The Cyclical Cycle of Cyclists

Venting session:

So lately I've been super aware of what kinds of things my tax dollars are paying for. Not sure if it's because I'm supposedly in a different tax bracket now that I have a steady income, or if it's because I'm just older and I understand more about the government, tax dollars, and the overall economic downfall. Regardless of WHY I'm more aware...the point is I'm pissed. 

The thing I would have to say pisses me off THE MOST lately are people who decide to ride their bicycles during rush hour...on the main road...in the middle of the road...in traffic going 35mph (at least)...and don't get the hell out of the way. 

One of the MANY things I have to pay for as a working middle class woman in this day and age is road construction. I'm one of the millions of people paying for the VDOT renovations taking place in the NoVa area and I'm also one of the millions of people reaping the benefits of clean roads and green grassed medians...so someone PLEASE explain to me why our tax dollars are going to building special lanes for these people with bicycles to have their own lanes and they continue to ride in our lanes for MOTOR VEHICLES. I realize that not ALL roads have the special bike lanes, but do these bicycle riders realize that my car will murder them?

Why do they HAVE to ride between 5pm - 6:30pm on Franconia Rd...one of the most traffic heavy areas? I just don't get it. Do you see me or any of my fellow car-owners driving on bike paths through the woods or on the sidewalks? NO. 

So to ALL the bike riders - MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. Stop driving in the middle of traffic at 5mph because that's all your little legs can go. JUST MOVE. Or ride your bike at a different location. 

Oh, and don't get pissed when I honk my horn at you to move out of the way! You cause traffic, and accidents, and STRESS! 

I respect the fact that you like bike-riding but could you all please respect the fact that you are putting YOURSELF and ME and EVERYONE ELSE on the road in danger?!?

That is all. Thank you! 

I think I can forgive you...

I've been pondering this idea a lot and am at a total loss for an answer, so I'm hoping by pouring my feelings out and writing about it - I'll be able to get some feedback from everyone and come to peace with my question. 

At what point is forgiveness not an option? At what point can someone be completely convinced that they will not and cannot forgive someone for doing wrong? 

Yesterday night I caught the end of The Best Man on HBO...for those of you who haven't watched it, I suggest you drop at least one night of your plans in the next few days and watch it. Along with The Best Man Holiday. Wow. Simply wow. Watch both ASAP.

Without saying too much, the story or stories within the two movies are all based around the concept of forgiveness. It's about forgiving your best friend. Forgiving your lover. Forgiving yourself. Forgiving just about everything that could possibly hurt you. Digging yourself out of a situation and coming to peace with the fact that sometimes loving someone is bigger than the hurt they might cause you. It's about trusting that someone can be actually really sorry for what they did and come back to be a great friend. The kind of best friend you expect them to be to you. The movie involves acts of revenge, and repentance and even pure manipulation. But it really made me sit back and think...would I be able to forgive someone who hurt me so deeply? Who slept with someone I was with, or who took advantage of a situation with my best friend? Would I bring myself to the point of marriage when there is so much distrust just because I "love" someone?

I don't want this to be a religious post. I don't want this to involve religion in any way. By God's word...in every religion...forgiveness is key. It brings peace and hope to everyone and let's faith take over. I get that. 

What I want this post to be about is reality. The reality of forgiveness. Does it happen the way it should or as often as it could possibly? Does forgiving someone actually mean you're giving them a chance to mess up again? Are you ready to forgive someone for hurting you so bad and opening the door to your life again... In an ideal world, forgiveness happens often and peacefully - but technically, in an ideal world forgiveness isn't even needed, right?

I've personally learned that forgiveness will give me peace. I wish for all my friends to be friends and for everything in my future to just be nice and calm - but we all know (some more than others) that my life doesn't always work like that..it's definitely not a box of sweet, yummy chocolates. But hey - I can only hope. In the mean time, I'm trying to think about what it would take to get me to the point where I won't be able to forgive anymore. Will there ever be a point where I just say "no"? Would it be "bad" of me to not find it in me to forgive someone? I'd like to think that everything ends the way it does in the two movies I watched today...but movies are movies and just that. 

I'm probably just wasting my time even thinking about it right now. After all, I'm at peace with just about everything tonight. But the movies got me really thinking...

I guess my best conclusion to my own question would be - if my love and the love of the other person is bigger than the hurtful act that took place,  I'd like to think that there's a path for us to come back and eventually be as strong as ever. 

Thoughts?

Bucket List

• Go skydiving
• Go on a mission trip
• Adopt a baby
• Get married
• Have children
• Get my Masters degree 
• Go on a blind date
• Play the ULTIMATE Kane scam on someone
• Publish a book
• Save someone's life
• Meet Ellen DeGeneres
• Go on a date with Bruno Mars
• Fly First Class
• Go on a concert tour 
• Have a Christian Grey type experience
• Dance with Shakira
• Open my own dance studio
• Join Big Brothers, Big Sister's Foundation
• Visit the pyramids
• Attend a World Cup game
• Visit Our Lady of Guadalupe 
• Go to Disney World
• Attend a Rihanna concert
• Learn to drive stick shift
• See Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon live
• Learn Spanish
• Go to Las Vegas and Miami
• Fly in a hot air balloon
• Go to Carnival in Rio
• Move to San Diego, CA
• Travel to: Bali, Dubai, Greece, Japan, Australia, and Morocco
• Play with a monkey
• See a Coqui in real life
• Kiss in the rain
• Take a road trip across country
• Kiss someone special at midnight on New Year's Eve
• Take a selfie with the cast of the Big Bang Theory
• Go on a wine tour
• Have a star named after me

Anyone want to help me knock some of these out?! :) 

The Story Behind My Cross

I'm pretty sure that all of my readers and friends know about my little heart breaker of a brother, Alec. He's the talented, funny, smart, good-looking kid that everyone pretty much falls in love with - he's simply awesome. And just like Jason said...he got all the good genes...except -- Dana, you are so gorgeous and I'm totally obsessed with you. 

Anyways, growing up I had a little trouble finding my faith. It took a lot from me to understand my religion and what it meant to me. I asked a lot of questions, and I know at times my dad had trouble listening to me speak out about my curiosity for other religions and cultures. My parents raised me to believe in Church on Sundays, CCD once a week, Communion, Baptism, and the Virgin Mary bearing a son to whom was our Savior. I believed in it because my mom and dad told me to. Not because I really understood it. Until Alec was born. 

In Lebanon, there is the Shrine of the Virgin Mary. It is one of THE most amazing and beautiful places anyone could ever visit. The serenity, peace, and love you feel when you visit is something that can never be felt anywhere else in the world. It's breathtaking. 

My dad went on a trip to Lebanon back in 1999 with a close friend of his. At the time, my family was under some financial turbulence and my mom had just miscarried a little boy. Without going into much more detail, you can imagine how heartbroken my dad was. He was facing trouble on every front of his life and was at a loss for hope and words. On this trip though, he stopped at the Shrine of the Virgin Mary one night and lost the whole night being there. He prayed, and cried, and hoped for better health, better finances, and a son to carry the family name from his side, not only my uncles. He prayed and promised the Virgin Mary that if she was to help him overcome this tough time he would come back and walk from the bottom of her mountain to the top where she stood. (My dad is a diabetic, has weak legs from the days he fought in the Lebanese civil war, and of course, the inevitable high blood pressure issues that come with diabetes.) He was in no way medically fit to walk such a tough path that is estimated to be about 5 - 6 hours in journey on foot. We all thought this was so absurd to make a promise that would jeopardize his health in so many ways. But regardless of our thoughts, he had already made the promise. He would raise his unborn son to pray to her and believe in her and he would bring us all to her to thank her. I don't think my dad can even explain how he felt. 

He came back from that trip a new person. Shortly after my parents moved us into a new home, and my dad's health came back full force. Fast forward about ten months after his return from that trip...Alec was born. 

His birthday is September 8. As Catholics, we celebrate the Virgin Mary's birthday on September 8. My brother is also a Virgo, which derives from the term "Virgin". Although he might not appreciate that a few years from now, the symbolic meaning behind it is remarkable. 

When it came time for him to be Baptized, my parents decided to have him blessed (like my sister and I) at the Lebanese church in Washington, DC. The only date available for the priest to baptize him that spring was May 6. May is the month of the Virgin Mary. Without second thoughts, my parents agreed and on the feast of his baptism, they learned from the priest's sermon that it was the 40th day after Easter that year. It was the day of Jesus' Ascension into Heaven. Every year this feast falls on a different day due to the Easter calendar, but in 2001, it fell on the day my brother was being baptized. 

My brother's first steps (without any help) were outside in our backyard where my dad has built a rose garden around our own statue of the Virgin Mary. And beyond each and every one of those super crazy coincidental occurrences, my brother's first word ever spoken was "Adra" which is Arabic for the Virgin Mary. 

Now hit fast forward one more time...

Finally it was time for our family to go back to Lebanon to visit for the summer and for my dad to pay his respects. The first thing he had to do when we arrived was go visit the Shrine and thank Her for everything she had done for him and our family in the year. 

Guess what? My dad walked the entire mountain, from bottom to top, in a little more than 2 hours. He got to the top, where we were waiting for him, completely drenched in sweat but with the biggest smile on his face. It's a moment I will never in my life forget. My brother went straight to my dad, and they walked up to the Virgin Mary together. Alec pointed to Her repeatedly telling my dad that was "Adra". My dad tested his sugar levels, and everything was perfectly normal, his heart rate was normal and his blood pressure was completely stable. It was as if he hadn't just exercised or done any activity at all. 

To some of you this might just be all one big coincidence. And that's understandable. In a world with so much hate and crime, it's hard to believe that things like this are considered miracles. But this time in my family's life is so special to each of us. 

So here's my tattoo:

A cross with the number 8 looped in on my wrist;
I also chose to have the 8 designed to look like an infinity symbol through a cross as a sign that my faith will never change . 

A few pictures of the Shrine of the Virgin Mary:

And of course, Alec:

 Love you, Alec!

Past. Present. Future.

You're probably not going to get what you think out of this post. 

I'm seriously so tired of a new "breaking news" headline every damn month about more or less the same garbage. Shootings, bombings, stabbings, and every other thing that could be horrifying for any person to experience. How hard is it to just be at peace with one another? I'm not saying you have to like everyone or even be nice to them (it's seriously none of my business and I don't promise to be all that myself) but is it necessary to be SO angry that you resort to violence? Please explain to me what good this brings out. 

"Hey I'm having a bad day, so I'm gonna bomb up a marathon!" or "Oh yeah, that guy from the VT shooting got so much fame, let me see if I can one up him at a movie theater!" 

Seriously...what good comes of all this? I don't get it. 

I remember being a kid and the worst thing that could happen to me was my parents telling me I can't play outside because I didn't do my homework or I got a bad grade on my spelling test. I remember my parents never being worried about my safety in my own neighborhood or school. I remember growing up thinking that I want my husband to have a gun in my house just for protection that he probably won't ever need and that nothing bad would ever really happen to us because who actually does those things? I knew that knives were for cutting vegetables for my salad, and helping me open a jar. And bombs were things used in wars that I didn't even know existed. They were video game phenomenons that my older cousins loved to play and nothing else to me. 

Today? Well today, I turn on the TV to hear about a stabbing of TWENTY kids at a school several hours away. Today, I will turn on the evening news to hear about the terrible things going on in the world and the bomb threats countries have on one another. The inexplicable violence that exists for what seems like no reason.  Today I listen to my coworkers say they are going to send their kids to this specific school because "things like this" don't happen there. But please tell me who's to say that the new "super safe" school won't have this happen there in a few months. At this rate, it can all happen any where at any time with any person and any weapon. 

What's so hard about just doing good? There are SO many people in this world with GOOD hearts and GOOD intentions. They want the best for people. Why can't individuals like that stand out? Why do people always compete to be horrific and harmful?

What I want for my future? I want to be able to send my future kids to school on a school bus where bullying isn't a problem or the threat of guns isn't there. I want my kids to be able to walk home from school the same way I did when I was in 5th grade. I want my kids to grow up to be the best person they can be - whether they are doctors, farmers, teachers, or dancers. I don't care what they want to do, I just want them to have the best heart ever. Free from guns, and mean comments, and terrible unnecessary wars. Yeah bad things will happen, and yeah things will not always be peachy dandy - but I'll be damned if I continue on giving stupid people stupid attention for the stupid things they do. 

I'm over the bullshit that people do to become "famous". And to be honest, as long as the media and all of us keep talking about them, nothing will ever change. How about tonight, instead of turning on the news...you go for a walk outside with someone and pay no mind to the terrible crime that exists around us. Let's ignore all the bad just for today and enjoy life. Let's pray for all of the families to find peace and for all the new mothers and fathers to raise their kids to be good, peaceful people who don't want to hurt others. 

I might be a little over-privileged to be writing or even thinking all of this - but I won't take advantage of it for a second. Thank you, God, for keeping me and the ones I love safe today. 

And I seriously hope these wannabe-famous jerks find something better to do with their time. 

30 Facts About Me

I came across an article about 30 things we probably don't know about Justin Timberlake on Buzzfeed yesterday and got a little inspired for a new post. 

So my lovely partner in crime, Jason, took it upon himself to make a list of 30 things the world probably doesn't know about me. Here's what he came up with, and my commentary to go along with it! Haha, enjoyyyyy!


1) My name means "frog" in Spanish. 

(An ongoing fun-fact since I was in 7th grade...theme of my life is frogs now.)

2) My favorite ice cream is strawberry ice cream from Baskin Robbins. 

(Nomnomnommmm!!)

3) I have 6 grandparents.

(Yes, I know...I'm special. Birthdays and Christmas are always fun!)

4) I stole my own car. 

(Haha talk about a badass experience! I'll tell you all about it one day!)

5) I have a tattoo. 

(A cross on my left wrist with an 8/infinity symbol going through it, inspired by my brother!)

6) I used to be twice the size I am now.

(...I guess that's pretty self explanatory?)

7.) Dr. Pepper is my favorite soft drink. 

(Nothing like a good old 7-11 big gulp with crushed ice and Dr. Pepper!)

8.) I haven't seen 80% of all classic movies. 

(I literally just caught up on Forrest Gump and Armageddon within the last 2 years...#dontjudgeme)

9) My favorite designer brand is Burberry.

(Classic and chic...my future daughter will be decked out, I promise!)

10) I know more about the Bible than Jesus himself. 

(It took me awhile to develop such strong faith, but I promise you can ask me anything now and I have a rhyme and reason to why it is the way it is!)

11) I spend 10 minutes in the sun, and claim I have freckles.

(Except I actually do get freckles, I don't know why that's so hard to believe! I love my freckles!)

12) I was born with no thyroid. 

(I'm a walking health-science experiment. Thanks, Mom and Dad)

13) I speak two languages.

(I'd like to say I'm fully bilingual, but I can't - my second language is Arabic, though! Ahlan w sahlan!)

14) I have more Spanish music on my iPod than anything else. 

(Prince Royce, Daddy Yankee, Wisin y Yandel, Pitbull, Romeo...que pasa, amigos?!)

15) I used to be the same shoe size as my guy best friend. 

(My feet shrunk! Seriously one of the most exciting things to happen to me this year!)

16) I have an unhealthy obsession with Channing Tatum. 

(Yeah...so! Have you SEEN that jawline though?!)

17) Bruno Mars is my favorite music artist. 

(Hands down one of THE most talented people in the industry.)

18) Big Macs will always be my favorite thing to order from McDonald's.

(I got the secret recipe, toooooo!)

19) I'm really good at math.

(So much satisfaction comes from solving a math problem, I swear!)

20) Every time something sad or bad happens "my heart falls"

(So what I'm empathetic...I told you to stop judging me! ;))

21) I'm a daddy's girl. 

(Meaning I love my dad and have an awesome bond with him...after all I get most of my 

temperamental characteristics and health defects from him...haha who wouldn't be a daddy's girl with all that in common? He takes care of my mom, me and my brother and sister AND gives us so much to laugh about on a daily basis...I guess you could say he's got that "swag" to him, right?)

22) I hate all females that I didn't grow up with. 

(I really don't, but I've got my few girlfriends that I can't live without, doesn't everyone?)

23) My brother is a miracle child that got all the good genes. 

(Basically...but my sister got some pretty damn good genes too...)

24) I'm so proud of my high school.

(Looking back on it, those memories are some of the best I have - and I'm still close to my hs friends...<3)

25) I only eat one taco from Chipotle and it fills me up.

(Those servings are actually a lot bigger than you would think!)

26) I have the worst luck with cars.

(I'll eventually tell you all about my terrible experience with BMW, and the haunting effects of my driving record...one of these days)

27) I have a headache or back pain 365 days a year.

(I already told you...I'm a walking health-science experiment...)

28) Boy Meets World is one of my favorite shows

(I die for a love like Corey and Topanga's; Erick is hilarious; and who doesn't love good old Mr. Feeeeneeyyyyyy?!)

29) One Tree Hill IS my favorite show.

(I don't know if it's my ULTIMATE favorite, but it definitely was a big portion of 9 years of my life!)

30) I've definitely got a "lezbihonest" side to me.

(Another pretty self-explanatory one, I believe? MM MM - Shakira, Rihanna, Mila Kunis...<3)

There ya have it, people! Jason's top 30 facts that the world doesn't know about me! Happy Friday!

ESTJ

So yesterday, I was having a super fun conversation with one of my best friends and she reminded me of a time back in college when we were taking a class to figure out our "personality types" and whether or not our major and desired profession was really something we belonged in. I had totally forgotten about this class and everything having to do with the assignment...so she encouraged me to do it again today. 

I took the Myers-Briggs Personality test (or something very close to it, so I wouldn't have to pay for it!) and learned a little more about myself than I expected to. However, it was SO DEAD ON that it was scary. 

Basically, for those of you who don't know about the personality test, it determines different aspects of how you think, socialize, and react. The result of the test is a combination of letters that explain your personality in a nutshell. My letter combination resulted in ESTJ. Check out my results below: 

"As Extraverts (E), ESTJ personalities love connecting to other people and playing active roles in traditional, respected organizations. Family values are also very important to ESTJs, and they do their best to nurture and defend them.

People with the ESTJ personality type are very dedicated and responsible. An ESTJ will do everything they can to fulfill their duties and meet their promises. People with this personality type respect and promote a good work ethic and strongly detest cheating or any attempts to cut corners, especially in the workplace. Positions of authority must be earned. Period.

ESTJs are usually strong-willed and not afraid to voice and defend their opinions, even if they are facing formidable opposition. If, for instance, one of their subordinates is incompetent or simply lazy, the ESTJ will not hesitate to show their wrath. ESTJ personalities will stick to their principles, even if everybody turns against them.

As Observant (S) individuals, ESTJs live in the world of clear and verifiable facts. They are honest and direct, living in the present and taking note of everything that is happening around them. ESTJ personalities tend to have a clear vision and understanding of what is acceptable and what is not. This usually makes ESTJs excellent leaders and managers, even though their subordinates may sometimes complain about the resulting inflexibility. ESTJs find it quite easy to develop and improve various action plans; they are able to make even the most complex project look like a walk in the park.

Due to all these traits, ESTJ personalities are excellent “model citizens,” guardians of traditions, and cornerstones of families and communities. They are very reliable and trustworthy, even though the inflexibility shared by all Sentinel types may sometimes hinder their efforts. ESTJs also have a very good sense of what is socially acceptable and always do their best to adhere to that ideal.

Few things are as straightforward and stable as ESTJ relationships. People with this personality type tend to be very reliable, and this is reflected in their love life as well. Once the ESTJ decides to commit, they will try very hard to make the relationship work. It is unlikely that they will be spontaneous or unpredictable and may even be seen as boring by some other personality types. However, ESTJs tend to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which translate into unexpected surprises and interesting activities. For example, dating an ESTJ is likely to be quite exciting as they will easily come up with fun things to do.

ESTJ personalities are very trustworthy and committed partners, able and willing to do everything in their power to ensure that the relationship is strong and stable. However, ESTJs also tend to have strong principles, and their determination can often turn into stubbornness, with the ESTJ believing that they are always right. Such an attitude is very dangerous in a romantic relationship, especially during the dating phase when both individuals are still discovering each other. A strong self-confidence can be very attractive, but it is also equally likely that the ESTJ partner will feel threatened or at least annoyed by it."

I'd have to say that is pretty on point, dontcha think? I'm still learning more about my "personality type" but I thought I'd share my awesome experience with you all and encourage you take a fun quiz today! You might learn something new about yourself, too! 

Myers-Briggs Type Test