32 is the new...32

Is this thing on?

It's been so long since I've taken a moment to document my thoughts that my life has had time to completely change. How so? I could probably name one thing for every degree life has shifted.

Instead of listing 180 reasons I'll fly you in to the basics.

I had a baby! Yeah, a baby! A baby...at 32! That still makes me giggle and as I type this, I suddenly remember that today is the anniversary of his conception! (The fact that I can single handedly pinpoint this is also indicative of my "polar shift".) Having a newborn, at 32, is definitely an experience that I look forward to sharing.

I've moved! Yes, I've ditched the digs of the District and relocated to the burbs. Small house to small apartment. ..and I'm cohabitating! YES...I will definitely be sharing LOTS and LOTS of this!

I've lost quite a bit of weight. Yep. I also now have an addiction to chocolate and all things reminscent. :-l

I'm actually feeling far from my descriptive pen name. FAR, FAR, FAR from Carmen Cosmo.

I got the nickname Carmen back in 2001. My brother would ring my cell phone and I'd be in unpredictable cities. He'd always say "Where in the world are you TODAY". So I took a liking to the nickname Carmen SanDiego. Years later, I would enter the single/corporate/trendy lifestyle of working in Bethesda. The happy hours, exclusive benefits/gala, who's who events from my employer some days prompting me to run to Chevy Chase at my lunch hour to find the perfect cocktail/semi-formal and even formal attire for the evening inspired my "Cosmo". Plus, my personality was somewhat similar to the drink. Feminine but strong, trendy, popular, and of course CUTE! (and I mean that in the most humble sense of the word) lol

I must say, I enjoyed my days as CC but I'm feeling so far from that lifestyle today. I've traded my blowout for a snatchback; my stilettos for oxfords; and happy hour for the good night show on Sprout.

I, my friends, am feeling every ounce of my age. No need to fret, though, this is a good thing. So...bare with me.

Detox: Its not just physical

I'm a little early. LOL Was thinking on the way into work. Decided to share.



In my junior year of high school I made the, sudden, decision to give up meat. Now, I'm not much on vegetables so I had to make a compromise. I mostly ate seafood and an occasional chicken.



Just short of a year, I decided that I was through with that. LOL. No rhyme nor reason – just PLEASE pass the steak.



Lo and behold – I was in for a surprise. I could no longer eat pork. It made me violently ill. It took a while for me to understand exactly what was going on. I thought long and hard about it. When it clicked – ah man? I had gone nearly a year without eating red meat or pork; however, my body was now rejecting the latter.



The body knows best, right?



I came to the realization that it [pork] was no longer good for me; though, temptation often pressured me to test my perimeters thinking "well, maybe if I just eat a little.." but EH EH. My body wasn't having it. I would eventually gain a tolerance for mixed pork (ie pepperoni, some sausages) but pure, rich pork like pork chops and ribs…man? I would see them and not be able to resist – only to pay for it in the end. Stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea (I know its gross but I do have a point).



My point? If you're not already there with me….LOL



Detox is necessary. Alcohol and drugs are not the only things that we put into our "systems" that lead to dependence and negative effects. People and bad relationships can have the same exact affect.



Just like the pork – it's not always apparent.



Realizing what/who your toxins are is very important. Resisting that temptation to divulge in them, is extremely hard. While I may want that slab of ribs OR want to spend a weekend with {insert fling} I know the repercussions. One will make me vomit; while, the other will bring out the absolute worse in me. Both will make me sick.



The lesson: Everything you love isn't good for you.