March 16, 2010

I sit in Barnes and Nobles as I write this – my second stop of the day to get Wi-fi. No I don’t need to be connected EVERY day but when you haven’t had power or technology of any sort for 4 days – could be 5 – the urge to be connected to the ‘real’ world and your usual routines becomes necessary.

What happened? We had a HUGE storm on Saturday – rain from all directions – wind reaching up to 65 mph – according to reports only a few miles faster and it would’ve had a name – as a Hurricane. However, it remains the “Nameless Storm of 2010″ and one of the worst power outages in the history of my city.

They have recruited crews of people from other states and even workmen have come down from Canada to help restore power. Its amazing the damage that has been done and whenever you turn a corner while driving your mouth drops open in amazement to see what tree has fallen next – which houses were lucky and which weren’t quite as lucky.

Life without power is difficult….you don’t get warm water…your food gets spoiled and you keep turning on every light switch in hopes the light just may turn on. It makes it even more difficult when you are 4 1/2 weeks away from a show and are trying to maintain a certain macro-nutrient intake. My scale is battery operated and it works but oh the looks I would get if I busted it out at a restuarant to weigh my chicken breast – haha.

Lucky for me the gym – my place of sanity – has power. I’ve been able to get my workouts and sweat sessions in and am honestly feeling pretty good – my butt hurts after my Saturday Tushy Session with my posing coach and then my leg workout yesterday. I feel good. Every day is a new challenge. If you can’t rise above the challenges that are given to you – no matter how big or small – you will never come out on top. And I haven’t dieted since January to let it all go to waste now – 4 weeks before my show.

One of the best things I’ve done since losing power is start writing daily in a journal. I’ve always ‘meant’ to do it, but never had time or got distracted by the wonders of technology. Its allowed me a new place to really see what challenges I face daily with myself – your mind is a powerful tool – it can either help you or hinder you. Having the right mind frame and understanding how your mind works will only help you figure out which direction you are going to go.

Its honestly pretty exciting. I feel more focused on my goals and confident in the directions I want to take my life. Will there be more bumps in the road – absolutely! Especially once the power is back on and schools back in session. Then my life will return to its usual hectic and stressful lifestyle. The one that makes me slightly more impatient with the ones I love and not as happy as they know I can be…but I’ll make it through…one day at a time. Focusing on the small moments…writing in my journal, and always remembering time for ‘me’ – which is usually the hardest to fit in – but without it – where would I be?

Enough rambling for now….I’ve included some pictures of the damage around us! I will have some pictures the next few days of my new healthy cooking with no power techniques – haha – maybe I should write a book!!!