2013: Striving for...

This post is my January entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival.  If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetessocmed.com/2013/january-dsma-blog-carnival-2/“

New Year with Diabetes: Striving for __________ in 2013!

What I'm striving for this year is not directly related to diabetes but I've been thinking about this prompt for the better part of the month and have been wanting to touch on it.

I'm striving for more positivity in my life.

Ever feel like society has forgotten its manners?

Or people in general aren't as courteous towards each other?

Me too.

I've really started noticing it more and more this past year. It's as though no one has time to say "excuse me" or give a friendly wave in traffic when some one's let you into a long line. People can be so quick to argue and be rude. It's the little things that I notice. I'm a firm believer of "what goes around, comes around". I've always believed that if I treat people the way I would want to be treated, that I would get the same treatment in return.  It just doesn't feel like that's the case anymore. And because I feel like few people care to be pleasant, I find myself not caring any more either. It feels like a lost cause.

I work in fairly negative work environment also but I love my job. It's the kind of job that can test your faith in humanity and it's easy to have the negativity of the world rub off on you. 

I'm tired of all the negativity and I have let it get the better of me. 

I want to find a way not to worry about whether some one else is having a bad day, or let their moods affect my day or life. It can be tough to stay positive and upbeat sometimes, but I'm determined to find a way. Sometimes we don't have a choice in choosing who we spend our days with, so simply avoiding negative people is not a solution. I have to find a way to make the best of it, for my own sanity.

So, like I said, this is not directly related to diabetes. But let's be honest, overall well-being can't hurt anything.

48 Questions...

Cherise over at the DSMA (Diabetes Social Media Advocacy) suggested the DOC get to know each other a little bit better. She posted 48 questions to answer and to blog about. I love doing stuff like this and had also been wanting to include more stuff about me, that doesn't always include diabetes.

Here goes....

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

No, but my middle name is named after my Mom.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Last Thursday night.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

Ugh. No. I'm blaming it on the fact that I'm left handed though. People say left handed people have messier writing.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Salami!!! 

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Does a cat count?? 

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

I would hope so! I can be hard to get to know at first, but I would give the shirt off my back. 

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Yes! I love sarcasm!! 

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Yes, but I wish they were gone. They often cause troubles. 

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

My life would have to depend on it. And even then I would have a hard time going through with it. I am getting more and more afraid of heights as I get older. 

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Multi-grain Cheerios. 

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Nope. 

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

Depends on the situation. I can be a softy. 

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Chocolate chip cookie dough. 

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Their smile. 

15. RED OR PINK?

Pink. I'm not a girly girl though. I just prefer it over red. 

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

My nose. 

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

My grandparents. 

18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?

The technique involved in baking something edible for once. 

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

I'm not wearing shoes. I'm wearing cozy white sport ankle socks. 

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Salad with chicken and avocado. Yup, I'm a rebel!! 

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The hum of the refrigerator. And also the squeaking of snow under car tires outside; it's a frigid one here today. 

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Turquoise. 

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Fresh baked bread or clean laundry. 

24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?

Not overly important. I care about politics but I don't follow it very closely. 

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?

Beach house. 

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Hockey (Go Jets Go!!) and baseball. 

27. HAIR COLOR?

Just changed it from blonde to red today!! :) 

28. EYE COLOR?

Blue. 

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

No. 

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

BBQ's steak. 

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy Endings.  

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Promised Land. It was ok. 

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

A white cozy zip up fleece. 

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Summer. 

35. FAVORITE DESSERT?

I'm not a huge dessert eater. I like chocolate cake though. 

36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?

Strength training. 

37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?

TV, but my computer is very slowly becoming my BFF. 

38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

The Life of Pi, by Yann Martel. 

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

I don't have a mouse pad. 

40. FAVORITE SOUND?

Soft rain falling outside. Especially at night.  

41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?

90's music. Is that a genre? 

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

Vietnam. 

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I am ridiculously good at never forgetting a face. Sometimes it creeps people out at how well I am able to remember who they are and how I/we know them. Don't ask me their name though! 

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

I was born in Lahr, Germany. I'm an army brat.  

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?

Winnipeg, Manitoba. Canada. 

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?

It's an apartment and its white. 

47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?

Dark grey. 

48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?

I thought this would take longer, but it's been fun! Look forward to reading other peoples!!

September DSMA Blog Carnival

This post is my September entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival. If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetessocmed.com/2012/september-dsma-blog-carnival-2/

In an effort to blog more, and to get some more original ideas, I've decided to start participating in the Diabetes Social Media Advocacy's (DSMA) Blog Carnival. Every month there is a new topic to blog about and you have the whole month to get it done.

September's topic is "post a picture of your (or your loved one’s) diabetes bag or gear "...So, here it is!!

 

This is what I used to lug around when I was first diagnosed. I used everything the way it was given to me. I very quickly learned that this was taking up way too much room in my purse for more important stuff. So, I decided to downsize and keep everything in one little bag....

 

 

 

 

I managed to snag this little gem at Shopper's Drug Mart. The local store by my place was undergoing some reno's so they were blowing out a bunch of products for dirt cheap in order to make room for their new displays. I got this little make up bag by Quo for $3.00 and now see it for $12.00! I love that it's long, so it fits my insulin pens quite nicely. I also keep my Bayer USB meter, test strips, lancing device (I still use the OneTouch Delica), weekly vitamins (Vitamin D, multivitamin and Metamucil capsule) tucked in there.

 

 

 

I've accumulated a lot of different meters, pouches and supplies. I use this 2 drawer plastic organizer to store all my extra supplies. The left drawer is for all my insulin needs, and the right is for all my testing needs. I could probably do with getting a second one as it's gotten pretty cramped in there!!

 

So, that's just a little peak at how I keep my diabetes management a little more organized!