Stress! I Have To Beat It

So, just a few days ago I was walking down the street with my family. My husband said something that  pissed me off. Bang! Just like that my heart started fluttering. It wasn't even something that I would have noticed, but because of my bodies reaction I got even more angry. I had to slowly walk and consciously try to bring down the stress level. By the time we got to METRO I thought I was going to drop dead. And maybe I was, but somehow, I was at the store I saw a juicer. I didn't really plan on buying one right there, but maybe it was meant to be. My mom says there are angels watching over me.

This is what I know. At 37 ( almost 38), I'm not done impacting this world or my children. I'm not going to go without a fight. So I'm done with Starbucks, I'm juicing everyday, and I need to get off my but and exercise. I will do some yoga before I go to bed. So my stress levels are high, its due to work, kids, diet, and my relationship with my husband. My goal is to reduce all unnecessary stress in my life and then clearly reevaluate what I value and what is important to me. Work was great today. It's finals week, and I had no final exam, so I got some necessary planning done.

If I can change my diet, my exercise habits I should be fine. But otherwise I'm on track for high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks. I can see now how over the years these problems can sneak up on you. And I'm hear to talk about it. I wonder how many people feel like me and just keep pushing forward.

If you have ever felt like me with that fluttering in your chest, let me know. I'll tell you how much the juicing is impacting how I feel.

Animoto is Still a Favorite of Mine

This is a quick and easy way to make videos of the family.

Feeling a Little Lazy

My sister has done a much better job of exploring and blogging about her experiences here in China.  Check out her blog at the following link:  http://williin.tumblr.com

Somehow being a teacher, a mom, a wife, and a sister has taken up too much of my time.  As a result of  always running around like a chicken with its head cut off, I'm constantly feeling like I'm being pulled in multiple directions, so I've come to the decision that it's best if I actually have a relaxing summer this year.  So instead of flying back to America and trying to keep up with friends, family, conferences, shopping, etc., I'm going to spend and entire month on the beach in Thailand.  My mother is even going to fly out to join us for a bit.  I hope to get in some much needed rest, oil massages, reading, better eating, and a little shopping.  But I'll be on my on time.  No events that I have to run to, or people that I have to visit.  Just whatever I want is what will happen.  I can totally see myself being lazy on the beach while the boys make sand castles.

So one interesting thing happened last month.  My sister was stopped by a lady who wanted to know if my kids could model.  Anyways, we got a free photo shoot of the boys because the photographer was looking for a black kid.  So there are some perks to being black in China after all.

My next adventure will be looking for a daycare for my younger son.  He is up and walking and likes to get out the house.  If we don't keep him engaged and moving around he will drive the ayi crazy and our house will never get cleaned up.  So next week I start my daycare shopping in hopes that we can get added to a wait-list for the fall.  I'm looking for somewhere where they will offer a Chinese or Bilingual curriculum, but I can't afford a typical "expat price."  We'll see what happens.