Birthday Fun Times

Monday, April 4 was my birthday. I am now officially 33 years old/young. In the past I was never a big fan of birthdays. I have no good reason, just wasn't. However, this year I decided I was going to enjoy my birthday, heck I was going to enjoy the entire week of my birthday. I was also very determined to have some sort of cake to put my candles in.

So how did it go you ask...it was WONDERFUL!!! I can't take all the credit, actually I can't take any. Thanks to the amazing people in my life this year's birthday was one the best ever birthdays! It all started the Saturday before my birthday. The wonderful man in my life, Jay, took me to the aquarium. It was so much fun. I haven't been to the aquarium since I was a kid and truthfully I don't even remember it. I felt like a kid as we walked around and hopped between different exhibits. Good thing he knows how to read exhibit maps because I was just wandering. Also, on the health side my FitBit was showing some large number accomplishments after walking around all day.  

Admit it, you just played the jaws theme song in your head

I don't love winter, but I do think cold weather animals are so cute, and that includes penguins. They had the adorable black and white penguins for us to see, but they also had a new exhibit with blue penguins. They are Australia and just as adorable. 

Blue penguins.  I am pretty sure the guy on the end was posing. They were so adorable.  

Can't forget these guys, just because they may not be blue but they were so cute!!
The one on the mat didn't move for at least 20 minutes, we think he is still there.

Another favorite was the giant turtles. They are huge and yet they swim very gracefully. I could have watched them all day playing with each other and I think they were posing too. These animals know what they are doing. 

So huge and so graceful.  Let me in the water I want to play!

We also got lucky, after we were done inside we went to leave and to our very happy surprise the rain and nasty weather had cleared. We were able to walk and hang out along the waterfront for a little. 

Selfish at the aquarium!

I love being outside, especially near water. There is something so peaceful and freeing

Then it was off to dinner. I can't even tell you how wonderful it feels to be with someone who respects your health and understands you can't just eat anything and is okay with that. Never once does he make me feel bad that I eat differently or that I take my time and like to check out menus online first to be prepared. We picked a place to eat and off we went...is it wrong that I got seafood after going to the aquarium. Hmmm....

I was able to eat out, enjoy, keep it healthy, and was full after!

Yes, it tasted as delicious as it looks

Jay kept it healthy too with steak, and green beans.
He requested no mashed potatoes, but they showed up on his plate.
The man has willpower and only had a few bites. 

And that was only Saturday!

On Sunday my parent's came over to my place to celebrate with me since weekdays are always harder. My mom even brought over lunch and made food I could enjoy as well. I think it was hard for them at first to realize my way of eating wasn't about some fad or crash diet it was about my health. It was about feeling better and healing my insides. Now my mom makes food I can eat and enjoy as well. It means a lot to me. She even brought over strawberries for dessert. Adding to the fun was earlier that morning I decided to try making vanilla almond flour cupcakes (don't worry I will post about them). They were delicious!! I even put a little PB2 on top instead of icing and my dad put cool whip on his. My mom was able to put the candle in the cupcake for me and I got one of my wishes...my candle in a cupcake!! It's the little details in life that mean so much. 

Finally!! It's this the prettiest dessert. More than that, it meant a lot to me that my parents put it together.
(The brownies on the side my dad happily enjoyed)

Birthday presents! My mom and dad got me some really fun presents, but I had to share this beautiful bag.
I couldn't wait to use it for work Monday. 

While most of my birthday fun took place on the weekend, it was still for my birthday and so much fun!! I will never forget the amazing weekend I had, oh and in addition, I am having a party this coming weekend to celebrate with my friends. 

Out of Balance

The last few weeks have been non-stop. It hasn't been bad things just non-stop. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I was coming or going. Work took top priority, second place went to working out and weight loss, everything else came after that. 

This is how I feel my calendar looks

I had made plans for every night after work last week, I thought I got this...nope. By mid to end of last week I noticed my patience was really thin. Things that normally wouldn't bother me, really did! I was sleeping, but going to bed way too late and waking up already cranky and not even wanting to workout, which I have really been enjoying. I was having really bad food cravings at night and wanting to mindless eat. I was struggling to focus because my mind was already on the next thing. 

There is a light at the end of the tunnel... 

My weekly plans also included to get pedicures with my friend/co-worker Marissa. The pedicures hit the spot!! Marissa and I never get time to just hang out and relax. We both work really hard and decided to start treating ourselves by having an after workday date once a month. While we were sitting there completely getting pampered I realized how lacking I have been in taking care of myself. Sure I eat healthy and workout but what about relaxing, what about all the stress...it has to go somewhere. We walked out of the pedicure place feeling fantastic! That will be on April calendar as well! 

I am making time to pamper myself!

 

Also set for Friday was plans with my friend Jay. During the week Jay said we should try something new after dinner and go to this place called the Amazing Escape Room. He said it's a neat mystery/puzzle where you get locked in rooms and have to find clues throughout the room to find keys and escape. Heck yeah count me in! It was a late night, but I have to tell you I had more fun that night than I had in ages!!! While we were at dinner, some bag pipers came in the restaurant for a little day after St. Patty Day music, we got to sit and talk, and then walked to the Escape Room. We got hooked up to work with this larger group of people and they turned out to be so fun to work with. We all hit it off. And yes we did escape in time!!  They even told us we had the best time escaping from all the teams that night. Walking back to the car it hit me, I had fun. I laughed. I relaxed. I wasn't worried about anything. I wasn't 2 steps ahead of myself. I just had FUN!  

Jay and I after the escape!
Such a fun time 

So now I realize I need to find a better balance between work, health, relaxing, and fun. I took this weekend and relaxed. I slept late since I was able to. I played in the kitchen. I am now sharing my story with all of you and soon I will be watching The Walking Dead. Tomorrow is a new day and week, I plan on keeping time open to relax and have fun!  I don't want to get out of balance again, being cranky and tired is absolutely no fun at all!