The Incredible Shrinking Woman

So. Remember (this)? I knew I wasn't healthy and it was taking a toll on my body. I'd like to say I've been working out and trying really hard to just get fit, but life happens and I haven't put as much energy into it as I would have liked. But I've gotten pretty good at eating right. I haven't been perfect at it, but all in all I'm pretty proud of myself. I can't take all the credit though, the "depression diet" and "your mom has cancer" fitness program has for sure played a huge role. My next endeavor will be to jump back on the work-out wagon, because I just feel better about life when I exercise.

So, you ask, what's the magic number? (And by you, I really mean universe because it seems that is what I've been battling.)

A nice robust $1.65

You can take back my muffin top and shove it, universe!

I apologize to anyone who doesn't have the slightest clue what I'm talking about. Just let me have my small little celebration, okay?

Not Your Average Girl

So I love this song by India Arie... It just makes me feel like I'm awesome.

Video

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I dont
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I wont
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul
Im not the average girl from your video
And I aint built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
Im not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what Im wearing I will always be India Arie

When I look in the mirror the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where its supposed to be
And I know our creator didnt make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; Im lovin what I see

Im not the average girl from your video
And I aint built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
Im not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what Im wearing I will always be India Arie

Am I less of a lady if I dont wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady aint what she wears but, what she knows
But, Ive drawn a conclusion, its all an illusion,
confusions the name of the Game
A misconception, a vast deception
Somethings gotta change
Dont be offended this is all my opinion
Aint nothing that Im sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson
I was sent here to share wit Yall
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Free your mind, nows the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself cuz everythings gonna be all right

Im not the average girl from your video
And I aint built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
Im not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what Im wearing I will always be India Arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I dont need that to have a good
your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Cristale and your pistol
Id rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Dont need your silicon I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

Im not the average girl from your video
And I aint built like a supermodelBut,
I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
Im not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what Im wearing I will always be India Arie

Changes

I listened to the presidential inauguration today on the radio while I was driving to work. I didn't vote because I am the biggest dumb dumb ever and missed the voter registration deadline. I know though that Obama wouldn't have been my first choice. Still, there is a part of me that holds a lot of hope for the next 4 years. We as a nation have chosen a president who has promised change and I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt that he actually meant it. If there is one thing I've learned in my life it is that change is often a good thing even when the immediate repercussions may be uncomfortable or frustrating or hard. Change helps us grow.

On a slightly related note, today I would like to give a shout out to Tupac Shakur. Have you ever heard the song "Changes" he released in the mid 90's? Because its awesome, and he made an allusion to the current political condition in our country which goes as follows:

... the only time we chill is when we kill each other

it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other

And although it seems heaven sent

We ain't ready, to see a black President, uh

It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact

the penitentiary's packed,

and it's filled with blacks

But some things will never change ...

And ever since Obama won, my little heart has done a secret victory dance for Tupac, because things ARE changing. I know some people argue "Obama's not really black" and blah blah blah but I'm really proud that this election has seen black/white/male/female contenders with rightly equal chances at winning. So Pac, I hope you are doing a little dance on that desert island we all know you're living on. I would be right there with you.

Ohhh Regina.

I love this music video almost as much as I love the song. Because the heart breaking is a good thing! She is so poetic that Regina.