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We’re Going on a Trip in Our Favorite Rocketship…

Day 6 of 2022

Visit a new place at least once a month.
Take more pictures.

These two goals shouldn’t be hard, just need to actually do them. You know, just like everything else 🤦‍♀️

Visit a new place at least once a month.
A new place can be a new city, museum, park, amusement place, aquarium or zoo, farm. Just some place we haven’t been before. I just want to experience something new. Just, adventure. I feel like we have become accustomed to not being able to do anything or go anywhere. Things do seem to be closing and shutting down again (hence the virtual schooling this week) so achieving this goal might be a little different, but no excuses because it won’t be impossible.

Also have to think about the girls. We did so many things and went to many places when Avory was a baby. Things are just, different, with two kids. Alright, let’s be honest here. It is harder with two.

So what are some cool things to do in Jersey…
🖤 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (I’ve been to Six Flags but never the water park!)
🤍 Liberty State Park
🖤 Grounds for Sculpture (went there to make some connections when I was working in Sales in a hotel but never went to enjoy it)
🤍 Howell Living History Museum
🖤 Duke Farms
🤍 Liberty Science Center! (went for a field trip when I was younger but would love to go now and bring my kids)
🖤 Storybook Land (was this once The Land of Make Believe? 🤔)
🤍 Vineyard/Winery or a wine tasting
🖤 Jersey Shore Blue Claws (minor league baseball)
🤍 Nickelodeon Universe – American Dream

These are just some I have on our list. Check out VisitNJ.org for so much more.

I put visiting a new place and taking more pictures together, I feel they kind of go together. Taking pictures needs to become easier for me. I like not having my phone in hand at all times and constantly being on it and checking it. Especially while I’m doing things with the girls. And plus, I just hate being like “wait wait! let me grab my phone!” or “oh wait, have to do another one, that wasn’t a good one!” I’ve been putting my phone down more but now I need to pick it up. But only for pictures.

Getting a little personal. I also don’t like taking many pictures of myself simply because I just hate the way I look. I have always hated my body.
I hate my legs.
I hate my hips.
I hate my arms.
I hate my ankles.
I hate my stomach.
I hate my grey hair.
I hate my face, double chin and cheeks.
I hate my butt (mostly because it’s just flat).

OVIOUSLY, self-love is something I need to work on. Now don’t get me wrong I do love one thing. My hair. Just without the grey. And my face deflates when I lose weight so once I knock off some pounds, I know I’ll be more comfortable to actually be in pictures. I’m just uncomfortable right now with the weight I’m at and not running is really dragging me down. I felt great when I was running! Can’t wait to start again.

Books Rich People Recommend

Day 5 of 2022.

I am by no means a bookworm. At all. It has always been hard for me to focus on what I was reading while I was reading it.

Have you ever read something and realized you were at the end of the page but didn’t actually comprehend a single word you just read, then go back and read it all again just to end up in the same situation? Yeah. That’s me. So, I never read much but I would really like to read. I am so tired of looking at a screen all the time.

What types of books do you like to read?

I don’t think fiction is going to be my genre. There are so different types of fiction though. Maybe I just need to try a different type.
▪️ Fantasy ▪️ Science Fiction ▪️ Dystopian ▪️ Action & Adventure ▪️ Mystery ▪️ Horror ▪️ Thriller & Suspense ▪️ Historical Fiction ▪️ Romance ▪️ Contemporary Fiction ▪️ Literary Fiction ▪️ Magical Realism ▪️ Graphic Novel ▪️ Short Story ▪️ Young Adult ▪️ Children’s ▪️ New Adult

This first book I’m reading is “You Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One” by Raphaëlle Giordano. I’m only about a quarter of the way through. It’s a cute read for sure!

I think I am going to look into more Non-Fiction when I am done with this first book. Here’s a list of some Non-Fiction genres:
▪️ Memoir and Autobiography ▪️ Biography ▪️ Food and Drinks ▪️ Art and Photography ▪️ Sel-Help ▪️ History ▪️ Travel ▪️ True Crime ▪️ Humor ▪️ Essays ▪️ How To’s ▪️ Spiritual and Religion ▪️ Humanities ▪️ Parenting ▪️ Science ▪️ Technology

Books I have on my shelf to read:

Click the books to be taken to Amazon.

“The Secret is You” by Chris Cicchinelli

So what books do rich people recommend?
There are so many book they all have on lists of must reads and favorites. I simply looked their names up and book recommendations.

▪️ Elon Musk – His favorite book is “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. A book he recommends is “Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down” by J.E. Gordon.
▪️ Warren Buffett – “The Intelligent Investor” by Benjiman Graham
▪️ Jack Dorsey – “Whole Earth Discipline” by Stewart Brand
▪️ Peter Thiel – “100 Plus” by Sonia Arrison
▪️ Mark Cuban – “Principles” by Ray Dalio
Other books include:
▪️ “The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Ries
▪️ “The Innovator’s Dilemma: Why New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail” by Clayton Christensen
▪️ “The Art Spirit” by Robert Henri

There is also a website, Billionaire Book Club that has more recent recommendations and what they are reading now.

Will you be grabbing any of these books to add to your list this year?

Run run run as fast as you can.

Day 4 of 2022.

I really don’t know why I’m counting the days except for the fact that I’ll be pretty damn proud on day 78, or day 199, or day 364. 🤘

Another goal I have for this year is running a 10K.

This has been a goal of mine since 2020. I was training this past year but then I injured something. I say ‘something’ because I have no idea what happened. It felt like my ankle and my Achillies, then the pain was in my foot and would go up my calf then be in my hip and head back down my leg. So, yeah. I continued to run on this injury without seeing a doctor and now I can barely walk without being in pain. I finally have an appointment this month on the 13th.

I trained for my first 5K with the C25K app through Zen Labs Fitness. So simple and easy to follow especially for beginners. If you are at all interested in running, I highly recommend their app to start. I was running 5K’s at least once a week (or 3 miles however you want to say it) once I completed the training. I’m pretty slow, but I never stop. A faster mile is a personal goal I work on every time I run. This last go I was running an average of 12:3o per mile. When I first started, I was struggling at a 15-minute mile. Progress takes time. Consistency is key. Put in the work, you’ll see the results.

Training for a 10K I used the Nike Run App. I found a 10K Training Plan that helped me begin the training. I got my injury around September/October, so I haven’t been able to run for a few months. I walked a 5K the beginning of October and that was the last time I did any running or walking. The Nike Run App has distance runs and timed runs and runs to help clear your head, long runs, speed runs, short runs. Coach Bennet is so helpful and keeps your mind off the fact that you are running and enjoying it, and no one is chasing you. Follow him on Instagram at @coachbennett.

Check out my new kicks I bought for Christmas!

Oh, today is our first day of virtual Kindergarten! Yay. They announced this week will be virtual, so I guess we’ll hear more at the end of the week if this will continue or if they will go back into the classroom.
It’s actually not that bad. These teachers are something else doing virtual teaching. They all deserve raises.

And a healthy New Year…

Day 3.

Let’s talk about my first goal for this new year. To lose 40 lbs by June.

Weight Watchers.

Say what you want about the program or that I just need to eat healthier or drop the carbs, no sweets, stop all that fast food, just exercise, blah blah blah. It’s harder than that for a lot of people. I love food. Chocolate is my kryptonite and was my demise with my first go with Weight Watchers. My goal is to see that number on the scale. I want to step on the scale and 150. Today was my first day back at tracking my points and it was an even 189 (so technically I have 39 lbs. to go 😉). Nonetheless, it’s still a big chunk.

Let me share my first journey with Weight Watchers. I started June 1, 2019 and my last day before I lost control was October 31,2019. I lost 57 lbs. in 5 months. I started at 217 and my last weigh in, with a weight loss, was 160. I was just 10 measly pounds from my goal weight. I worked that program every day. I learned how to eat healthy and how to prepare a healthy meal. Tracked every little thing that I ate and drank (yes, all the wine too!). Very seldom did I go over my points. The only week I went over was the week we went to Puerto Rico. I ate and drank what I wanted, but I still tracked my points and exercised. The beginning was hard. Trying to balance what I can eat and what I shouldn’t.

(If you are one of the many that reached out about weight loss as one of your goals, I’ll have some goodies listed at the end.)

So what happened? It was Halloween. We had ALOT of extra candy. I hadn’t eaten milk chocolate in FIVE MONTHS. I came to really enjoy dark chocolate, but you definitely need to give it some time. There was a Take Five (actually a whole bag of snack size Take Fives.) I thought, “One can’t hurt.” Well, the whole bag later, I found myself in the candy aisle at Target the next day buying another bag of Take Fives. It was all downhill from there. I just couldn’t get back on track no matter how hard I tried. Then, Covid. I couldn’t run anymore because the girl’s day care was closed. In fact, everything was closed, and everyone was scared to leave their homes. Fast forward 2 years, and here we are.

January 3, 2022, is my first day back at tracking and hushing that little voice that says, another Hershey Kiss won’t hurt. Oh, my darling, but it will. Hershey Kisses are only 1 pt. each by the way. Just be careful with quantity because 7 kisses are 10 pts. If you are on a weight loss journey too, leave a comment so we can cheer each other on! On the WW App, my username is gs_spot. You got this!💪 We got this.

Here are some tips I learned along the way:
▪️ A gain is not a bad thing. Just remember, stay on track and stay focused the next week.
▪️ Sweet Tooth? Late night snacker? Fiber One Soft Baked Bars will be your best friend. Only 2 pts. each.
▪️ Cheese? A slice of Velveeta is only 1 pt. and WW has their own string cheese. A great snack for that boredom snacking time.
▪️ TRACK EVERYTHING. Don’t be afraid to track.
▪️ Don’t think twice about scanning everything in the grocery store! Who gives a f*ck what other people think? You aren’t doing this for their validation. You aren’t doing this to feel confidently naked in front of them. You aren’t doing this so they are healthier. You are doing this for you. So scan scan scan!
▪️ It’s not a diet. It’s a lifestyle change.
▪️ Drink water. Make sure you stay hydrated.
▪️ Bread? Pepperidge Farm Light Style Soft Wheat, only 2 pts. for 2 slices.
▪️ The Connect Community is a great source for encouragement, friendship, tips and tricks.
▪️ Set goals. One goal is when I hit 170, I’m treating myself to the Cheesecake Factory. Yeaaaaa 😊
▪️ You receive little charms when you hit certain milestones. The first 5 lb one you get is an incredible motivator.

Do you believe in Angel Numbers?

Day 2 of 2022.

Angel Numbers are the spiritual universes way of communicating with you, according to Numerology. Angel Numbers are a sequence of numbers (three or four) that contain repetition and/or patterns. This number is your spiritual guides way of helping you see what is on your path in life. These numbers have different meanings for everyone. Basically, for those of you that turn your nose up to something you don’t believe in or understand, you have to have an open mind. Try and understand what the universe if trying to tell you and why it chose this number sequence for you to see.

My Angel Number, 1229. It took me until I saw a TikTok about Angel Numbers for me to actually look into the meaning of the number. My birthday is 12/29 and I was always told that when you see your birthday repetitively, it means someone is just letting you know they are there. I’ll always believe this but now, there is a more significant meaning to the number. Whoever is out there and was showing me this number, I can’t thank them enough.

I was seeing 1229 every day. Like, ev er y day. It was always the time, on the microwave clock, oven clock, my phone, t.v., computer, car.
So what is the meaning behind 1229?
▪️ According to SunSigns.org, 1229 means life is not about failing or winning. Life is about doing things that make you happy.
▪️ My main focus is doing something that I love doing.
▪️ Don’t lose my enthusiasm. Trust your ideas, thoughts and desires.
▪️ I should courageously pursue my dreams because that is what matters to me.

This sparked the flame that is now burning. Once I read these meanings, I knew I had to get my own laptop and just start. I opened up my new laptop, in the bottom corner the time read 3:29 but in big font smack in the middle of the screen, it was 12:29. Coincidence? Made me pause for a moment but then I thought, “Shit, how do I get the times to be the same?”

The meanings don’t just pertain to blogging but also my goals and resolutions for this year. I used to blog a loooong long time ago. About really important subjects like teenage romance, broken friendships, homework, why school sucks.
I’m excited to share my thoughts, adventures, goals, life and whatever else I can with you. This year is going to be different because I’m not going to let life slip by anymore. I’m sure many of you are reading this and thinking the same thing since we have all been going through this pandemic shit.

The book I posted in my first post, I’ve just started it and it is already making me think about my life and how it has just been routine and uneventful. I don’t think I can thank my parents enough for this laptop (Christmas + Birthday gift, my mom never gives my birthday gift with Christmas, so she split the gift cards up 😂) Thank you for being here, joining me on this journey and of course, supporting me!

Sex Ed for Grown-ups

Happy New Year

Day one of 2022. Many will reflect on the year that has just come and gone, but I will be looking forward to the year. I have goals, resolutions, places I want to see, things I want to do.

Before I get into any of that, let me introduce myself.

Hi 👋 I’m Gina. Born and raised in New Jersey. I am 34 years old and have two daughters. I have my Bachelor’s from Johnson & Wales University, graduated in 2010. I have been a stay-at-home mom for about two years now. I did work at Homegoods when things started to open back up after the peak of Covid. I just had to get out of the house. Before that, I worked in the Hotel Industry for almost 10 years. Seriously considering going back because I just love the torture. There’s a lot to say about the work I did, which I am sure I will talk about. But for now, I am a SAHM. Childcare cost is just outrageous. But of course, wanting to make my own money and be my own boss, I joined an MLM. I’m a Partner with Pure Romance. Now is not the time for any Anit-MLM comments. I will definitely be posting more about Pure Romance, so be patient.

So right now, it’s me, Angel (my boyfriend), Avory (our daughter,5), Emma (our daughter, 2) and Rusty (our Australian Shepard, 11). We currently live in a 2-bedroom apartment with my parents. ATTEMPTING to save money and do all the right things so we can buy a house, but life seems to throw boulders in our plans once in a while. It’ll happen. Eventually.

I’m starting this blog because I have goals and plans for this new year. What are some resolutions you have for this new year?

Here are some of mine…
-Lose 40 pounds by June (I’m restarting again with Weight Watchers at a nice chubby 189, would like to be 150 by June. I’ve done it once; I can do it again. Just need to actually be consistent.)
-Read 12 books (doesn’t seem like a lot but I think starting with a goal of one book a month is a good place to start.)
-Run a 10K (I feel like I’ve been training forever for this. Had injured my ankle and now I have no idea what is wrong with my foot 👍)
-Take more pictures (of myself, of my family, of memories – this is tough because I hate holding my phone up to capture something instead of just living in the moment BUT I want more pictures)
-Go to a new place at least once a month (a museum, park, city, some type of amusement place, etc.)
-Grow our savings account (something that has been difficult because of those boulders)
-Blog every day (Even if it is something short or just a picture or quote, ev er y day)

The first book I am starting with is “Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One” by Raphaëlle Giordano. The #1 Bestselling French Novel about one woman’s quest to cure her “routinitis.” Thought it was a perfect fit since I want this year to be like no other.