Freshly Spring, 33 Degrees, warm Inside.

Happy Spring everybody!

For most, the first of January is the new start for most, which is forgotten after two weeks! For me this seems to be my new start. I don’t like to ‘trend’ like everyone else, (accept keeping up a little with fashion trends.) Spring cleaning closets, which coincides with Passover (see my Passover blog I wrote last year of family memories).

I have dropped a couple of lbs and am weighing in at 116lbs (from 155lbs). If you all remember the reason I started this blog, was to become healthy, not just physically, but in every other way. To maintain this healthy lifestyle, I change my diet every few weeks by introducing different fruits and veggies, keeping up with exercise and cutting out all sugar. Sugar is not known to me at all, however treats are made at home, such as whole wheat cupcakes, or if I am out and about on the weekend I will grab a frozen yogurt rather than an ice-cream. Water is the only drink I have, other than one coffee (decaf) in the morning. Boot camp is also vital to maintaining a healthy body or whatever you can do keep you healthy! A twenty minute walk every day, thirty minutes at least of cardio… get your heart beating!

I have also spent many months thinking about my career, thinking which way to go. After spending ten plus years as a successful Executive Assistant for great companies, I want to now move on to my ‘true love’ which is working for the Media, News Media. This however, means starting from scratch which I am willing to do but it means trying to find an ‘in’. So in order to do that, I have entered the world (obsessively) of Twitter! I have met the most amazing and fascinating people on there, even more than on LinkedIn and I have come to realise that Social Media is the only way to go! Word to you all, if you are not on Twitter…what are you waiting for…and follow me! (@joannahertzberg)

I will keep you up to date as to what happens, at the moment, I am just making connections and loving it. What do you do to connect?

Here are some updated pics of my daughter and myself…

Gun Control Now!

Since the horrendous massacre in Newtown, CT the press has been more open and aware about talking  gun control in America. What took so long? Why did it take so many massacres to bring this to light and even now, there is not enough being done. Slowly but surely I have noticed the topic is being swept under the carpet.

 Being British, I have never understood quiet frankly, the American gun culture and probably never will. It is not in my DNA. If American’s use guns to protect themselves, or use them for recreational purposes such as hunting or going to a gun range just for the sake of it, I just don’t get it.

War is a time when families have to worry about relatives being in foreign lands (including myself) with weapons that can kill, but at least we can, to an extent, make sense of it however,  why must we worry on our own doorsteps? Why should we have to worry for our children when we send them to school? Or walk down the block in a gang related shooting such as the latest one in Chicago which the First Lady attended the funeral.

Back in 1996, in Dunblane, 16 children were killed in a massacre in the UK, BUT UNLIKE the United States, something was done about it. John Major who was the Prime minister at the time immediately set up a public a  inquiry. Within one year there was a ban on all hand guns. That, was and is progress and currently there are very few gun shootings a year in the UK.

Back round checks have been suggested, as well as mental health checks. Honestly America, will that be enough to stop the massacres? It will definitely help, but more needs to be done. Something more dramatic.

Gun Control Now!

Dissapointing Grammy

For years the Grammys have been a place where outrageous artists could express their talent through their fashion. However, this year there was the famous ‘memo’ and everyone came dressed conservatively. Katy Perry’s dress was considered ‘out of line’ because she showed too much ‘boobage’ however, in previous years this would be considered tame, not just for her but compare that to Lady Gaga’s meat dress or J’lo’s barely there dress.

This took away from the excitement of the Grammys, we might have been watching the Emmy’s or another award show, not to mention the lack of good quality music during the actual show.

Let’s hope next year will be better!

From 150lbs to 122lbs B4 & After :))

A small crush…! Hugely complicated!

I have not dated in many many years? I don’t even remember – yes it has been that long  and yes the last person was to my soon to be ex-husband. I met someone during a business meeting last week. The meeting was meant to be extreamly professional, but ended up being quiet informal, I left with butterflies in my stomach!! I quickly sent him an e-mail thanking him for meeting me etc… and he responded within a second, literally!

I also happen to follow this person on Twitter, he is well known… so the next day I decided to take a risk and email him, and let him know I liked his twitter pics of xmas decorations…and the mails went back and forth till Sunday night. Our original meeting was on the Friday….

The thing with me, as a person I am not a player, I have never been into the games, I am a straight arrow, (maybe that’s the Brit in me) especially after coming out of a marriage with a husband who has been unfaithful. But even when ‘flirting’ or whatever its called as I am new to it all… and he is aware of this…oh and this is even better, he is also still married and getting out of it, so he says!

I guess I am still afraid of being hurt, and always told myself I would give myself a year before I would ever get involved with someone on any level and just focus on my career. Why does life play tricks on us!

But just an FYI he said over the course of our 2 day e-mailing spree ‘I felt what you felt’. Now I cannot get him off my mind…I even wake up in the middle of the night….I kind of feel like a clumsy Bridget Jones….I keep checking my e-mail to see if I have a message from him and thinking up reasons to write. But I know I need to hold off…I guess it’s the game right… let him write? Girls, some advice to someone who has been out of a relationship for eternity!!!!

No gas? So walk a little!!

While so many gas stations in NYC and NJ are out of gas, I keep thinking…. Walk people walk, or get on your bikes! Alright I know this is not realistic if you have a long commute to work, but go back a few years and what did people do back then? While I don’t want to get into the politics of it all… I just think exercise won’t harm any New Yorker!!! 🙂

Apple, Samsung & HTC

6 months ago I finally got rid of my beloved blackberry smartphone, rumor in the tech world they were dated. So many of my friends and family had the iPhone, I was more than curious! I went to Best Buy, and gave into the hype! I couldn’t put my phone down, all the apps, I was addicted. I now love my 4s.

Now we are in November, and Samsung and HTC are Apples competition… And from what I understand, way ahead of the game, and once again I am behind! I cannot keep up!

In the near future, I was thinking of getting an iPad, but should I be thinking of Samsung rather? Hmm??

What happened to Apple that they were ahead in the tech world, but Samsung crept ahead like they did??

A few less lbs..

I don’t really remember when I wrote about my weight last, which is honestly why I started this great blog!

It is amazing to me how therapeutic writing is and how it can have such a ripple effect and lead me to write about about so many other facets of my life.

Today, I went clothing shopping for my new job, ill post tomorrow all the things I purchased because I really endulged! Due to my weight loss, small and extra small and size 0 in skirts / dresses are what I chased. It was very emotional for me… I am now weighing 123lbs from 150lbs

I still surprise myself when I look in the mirror.. It takes hard work each and every day but its worth it, the confidence, feeling healthy over all is the best part of it all!!

Xx if anyone is looking to be healthy feel free to ask for advice! Xx

First snow in NYC

Exhausted, but feeling successful !

After ages of battling the interview, I have succeeded! A couple of weeks ago, I stepped into a modern office in the village area of down town manhattan. They were different to most offices I had been into, they reminded me of the Facebook offices I had seen on television – open space and very relaxed. It was a large media company and since I do love writing, this would be a dream come true! I went through three interviews, each person nicer than the next, it was too good to be true! My exact position would be EA to the editor in chief and CEO.

Several days later, after reference checking, I was called and told I had gotten the job!! I was ecstatic ! It had taken a while, but perseverance and faith – you can achieve anything you want to!! Especially during these rough economic times.

So many people lost faith in me, and that was the hardest part of it, I had to keep going for my little girl 🙂 and me !

Good things come to those who wait and work hard…