Some notes on what Yahira's been up to...

It's been a while! Let's catch up on the latest with Yahira...

Shedding Pounds

The photo above is actually from summer 2024. But as of January 2025, I've officially lost 15 pounds. My weight-loss started in early 2024, when I began electro-acupuncture. The weight-loss was unintended and ending up being a byproduct of my treatment. Time-restricted eating also helped. I've never felt more fabulous. Here I come, world!

Love Bit Yahira

I hate to even speak of it but I was shot with cupid's arrow. Yes - your independent, willful, free-spirited Yahira was in love... for about 8 weeks (ha). You'll be happy to know that I have come to my senses and I now carry around a vial of holy water to ward off such evils in the future...

In all seriousness, it was a short-lived romance but one that made me so irrational and off-kilter that it certainly felt like love. I noticed I wasn't the same person. I was all at once going through the emotions but also watching myself from a distance and actually quite amused by some of the things going through my head.

In any case, I'm past it now. I can't remember what television or movie I heard it from but I remember this quote, "life is unexpected". Truer words...

Nights Out

I've been having a ball on date nights. Mostly dining out but a client recently took me to a cigar bar. I still haven't gotten the hang of smoking a cigar nor have I learned how to really enjoy it. Practice is needed. In 2025, I'm looking forward to enjoying more date nights but out of state. My priority destinations are San Francisco, Seattle, and Boston.

Real Estate

Some of you have asked if I've decided to move on the abandoned rental property I've written about. And I've decided that I do not want a headache. I don't want to live through another nightmare like I did working in real estate a few years back. Also... interest rates!

I haven't totally abandoned my real estate ambitions. I would still like to own a two-door in the near future. It just doesn't seem right to take on a project that will wake me out of my sleep in the middle of the night, gasping for air. I've managed a rehab before and I don't want to do it again. I want to consider a turn key going forward.

MBA

In the meantime, I've turned to other "professional" pursuits. I started working on my MBA at the end of last year (concentration in internet marketing). This was my professional background for much of my adult life. My mind has never left that realm. I'm mainly self-taught so I'm ready to get a "proper" education.

Readings

I regularly boast about how health conscious I am. Indeed, I am very careful about what I put into my body and I've been on a mission to minimize the amount of processed / packaged foods I eat. And I've always been curious about the science that goes into producing foods that consumers become addicted to.

In Salt, Sugar, Fat, Michael Moss interviews retired food company executives about how companies like Phillip Morris and Coca Cola created and marketed some of the most popular brands of foods sold in grocery stores. I was fascinated to learn that sugar is not just important for sweetness but is used to create texture in cereals. And certain ingredients are added to foods to help your mouth absorb sugar and salt faster. At one point, Coca Cola was actually determined to get consumers to drink more soda than milk or water... 

Reading about their practices has made me double down on eating even less processed foods. So, do not come to dinner at my place unless you want to eat grass drizzled with virgin olive oil. I'm sorry to say that food will no longer be enjoyable around here... Some day, you will thank me...

-------

I haven't seen some of you since fall and even summer of last year and you're overdue. I'm looking forward to seeing you again. Now, with my studies, my schedule is not as open as it used to be. But I know we will find the time. So, don't leave me waiting.