The Next Chapter: I'm Moving To India!

***I'd like to preface this by saying I was planning on doing this post as a video post - my first. I knew what I was going to say, I got a fancy new camera that shoots hi-def video and it was going to be totally cute.....but I can't figure out how to get video OFF the camera ONTO my computer lmao. So I'll do a video post later.***


Yup, you read right. I'm moving to India - for 1 year to volunteer. Those of you who follow me on twitter already know this, and other regular readers might know this too from this post and this post....but for those of you who pop in every now and then you might have missed the whole thing since it was a decision that was made over a few weeks/posts.

So, yeah, that's the next chapter for me! And while I'm a bit nervous, I've never done anything like this, I'm also excited. Pursuing a career in International Development has been something I've been seriously thinking about doing for the past 2 years and I've always wanted to live abroad, in another culture, for the experience. So this will give me the opportunity to do both.

You're probably wondering when I leave. Well, it was supposed to be in November - yes, as in 3 weeks from now! But shortly after I accepted the placement offer (and in turn got accepted by the organization back in July) my sister found out that she is pregnant - I'm going to be an Aunt!!! I know, so much excitement, right?! So I asked the volunteer organization if there was any way my arrival could be postponed to the next arrival date - which is March. It was a long shot. Chances were they would find another volunteer to go in November and find another placement for me (possibly in another country). After learning about the placement and learning more about India (and thinking about the countries in the area I could easily travel to) my heart was really set on going. So I waited. And at the end of August I attended a pre-departure training with other volunteers in Ottawa for 5 days. And while I was there - I got confirmation that they would reschedule my arrival for March!

To me, this was like another sign that I'm on the right path. Cheesey as it may sound, when it comes to this opportunity everything just seems to be falling into place and working out. It's like...this is what I should be doing.

Oh, and today I got my scheduled arrival date....6 days BEFORE my niece/nephew is due! I told my sister come February she better pop that sucker out - eat some spicy foods or something lolol.

SO that is why Apartment #412 is now empty. I decided to move home to save up some extra cash before March. It just makes the most sense financially...

And, with this new chapter in my life and this new adventure comes............

....a new blog! Again, those of you who follow me on twitter already know about my new travelogue.  It's called From India. With Love. and that is where I will blog EVERYTHING related to my upcoming move to India (and where I will blog full-time come March). Even though I'm not leaving until March I'm blogging there right now - my thoughts, preparation (I'm taking Hindi classes!)...and yes some decor stuff too :) I mean, I will have to decorate my flat while I'm there! So I'd love for you all to "follow" me over there too! If you want to follow me on my new adventure - that's where I'll be doing it...complete with lots of pictures! So go on, click over and take a look - I hope you like it! (and if you scroll to the bottom of FIWL you'll see the 'follow' button).

Just to clarify, Yes - I know I've started many blogs in the past. But to be clear as of right now, as I type this, I post on only two blogs. This one here that you're reading and From India. With Love. Some of you may want to know "Why the new blog? Why not just blog about your new adventure here?" and that is totally a valid question. To answer it I'll say...I just wanted a new space that was for this new adventure and chapter in my life. It's like.....you know when you start a new job - you buy a new outfit, or a new purse, or shoes...well, it's like that. The new blog is the equivalent of my new "outfit."


So what will happen to Apartment #412? Well, I'll continue to blog here, the type of posts that you're used to, until then the end of the year. But I'll also be blogging at FIWL. And, come the new year I'll only be blogging on FIWL. I figure come January things will start getting really busy for me and it will probably be hard to maintain both. But don't worry. I'll let you all know before this blog goes quiet :)

So that's it for now. This post is pretty long and if you've read this far thank you! I also want to thank everyone who left a comment or thoughts on moving abroad for a year. I read every single one, several times, and it blows my mind that you all take time to leave such thoughtful comments. I really appreciate it and will say it again, I have some of the best blog followers on the 'net :)

It's Thanksgiving Day here on Monday & it's a long weekend. I'll see you on Tuesday!

And don't forget to go check out my new blog (www.fromindia--withlove.blogspot.com)! And become a follower :)

The End*

On to the next chapter.

Update in the next day or two.

*kinda ;)

Operation: TUGFLW

Most people get fit for the summer...I choose to get fit during the summer. Go figure.

My birthday is a little over 8 weeks away and I really want to look my best for it.

So, after being not 100% happy with my body when I look in the mirror and doing nothing about it,

(but really, as women, are we ever 100% happy?)

and putting off buying new cute outfits, 

I'm choosing to, now, do something about it.

Enter Operation: Tone Up, Get Fit & Lose Weight

(also to be known as Operation TUGFLW)

Timeline: 

8 weeks

Ultimate Goal: 

Hmmm, not sure the actually number of pounds I want to lose...

I think it's in the ballpark of 20 pounds - but really I'm just pulling that number out of the air because it sounds good. I plan on weighing myself in the next few days so I know what I weigh and can adjust my weight loss goal accordingly.

I also want to tone up.

And get fit.

If you read my other blog the remainder of this post will seem familiar to you - thought I've slightly updated some of the answers. I feel this q&a are a good way for you, the readers...and myself actually, to get a sense of my thoughts on this whole thing.

(FYI-I attempted Operation TUGFLW earlier this year and blogged it there. I wasn't doing too bad but then I kinda fell of the wagon...)

1. As of the beginning of this "Operation," what are your height & weight?

I'm 5'7" (5'6 & 3/4" to be specific) & weigh....not sure. Probably between 160-168. 

Feel free to click the link a few lines up to see what that weight looks like on me.

It's supposed to be 'taboo' or something for a woman to reveal her weight but it's really not that big of a deal to me because, I think, it's all in the way you carry your weight

2. We all know that numbers never give us the big picture. When you think of your body - its size, shape, strength & health - how do you feel?

Despite what I wrote above, for the most part, I'm pretty happy with my body. 

I'm curvy & I actually, truly, like its curviness. I don't mind that my tummy is a bit soft & I've got a butt & hips. I see my body as womanly. 

Like Beyonce & Jennifer Lopez. 

I've never been the "skinny" girl & I finally became okay with that in my early 20s. Actually, I really came to accept my body when I was about 24...this is around the time I stopped watching music videos & buying certain magazines*. Health-wise, I'm not unhealthy. I mean, a doctor would say I'm healthy, but I could definitely be more fit and I would be happier with what I saw in the mirror if I was a few pounds lighter and a bit more toned.

3. Why Operation Tone Up, Lose Weight & Get Fit'?

I'll preface this by saying that I've never been that girl who cares too much about the number on the scale. I'd much rather go by how I feel & look in clothes & then ballpark a number. Which I thought worked fairly well, until around August 2009 - just after my birthday....

(feel free to again, click the link above to see the rest of this answer...)

4. Based on all of that, what is your biggest goal in

Operation Tone Up, Lose Weight, Get Fit ? 

What is one thing you must accomplish in the next two months?

My biggest goal is to be as close to 100% happy with the way my body looks & that's when I'm a size 6 sometimes 8. To give that a number, I think that will be in the 140 range. However, since I really never weighed myself perhaps it's actually in the 150s? I dunno. 

5. Do you have any secondary goals? What are they?

I generally like my arms and I'm hoping to add some dresses and feminine pieces to my wardrobe.

So my secondary goal is to tone up my arms (biceps/triceps), shoulders & back. I'd also like to run a mile in under 10 minutes...I think I'm roughly at 12 right now.
Oh, and a third goal - I'd like to become more of an ethical eater, and take steps to eat 'better' food and really start to take note of what I put into my body. (more on this goal coming soon)

6. What's your day-to-day lifestyle like? What are you into?

The most exercise I get, if I'm being honest - which I am, is taking Howard out for his walks at least once, usually twice, a day.

7. Anything else you'd like share about "Operation Lose Weight, Get Fit & Tone Up"?

I'll probably blog my progress once a week...expect total honesty!

If you're still reading :) I would love to read any tips, links, or comments you might have!

Feel free to share any good blogs, suggestions on what I can do, good recipes, tips to stay motivated...anything! Also, if you're in the midst of your own 'Operation' I'd love to hear about it.

Truly, I would!

*Doing these two things drastically increased my self-confidence & how I felt about my body because I wasn't constantly faced with & comparing myself to (mostly) unrealistic images of women. Though, working in entertainment, I knew what goes into getting those images to look perfect (lighting, photoshop, pins in the back of clothes so it fits perfect, makeup, trainers etc...) when you see these images every day it's hard not to compare yourself. I encourage anyone struggling with their body image to cut back on your intake of some of these visuals - even for 30 days. Once you start seeing realistic images of women, women around you, you'll appreciate your body more & stop being so hard on yourself.

Weekend Wrap-Up

This weekend was pretty fun.

On Saturday my sister threw a game night hosted at her friends house so I tagged along. Good food. Good company. Lots of laughter. Taboo. And Buzz.

I love Buzz and, am pretty darn good at it if I say so myself. (BTW if you have a game console I highly recommend this game for get togethers. So. Much. Fun).

Sunday, was all about Woofstock during the day and The Celtics/Lakers game in the evening. My 17 year old brother ended up coming to Woofstock with Howard and I - and I must admit, it was quite a scene...in a good way. To say there were 'lots of dogs' would be an understatement. There were dogs EVERYWHERE YOU LOOKED. Some dyed pink. Some in country soccer jerseys. Some in Hawaiian shirts. Some in sunglasses and hats. And too many dogs were in dog strollers (seriously people, if you attended and had your dog in a dog stroller - you totally missed the point of the festival. just sayin') And there were (what feels like) hundreds of vendors selling everything under the sun for dogs.

Howard was totally happy to say the least. Here are some pics from the day. Theses will absolutely not do the event justice. We'll definitely be attending next year (as well as the first ever winter edition this year).

Sometimes Howard has no sense of personal space...

I fell in love with this little brown mini poodle...

I also fell in love with this toy poodle wearing a denim jacket...

Again, no personal space...

Team Lakers...So cute!

Clearly for Team Italy in FIFA...

Ended up buying Howard a hoodie that says 'I'm a lover not a biter'

In hindsight I paid too much...but I couldn't pass it up...

Oh, and GO BOSTON!