Rocking & Rolling

I just have to say I've just been kicking ass at work. My project is taking off and I am finally able to show results. When customizing a CRM system on the initial phase no matter how hard you work it's hard for users to see what you have been doing. The good thing is that that phase is partially over and migration of data has began, the cool thing is that now everyone gets to see how cool and simple I made life for them!

I've been working on reporting and dashboards the past couple of days and let me tell ya... Those little graphics get the execs going, I am looking like a super hero and I love every second of it. This is just phase one of the project and there is a ton more to do but I am happy that they are pleased with the results even though this is a system that I had not worked on in so many years.

I feel very accomplished and that just makes me happy. On the other end I have been running and cycling and gotta start swimming. I think I am going to sign up for my first triathlon, it is around here in mid August and it's supposed to be really cool. Life is really coming around and things are just stabilizing, I am just waiting for this job to become permanent, that would be an absolute blessing.

On the dating arena, well, nothing yet... Tons of prospects so I am trying to narrow down the list, lol! Great dates and there a few guys that stand out the crowd, I am getting to the selection phase as I can only keep the "getting intimate" out of the equation for so long so I might have to pick soon and there is a guy that I have in mind when it comes to picking a winner.

Could it be that soon I will be in a relationship, oh lord! I have mixed feelings about that and I really don't want to push it, the problem is that it's kinda happening so we shall see.

Well, that is all for now!

Until next post.

CM

New friends and tons of fun

This weekend was a fun one, I woke up on Saturday morning and drove up to Atlanta to meet up with my Venezuelan friend Thais with whom I work. We had agreed to meet up at her place and go for a bike ride to Silver Comet Trail again and then go to the pool to get some sun. We met at her place and had breakfast at Einstein Bros. to carb up a little for our 25 mile ride, have I mentioned I am loving this cycling thing?

Not thrilled about this pic because I absolutely hate wearing a helmet, so not sexy but I guess safety first and these IronGirl sunglasses are not very flattering either but they are great for cycling! I did though had to showcase my HOT WHEELS, and even though I don't look like a true cyclist because I still have regular pedals and I don't have cycling shoes I am sure I will get there soon once I master to feel more stable and confident in the bike.

After our 25 mile ride we went to Thais' condo and laid in the pool sipping a berry margarita that my skilled friend made for us. The weather was HOT and perfect for pool time, it was great to be laying out as I had been neglecting my tan since I started my new job. Then it was time for lunch and we headed to a small Venezuelan restaurant in Atlanta where not only they have arepas, but they have cachitos, tequenos, and queso de mano and guayanes to buy by the pound! Bingo! So we stuffed our faces with arepa de guayanes and avocado and some tequenos which I have not eaten since my last trip to Aripos in Chicago.

Now it was time to go back home and get ready to go out, my friends had promised to take me out and show me around. It was a fun night full of fun and dancing, we ended up going to a Latin place where how could you not dance... The moment I hear salsa and merengue my body just starts moving, I just can't help it, it's in my genes ;)

We had sangria and joked around and danced and it was lots of fun! I can't wait to do it again next weekend =) It was also great to not have to drive back home for 45 minutes, which is really making me ponder if I should move closer to the city... Maybe not, lol!

That's it for now my friends, until next post!

CM

Eat Pray Love

This is me and my journeys-.

"...I've come to believe that there exists in the universe something I call "The Physics of The Quest" - a force of nature governed by laws as real as the laws gravity or momentum. And the rule of Quest Physics maybe goes like this: "If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared - most of all - to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you." Or so I've come to believe."

XOXO
CM

Keeping myself busy!

As I mentioned before, Sophia left on Sunday to FL with her dad, which means that I get all kinds of me time. This weekend was a great example of what my summer days are going to be. On Sunday I woke up super early and met some new friends in PTC at 6:30 am to run 7 miles. I have not ran that distance since last summer when I was training for the Chicago Marathon which I  didn't run. I have to say it felt awesome and God how I missed this, now it's easier for me to arrange these things.

Sunday I rented a road bike, Trek rents you bikes and 100% of the rentals go towards a new bike if you decide to purchase with them which I am thrilled about. So yesterday I took the bike to this place here called Silver Comet Trail, an abandoned trail track that they paved and turned into a 61 mile long road for runners, cyclists, rollerbladers, you name it! I did 22 miles on my first bike ride, Woot Woot! I absolutely loved it and can't wait to do more next weekend.

At night I went to L's who I had not seen since last week, I got there and we picked peaches and veggies from the garden to cook dinner and then watched 3 food documentaries; Food, Inc., Food Matters and King Corn, ate fresh picked vegetables and deer yes, Bambi) and then play outside with an iPhone app that finds constellations (there are no lights where he lives so the sky looks incredible outside his house).

I left super late, he actually offered for me to sleep over but I don't think I can get into that just yet. We have definitely not gotten to that level and I think it's a good thing. For the first time in my life I am taking things slow, getting to know someone without the pressure of intimacy and I kind of like it. He is definitely a gentleman and has been super sweet. 

We might start riding together, he mentioned wanting to get a bike so we could go to Silver Comet Trail together, which sounds great! I am excited to see this relationship evolve the way it is, I am just not used to this slow pace so I second guess it all the time. 

Life is definitely getting better, I found a new love in cycling, that is for sure and I am definitely keeping myself busy this summer with running, cycling, I have to incorporate swimming at some point and maybe I'll even get to my first triathlon soon. 

I am excited, and even though I miss Sophia terribly even though it's only been a few days without her I think it's a good thing for me to have "me time".

Hope you  all had a great memorial weekend!

XOXO
CM

The perks of my job

I have mentioned this before but I am loving my job, not only I love how relaxed and laid back it is but I love the people, wearing jeans every day, the huge bottle of honey in the break room because they know I like it and working of the conference room. 

Well, one of the perks I had not tasted yet was the employee discount since I am not a full time employee yet... but better than that was the employee sale that went on today. I got a little note on my white board while on a conference call that said "employee sale @4pm in the break room, bring cash". I got excited because everyone wears Triumph t-shirts to work and I have non but I REALLY GOT EXCITED when I heard the prices - leather jackets $20, leather boots $10, t-shirts $1, belts $2!

These are some of the awesome things I bought!

The leather jackets are amazing and retail for about $400, they have all the pads for riding too. I do ride with a couple of my friends who have bikes, but it would be sweet if at some point I have my very own bike and learn how to ride! Maybe one day ;)

T-Shirts are our preferred office wear and I can't wait for Tuesday so I can start wearing them to the office! I love them all! I also got a pair of riding boots, and 2 casual shirts that are very form fitting, and everything has Triumph Motorcycles all over.

I am so excited about my new Triumph wear and can't wait to wear it all, to bad the leather jackets are gonna have to wait for a bit.

Until next post.

CM

Tea Party for the Princess

Today was really fun, I went to Jackie's house thinking I was going to a farewell party for Maddy who's leaving for California. Jackie told me it was a hat/tea party evening to say goodbye to her niece and I bought it!

At lunch time, I went shopping for matching hats for me and Sophia and I happened to find a beautiful dress that would just look adorable with the white hat. Well, I am mad I did because I got to Jackie's house after picking up Barrett I was sent right upstairs to change Sophia which was kind of weird... Then I was not allowed to enter the kitchen, and still had no idea!

Finally they said "Carla, only you con come... Sophia has to wait" and when I walked into the kitchen there was pink, and balloons and colorful homemade cupcakes! I teared up :')

Finally we asked Sophia to walk in and we all yelled SURPRISE! Her face was too much, we were both surprised and very happy!

There were presents and games and fun with friends, such a nice gesture from Jackie... Sophia kept repeating "mommy this is the best party ever!"

The hats were so much fun and Sophia and I had matching hats! I can't thank Jackie enough, she definitely made this a memorable birthday for my little princess!

Well, we definitely enjoyed this creative afternoon filled with sweets and loved ones!

Until next post :)

CM

Keeping my options open

So it's summer and Sophia is going away as every year already, she leaves next weekend and I am for 2 months single and childless. So, my question is... Shouldn't I be dating and just going out instead of putting all my eggs in one basket? The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Don't get me wrong, I like "L" and if it evolves then great, but why do this with the first guy I meet after my ex? I think I have to do things different this time and shop around a little, lol!

Since I am in no rush... That's my story and I'm sticking to it! So yesterday I finally decided to go out on a date with a new guy. We have been texting for about 2 weeks and honestly I look forward to his texts. Witty, funny... Very cool guy, and good looking too!

For our 1st date he took me to this restaurant Agave in Atlanta, I had heard really good things about it so I was excited to hear that that's where we were meeting! The food was amazing, and he was as fun and witty as on the phone. His pictures were accurate which means he was a hottie so the date was a success!

After dinner the date evolved, we parked my car at his place, he has a house in my favorite part of the city and we went to a nearby club. Let me just say I haven't been in a club in forever but it was fun. We people watched, danced and had a good time and around midnight Cinderella had to go! I had to go get my monkey, the good thing is he has 2 monkeys of his own so that wasn't a problem.

It was a very fun date, so I am definitely looking forward to going out with him again... Date #2 is scheduled for next Sunday! In the meantime, tonight I see "L" so we will see how that will go.

Well, that's it for now!

Until next post.

CM