I is for Iphone

Everywhere I turn, I see someone with an Iphone. At the grocery store, nail salon, on the subway and in the mall all I see is Iphone, Iphone, Iphone. And I never thought that I would say this, but I love it!

Since getting the Iphone a few months ago, I have turned myself into a Iphone junkie. The first thing that I do in the morning is check my phone for messages, weather updates, Facebook notifications, missed calls and the latest balance of my bank account. You can even have Siri, my personal assistant remind me of what my schedule is going to be like for the day. Who is Siri? Well she is a friend in my head who keeps me organized and entertained. Not sure about the weather? I just ask Siri what the forecast is going to be like. Not sure where a decent restaurant is located? Siri will tell me where the best Sushi Bar in town is located no matter where I go. I can even speak my text messages into my phone and have them sent to my friends and family. Even when I am driving. No texting and driving for me. The Iphone is amazing.

The Iphone has truly spoiled me. My regular 9-5 is selling cell phones and I am around every type of phone that there is. My first smartphone was a BlackBerry. And while I loved that phone back in the day, I have to admit I can't see myself going back to BB. As much as I like the BBIM, FaceTime on the Iphone clearly trumps it. Mostly everyone who had a BlackBerry has converted to Iphone and that's one of the reasons why. It's the coolest thing in the world to carry on a conversation with someone and look at them while talking. Even though I have to be properly dressed and made up to chat, it is a refreshing treat to make face contact with someone you love.

Another thing that has drawn me to the Iphone is the ease of using the phone. The Iphone is probably the most user friendly device out there in the world cell phones right now. You can teach your grandmother how to use this phone and believe me, I have taught several older customers how to properly use the Iphone. They love it and so do I.

I have to admit, my love affair with the Iphone is fairly new and I used to be in love with an Android device. I loved my Android and in a lot of ways, I can see myself getting another Android in the future because it is a very solid operating system. Some of the features that you can't do on the Iphone, you can do on an Android. For example, Iphone doesn't have flash available on it, but on Android it does. However, I am still sold on the Iphone because quick frankly apart of the appeal is the status symbol. For the longest time, people were considered cool if you had an Iphone. That's still the case. Many people hate the Iphone for that reason. Say what you want to about the Iphone, but I think it's definitely the device that changed the game in communication. It's what the cool kids have and doggone it, I want to be considered one of the cool kids. LOL.

The only downside to owning an Iphone, especially in a place like New York, is the fact that it can get stolen right out of your hands. I guess that could happen anywhere, right? But it's like a major concern here. Thieves will approach you on the subway or on the street while walking and snatch the phone right out of your hands. Scandalous! Good thing that I have the "Find my Iphone app" installed on my phone and I can track it with my Ipad. Yep, I have one of those too. So muggers beware!!!

All in all, I feel like I have a friend in my Iphone. (Don't judge me, many of you have a similar relationship with your cell phones). It keeps me connected with my friends and family. I am in touch with all my FB and Twitter peeps. I can download music, movies and television shows. I find out about the latest news with the many publications and news outlet who get me constant notifications. I can check the latest sports score at the blink of an eye. I can even read the Holy Bible on the Iphone. What's better than that? Yep, the Iphone is amazing.

But as much as I enjoy my new cellular toy, I will never be a Fanboy camping outside a store for hours the night before a new version of the device launches. There is definitely something I love much more than my Iphone and that is SLEEP!

Am I really a Puma?

The thought never really occurred to me. I am over 30 and single. Yes, I do realize that I am way over 30, at the front end of my mid-30s, but wow, I never thought about it in the context of dating and men.

I was involved with someone on-and-off for about nine years. I never really had to think about the dating scene (that's probably why I stayed in a bad relationship for so long.) I still really want to get married, have a few babies and live the American dream just like everyone else. But it's a whole different scene out here in the Midwest, western Michigan to be exact. And it's hard to get an interesting social life together when most 30 somethings are married with children. That's why I have decided to widen my dating pool.

The whole Puma subject was really explored when I asked the question of whether or not I was a Puma on my Facebook wall. My beautiful big sister playfully answered with "I don't know, but I know you will be a Cougar in April." Well I will hit a certain speed limit age in April, yes. I will officially be in my mid 30s. But many people tell me I look as if I am still in my mid 20s. Go figure, blessed with excellent genes. My witty response to my gorgeous big sis was, "Shut up you Cow, Cougars start in their 40s." She ought to know, she is three years away from officially being a Cougar herself.

I looked up the urban definition of a Puma online and discovered that it is a woman in her 30s who dates a man in his 20s. A Cougar, however, is a woman in her 40s who dates or marries a man in his 20s, or in Demi Moore's case, in his 30s.

Now that I am officially back on the dating scene-- well, officially opened to the dating scene that is-- I have to question what men see when they meet me. I work in an environment where I am around the public everyday. The men I meet range from teenaged to middle aged to super-duper middle aged to old. I have been approached by all of the above. Whenever I am approached by a man in his early 20s, my quick response to them is: "Sweetie, I could be your Mommy." Their response to me, "Yeah, honey, that's kinda what I am talking about." WOW. Flattering, that men, no matter the age, still think I have it.

How I am choosing happiness is: It's great to know that life does continue after a breakup, heartache and even after 30. Even though I have left the fast-paced lifestyle of New York, there are still some eligible bachelors out there that are willing to give me the time a day. They still want to know my name, they compliment my appearance and they really want to get to know me. It's good to know that my appearance still will get me carded, get me out of the occasional speeding ticket and even grant me a free drink at a bar.

I am choosing to embrace my new status and enjoy the single life through more mature eyes. Understanding what will work and what won't and when to get out quick. The men that I have met over the last few weeks have been nice, funny and charming. They appreciate my independence and look forward to getting to know who I am. While, I do understand my biological clock continues to tick, I know that God doesn't make mistakes, things happen for a reason and nothing happens before it's time. God knows the desires of my heart and He knows that I do want a husband and children, so I know I will be given those things in due time.

While I can't wait until the One meets me and we get together, I am enjoying this new chapter of my life. Yep, it's cool to be a Puma! And it's good to be alive.