Fabulous Blog Ribbon

Here's the rules:

1.  Post the rules on your blog

2.  Name 5 of your most fabulous moments either in real life or in the blogosphere

3.  Name 5 things you love

4.  Name 5 things you hate

5.  Pass the ribbon on to 5 other bloggers

2.  Name 5 of your most fabulous moments either in real life or in the blogosphere

      Fabulous moment number five happened when I was 17.  The Monday after my junior prom. My hair was still all "done up" from prom the prior weekend and I had a track meet.  Since my hair was all pinned up I didn't do anything to it, I just went out all cute in my track gear.  That day our girls 4x1 team (I ran 3rd leg) shattered the school record, dusted our opponents and my personal split time was not only top for that day, but I set a new school record! AND I  was featured in the paper the next day; pretty picture and all lol.  Yeah I still have a copy of that paper. That was so awesome!  And I still hold that record 11 years later ;).

     Fabulous moment number four & three happened when I was 19.  My pastor and a couple of members from my church were going on a missionary trip to the Philippines.  Up to that point I'd never been on a plane as an adult and I was too young to remember flying as a child.  I was terrified of flying.  My pastor dared me to go and asked my mom if she would help me get the funds since I wasn't working at the time. The next Sunday at church, Pastor announced that they were going to help me raise funds to go on the trip and after church people started coming up to me giving me money for my trip.  It was the first time in my life I really felt the Holy Spirit move in me and it was such an amazing feeling. I went on the trip and it was an eye opening and phenomenal experience. I had the opportunity to minister to youth and explore the country. It was life changing and humbling.  That's why it deserves two spots!

     Fabulous moment number two was recently when I had my first article published in the paper and officially became a published freelance reporter!  So awesome to see your name in print!

     Fabulous moment number one happened a few months ago and calling it fabulous is an understatement. I rededicated my life to Christ and was baptized shortly after I turned 30 and it has been such an amazing journey: into my thirties, into a new outlook of revelation and understanding, getting to know me, embracing me and what God has in store for me.  I am truly loving every minute of it!

3.  Name 5 things you love

I love God

I love my Family (*My Fiance is included in family)

I love Me :)

I love Soccer!

4.  Name 5 things you hate

I hate all that is evil

I hate to be told that I am not capable of doing something

I hate to let people down

I hate being criticized for being myself

5.  Pass the ribbon on to 5 other bloggers

 Passing this along to...in no particular order

Frazzled Fran

Tina's Tid-Bits

Coupon Mommy

Reflection of Myself

The SkinE

Pleasure meeting me!

The more I embrace my 30's, the more I get to know the real me.  I thought I was "grown & sexy" before, but I am really loving me!  It has been such a pleasure meeting myself and I'm happy I finally showed up to the party!
I realize I've been embarrassed of certain aspects of my life because I cared so much about what society had to say about things.  My name was made fun of so much that I started using my middle name so that I didn't feel so "ghetto."  I did so many things and made so many adjustments so that I blended in.  I realize now that being "ghetto" is a state of mind that only I can put myself in.  I know now that if I am the best all that I am...that works.  I don't have to be a know it all or excel at everything.  I don't have to "fake-it till I make it" because I'll get there and admitting that I'm a work in progress and can use some help along the way have been the most liberating and, surprisingly, empowering thing I could have done for myself.  Knowing that I'm not flawless has not been seen as a weakness, it's seen as being human.
I have been on a 30 year journey to find myself and come into my own, and my voyage has just begun! I am so excited to see what the future holds and I want to talk to young people and tell them how important it is to figure things like this out.  I'm sure it will go in one ear and out the other, like it did when someone tried to tell me lol.  I have the friends that I need, I deal with people that I need to deal with and know when to cut ties with things that are bad for me.  It's been awesome.  I am looking forward to the adventure and eager to share my experiences!
What are some milestone life lessons that you have learned.  What have you learned about yourself that you didn't know 3 years ago, 5 years ago, maybe 10 years ago?  No matter how old you are...we are constantly learning something new about ourselves.  Do share!