day 32 - month two begins!

Wow, already one month down! If I can do that, it's smooth sailing from here. Things have been fairly uneventful since my last post. I will say however, that my first "cranky" days snuck up on me in the past week. This was kind of reality check, because each day had been so sublime the first few weeks. (No, to all the assuming men out there, I was not PMSing.) I think the novelty of the lifestyle change had worn off a bit, and everyday annoyances started crawling under my skin as they had in my drinkin' days. Seems like a bit of the American in me was rearing it's ugly head - wanting a 180 degree difference immediately. 

I had to remind myself of a few things:
1. Tourists are still going to ask 1 million annoying questions a day. I can't change that and shouldn't let it bother me so much. They aren't from here, and they can't help the fact that they think a swimming costume and waterproof tampons are snorkel trip necessities.
2. I'm not Superwoman. My mood will occasionally fluctuate, sometimes I'm going to be tired, and some days will always be better than others. 
3. I can't make drunk or hungover people smell any better. Alcohol-stink is just a hazard of drinking, and being insanely aware of the smell is a hazard of sobriety!
3. I'm not going to wake up a Size 6 tomorrow just because I made habit changes a month ago. The change is gradual and I have to enjoy the journey, and all the small changes along the way. 

Whatever my funk was, I obviously over thought it, came out with some new conclusions and I'm officially feeling wonderful again (and it didn't take me a bottle of wine to get back there). An upcoming Miami getaway with Dad next weekend isn't hurting my mood either. My travel bug has been severely suppressed since moving to Key West, so even two days in a city I called home for four years gets me all excited! I told my dad we should go to the Miami Zoo and he said "Wow, I wish you were still drinking." Dad, I love ya, but a weekend with you without beer, wine and shots involved could be quite the (challenging) experience!

Epic Hotel - Our destination next weekend - complimentary wine happy hour - that's just cruel.

Looks like my travel bug will have to stay in hiding for a little while longer, as I recently decided to stay in Key West for another year. I had originally planned on leaving at the end of this year, but changes at work have encouraged me to stay. I'll keep on missin' my Momma, but I can't complain about another year on the island. After that, my plan is a year in Thailand to teach English. Then maybe I'll settle into a "normal" job, or maybe not. We'll see! Until then, I'm planning little trips and making mom visit as frequently as possible. After Miami, next planned trip is NYC the first weekend of November. Barclay, Dad, Giants football, a Broadway show, shopping and Autumn weather in the city. Can't wait! I also need to get my booty up to New Orleans to see the up-and-coming Dr.Chau, location TBD to see Ms. Ames, and a Hurricanes Football Game (or two) this Fall. 

Those trips will all take place in month 3 and beyond; however, I hope month 2 has as many wonderful times, revelations, and positive strides as month 1. I'm confident that it will.