Life Update AND New Blog Coming Soon

So....it's been awhile! It's been more than a few months since my last post, (5 MONTHS to be exact!) and you know, we're living through a devastating, historic time now...a full blown pandemic...so I know this year has been hard for EVERYONE. Life is already hard as it is, and then you throw in this scary virus situation...then life becomes a 1000 times more challenging...

But here's a short list of what's happened since I last posted:

* My kids finished their last school year online, because they closed down the schools back in late March. They just recently reopened and they went back to real school.

*Okinawa went through a series of lockdown/shutdown/quarantine etc whatever you wanna call it, since April I think, on and off. Depending on what military branch you are associated with, the restrictions varied. We went through a time where you couldn't go anywhere except to go buy groceries and other essentials. It sucked but at the same time, I didn't mind because I wanted to do whatever it took for the situation here in Okinawa to get better again.

*I finally passed my certification to be a personal trainer. After 11 years of thinking about it! I will definitely do another blog post about that.

*...and I turned 40 in September. It kinda sucks trying to celebrate a milestone birthday during a pandemic because I couldn't really celebrate the way I wanted to: with an epic trip somewhere exotic, where I can sip on a pretty tropical drink...

So that's what was going on around here for me...I'm thankful the family and I all have our health, and we were still able to enjoy life outside our house when we were able to, and although things suck sometimes, I try my best to maintain a positive attitude as much as possible...anyone who knows me well will know that I sometimes get a bad case of the "grumpies" but I can usually feel better by eating dessert, getting some exercise, listening to music or singing karaoke...

Also:

I mentioned a new blog coming. I'm not sure exactly when this will happen since I'm still working it, but hopefully it will be a new and improved space! I've had this blog since 2012, and I figure it's time to move on from 'blogger' or "blogspot" I'm finally going to get my own ".com" hahaha! I figure it's the grown up thing to do right? When I finally move over, I will definitely make one last post here announcing the move...

In the meantime, here are some of my favorite shots from the past few months...

I feel like this outfit best describes my true style...

...and at the same time, I love to wear summer dresses every now and then...

...one day, I swear I will get used to wearing just regular swim bottoms without wearing shorts over them! I just never felt comfortable letting my cheeks hang out! HA!

...probably my favorite summer dress, but I didn't realize how high I was lifting my dress for this photo and revealing SO MUCH leg! (for my standards)

...I'm finally holding this certificate...becoming a certified personal trainer was something that I've wanted for 11 years...last year I finally signed up for the course, and studied for months...then 2020 happened. The timing of everything just turned out to be crazy...I say that because the fitness industry is suffering from the pandemic, and the gym is a not-so-safe place to be nowadays...I know opinions vary on this, but this is MY opinion. I also don't believe wearing a MASK while working out is safe at all...

this leads to the conclusion that right now, the only way to safely train someone is virtually or online...and this is not the easiest thing in the world to do...so right now I'm not going to actively pursue employment at any gyms or fitness center anytime soon (as a trainer) because of all the limitations... one thing I considered is coming up with online programs or even expanding my expertise by becoming an instructor...I first want to narrow down and find a fitness niche first though...there's so many things to think about! There are also many family changes coming soon as well, so I may have to make a shift in a different direction again as far as employment is concerned! Again...I will definitely do another blog post about this for those who want to know more about my "Journey on becoming a personal trainer" haha :)

Thanks for reading, for all those loyal people who still reads my posts after all these years! :)

Until then, you can find me on Instagram @1.jenesaisquoi.1, where I am MUCH more active these days. I actually have more than 1000 followers now, haha! My Instagram grew much more than this blog here which is funny to me. I know I don't post as much on the blog as I did in the past, it's still my hobby, and more than anything it's fun. I mean, I started this blog back in 2012 for fun, and pretty much as an outfit diary, trying to inspire other women to get "dressed up." Nothing crazy original but it was fun. It still is. I never really made any money from it (although that would be nice) but sharing my photos, stories and experiences is something I just genuinely enjoy doing. :)

Until then...here's to hoping my new blog is in fact "new and improved"...stay tuned!