Hello- it's Rita

I quit waiting.

I felt that life owed me something it because I'd demonstrated such a commitment to change when I moved to NYC alone a year and a 1/2 ago. My life was consumed by work, visitors from home, movies, and eating take out. Oh yes, and superficial efforts to appear to be working toward what I thought I really want: the relationship with that great guy.

I started justifying. Maybe, if I just lost weight, I would meet the guy. So I would focus on that.... for a while. I kept thinking... in the meantime, I could do this.

In my job, I assess opportunities and define strategy. I listen to all of the tactical ideas for marketing that people think are solutions. Then I consider what their true objectives are and I make a roadmap of getting them from one place to where they need to be using manageable tactics. In 2010, I decided to quit waiting and do the same to my life.

I sat back and thought about why I wanted those things so badly. The boyfriend? I'd like to have children and a support system but more than that I wanted a partner who, in some sense, complemented me. I'd been presented with plenty of opportunities to date many nice men since I'd moved here but none seemed right. In the meantime, I kept waiting for it to just come to me instead of working towards improving myself and enjoying the selfish me time that single people have the luxury of having. Most importantly, I realized that not only do I have time to find someone, but if I don't, I can do those things alone. I am capable- so long as I build that support system and confidence in myself.

Hence- my efforts here to focus on me. To build a business plan for myself to keep my true objectives in mind. To work toward being the happiest and healthiest person I can be with a good network of friends and family.

Thank you Tirzah for accompanying me on this journey and to those of you who read about our adventures for cheering us along on the way.

So it begins.