Tag: goals

4 months have never zoomed by so fast. I started classes on January 17th and by the time I knew it, it was Spring Break and then I was suddenly cramming for finals and classes were over on May 12th.

This was the most stressful and equally fulfilling experience I’ve had in a long time. And besides re-learning algebra and learning so much in bio, I learned even more.

I learned that studying till 2am was fruitless; I was nodding off, half-paying attention and by the time I woke up the next day I didn’t have any recollection of what I stayed up studying the night before. I learned that coffee and Georgia Peach Bang energy drinks (which I bought from Dollar Tree every chance I got) don’t keep me awake at all. I could drink both and STILL fall asleep sitting in my desk chair.

I learned that I can say no! It was hard, and it sucks having to say no to friends, but I literally spent every free moment I had studying: when I had a free moment at work and then from the time I got home till it was time for bed. All I did on Saturdays was study to get all my assignments submitted by 11:59pm.

I learned that I’m not dumb! Even at 41 years old, I can still memorize (not the photographic memory I had 25 years ago, but it works), I can still pass exams. I passed my remedial algebra class with a 100% average! You don’t know how satisfying it is to log into my school dashboard and see “TSI Compliant.”

I got a B in bio. I was nervous about that one. I bombed the Final, but I did do excellently in everything else, including the lab finals. Plus I had tons of extra credit, so I got a B in the end. I got an A in Algebra and an A in the remedial class. I was so upset and on pins and needles leading up to when grades would be posted because I was certain I wouldn’t pass Bio and I did!

I am now registered for a summer minimster. I had NO idea it was a minimster, so I hope it isn’t extremely hard. And I’m also registered for my fall classes. I feel like I am actually going to do this! It’s nerve wracking and exciting. But for now. I’m still trying to finish my book (“The Book of 2 Ways” by Jodi Picoult) and catching up on my shows (Grey’s Anatomy and A Million Little Things) before classes start again on Monday. I’m ready!

It’s always heart-stopping when your spouse starts talking about switching careers and leaving the stable job they’ve had for almost a decade. There’s always that fear of the unknown. But you suck it up, and you move on together and support each other; you grab each other’s hand, close your eyes and hold your breath before taking the plunge.

Lord knows Jorge was there for me when I decided to start looking for new options and eventually got hired at my new job. If he had it his way, I would have started looking 3 years ago. However, he did confide in me over dinner on Valentine’s Day that when it was actually happening, he was scared as hell, but wouldn’t ever let me in on it because he knew me and knew that I would crumble and change my mind if he showed even a speck of fear. So I’m glad he held it together! Now it was my turn.

It felt like the proposition came out of the blue, but this is something he’d been contemplating for a while. Not so much the new career, but leaving his old one.

But when he sent me a text while I was making dinner and he was at his second job saying that a new prospective career opportunity came up, it felt like the wind was knocked out of me. At the same time, though, I felt relief–for him, because he wouldn’t have to work 2 jobs to support his family and for us as a family because we’d get to spend more time together. The irony is that he’d be working away from home a lot, but we’d actually get to see each other on weekends and he’d spend more time with the kids! And there was also the opportunity for weekend getaways 🙂 .

The next day he had an important meeting and everything for the new job was set. He slowly and discreetly began emptying his office. He waited till that Friday to tell his bosses. We had lunch together at Nuri that day, and I asked him how he felt about his announcement later that day. I was just so excited and nervous for him!

When he did make his announcement, everyone was shocked, naturally. He really was the backbone of that company and obviously they were sad to see him go. But I was proud of him for making the decision, but not surprised. Everything he has ever decided to do, he goes for and excels at!

He left on good terms, and suddenly all these other opportunities started arising! It’s great to know his work is so highly valued!

We were kidless that evening so I tagged along to help him with a project he was currently working on and then we went home and washed up so we could go have dinner at La Costa Grill to celebrate his new career path!

Everything was delicious and I was so darn full! (Besides the drinks, we kept it Keto 🙂 ). We went home and caught up on our shows afterwards.

I spent the next day running errands with Mom and buying little things here and there that Jorge would need that upcoming Monday, because he had a quick trip to San Antonio for a meeting. He would still be with his former company on and off for that week.

On Sunday, as we ran errands, we decided to stop at Chili’s for some lunch. It had been forever since we’d been there, and that watermelon Margarita was SO good!

We continued with our errands afterwards and got ready to start the week–and Jorge’s new venture!!

This week has gone by incredibly fast! I feel like it was just Monday–when the girls had me running around for Valentine cards (because Mom forgot!), or Tuesday–when Alaethia texted me after work to request a Valentine’s Day outfit, and that she would pay for it with her birthday money (note: she didn’t 🙄 ). So off we go, after waiting for Jorgie and their mom to stop by for Jules’ cards and birthday money from Dina. (We had a mini celebration for Jules on Sunday. Like I mentioned in my previous post: I’m so behind!!)

We checked Target and Wal-Mart and nothing. So she opted for a white blouse that she would wear with my red cardigan and necklace (yes, the 11-yr-old already wears my clothes!). Next morning: didn’t like the blouse 🙄 . She’s already such a teenager, but you can’t help but love that girl lol.

I also woke up to this amazingness!

(It’s safe to say I put Keto on hold for a little bit!)

My love went all out, like he usually does! He also got me some diamond earrings (my birthstone), that I didn’t have a chance to take a photo of because I put them on so quickly 😆 .

Had a pretty quick morning at work and had lunch with Blanca and Gerry at the cafe inside Quips ‘n’ Quotes. It’s always so good catching up with them!!

The afternoon at work went by a little slower, but it could have been because I was so excited about our date!! Jorge made reservations at House.Wine & Bistro, even before I liked the event on Facebook lol.

I got him a shirt and candies after work (he has always told me I’m not supposed to spend on him for Valentine’s Day because it’s my day, and it’s for girls 😆 , but I don’t feel right not getting him anything! I got mom some flowers and sugar free candies, too.

I got home and got a message from Jorge that he’d left his truck at home and for me to pick him up at work, so there I go. I’m talking to Eenan on the way and he’s retelling a story about saving a hen (or “Polla”, as we affectionately refer to them) from JoJo and Dodger and now he and Jaylen are trying to herd her back to safety, but she’s trapped in the yard behind the fence. So Jaylen grabs her and she just plops herself in his arms 😆 .

I love it!! Totally making it his profile pic on my contacts 😆 .

We get home and start getting ready after getting updates from the girls about their day. Mario stops by to see the girls and then I get the oven ready for the girls’ dinner so Mom can set them up before we leave. We give instructions, kisses, and tell them not to stay up late.

We arrive a bit early so we have a cocktail at the bar.

I see Jessica, the owner, and we hug. It was so good to see her!

We’re seated after a little bit and we order our meal. We’re having the Tomahawk steak and lobster meal with the works. They start us off with champagne…

…and the best crab cake I’ve ever had in my life!

Then we moved on to our wine (Moscato) and our salad:

We toast, and talk about life and the kids and our goals for this, and upcoming years. He tells me how he stayed positive even though he was scared about me switching jobs (haven’t gotten to that yet! Another blog post!) and how he knew that if he said anything at all, it would scare and discourage me so he kept it in. I tell him that yes, any spark of uncertainty on his part would have caused me to say, “Nevermind! I’m staying where I am!” Like I have all these years. We toast again to our successes and what’s to come.

And then it’s time for the star of the show:

Wait, let me give you another angle…

An arm comparison:

That steak…I finally understand what people mean when they say the steak was like butter, or cut like butter. It was incredible!! And that lobster, and the carrots and Brussels sprouts!! Oh my gosh, it was all to die for!

Then it was time for dessert:

Chocolate Créme Brulee…it was magnificent! I was so glad Jorge was full and left me most of it 😆 !

It was such a phenomenal night!! This handsome, extremely hardworking man right here–how did I get so lucky?? He went above and beyond with surprises!! And the best part is: it’s not just during Valentine’s Day lol. Don’t get me wrong: he could be moody and snappy, but I wouldn’t change him for anything!