Priorities

A couple of years ago an employee from another department was talking with me about his dilemma having enough time for work, school, and personal life. Fortunately he was still very young, recently started college, and didn't have as many bills or responsibilities as he would have in his thirties. I gave him some advice then, which turned out to be advice for myself that's I've tried to remember over the past couple of years: I told him to find out what his priority was, focus on that, and then whatever came behind that in order accordingly. I told him to feel good and confident in his decision, to not feel bad about having a priority, and to not apologize for it - not even to himself.

Last week I took a me-cation alone for a few days to clear my head and think of my priorities. With all the things I do and love to do, two things were at the forefront of my mind: health and education. My top two priorities are my health and my education, and I need to feel good in that assumption, and to not apologize to anyone, including myself, for making those my priorities.

For my health, this involves exercising consistently, minding my nutrition, getting sleep, and keeping myself in a positive mental state. For my education, this involves my college courses, independent research, teaching others, reading and observing topics of health and marketing. I am rediscovering my soul and passion this year for the arts, dancing, and entertainment events, which I can incorporate in my heath (dancing) and education (both at work and school).

Other things I love doing that I don't plan on giving up in my life, such as travelling and being a personal wellness consultant, need to come after these initial priorities. At first thought I don't even want to type those words, or think about what they mean, or feel I have to step back even a little bit of those things. Then I remember my advice and know I've made the right decision, and not apologize to even myself.

Running around trying to do everything all at once isn't going to get you anywhere. If you want to get ANYTHING done, and done well, you need to prioritize. In the end, I know I will be more productive and happier.

I already am this week. :)

Yours in health and happiness,

Samantha Marie

Reboot

It's been quite an amazing roller coaster year. Launched the SamTalia website, became a doTERRA Wellness Advocate, continued my education in marketing and nutrition, finally got a stamp on my passport, and began a new full time job at an arts & culture center in San Francisco.

I was in need of a vacation that would have ideally liked to have been a week long, but I settled for a few days and got out of it what I wanted - even though it took me about a day and a half just to be able to relax and begin to try to clear my mind for the fall semester that was coming around the corner. I have always had a bad habit of trying to do much all at once, and wanting to do it all 100%. Learning from my past life though, I did not want to repeat the same mistakes I had - which was doing several things just mediocre - not acceptable to me in this life.

Several things were being held back within myself, and in regards to this blog I was holding back too. There were things I thought I'd write about, but I wasn't sure if I'd have a full article, or maybe it wasn't the type of article I was sure I wanted on the blog, or whatever my excuses were for not writing so much (besides the obvious too busy to think about having the time for all these things). Thoughts and personal development are part of being healthy and happy, which is what this blog is mainly about. Fitness, nutrition, and beauty just support that. The main goal was always health and happiness, including mental health which I haven't really talked about but definitely should.

Today I start a new semester, and this blog is coming with me.

Yours in health and happiness,

Samantha Marie

What It Means to be a San Francisco City Girl This Week

THE GIANTS WON THE WORLD SERIES! YAYYYYY!!!!!

I have home town love for my teams, win lose or die. But it sure is fabulous when we win!
Being a city girl this week also comes with the usual school (midterms!), work (interviews for a promotion!) and getting a Halloween costume (I don't have time to shop!.) I did however manage to do okay in all three departments, and - despite being at work during Game 7 - managed to watch the last three minutes with a crowd of fellow gym-goers as we caught the last out.

I got off work at 9:30pm, and when I walked outside ten minutes later, it was like New Years Day. Horns honking, fireworks going off, random loud explosions, and of course - bus schedules disrupted. My friend had called me about 9pm to meet her downtown with the celebration in the streets. This of course sounded like fun, but the reality was I knew the "celebration" was going to get out of hand, and I was all the way across town with buses that weren't coming for awhile.

Home was my destination, with a full backpack of school books, a change of regular clothes, some interview clothes, and my empty lunch box that I cram 3 meals into every day. I tried on my Halloween costume for the first time, and realized I needed some white stockings to complete my Dorothy outfit. By the time this was done, I needed to finish unpacking and repack my lunch for work the next morning. My 20 minute Pilates DVD I've been trying to do at night would have to wait another day. It was time to decompress, so that I could be refreshed to get up and do it all over again.

Congrats Giants! Got another interview tomorrow. Happy Halloween everyone!

~ Samantha Marie

But I Want to Take All the Classes!

Today ends my first week of fall semester. I really wish instead of full time work & part time school I could do part time work & full time school. Or maybe just a boat load of school.

As tired, frazzled, and perpetually feeling like I'm running late this week has been, it's great to be back in school. I'm extremely happy being enrolled in my nutrition & psychology courses this semester.

But oh my lord, school book should NOT be so stressful to the point where they make your face break out. Seriously. Five pimples have roamed my face all week. Not little baby blackheads either. I think it should be against the law for school books to be this high. Half the national student debt is probably on books alone.

I found many great sites that rent books out fortunately. Bookrenter.com loans a $155 book at $40 for 125 days. Just in time to end your finals. Many places have free shipping & returns too. I encourage everyone to check book renting sites out.

This semester I'm taking two nutrition courses and one psychology course. I was going to take a health class, but I think it's a good thing that fell through. It's only the first week & I'm already behind! One of my books showed up this weekend & one of them hasn't even arrived yet. In addition to blogging about health, fitness, beauty and all that good stuff, you can learn more by learning along with me too. One of my assignments over the weekend was to find out my personality type; not for the psychology class, but for my nutrition class. It's an intro to the dietetics profession. Check out my result of the Meyers-Briggs based test & find yours out too!

http://www.humanmetrics.com/hr/JTypesResult.aspx?EI=33&SN=-62&TF=-38&JP=11

End of My Summer Vacation

Great summer!

- Went back to college. Took a computer class: Computer Applications for Business, since I'm fairly computer illiterate, and got an A! I struggle with computers, and things like language & terminology, so I'm very happy because I worked for it!

- My regular day job has been going well & accommodating. I was able to still work full time while taking an intense 6 week semester. I was also able to schedule a week off (big reason why I was MIA here for a week) and glad I took it since I know I won't be able to go anywhere til at least Christmas.

- Spent a relaxing few days in Oregon visiting my mom & grandpa. I had wonderful mother-daughter time that we don't get to share more than a couple times a year now. She took me to a creamery (cheese) factory shop, and wine tasting next door from there. 

- Spent my last days as a free woman (of no work or school) in Viva Las Vegas! I've been to Las Vegas many times but believe it or not, I wanted to just have a mellow time this trip. I imagined lots of sun, pool parties, some reading and sleeping. Of course none of that happened - not even the sun! But I made some great memories with my friend Lisa. You know what they say: What happens in Vegas...

I hope everyone takes these last few days of their summer for some much needed relaxation, have a little fun and continue making it a memorable 2014! 

Me & my mom - Southern Oregon, August 2014

Myself & one of my good friends, Lisa - in the High Roller, Las Vegas August 2014