamente tú

haces que mi alma se despierte con tu luz

tú, y tú, y tú..

Enseña tus heridas y así la curará

que sepa el mundo entero

que tu voz guarda un secreto

no menciones tu nombre que en el firmamento

se mueren de celos

tus ojos son destellos

tu garganta es un misterio

Haces que mi cielo

vuelva a tener ese azul,

pintas de colores

mis mañanas solo tú

navego entre las olas de tu voz

y tú, y tú, y tú, y solamente tú

haces que mi alma se despierte con tu luz

tú, y tú, y tú..

y tú, y tú, y tú, y solamente tú

haces que mi alma se despierte con tu luz

tú, y tú, y tú...

No menciones tu nombre que en el firmamento

se mueren de celos

tus ojos son destellos

tu garganta es un misterio

Haces que mi cielo

vuelva a tener ese azul,

pintas de colores

mis mañanas solo tú

navego entre las olas de tu voz

y tú, y tú, y tú, y solamente tú

haces que mi alma se despierte con tu luz

y tú, y tú, y tú..

y tú, y tú, y tú, y solamente tú

haces que mi alma se despierte con tu luz

y tú, y tú, y tú..

A new adventure!

“The wise man belongs to all countries, for the home of a great soul is the whole world.”

- Democritus

A few weeks ago I had said that I had something fabulous and grand to announce to the world. Well, ladies and gentlemen, the moment has finally arrived and it is with great pleasure that I let you all know that in approximately one month I will be leaving Honduras for: Italy! I will be there for about 3 months as I continue on the quest to perfect my Italian. I can also tell you that I will be enrolling at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci in Milan and will be receiving about 20 hours of Italian classes every week. I had been planning this for a while, but I didn't want to make an official announcement until I'd actually bought the tickets (which I purchased a few days ago.) As you all can imagine, I am excited beyond words and truth be told, I probably won't believe that I'm going to Italy until I'm actually there! In any case, I'll make sure to keep you all updated every once in a while. Finally, something exciting to blog about, eh? 

The Mastermind

I posted about this on Facebook a few minutes ago, but decided that I would get into it further here. One of the bloggers that I follow talked about this personality questionnaire, the Jung Typology Test. And of course, I decided to take it (I recommend you all do as well!) In any case, the results are in... I got the INTJ (Introversion, Intuition, Thinking, and Judgment) type, also known as the "Masterminds." Haha. Interestingly enough, it's one of the rarest personality types; only 1-4% of the population get this result... That explains a lot - I always knew I was "different." Anyways, let me tell you more about my personality type, for while I was reading it, I felt that it described me almost perfectly. (Most of this will be from Wikipedia, by the way.)


I – Introversion preferred to extraversion: INTJs tend to be quiet and reserved. They generally prefer interacting with a few close friends rather than a wide circle of acquaintances, and they expend energy in social situations (whereas extraverts gain energy).
N – Intuition preferred to sensing: INTJs tend to be more abstract than concrete. They focus their attention on the big picture rather than the details and on future possibilities rather than immediate realities.
T – Thinking preferred to feeling: INTJs tend to value objective criteria above personal preference. When making decisions they generally give more weight to logic than to social considerations.
J – Judgment preferred to perception: INTJs tend to plan their activities and make decisions early. They derive a sense of control through predictability, which to perceptive types may seem limiting.

Masterminds are introspective, pragmatic, directive, and attentive. As strategists, they are better than any other type at brainstorming approaches to situations. Masterminds are capable but not eager leaders, stepping forward only when it becomes obvious to them that they are the best for the job. Strong-willed and very self-assured, they may make this decision quickly, as they tend to make all decisions. But though they are decisive, they are open to new evidence and new ideas, flexible in their planning to accommodate changing situations. They tend to excel at judging the usefulness of ideas and will apply whatever seems most efficient to them in accomplishing their clearly envisioned goals.

INTJs are the most independent of all types, and their emotions are hard to read, for they are not very expressive. At times, INTJs seem cold, reserved, and unresponsive, while in fact they are almost hypersensitive to signals of rejection from those they care for. In social situations, INTJs may also be unresponsive and may neglect small rituals designed to put others at ease. For example, INTJs may communicate that idle dialogue such as small talk is a waste of time.


Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel. While they are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few), and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence that make them so successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in interpersonal situations. This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals; for instance, they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation (which most types consider half the fun of a relationship). Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense. In forming relationships, INTJs tend to seek out others with similar character traits and ideologies. Agreement on theoretical concepts is an important aspect of their relationships. By nature INTJs can be demanding in their expectations, and approach relationships in a rational manner.

March Movie Madness - Intro and Day 1

As promised, I cordially welcome you all to the March Movie Madness! Check out the picture below to see what the posts are all about. I will try my best to write a new one each day! Also, as a fun extra bonus, I will try to incorporate a song featured on the movie's soundtrack. 

Day 1 - The best movie you saw during the last year: Midnight in Paris

To be completely honest, I'm not a huge fan of Woody Allen. In fact, I've always thought that he is a bit overrated. Also, the fact that he married his stepdaughter struck me as being a little bit disturbing and off, but putting his personal life aside, I've just never been a huge fan of his work. Before Midnight in Paris, I'd seen Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. I found nothing special in Match Point but Vicky Cristina Barcelona was definitely interesting, mostly because of the brilliant performances delivered by its five-star cast (Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem.) 

In any case, when I saw the trailer for Midnight in Paris, what caught my attention the most was the fact that it had a lot of surrealist elements. From what I'd gathered, Woody Allen's films were very "real," based mostly on the complexities of human relationships, but now he had written and directed a film where the protagonist (Owen Wilson), a screenwriter who had traveled to Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams), went back in time to what he considered to be Paris's Golden Age (the 1920's) every evening at the stroke of midnight. In this fantastical world, Wilson's crossed paths with many of the prominent figures of the era: F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, etc. Anyways, I don't want to give it all away in case you haven't seen it, but it's quite a charming film, and I recommend it without any reservations, especially if you're looking for a film that has a little bit of everything - romance, fantasy, comedy, etc.