Dear 18 Year Old Me

As part of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge

3. Dear 18 year old me. Write a letter to yourself when you were 18. Be sure to tell yourself what to do more of, what to do less of, and what you have to look forward to in the next few (or several) years.

Dear Sabrina,

Well, let's see. You've had a pretty good life so far, so have that to be thankful for. And I promise, it only gets better from here. Granted, you will be thrown some curve balls along the way but it's how you deal with them that makes life so much easier.
Always remember where you came from. Family is the most important thing and you have the best one. Every family has their drama and fights but always remember they aren't going anywhere and life is too short to be mad. Remember mom's words "always be patient, you're going to get where you're going eventually. Don't stress and take a deep breath" and take on life with dad's carefree and forgiving attitude, being there for the ones you love. Remember your bond with Marina and Nicholas. Siblings fight all the time and the past is the past, mend fences and love with the big heart you have.

Being diagnosed with psoriasis is a hard thing to learn—but things could be worse. Even though there is no cure for this auto-immune disease, dealing with it in the right way will help you out in the long run. Be patient. You will be able to make a difference while having this disease by becoming a NPF mentor and help more people than you know. Hang in there, it gets better.

College will be the best time of your life. Scary at first, like every new experience. But tackle it with the confidence you have. You will change your major SEVERAL times, but you will eventually find something you are great at. Join a sorority and you will make a difference, meet some life-long friends and your future bridesmaids.

You will meet the man of your dreams. It's not going to happen fast, so don't get frustrated. And throw away your plan of "I'm going to be married by 25 and have 2.5 kids by the time I'm 30" Be patient (starting to sound like a theme, huh?). When you meet him, you will know and he will change your life in so many amazing ways. He will be the strong and confident, unique and caring and the most handsome man you know. You will learn how to compromise, be financially organized (yes, it's possible) and love him unconditionally. Yall's marriage will be the happiest most exciting time in your life to date. You will also live in some really cool places with each other, rely on only each other and learn how to take on life together.

You will also have the best job out of college, interning (and eventually being promoted) at a reputable PR agency. Look to her as your mentor because everything you learn from her will give you the confidence you need professionally to do some amazing things.

Be better at receiving constructive criticism and becoming more proactive. You will learn time management skills and how to prioritize the many projects in your life.

Continue to be the kind-hearted, sweet, smart, forgiving, confident person everyone tells you, you are. Love unconditionally. Be patient. Everything happens for a reason. Be thankful everyday. This life is what you make it and will be the best one you can live.



This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

My blog is being turned into a TV show!

Ha, I got your attention! It really isn't being turned into a TV— don't we all wish we were on TV for a little while?! This is my second blog post, so read on :)

2. My TV Show. Your blog is being turned into a TV show! Congrats – you’ve
earned it. In fact, you get to co-write it. Write about the TV show based on your life or blog.

Eeeekkk, I thought the book titles were hard. I can't tell you how many times I've heard in passing, conversations with friends, FB updates "my life should be turned into a reality show" or wow, that is definitely reality TV show ready.... Everyone wants their 15 mins of fame. And if they say no they don't, then they're lying!

Now, back to my TV show. I would love the TV show to incorporate all my book titles, hehe! Basically chronically my life as a twin, the good and the bad (definitely some drama for the ratings); my family dealing with the health scares of my parents; my diagnosis with psoriasis which was in high school—like high school isn't rough enough on a teenage girl, I now had to deal with a disease we knew nothing about—then later going on to become a National Psoriasis Foundation volunteer mentor; my sister getting her first teaching job; my moms cancer treatments; meeting my husband (add in some ups and downs) and then our marriage(lasting longer than 72 days, mind you. Too bad, Kim K!). Then a season finale can be that Chris accepted the job to be the Mauitime Art Director and we move to Maui!

Season starts off with us living in paradise and chronicles the tough times—no job for me or friends for awhile, small place, planning our wedding, adjusting to a completely new island lifestyle, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous(can you say Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Josh Radnor, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban?) and the good times—Chris excelling in his job, being honored for his design work, meeting life-long friends, visiting breath taking places and everything else in between. Shots back home to include my sisters promotion at school; brother moving to Colorado; updates on my parents; Chris's brother graduating high school and starting college. Season ends with Chris accepting another job to become the Associate Art Director at the Seattle Met Magazine! Surprise—time to move, again!

Next season starts off with our new life in a COMPLETELY different city. Going from living in tank tops, swimsuits, shorts and flip flops to jackets, scarves and rain boots; handling the death of a very close friend; still no job for me; public transportation; moving expenses; new puppy; one year anniversary; family visits; planning and leading my first event; learning a new city and the list goes on.

So there you have it. No, I haven't given this any thought..... what would your TV show be like? I'd love to hear!

This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

Do You Still Need Date Night Out?

Yes, I really asked that question. Because that question came up when Chris and I went out to dinner the other night.

We had our first night out in Maui as husband and wife and we went to Bocalinos, Mediterrean with a fusion of Italian. It was a new place and I have been dying to try it. The building is lit up from the inside and looks so modern from the outside. We sat at a table right in the middle and secluded. I started off with a Merlot and Chris had his Longboard.

The menu was comprised mostly of delicious sounding tapas - trust me we wanted to try them all - chicken egg rolls, baked oysters Provencale, calamari fritti, New York steak pupu. They also have a Koi Sushi Bar. But we ended up going with the Spicy Sausage - which turned out to be more of a meal instead of a tapa - otherwise the sausage was seasoned perfectly, pasta was cooked well and the tomatoes were juicy complimenting the spiciness of the sausage. Then we split the lasagne (you can never go wrong with lasagne) The meat sauce had a nice blend of tomatoes and herbs and the lasagne layers filled with meat and cheese just melted in your mouth. Granted it was a great dinner, but LOTS of carbs, which need to be run of as we speak :)

The whole night we talked about our day, our thoughts on different subjects and brainstorming potential new business projects. I enjoyed just sitting there talking about anything and everything with Chris. We weren't distracted by our new AppleTV, phones, or anything else around the house. It was a nice feeling.

So on the way home, I told Chris "I had such a great time, thank you." A thank you always goes a long way, even in a marriage :) And he said he did too of course. Then I was like we should go get a drink somewhere. This is where the whole question comes in, he said "But we have drinks at home, we can just go home." If I wanted to go home, I would've suggested it lol!

Then we started to discuss the whole date night out vs staying out home. Studies have proven that date nights can be beneficial to not only marriages but relationships. That's why I feel that it's always important to have your weekly/monthly date nights out. It strengthens the bond between you two and raises your bodies natural endorphines which has the ability to produce feelings of well-being ( the same feelings one has when you start dating).

You don't have to go to the most expensive restaurant or hot spot. Just a place that's special to yall, maybe somewhere yall when on your first date or a favorite burger joint. As long as you're getting away from the distractions at home then you're good to go. If your schedules are super busy, then plan it that week AND it will give you both something to look forward to.

Christopher and I also have our weekly Taco Tuesdays which is something we both look forward to! And super easy on the wallet! Because you just pick up the stuff on your weekly shopping trip :)

When was the last time you had a date night out with your significant other or even your friends or siblings? Take time our of your "busy" life and do something good for yourself and those special in your life.

And you're welcome in advance!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Today I am wishing all the fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers, uncles and soon-to-be fathers a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! But especially my father, the best dad in the world, Bill Dreyer!!

It was weird going to Church today and not be with my dad. All the dad's received blessings. But I did talk to my dad before I went into Church so that counts for something :)

Today the Father's homily was very inspirational. "Are you in it for you or are you in it for others?" Such a great question to ponder, especially on this day. Are you in this world for yourself - are you selfish and self centered? Or are you in this world for others - do you think about others and want to live your life to better others? It's not hard to know where I belong. That is definitely in the second category. And I owe that to my father (and mother!).

My father is one of the most unselfish man I know. He lives his life making sure me, Marina, Nick and our mom are all taken care of. Overcoming prostate cancer, triple by-pass surgery and hormone shots right now, he is the epitome of the strongest man and wonderful father. He lives his life for others. That's how I am living my life. Not for me, but for my wonderful family, friends and Christopher. To live your life this way is to be helpful, not hurtful. That's how God lived his life. He lived it for us.

Thinking of another aspect of my life coming up: my future nuptials. Most marriages end in divorce because one or the other is living for themselves, and not for their significant others. That is not how I want to live my marriage and I am going to work my butt of to have the kind of marriage my parents have. They are living for each other first and then for their kids. Same with Chris' parents. They are still married and are living for themselves and the kids. It is truly why a happy, healthy marriage is important to Chris and I. We have these amazing examples that a strong, happy, health marriage is possible.

Three 1/2 months from now, Chris and I will begin our journey as husband and wife. Living our lives for each other and not for ourselves.

On this special Father's Day, take time out to show love for the father figure in your life. Let him know how much he shapes you, the way you live your life and how much you love him. I know I already have and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

I love you Bill Dreyer.