Always Thankful

This time of year is a time for reflection.  When I look at  my life, there is so much I am grateful for, and I count my blessings not only this time of year, but every single day of the year.  Some of the things/people I am grateful for are:

My Parents

For giving me the gift of life, and loving me to the fullest unconditionally.  I’ve always been crazy close with my parents, talking with them multiple times a day about important things and trivial things.  My Mom passed away last year, but during the 25 years we spent together we were best friends and had many many unbelievably fun times together.  She was kind, intelligent, giving, genuine, loyal, funny, beautiful, courageous, and so loving.  She was always there for me…she was my rock.  I miss her with all my heart every day.  My Daddy and I have always been close too and still are!  We have so much fun together!!  From cooking, to talking shop (we’re both Finance majors and have our MBA, and he was in the healthcare industry as I am), to traveling, to taking dance lessons together, to rockin’ out in the Vinyl Lounge at home, my Dad is one of the smartest, most fun, goofy men I know.  I love him to the moon and back!

My Hubby

My soul mate and everything bright in this world!  My husband is truly one in a billion, and I am the luckiest girl in the world to have him as my partner in life.  We have shared so many wonderful experiences together over the last seven years from the mundane of watching Walking Dead on our couch to the luxury of traveling to exotic locations abroad.  Each day is an adventure with him, and I look forward to all the future adventures life has in store for us.  I couldn’t imagine sharing this life with anyone but you my love!

My Family

Growing up, my family and I spent every Friday or Saturday at someone’s house cooking dinner, listening to music, and just hanging out.  Now that I’m older, not much has changed, and I love it.  My family is my rock, and without their love, support, comfort, and craziness, I would not be who I am today.  From our silly evenings at someone’s house to our travels together, I am so grateful for all our laughs, cries, singing, etc!  I love my family!

My Friends

My friends are true gemstones, and I know that they are there for me no matter what.  You know who you are.  Each and every one of you makes my life so much brighter, and I am so grateful for your friendship.  Some are close by, others across the country, but no matter how far apart, we always pick up right where we left off.

Our Furbabies

Our two puppies, Rugby and Juno, and our kitty Tantalum make our world so much happier.  Nothing beats coming home from a long day at work to three loving furbabies who are beyond excited to see you!  Their love is unconditional, and our love for them is unconditional.  They are our babies, and I can’t imagine life wihtout them.

My Health

Over the last couple months I learned that I carry a genetic mutation that my mom and grandmother carried, that predisposes me to MDS and/or leukemia.  I could be depressed and heartbroken and fall into a deep dark place thinking of a terrible fate, but that’s not who I am (there’s no room for negativity in my life).  Instead, I fill my life and heart with positivity!  I am grateful that I can breathe each day, that I can work out and push my body beyond it’s limits, that I can explore the world with through site, sound, smell, touch, and taste.  I am a very healthy 27 year old, and I’m going to be one very healthy 90 year old down the line!!

Our Home

We are so thankful that we have a roof over our heads and a place to call home.  We were able to buy a home two years ago, and it’s been so much fun remodeling and decorating and really making it “ours.”  This time of year is especially exciting because we have our Christmas tree (this year we bought a monster one at 11 feet!), Christmas decorations around the house, and Christmas lights outside.  It was so fun decorating for the holiday with my hubby while we listened to Christmas music :)

Travel

My parents always believed that travel provides knowledge, insight, and experience that cannot be obtained in a classroom.  Don’t get me wrong, school was always number 1 (I was always a straight A student and went on to earn my MBA), but seeing the world enlightens you in a way that is so profound and mind-opening.  I have been fortunate enough to travel all over the world including, France, Spain, Italy, England, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and more!  We have several adventures planned for 2014 including Iceland!!  Stay tuned!

Education

Education is embedded in who I am.  My parents gave me the gift of education, for which I will be eternally grateful.  I was always an over-achiever (and still am), and wanted to excel in school not only to impress my parents, but to give myself a sense of gratification in knowing I absorbed and learned everything I possibly could!  I recently earned my MBA, and I continue to look for ways to expand my knowledge and grow!  As cliché as it may be, knowledge is growth and knowledge is power.  Keep on educating yourself!

Technology

I am so grateful for technology on numerous accounts.  First, I am grateful for my iPhone and the ability to communicate in real-time with my family and friends around the country.  Second, I am grateful for the internet and social media for keeping me up to date on current events and acting as a tool for sharing my own stories like I am right here on this blog.  Third, I am grateful for medical technology to help fight diseases and find cures!

Transportation

I love that I have a brand new and reliable car that not only gets me from point A to point B, but also carries our precious cargo with ample space (our pups love their car rides!).  This was my first car purchase completely on my own, and I am very proud of myself for that.

Music

What can I say other than music is so fun!  I enjoy listening to and singling along with music in my car, during my workouts, and just singing and dancing around the house!  There is music for every mood, and it’s wonderful!

My Career

I am grateful that I have a job, and more importantly that it’s a job I love.  I have been with my company for nearly 5 years now, and I love each day.  I am tasked with many challenging projects, and I enjoy every bit of it.  My team is making huge strides and I couldn’t be more proud of our accomplishments!

Be thankful for all the blessings in your life this holiday season and always!

Goodbye 2012, Cheers 2013!

This year has definitely been the most difficult year of my life so far. My mom passed away somewhat unexpectedly in March, and its a pain I can't even explain. Somehow, though, I was able to channel all my sadness, grief, anger, and confusion into raising awareness and funds for research for the Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome International Foundation. Within a month of my mom's passing, we had raised $17,000. I still can't believe it. My fundraising efforts still continue as I fight in memory of mom and all those affected by MDS.

After my mom passed, I felt like time stood still. I can't believe it's the end of the year. But, my mom was always the most positive person I've ever known, and that positivity is something she instilled in me.

Despite the loss of my mom, a lot of positive things happened this year and I know in my heart she would be very happy and proud:

1. We raised $17K for AA&MDS International Foundation
2. My husband and I brought home two adorable puppies, a chocolate lab and a great dane...they light up our lives :)
3. I had the honor of being in two weddings: 1. one of my best friends in NYC, and 2. my brother in law and my now Sis :)
4. My brother in law and his wife are pregnant!
5. I am training for my first marathon (LA 2013) and running for MDS in memory of Mom
6. I got my first tattoo
7. I completed my first triathlon
8. I graduated from Chapman University with my Masters in business Administration (MBA)
9. My husband and I traveled to Italy for our 1st wedding anniversary and fell in love with the beautiful country
10. We spent more time with family and friends, and appreciating the little things in life.

This year has been a very trying year for my family, but with the darkness there was some light.  I am grateful for all the wonderful things that happened and are happening.  I pray for a happy and healthy 2013 with many many more happy and wonderful things to come!

Cheers to 2013!!!

Merry Christmas 2012!!

Merry Christmas!

Love The O'Neils

Thankful

November is a month to give thanks, and I am blessed to have to so many things to be thankful for. Because there are 30 days in November, I am going to list 30 things that I am thankful for, even though there are plenty more :)
I am thankful for:

1. My health, both physical and mental

2. My loving husband, my soul mate, my best friend. I love you baby

3. Our sweet kitty

4. Our handsome chocolate lab

5. Our beautiful baby great dane, soon to be our gentle giant

6. My incredibly strong, caring, and goofy dad

7. My big brother and his family who live far away but luckily I get to talk to and skype with frequently

8. Technology that allows me to communicate with my big brother in real time so the 2,000 miles between us seemingly doesn’t exist.

9. My little bro who isn’t so little, and can always make me laugh

10. My marvelous extended family

11. Living so close to all my family and that we get to see each other multiple times a week

12. A house to call home

13. A career that I love

14. My car to take me where I need to go

15. My education, thank you Mom and Dad for the gift of knowledge

16. Great friends who are there for me no matter what

17. My fantastic parents-in-law who are two of the kindest people I know

18. The ability to pay my bills on time

19. Sunsets, I’m a sucker for sunsets

20. Seeing the sunrise every morning because it reminds me I’m alive on this day and to make it count

21. Where I live (5 minutes from the beach, 1½ hours from the mountains and desert)

22. Movies

23. Food and my favorite drink, water

24. My love for cooking and being able to do so

25. My community

26. Having traveled around the world to the places I’ve been to (with many more places on our travel list)

27. This blog to share my thoughts

28. My readers on this blog

29. Music

And last but definitely not least,

30. My Mom, who was and will always be my mentor, my idol, and my best friend. I miss you every single day. I love you to heaven and back.

I am thankful.

Slice of Life - Happy Halloween!

Last weekend Sean and I threw a party at our house, and sticking with our Dexter/Rita theme, we turned one of our sunroom into Dexter's kill room:

Can you guess who is on our table?  HINT:  Dexter got his revenge for Rita's death ;)

And tonight we're handing out candy for the first time in our house!!  We're so excited!

What do you have planned for Halloween?  What are you/did you dress up as??

Three Things Thursday!

1.  MBA Update:  I started my last semester of grad school this week.  I'm taking two FUN classes:  International Marketing and Consumer Behavior so I'm certain this semester will fly by.  We have some very creative projects as well as some exciting and topical case studies.  Come December, I will have earned my MBA!

2.  Triathlon?  It's less than a month until my first triathlon and I have a confession - I haven't swam once.  I've been cycling a lot, and running here and there, but I haven't gotten one swim in.  Cest la vie!  I signed up to do this just for fun {not for time or competition}, so I'm going to do it just for fun.  I may be the very last finisher, but I'll finish :)  I have my first ocean swim on deck for this weekend.  Cheers to Labor Day weekend ocean swims!

Okay, okay, so this won't be me AT ALL, but it's a cool picture!

3.  Rugby loves to swim {maybe he can swim my part of the triathlon for me??}!  This past weekend we took Rugby swimming for the first time.  He was so great and he loved it!  I can't wait to take him swimming again! 

Hubby and Rugby in the pool :)

Happy Thursday everyone!

Sunday Funday

Happy Sunday everyone!

This morning I was able to get a 1-mile run in before it got so hot and all I wanted was a glass of water and a cold shower.  Yes, it's only a mile, but it was 8am and already 85 degrees (today is going to be a scorcher)!  I give big props to people who live in the midwest and east where not only is it 90+ degrees but add on humidity of 100%!  Yikes!

Despite the shortness of my run, I feel good that I got it in.  Now I get to play with this handsome boy (hubby had to work a double last night (he's a cop) so he's sleeping today):

This face gets me every time :)

What workouts did you get in this weekend?

Any fun Sunday Funday plans?

Weekend with Hubby and Rugby

This weekend was chock-full of fun!

Friday night, Sean and I celebrated 8 months of marriage (because we’re mushy like that :) )!  Time sure has flown by.  But you know what they say, “time flies when you’re having fun” and it’s easy to have fun when you’re married to your best friend.  So we celebrated with a romantic gondola ride at sunset with our favorite champagne (Veuve Clicquot), fruit, prosciutto, brie and crackers, followed by a decadent meal at a local Italian restaurant.  We spent the entire night laughing with each other and talking.

Then, we came home to our little furbabies and we got to snuggle with this little bundle of love:

Saturday I worked out, then a friend of mine took me out for a belated birthday dinner.  We went to this incredible rooftop bar overlooking the ocean {it was just before sunset so it was gorgeous} and had a glass of sangria before heading to dinner.  Such a fun night with an incredible friend!

Sunday my hubby and I took our puppy out for his first bike ride!!  I have a basket on my cruiser, and Rugby fits in it so perfectly {for now!}.  Rugby absolutely loved it!  I was so afraid that he would try and jump out, but he was totally into it just enjoying the ride.  It was precious.  My hubby snapped this picture of me and our Rug-a-bug:

We also gave Rugby a new toy, and it cracks me up because his new stuffed animal is as big as he is!

It was a great weekend!

How was your weekend?  What did you do?

26 Miles at 26 Years of Age!

The other day a friend asked me if I still want to run a marathon.  I paused for a moment and then replied, “Yes…”  I was hesitant, because I haven’t been running much as of late, but in that moment I realized that I do still want to run a marathon.

I always thought it would be fun to run the 26 miles while I’m 26 years old, which is now, but lately thought that wouldn’t happen because I "don’t have the time/haven’t been running/lacking motivation", whatever it may be.  Then, while driving to work this morning, I realized that I CAN run a marathon while I’m 26 years old.  I will be finished with grad school in December, which will give me ample time to devote to the long runs that come with training for a marathon, and my 27th birthday isn’t until June.  So, that gives me from now until December to get my butt in running gear, and then six months to train for and run a marathon post-graduation.  I CAN DO THIS!  I WANT TO DO THIS!

So now the big question…which marathon to train for???  LA Marathon?  OC Marathon?  San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon?  What's your vote?  What’s your favorite marathon?

Happy Friday all!  I'll leave you with this little video I took Sunday night when Rugby discovered Tantalum's kitty toy.  I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud and distract him!  And notice how tiny he is {for now} especially compared to Tantalum!

2012 Olympics + Our Little Rascals

Last night after a delicious at-home Taco Tuesday with my hubby, Dad, and bro complete with homemade tacos and enchiladas, hubby and I tuned in to the Olympics.  We caught the tail end of women’s synchronized diving (China took the gold and Mexico the silver), then we watched the men’s 100M freestyle swimming which is one of my favorite events.  James Magnussen (Australia) qualified for the 100m freestyle finals as the fastest swimmer in 47.63 seconds, followed by our own Nathan Adrian (USA) in 47.97 seconds!  They were flyin’!

After watching the men’s 100M freestyle, my absolutely favorite event came on…the women’s gymnastics.  Since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved watching gymnastics in the Olympics.  One of my most memorable moments was when I was 10 years old watching the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when Kerri Strug pulled through for the USA team after Dominique Moceanu fell on both her vaults, by perfectly landed her vault after severely injuring her ankle.  Her landing assured the USA team their first Olympic team gold medal.  It was memorable.

Watching the women’s gymnastics last night was so exciting!  USA was on fire, and as a Long Beach, CA native, I am so proud of McKayla Maroney who is from Long Beach.  She earned the highest vault score and watching her routine I honestly could not figure out where the judges deducted any points…she looked perfect!

McKayla Maroney, SoCal native and LBC resident!

The USA women’s gymnastics team took the gold last night beating Russia by 5 points.  This is the second gold medal ever for the USA women’s gymnastics team with Atlanta in 1996 being the first.  GO TEAM USA!!  I’m so excited and proud!

USA Women's Gymnastics Team Takes the Gold!

Speaking of excited and proud, I have to share some pictures of our little rascal, Rugby.  We’ve only had him for three days and he is the cutest most adorable little guy, and he already knows to go to the bathroom outside!  He’ll go to the door and either bark or give a little whimper, and we take him out to the grass and voila!  He’s such a quick learner :)  He’s so full of energy and so silly because as a baby he is still very uncoordinated and waddles or falls over when he’s jumping on a toy…it’s the cutest.  And he and Tantalum have become buddies, playing with and chasing each other all around the house.  Last night, Rugby discovered one of Tantalum’s kitty toys.  Tantalum at first was like “hey that’s my toy” but then joined in and they played with it together.  Precious! 

He's so little but look at those paws!  He's going to be a big boy!

Rugby and Tantalum :)

Our little rascal

Our family is growing and we couldn't be happier :)

Meet Rugby :)

Sean and I have wanted to get a puppy and thought we would sometime next year.  Well, yesterday we decided to go look at puppies just for fun.  We’ve done this together over the last 6 years that we’ve been together, but something was different about yesterday.

We were just cruising around and immediate saw this little chocolate lab retriever bouncing around with his ears flopping.  Then he looked at us with his bright green eyes and Sean and I looked at each other and we were in love.  Once we took him into the private room to play, we knew he was meant for us.  Everyone, meet our newest addition, Rugby :)

He is just the cutest, uncoordinated, energetic, snuggly little puppy.  He loves his toys, loves running around in the backyard, follows us around the house, and snuggles on our laps when we’re watching a movie.  He is a 2 month old chocolate lab retriever and we couldn’t be happier with our new baby.  Tantalum, our kitty and now Rugby’s big brother, was at first skeptical like “What on earth did you guys bring home for me?!” But after a little bit of getting to know each other, Tantalum and Rugby were following each other around the house playing with Tantalum’s feather toys (yes, Rugby loves the cat toys!)  It was adorable.

I can’t wait to start taking Rugby on runs with me!  We can motivate each other to log a couple miles each day :) 

**Update 8/2:  I just realized this is on my 30 before 30 list!