What are you going to do about it?
Nov 22
Make a change.
There has been a significant amount of events going on recently that all revolve around change. Sometimes we’re forced into doing something different, and sometimes we have to make choices that evoke change. Whether its moving for work, breaking up with a girlfriend/ boyfriend, accepting a new job, or other:
Change is a part of every day life.
It is crucial for us, in order to survive, to manage change effectively.
I know I’ve posted before about change, but this specifically deals with the motivation behind WANTING the change.
If you want to lose weight, but don’t change eating habits and exercise on a regular basis, you probably won’t lose weight. You don’t really WANT the change.
Additionally the change has to be accompanied by the action; the follow through; the every day committment to stay true to that change to bring about the results desired. Change is not making exceptions. This is not to say that you have to be perfect either… just your level of desire to bring about that change should determine how many exceptions (if any) youre willing to make. Say youre dieting, and you really want ice cream. Is the scoop of ice cream beneficial to achieving your overall goal? Some see eating the one scoop as alright, whereas some would argue that it isn’t. This isn’t a nutrition rant, but the concept is, that eating that ice cream may or may not get you to your goal as fast as you’d like.
I feel that in order to make a significant change in your own behavior, then you have to sincerely want it, AND make the continual effort to follow through with that goal.
If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting
Keep in mind that change and growth, come with levels of comfortability and complacency. If one is too complacent, growth, if any, is a slower process.
Anastasia
Always Remember: Despite circumstances, even the most severe sometimes, it’s perspective that ignites change, growth, learning, acceptance, and adaptation.
Long-Distance “Something”
Nov 21Hey everyone,
I was just thinking about the likeliness of long-distance “relationships” actually working out, and what your thoughts were on it?
S.P. isn’t necessarily the haven for successful relationships. Since being here, I think that it’s too easy to fall into others’ business– and it’s almost impossible to sustain a “healthy, lasting relationship” here. Living in a small town, even trying to keep to yourself, you still will have your share of being gossiped about. Scenario: your friend of the opposite sex walked with you out of a place then went home to their own house, and you, yours. According to the gossip though, by the next day, your friend would have slept with you that night, woken up the neighbors with a wild night of sex, and had been seen leaving your house early the next morning, wearing the exact same thing as the night before.
I tried one of these “relationship” thingies Aug 2010. He lived on the mainland and was a British soldier. The amount of gossip I heard about him on a constant basis, lead me to question every action he did. Was he really where he said he was that night? Did he really “just talk” to that girl? Why wasn’t he coming out this weekend when he said he would? Did he really get called on duty? What fueled the fire, was that his friends/co-workers would tell me things that would lead to these questions. After a while, it drove us apart.
Even though he technically was a 15 minute plane ride away, this was like any other long-distance relationship.
So, does that mean I believe that all long-distance relationships are inevitably bound for utter disaster?
Realistically, aren’t all relationships bound to fail?
It’s unfortunate that I have come to this conclusion, and it sounds like I have no faith in “love” .. relationships… friendships, or even commitment… but it’s not that at all. I feel that in life, we CHOOSE to make relationships work. They don’t all automatically work. People get in disagreements, conflicts, arguments…. it’s how people choose to handle their relationship after the conflict that determines whether the relationship is still “successful” in the future. So I guess I’m open to the concept of a long-distance relationship so long as both people choose to work through conflict.
Ultimately, I guess the only person you have in your life, for the rest of your life, is yourself.
Anastasia
Always remember: Be good to you.
Garifunas & Addams Family Values
Nov 19
Breakfast at Estel's before the morning rain. 11-19-11
Hello my fellow readers.
Today in Belize, its Garifuna settlement day!
“The Garifuna (pronounced Ga-RIF-una), or Black Caribs, are a unique cultural and ethnic group. They first appeared in this area over 300 years ago, when escaped and shipwrecked slaves mixed with the native Caribs who had given them refuge on Saint Vincent Island. The Garifuna adopted the Carib language but kept their African musical and religious traditions, against the demands of the island’s colonial masters. In 1795 the Garifuna people rebelled against the British; the Crown punished them for their insolence by deporting them to the island of Roatán, off Honduras. In the years that followed, the Garifuna slowly established villages on islands and along the coasts of southern Belize, Guatemala, and northern Honduras” Belizeans.com
There were celebrations today, and I went out to Estel’s (my FAVORITE breakfast place on the island) with one of my girlfriends. However most of the day, I was cooped up in the house working on my thesis… which was supposed to be due today. Luckily, I have up to a year to complete… but I had to put it on hold because I’m dedicating my time to teaching 2 grade-levels in one classroom! Talk about a lot of work! 
I’m looking forward to heading home again for Christmas to see my family and friends. If you’re around, be sure to let me know. Does anyone want to come back to Belize to celebrate the “last new year’s celebration” in history? (According to the Mayan Calendar…. you know, world ending 12-21-2012?? This also happens to be my mom’s birthday!)
Either way, there’s no better way to celebrate the new year in another country!
I also just got word that one of my friends will be moving to San Pedro in January! What a great surprise!
Other than all that, things are going surprisingly better recently… just counting down the days until I can get a break 
Want to know what’s going on in my love life? I can’t tell you everything!
A girl has to have a little mystery!
Looking forward to tomorrow- hopefully most of the day will be sunny. I’m looking rather pale these days!
My last little bit is that many years ago today, The Addams Family Values came out… yeah, I was an extra in this movie when I was in 5th grade. (Just a little flashback!) Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll let you know where to find my dorky, 5th grade self… 
Happy Garifuna Day to the Garifunas out there!
Anastasia
Always remember: No news is good news!
Rainy Day!
Jul 02
Today is a pretty overcast day in San Pedro. My friend Olivera Rusu took this beautiful picture in Ambergris Caye, Belize. This picture captures a million words! Absolutely breathtaking!
About 30 minutes ago, it was sprinkling lightly and thundering so loud, it literally shook my concrete condo. The thunder and lightning here are most eloquently and succinctly described as: AMAZING! If you are ever wondering what the weather is like at anytime in SP, you can check sanpedroweather.com. They have everything you need to know, including a streaming webcam. :) Current temp while writing this: 81.7 F degrees, 84% humidity.
What do you like to do on rainy days?
I was trying to get my hair done today which was a perfect solution to a rainy day, but I can’t get in until Tuesday. I guess that’s what I get for procrastinating.
What?! The world doesn’t revolve around me????
I have this month (July) off from my Master’s classes. Like I said in my last post, I have 2 classes and a thesis to complete before I can add letters after my last name. :) I’ve been seriously considering the idea of going back to school to get my Doctorate, after completion of my Masters. I guess this is something I should further look into today.
I have a lot of errands to run, as this would be a perfect time to get them completed- mostly for touch-ups around my condo. What else better to do on a rainy day than clean? I might as well take advantage of the (slightly) cooler weather and get stuff done!
Another thing I’ve wanted to do over the past month is start sewing again. I have a friend from California that lived here from October to June. Her parents recently retired to San Pedro and she took a long holiday. Either way, she left her sewing machine with me until she could come back and visit again. So, as I’ve been trying to complete class work over the last month, I’ve been staring at that thing thinking “I’d much rather do that than this redundant, boring classwork.” Maybe I’ll have to stop by one of the fabric stores to look at material…
What I should do the most right now, is get my booty to the gym for a good workout. I took yesterday off, as I have friends in town from California, and we went to Caye Caulker for the day. I love that place. They are having their Lobsterfest this weekend, where street vendors sell lobster dishes at an incredibly low price, in addition to contests, promos and events. Events like this remind me of a farmer’s market or street fair from back in CA. San Pedro’s Lobsterfest was last weekend, and I had the most delicious lobster tail (6-8 oz.) with rice for $7.00 USD. I don’t even like lobster all that much, but I might as well eat it as much as I can while I’m here for that price! Either way- I need to get off to the gym already and stop being so lazy!
Not much information for today, but like I said, I’m being lazy! Have a great Saturday! (It’s Saturday, right?)
Anastasia
Always remember: Why leave for tomorrow what you can do today?!?!
Love: The Newest Business Transaction
Jun 28Hey peeps,
I have been doing a lot of reflecting over the past week, as I just finished my 9th Master’s Degree class out of 12. Booyah. 2 classes to go + a Thesis!!!
One of the things I’ve been throwing around is the concept of love.
I know, your favorite.
One of my friends and I have been discussing the subject- and below is an email that I sent, describing my feelings.
“I guess that ultimately all personalities dont get along, or maybe it would be a lot easier to find.. meh. Additionally, there have only been a very very select few that have been even considered for that exclusive title, and they still failed the tests along the way…
It’s not that I’m in any hurry to “settle:” I know what I want. I’m not devoting myself to any schmuck that comes around and gives me a little attention.. I want someone who’s right for me, that also has qualities and characteristics that are compatible with my qualities and characteristics, in order for the long-term relationship to be more successful. I want someone that inspires my good qualities to come out and doesn’t encourage/minimizes the bad ones- like my anxiety.
The older I’m getting the more disillusioned I am with marriage… I guess i just have the faith that someone will see me for who I am and love that person– genuinely love me for my quirks, insecurities, moods, and the like. I don’t want to be “saved” or feel that a relationship will “complete me” or give me my identity. I want that person to be my partner- my best friend. Someone whom I can talk to for days and days on end about absolutely nothing, yet absolutely everything.
Hopeless romantic? Possibly. I feel there’s hope for me… but as the days pass, it becomes “half-life hope”…
-Anastasia, 24 June 2011
Since then, I’ve been thinking that maybe love is actually like a business transaction:
What does this party have to offer me?
What in return do I have to offer this other party?
Is there reciporocation of respect, trust, resources, materials, etc.?
Is this transaction worth the risk?
If conflict arises, how do we handle the negotiation process?
No, this isn’t right… love can’t be this easily simplified.
Why do I want to spend so much time with people I love?
I don’t necessarily want to spend a lot of time with people I work with, or go to school with, or do business with. Actually, I really don’t like it at all. I somewhat feel that business and friendship are not a good match.
Why do I have such strong feelings sometimes?
I’m overwhelmed with emotion sometimes. You know what they say when you just feel it. Sometimes it’s butterflies, sometimes it’s frustration, sometimes it’s passion, sometimes it’s pain.
Why do I get upset when plans fall through and I don’t get what I want?
Over the last year, I’ve been trying to deal with dating someone long-distance. Although only a 15 min plane ride away, things don’t work out, and my heart gets broken once again. Or, a classic situation:
I get upset when he doesn’t call when I want him to,
or say the things I want him to,
or respond when I want him to,
or come visit when I want him to…
…See the pattern?
If I get this upset over behavior that occurs, is it really acceptance? Why do I have such a double standard when it comes to getting what I want. Am I even allowing the other person to let me know what they want? Am I trying to make that other person into someone they are not? Is it really loving the other person for who they are? And, if I want someone to love me for who I am, then why aren’t I being honest with who they are, and loving them for that?
So, does love then depend upon accepting the other person for exactly who they are?
Does Love = Acceptance?
Furthermore, if I really did love Anthony, then why can’t I accept who he is? If Love = Acceptance, then I must not have loved him at all.. but then what was it, and why am I STILL affected?
Maybe I don’t love anyone? Maybe I don’t know how to love at all?
Anastasia
Always remember: Reciprocity.
