People are FREEZING!

On the way class looking like this! WTF?

Angelism: Climate change is real! The universe continues to show us how angry it is, I suggest we listen and stop resisting.

January 2019 brought an official winter to Los Angeles. Here in SoCal we have been hit with weather so chilly that it has included rain, thunder, and lightning. Weather so cold that we actually had a few 40 degree nights! Locals are all complaining about how miserable it is oustside and how awful it is to drive and do things in “this weather.” Although I am one of these whiney people, I’m fully aware that we all need to shut the f#ck up!  People are literally freezing and dying in other states. Yes, legit dying! They are being advised not to have conversations outside because their lungs are freezing from sub-zero temperatures. So to do my part, I will embrace our cold weather here in California and spread some happiness dressed like an eskimo on my 50 degree winter days. Figure this is me doing my small part to commit to a complaint free world! 🙂

Sending hugs and love to those in the Midwest and East Coast. Sounds like there is more harsh weather ahead. Stay warm!

Extreme 48 degrees below zero weather (read more)

2019 Tips on staying warm (read more)

 

Give Up Yet?

Angelism: New year new year! This does not work! Your goals don’t mean a damn thing after February 1st! 

92% of New Years Resolutions Fail!

January encourages everyone to get their shit together. New Years goals are blasted on marketing materials and every retailer promotes workout gear and diet plans. By February most people feel like failures. The gung-ho take off for a perfect start to a great new year is crap and has us all chowing down on chocolate and champagne by Valentines day. So why year after year do we all put so much weight on the New Years Goal? My assumption is our intentions are good and it feels right to have a fresh start. End of day, if you don’t have good habits already, you’re likely to fail!

The focus should be setting small achievable goals spaced out throughout the year. Maybe at first you decide to give up soda. Then after two months you give up ice cream. After that maybe you vow to stop eating fast food. These little life changes spaced out over the course of your year will allow for long-term success. But you have to REALLY want it. Goals are only achievable when you manage them realistically and adjust them as needed when life changes come up.

https://www.bradsdeals.com/blog/how-to-keep-your-new-years-resolution

Sad Day… Actor Alan Thicke Dead at 69 Years Old

Angelism: Enjoy every second you are gifted in this life, your last breath may be the one you are taking right now. 

My heart breaks a little today hearing this news. Alan Thicke, dead at 69 years of age, apparently was out playing hockey with his 19 year old son when he suffered from a heart-attack. Do you think when Alan left the house to go play with his son today that he had the thought by end of the day he’d be dead? He always looked great for his age, seemingly took good care of himself, and always appeared to be vibrant and full of energy. I simply can’t believe it!

I grew up with the show Growing Pains and Alan was one of my favorite TV dads. This show was on for many seasons, is in syndication still today, and launched a great many careers including Kirk Cameron and Leonardo DiCaprio. When I see it on TV, I always stop and enjoy the sweetness that this show/family portrayed. Life was very different then. It was simple yet equally as complicated when it comes to raising kids and working together as a family. Anyhow, I feel my generation just suffered a great loss. RIP Mr. Alan Thicke.
To read more on this check out these articles:

Discovering DNA

Angelism: Knowledge is power & knowing the details of your roots is amazing & eye opening. 

 
I was told I was a mut growing up and that was why I was beautiful. I wonder if my family hoped I’d never question all that was actually me. I definitely had curiosity over the years on how my mix came together. People along the way asked, “What nationality are you?” Truthfully I couldn’t quite put a finger on what I was. I’m not easily judged as any one nationality; showing up in this world with light eyes, dark wavy hair, freckles, tall, solid structure, curvy, physically strong, dominant nose, big eyes and large face; I appear to be many things. My Dad said on his side that I was 25% Italian, and 25% Spanish, and on my mom’s side, I was 25% Polish, some Portuguese and who knows what else? Having traveled to Spain and Italy I definitely felt a pull to those cultures. At 40, it was time to discover the truth.
Turns out, I really am a bit of a melting pot. A rainbow of colors on the map above which is exciting and shocking all at the same time. Being mostly European was expected, but this breakdown was news to me. I had no idea I was Balkan, French, and German, nor would I have thought that I had British or Irish in me.
I also did not foresee being Native American or East Asian. I knew I would have some African roots in me as we have always heard there was some Puerto Rican heritage on my mom’s side. I think it is an amazing thing to see this all mapped out down to each little DNA marker that makes up me.

 

I highly encourage that if you ever had any interest in knowing where your roots are from that you take one of these tests. I did the 23andMe.com DNA test that also reported on traits, wellness, and carrier status for certain health risks. I was so impressed with this report, that today I ordered a cancer gene test from getcolor.com because knowledge is power, and I want to know as much as I can.
My takeaway is that this explains my love for travel, and exploring a variety of things. My family history shows that we are movers, and I will assume we were willing to take risks and rebel once in awhile, as well as date outside of our race. It also explains why I have a love for so many types of food, and why I’m attracted to a variety of cultures, music, and lifestyles. My boyfriend took this test as well and he is much more of a purebred, 99.8% Northern European. He is my very white German, British, Irish, French and Scandinavian man. I love that my family history shook things up. Turns out I have cousins everywhere, and I think that’s exciting! Cheers to diversity, blending, and the melting pot that is the USA. Glad that this Trump wall wasn’t up 100+ years ago, none of my family would have made it over here. LOL!!!

Vince Vaughn Bald!

Angelism: Shaved heads are not always attractive. Think carefully about the shape of your head as well as your skintone. Don’t do anything stupid it may not grow back!

Today’s shocking and “heartbreaking” celebrity news is a bald Vince Vaughn. He looks completely different and not in a good way. I have always thought he was a handsome man, I have a thing for tall, dark haired dudes. But now? WOOF! I know this is for a role, and for a million or more bucks, I would probably go bald too. This unforgiving image is proof that bald isn’t for everyone!
My boyfriend Scott always threatens to shave his head. He claims it would be easier, save us money, and he would no longer have to waste those few minutes trying to fix it just right to cover up the balding that is happening with age. My only response is NO EFFIN WAY! I am not ready for this to happen. I am not prepared for the potentially scary bald man to lay next to me in bed. We are not that old!

Not sure how the rest of you ladies feel about the shaved head. Some guys can really rock it. Vince Vaughn however is not one of those guys, he needs to grow his hair back ASAP! Unless he is holding out for a serial killer role, this look does him no favors. If you can’t pull off a Bruce Willis, shaving your head completely bald is not worth the risk!

News Source:
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2016/09/09/vince-vaughn-shaves-his-head-goes-completely-bald.html

I Believe…

Angelism: What you believe identifies your truth. Belief is as open or as limited as you allow it to be. Belief can change at any moment if you choose to think differently.

I believe that life is not fair. I am not owed anything nor should I expect anything.
I believe I should always leave loved ones with loving words, I never know if that will be my last goodbye.
 
I believe I don’t have to change friends to understand that friends can change.
I believe that it will take a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe no matter how hard I love, I will be hurt. Forgive and move on is the only healthy option.
I believe that I am responsible for the opinions others have of me. I choose how much weight I give to those opinions.
I believe I can do something in one moment of time that will change the course of my life forever.
I believe I can keep going long after I think I can’t.
I believe either I control my attitude or my attitude will control me.
I believe that money is a shitty way to keep score in life.
I believe that I should not place value on my things. What I have today may be gone tomorrow.
I believe that I have the right to be angry, but that does not give me the right to be cruel.
I believe that no matter how sad I become, or how crushed my heart may be, the world will not stop for my grief.
I believe that maturity is a state of mind, one I can turn on and off when needed.
I believe that my upbringing influenced who I am, but I am responsible for who I become.
I believe two people can look at he exact same thing and see it completely different.
I believe I can have all the degrees in the world but that’s not what makes me a smart / good human.
I believe that a total stranger can have a huge impact on my life.
I believe that keeping secrets weighs heavy on the soul. I also believe discovering secrets weighs heavy on the soul.
I believe that sometimes the people I am closest to take the most advantage of my generosity.
I believe that life is a gift, one that I am grateful for even on the toughest of days.
I believe that getting old sucks! My days are numbered no matter how hard I fight to stay young.
I believe that often the people I least expect to show up for me do.
I believe that I must believe in myself if I want others to believe in me.
I believe that I will do what I feel has to be done regardless of the consequences.
I believe in the greater good but accept that evil exists among us.
I believe that organized religion is not the only way to practice faith. It is possible to have relationship with a higher power outside of the rules of church.
I believe that I will make mistakes and that I will learn from them.
I believe in the power of love and giving.
I believe that there is only one race and that is HUMAN. We are all HUMAN and that is why we are all more alike than different.
I believe that if you agree you should share this with your friends… XO

I Can’t Even….

Angelism: “I can’t even! I’m exercising my freedom of speech… #shitthatbugsme”

1) The News! Is this crap real anymore? The news can take a story and over exaggerate it into a Hollywood blockbuster. Weeks go by and the report the same stuff over and over. I don’t like to be depressed so eff you news! I’m sick of politics, I’m over shitty stories about shitty people doing shitty things, and I am very sick of shitty newscasters who seem clueless on the real issues. #fuckthenews

2) Phone Technology! If I hear one more person whine about having to wait for the new iPhone technology I may punch them. Get real people. It is a phone, it will provide the same functionality of your current phone, please chill the fuck out. You look like an idiot every time you camp out in front of the store for the newest model. Get a life! Care about something that matters! #technologyaddicts
3) Cable Service! I should say lack of service. For me I could care less about all the fancy packages and ridiculous fees. If you are going to charge me outrageous prices for the luxury of entertainment at home then you better offer good service too. That person who picks up the phone should speak clearly enough that I can do business with them. This never happens! #speakenglish
4) Food Labels! The food industry is clever. Quit promoting natural ingredients when your product is packed with sugar and sodium and contains fake vitamin additives. All natural is overused and a lie! The package may look healthy but read the ingredients because marketing is misleading and full of shit. I bet you can’t pronounce half of what you put in your mouth. #eatrealfood
5) Ungrateful People! The crap I witness makes me so disappointed in our society. Are you seriously bitching that your flight is late? You are on a plane! You will soon be moving at 500 miles per hour and that is amazing! Are you whining that your car is crap? Do you know how awesome it is to have a car that gets you from A-B? I’m so sorry, are you annoyed that your job sucks? Have you forgotten that someone else might do your job just as well and for less? Are you complaining that your kid won’t sleep? The alternative could be that your child never wakes up! Listen to the words you speak. The more you complain, the more all your friends and family will avoid you. #ungratefulasshole
6) Anti-Vaccinations! Did you learn nothing in school? Are you out of your fucking mind? Our forefathers spent decades trying to prevent and cure illness. They succeeded in many ways and eliminated illness from our environment. Just because we like to recycle fashion does not mean we should risk bringing back the measles, smallpox, and polio. Don’t be an fucktard! Get your kids vaccinated and prevent the outbreak of disease. Be more concerned about how ill your child will get from one of these severe diseases. There is a very slim chance of a bad reaction to a vaccine. This is simple people, it’s called SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY! #getvaccinated
7) Skinny Bitches! If you are a normal weight or thin quit complaining that you are fat. If you need attention and love that bad get a dog. It’s hard enough listening to women complain about their bad hair days, feeling bloated and ugly, or wishing they had love in their life, but when you are skinny and you whine that you are fat, fuck you! #skinnybitch
8) Every Kid Gets a Trophy! This kills me the most. How much failure are we setting kids up for by telling them how awesome they are every second and that they can do and be anything they want? When they grow up and realize their shit does stink, society will be screwed! The level of entitlement that is happening is off the charts. This topic needs it’s own blog so stay tuned because this non-realistic way of raising kids is just awful. #noteverykidsawinner
Hope ya gotta laugh out of this one. I sure did!

Shit Happens!

Angelism: “You are not above things going wrong in your life. Get over yourself & accept that shit happens & it’s OK.

Life is an interesting roller-coaster of highs and lows. Most people want love, happiness, and financial stability, yet so many people get lost in the stress of life and the instant gratification of negativity. People race through days allowing themselves to get overwhelmed by little things like a flat tire, a cell phone that breaks, or a pizza delivery that runs late. This proves to me that as Americans we are spoiled. People want more stuff and exciting new adventures. The focus is on what we want and the importance of having it a certain way rather than using our energy to appreciate life and its daily struggles. As Americans we are surrounded by so much greatness and opportunity, we are raised knowing that our dreams can become reality, however it’s important to keep in mind that SHIT WILL HAPPEN. The sooner we can accept that not everything will go our way, the happier life will be for all.

I’m always in awe at how stressed out a person can become over a computer that crashes, a remote control that dies, or a cell phone that breaks. I laugh when people roll their eyes in line at the grocery store as if their time is more important than the few people in front of them. Even more entertaining is when drivers flip people the bird all because they are shocked and bugged by having to share their public street space with someone they consider a horrible driver. Get over yourself!
We are all in a world experiencing life. People have the ability to dream and believe in perfection which can be our enemy. We have the need for more things to prove our success and establish our importance. Many people run around with built up negative energy, complaining about anything and everything that doesn’t go as expected because we want to control our dream for a perfect environment. We get flustered every time a little shit happens. I truly believe that real strength and intelligence comes from the people who accept that all that can happen, will happen, some good and some bad. You may be annoyed that your car broke down, but why wouldn’t it? It’s a car, it can fail. Do you think you are more deserving than others, and that your vehicle should always run perfectly and someone else should have to deal with car trouble instead? Are you above shit happening to you?
I’ve learned that not all days are fair and some good days turn bad just by taking a call or reading an email. I’ve spent the last decade trying to embrace shit happening. When things start to go opposite of the way I want them to, I start creating a plan to fix it. I do vent, stress, get annoyed and wish things were different, but a full on meltdown and “poor me, I’m a victim” attitude is never my route. When I see that shit is happening I grab an ass-wipe and start cleaning it up. The other option is to sit in the shit and be miserable which may be worth it for some but not for me. Next time shit happens in your life, I hope you see the bright side of the crap and process it nicely.

Throw Away Your Vitamins!!!

Angelism: “A healthier you doesn’t come in an over the counter bottle. Stop being fooled by the media, if you are concerned about your health, go to the doctors & have your blood drawn. There, you will find answers.”

I rarely discuss health topics but vitamins and over the counter weight loss pills are crap! Much like many of you, I believed in bottled nutrients and thought they were the key to good health. In my early 20’s I used to take anti-oxidants for immunity, papaya and garlic for good digestion, and fat burners to boost my metabolism. I assumed I’d be healthier, trimmer, and lose weight, all while maintaining energy. What a waste! Now that I work in the medical field I have learned more about nutrition and how the body works. If there is one thing that has been drilled into my head, it is that vitamins are a waste of money and that taking them may do more harm than good.

Now don’t assume all vitamins are bad. Over the counter vitamins do have a purpose. They exist to replenish a nutrient in your body that you are deficient in. How do you know if you are deficient? Go to the doctor’s office and have your labs drawn. If your lab work proves you are deficient then you can take a supplement per the doctor’s orders; if not don’t waste your money. Never diagnose yourself. Your answers to better health will likely not be found in an expensive bottle at the local health food store.

Marketing thrives on informing us that certain vitamins are healthy and will enhance our life. Yes, getting your daily vitamins is important, but this does not mean you need to physically take supplements. In today’s society, food is easily accessible and nutrients are sprinkled into even the unhealthiest of foods. Many of us are nowhere near a deficiency in any one vitamin. The crappiest of breakfast cereals have powdered nutrients in it, and those high fructose corn syrup beverages many Americans drink are doused in vitamin C. Why would you need to take more vitamins? When is the last time you have known of someone having scurvy? Deficiencies are rare. If you eat enough food daily and have a variety of foods in your diet, you are not going to need supplements. If you are concerned, get your blood drawn at your doctor’s office and verify that you are OK.

As for all the other supplements available like Acai Berry pills, Green Tea Extract pills, and other fat burners and over the counter diet pills; I think they are not healthy and a waste of money. There is no answer or quick fix to health and weight loss. If you want to be healthier, look and feel better, then guess what? You will have to work hard to achieve it. Diet and exercise on a regular basis throughout your ENTIRE LIFE is key. Every day it has to be an awareness and a choice. Every day you have to want to be good to your body and take care of it. Health is not something you can buy, it is something you have to earn all on your own!

Disconnected

Angelism: “When you are out spending time with someone you have that moment to be present with your company. Human interaction is a real thing so put your cell phone down & experience it!”

Before cell phones and laptops, I used to get offended when couples sat at dinner together reading the newspaper or a book. I never understood why they were not engaging with one another or even enjoying the moment they were in. That was back in the 90’s. Today, ignoring the people you are with is common. Tables of 2-10 people, get together to hang out and eat, all while using their cell phones the entire time. Am I the only person who thinks this is awful? If you want to go out to dinner with someone, go out to dinner with them and only them. Engage with that person and experience a meaningful exchange in that moment. If you want to go to dinner with your phone then do so alone and simply text the people you thought you wanted to dine with in person.

Another thing lately that makes me crazy is the constant use of cell phones at work. Last time I checked when I was growing up, jobs did not allow us to bring TVs, cameras, video games, phones, and boom boxes to our 8 hour shift. A cell phone is now all of these things. How is it that we have evolved to a time where employees think it’s OK to Youtube videos for instant entertainment and chat all day via text with friends, while employers sit back and allow it? The attention span and awareness of people in our new fast past, technology driven world, is almost non-existent. We have had technology long enough that now people can’t remember life without it. Cell phones are our most prized possession and our most used accessory. Sadly it keeps people distracted from work, socializing, being productive in life, and most importantly – time with family.

I do not think the obsession with technology will ever change. We have been transformed and I believe it will only get worse. People will feel connected through being disconnected. Human interaction will no longer be valued and the importance of our existence will be placed on how many likes a picture gets and how many emoji’s a friend sends to express their love. People will not have the patience to sit through a movie at home without playing on their laptop and checking their cells.

Technology will slowly turn our brains to mush. We won’t engage for hours verbally nor appreciate quality time because our brains will be on constant overload surfing through the Internet for what to do next. We will become data entry specialists, simply loading details in our phones and using it as a tool to tell us where to go, what to do, and what birthday wish to send. Needing to know a phone number or address other than your own is now unnecessary. Paying attention to where you are going or memorizing places that a decade ago was important, is no longer needed thanks to Google maps and navigation systems. Our future with technology means that we will be turned on and off like a switch, and our brain’s memory function will all be stored for us in our smart phone.

As much as I love technology and am guilty of doing some of the things above that I think are ridiculous, I am curious to see how our lives evolve a decade from now. I doubt technology will enhance our intelligence or our social skills. I assume the future generations will not be able to comprehend life without a cell phone alerting them where to be, how to live, and what days are special. It breaks my heart to think that my nieces and nephews will be asked out on dates and told, “I love you,” for the first time over text or social media. Time will tell how much technology will advance or damage our humanity…. #veryscared