Things I love about the holidays

Since I started working in retail, the holidays is associated with rude people, stress, and more stress. It's true. Though there are days when the customers are just excited and friendly; which are the days that I love! On break, my coworkers and I tend to bitch about rude customers. Sometimes when you're having a terrible day and you encounter such rude people, it's easy to just hate everything about the holidays.

So one day, while I was on break and listening to others complain about people, I took some time to write down things that I love about the holidays. Honestly, it made the rest of my day bearable!

Traditions

Cultural (in my case Filipino) and family traditions are fun things to look forward to. My favorite tradition is baking cookies, getting a snack basket from my parents, and watching Christmas movies with my brothers. The best part is, we all sleep in the same room and it's our little slumber party.

Shopping

I feel like the holidays is the best excuse to go overboard shopping without judgement. No? As I shop for people, I find myself picking up some stuff for myself too. The deals that are out there, are hard to pass up!

Carols and Movies

Even though I listen to Christmas music 40+ hours a week at work, the carols just makes the commute and the vibe at home better and puts me in a good mood. As for the movies, what's not to love about Christmas movies? Aside from watching the usual classics (ie. Elf, The Holiday, The Grinch, etc), I am obsess with Hallmark Channel's movies. They are absolutely cheesy, but I love them!

Gift Giving

Tying this with shopping, I love buying things for people! I love watching their reactions when they open their presents. I usually try to find something practical for my friends and family. 

Lights

I love seeing the lights everywhere. From shopping malls, the streets, and at home, they are just too beautiful!

Cold weather and Snow

Okay, I'm not a big fan of either, but it just doesn't feel like the holidays without snow and the chilling temperatures. It's an excuse to stay home, cuddle, watch movies or read, and just spend a quiet time at home.

Food

I don't need to say more. There's something about holiday meals that are just comforting!

What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

xx Aissa

Sending Christmas Cards

Wow, long time no blog. Okay not really, but it has been a few weeks. I can list a million reasons why I haven't posted, but I would not bore you. Sometimes it's so easy to use life and work as an excuse and I am trying not to.

Christmas is creeping up faster than you can say "Ho Ho Ho". If you work retail I hope that you are keeping your head together. The end is near! With all the craziness that surrounds the holiday season, it's easy to get caught in the madness and forget what's really important. 

This year I did something that I have never done. I sent Christmas cards to friends who live in other states and also the ones who live in Maine, but have not seen for a year or more. I have accumulated Christmas cards for the past 2 years and never sent them. I don't know about you, but it's nice to get letters or cards in the mail instead of bills, credit card offers, and junk mails. I was amaze that when I asked for my friends' addresses they were excited at the thought of getting a Christmas card. It shows that our generation does not really do the whole snail mail. 

My question to you is, how often do you send letters or cards to your friends and family? How often do you receive letters and cards?

I hope you guys are having a great December! Thank you for stopping by!

xx Aissa

I feel stuck

Something has to change. 

I have been feeling stuck and in need of a change. I've been working in retail since I was 16 years old. That's a long time. As my 30th birthday slowly approaches (I can't believe it!) I have been reassessing my goals and basically my entire life. I want my future to be better, happier, and healthier. 

Honestly, retail is not where I want to be. My co-workers is my second family and I love them to pieces, but every time I clock out, something is missing. Even if every single tasks on my "To Do" list was accomplish, I am left feeling unfulfilled. 

I remember feeling this way, but much worse, in my mid-twenties. What a weird stage! This time around, I have a better understanding of myself and have a clearer vision of where I would like to be. So what's stopping me?

Fear. I have gotten so comfortable with my current job that I am letting fear of the unknown stop me from reaching my goal. The other reason, waiting for the perfect time. I feel like there is no perfect time. At this stage in my life, that is a lesson I have learned time and time again.

So what do I do to get unstuck? Instead of associating a career change with uncertainty, I will think of all the opportunities that is waiting for me. Stop trying to achieve perfection, nobody's perfect and there is no perfect time to try and change yourself and life. 

How are you feeling lately? What do you do when you feel stuck?

xx Aissa

De-stressing & Unplugging

The picture was taken at the end of summer. The sun was bright and the summer heat was still trying to let its presence known, but slowly losing to the mild chill that autumn was about to bring. Yesterday looked totally different. The river was not as deep and the most noticeable difference, the vibrant orange, yellow, and red leaves. 

No, I did not take a picture. No, I did not follow my scheduled blog post yesterday. Yesterday was my day to unplug and de-stress. I needed my time with nature and enjoy the company of my closest friends (my best friend and brothers). I needed to recharge my battery to start the new week right. 

I recently got a promotion and came with the new position ... stress. I struggled to find balance with work and social life. I was over worked and on my days off, I just wanted to stay home away from other people. Slowly, I'm starting to find the balance and yesterday I forced myself to go outside and away from technology. My best friend, Liz, my brothers, and I decided to have a fall picnic. It was nice catching up with them. We talk every day, but it's nice to sit together, face to face, and talk about our week and future plans. 

Nature and the sound of water always calms me down. I am lucky that the people around me knows how to give me space. When I'm out in nature, I focus on the little things and what is in front of me. I observe every sound, every color, every movement. It's a way for me to turn off my brain from constantly thinking about work and all the other things I still have to do. It makes me feel present and feel as if time stopped. Even just for an hour or 2. It's enough to give me a chance to reflect.

I went home yesterday feeling better, energized, and ready to face another busy week. The best part, I fell asleep fast and something I haven't been able to do for a few weeks now, stay asleep.

How do you de-stress?

xx Aissa