I'm Still Here

So, I let my domain thestateofamanda.com expire. It was a tough and hard decision to make. I don't blog that often anymore and just don't care anymore. I still have the blog, just not the cool .com. Anyway, that said, it has been a long time since I've written. Last time I posted, I said I was going to quit Facebook...again. Well, that didn't last long. But here's an update on what's been going on since my last post (listed in no order in a random format).

I got a promotion at work. I am Catalog Marketing Manager with 5 people under me. It's pretty new, since June. I'm still getting used to it and learning a lot.

Frank and I went to Mexico in September with our friends Todd and Kristi for 5 days. We stayed at Valentin Imperial Maya. Same place we stayed in 2010.

All 3 dogs got shaved and now wear sweaters. It's pretty cute.

I went to Chicago to visit my friend Missy and to see her adorable twin babies Maxim and Mia.

I started getting Microdermabrasion facials for anti-aging.

Frank and I are considering getting a pool. We are pretty close to making the decision and leaning towards yes.

I am slowly easing my way into crafting.

I have been cooking a lot.

Oh, I am back in school. That is a pretty big one. I plan on going again in the spring. I register next week for that.

I broke down and hired a maid service but hate spending the money. Just don't have the time to clean the house with school and work. Plus I hate to do it.

I think that's pretty much it. At least that is all that comes to mind right off. I said it would be random and in no order, like my thoughts...lol!

Anyway, hopefully I will post more often. I am on pinterest and twitter too so follow me there. @stateofamanda for both!

Cheers!

Facebook...It's Not Me, It's You

I have deactivated my Facebook before, but never for long and I never really had a reason to. However. It has become out of control. I didn't have a lot of friends on there, but I had close to 200. I had a lot of good family, friends, old acquaintances from school, and co-workers. Here is how my decision to deactivate came to be:

1. Family. When I have to find things out about my family via Facebook, there is a communication problem.

2. Friends. I have the phone number and email address of everyone I truly care about. I need to spend more time growing those relationships in person, at least by phone at a minimum.

3. Acquaintances. I think it's cool to re-discover friends who you went to Elementary school with, but I don't know you anymore...nor do I care what your children are doing.

4. Co-workers. Need I say more? I was recently promoted to a Management position in my company. As a 36 year old Marketing Manager, I need to start separating myself from the "party crowd" at work. One thing I have noticed, is that the few managers at work I was friends with on Facebook, never post, never update, and are not friends with very many other co-workers.

I know some of those reasons may sound kind of mean, but the place I am coming from really isn't mean. I am just over it. Too much shared information and I don't feel like having to edit my settings for each group of people, etc.

I will still use Twitter and you can follow me @stateofamanda. You also know how to reach me if you are getting this email (obviously). I will also post to my blog more often with pics and updates about what I have going on, etc.

I also know I will miss out on stuff, but I will do my best to stay up to date with everyone. Just don't forget about me!

Love to all,
Amanda

Jamaican Me Crazy!

Trip Report: Jamaica, May 2011

I just posted pics on facebook from our recent trip to Jamaica, so I'll spare adding them to this post too. I didn't take too many pics. I really didn't feel like carrying my camera around. Plus we never take pics of ourselves so oh well.

Day 1:
We awoke at 4AM...and after drinking my through Miami from Dallas we arrived in Montego Bay, Jamaica. We had an hour-ish drive to the resort in Runaway Bay. We stayed at the Gran Bahia because it touted 5-stars. However, it was more like 2-3 starts to our discovery. After checking in and doing some exploring, we were zonked. Thought about doing Room Service, but there was no menu. Since we didn't have reservations at the "special" restaurants, we got dressed and it was off to the buffet. We are not buffet people and it wasn't even a "good" buffet. Back to the room to passout early.

Day 2:
We slept late. Woke up around 11. Headed to the pool for some lounging. I read then waded in the pool...repeat. It was much needed. That night we had dinner at the hibatchi restarurant onsite. So with 8 other (and foreign) strangers at the table, I started to cry. I cried because I missed home. Mostly, I missed my babies (my 3 poms). I think it was hormonal or a big stress releiver. Not sure though.

Day 3:
SCUBA DIVING!!! We went on a 2 tank dive both at 90ft and it was AMAZING! I have never seen so much sea life in one dive and the reefs were full of life. It was like the earth had just been flooded. The reefs were so lush. This was a milestone for me considering I just started diving again last year after almost a 10 year hiatus because of a diving accident. I was very nervous, but determined, and now crazy proud of myself! We finished the day at the pool sunning and reading. We ended the night with a lot of champagne and a dinner at their "fancy-men-must-wear-long-pants" restaurant. We got drunk and full and walked out before desert was full. We tipped the waiter of course, but to me it still felt like we were walking the check.

Day 4:
The plan was to go diving again. This time it was supposed to be some wrecks. However, we slept in. But that was way ok with me. It's vacation! Do as the day takes you! Anyway, we decided to hit the beach and do some sunning and reading there instead of the pool. It was nice, but far from the room and restaurant. We closed up shop, had lunch and finished the day at the pool until a rain shower came in around 3PM. Nap time! Then dinner!

Day 5:
Departure Day. Turns out 5 days is the perfect amount of time for a nice get-a-way. We normally do 8 days, but this was good. We plan on doing another short trip in the fall with friends!

All in all, my take on Jamaica is:
Beautiful water
Great diving
Amazing mountains
So-so resorts
Not great food
Lazy, non-people friendly staff

If I never hear another Bob Marley song, that would be too soon. I swear that is the ONLY thing that was played in the cabs on in transit to and from resort and at the resort. I swear that country has one CD on repeat.

We got back on Monday and did a stay-cay for 2 days to gradually get back in the swing of things. I did laundry, grocery shopped, and got a pedi the day after we got back. Additionally, I got a facial to repair my skin from all the sun and cleaned the house. We also went and saw THOR. Which I am still not convinced Thor's brother is Johnny Weir and Thor's friends are a really bad version of the Black-Eye Peas. Oh, I almost forgot...I got a Nook Color and took it with me this trip and it not only was a space saver, but I was able to read 4 magazines and 4 books!

I read:
Water For Elephants
Bethenny Frankel-A place of Yes
Maria Menounos-The EveryGirl's Guide to Life
Something Borrowed (yes like the movie)
Cosmo
Martha Stewart Living
Glamour
Redbook

Some serious reads, right? Aside from Water For Elephants, I love reading mindless beachy books. And speaking of Water For Elephants...OMG. Not sure I will be able to see the movie without crying. Good book.

Life 2.0

My last Twitter post read "T-minus 3 days until total sterility...and no more pain. Life 2.0, guess I need to figure out what's next.". After a 6 year battle with infertility, cysts, endometriosis, and now fibroids, I'm getting fixed. It is bitter sweet, but it shouldn't be. I have already made peace with not having children, but the finality of it is making it kind of hard. I am still going through with it and still feel good about my decision to do this, but I am only human to question my life and what's next.

First, let me explain. I am not having a hysterectomy. Close, but no. I won't be going into early menopause (which I am sure would quickly end my marriage), and I get to keep pretty much all my original plumbing. Sorry if this is T.M.I. The procedure is called Novasure. It's a quick and easy in office kind of party. I will get to be anesthetized and will have a short and sweet recovery.

The question still remains...what's next? OK, so no kids (which was already kind of a done deal), just me. Just me and Frank and my cute as pie 3 Pomeranians. There is still some fulfillment needed here people. I still need to make my mark and have a purpose!!!

I have decided I am going to pour myself into my job and spend more time obtaining the body I have wanted for a long time and even more importantly, to be the best me I can be. I want to travel for work. I am the perfect person for this. No children to take care of, I am well traveled, and I am (although shy at times) pretty good with people skills. And that's just the beginning of what I want to accomplish. I want to tone up my body and be as healthy as I can be. None of which will happen over night, but will. It will happen.

I still respect my friends children and would do antything for them if ever needed because I am always a good friend. If you know me, you know I'm not a bitch...at heart. So here's to life 2.0. May the next half be WAY BETTER than the first half.

Cheers!