November Recap: Chaos, Cows & CrossFit Regrets
- Abrilina
- Nov 30
- 4 min read
November recap was wild, beautiful, exhausting, hilarious, and full of blessings — basically a perfect snapshot of my life. From getting electrocuted in the name of fitness to drinking martinis in Ireland and hosting a house full of kids for Thanksgiving, this month gave me STORIES.
Let’s dive in.
Kicking Off November with Body20 (Where I Got Electrically Jump-Started Like a Dead Car Battery)
November opened with me volunteering as tribute at Body20 — where they strap electrodes on you and politely electrocute your sins away.
They told me it would “feel like lifting heavy weights.”
They LIED.
It felt like my muscles were filing a noise complaint.
At one point I swear my left glute went into another dimension.
I left feeling proud…and then woke up the next day moving like a retired pirate with knee problems.
I was sore for seven business days AND two holidays.
Moral of the story:
CrossFit, sweetie, I’m coming home.
Please take me back.
Ireland: The Land of Magic, Mystery Accents & Cows With Better Healthcare Than Me
Ireland was EVERYTHING.
Like stepping into a postcard that also serves alcohol.
The Arrival Nap That Rewired My Soul
We landed.
My body said “nope,” and I took the fattest nap in world history.
I woke up reborn, refreshed, and hungry. The holy trinity.
Howth: The Hike That Lasted 14 Minutes
We took a scenic train to Howth, ready to hike like adventurers.
Then:
we got tired
we got hungry
we remembered we’re not 19
Hike = canceled.
But THEN a seal swam alongside us like he was checking our tourist papers.
Cute. Judgy. 10/10 experience.
The Pornstar Martini Era
Did I drink Passionfruit Martinis everywhere we went?
Yes.
Does Ireland call them Pornstar Martinis?
Also, yes.
Did I pretend I didn’t hear the name and just ordered it with confidence like a classy woman?
Absolutely.
The Bailey’s Farm: Where I Realized I Want to Be Reincarnated as a Cow (A Bailey Lady, that is...)
Visiting the Bailey’s Farm was life-changing.
Those “Bailey’s Ladies”?
MA’AM.
Those cows live like Real Housewives.
Fresh grass
Daily pampering
Gorgeous views
Not a single bill
Probably a skincare routine
I have never related to livestock more in my life.
We sampled Bailey’s flavors (Caramel is queen), ate a homemade lunch that healed emotional wounds, and played team games that WERE rigged because my team should’ve won.
Dublin, Gloucester & My Accent PTSD
We explored cities, churches, pubs, and cute corners where I pretended to understand Irish accents.
Truthfully?
I caught about 40% of it.
The rest I smiled through it.
Back Home November Recap: Productivity, Volunteering & Me Pretending to Have My Life Together
ABWA Meeting — Where My Brain Grew Three Sizes
We heard Sashja Crabtrey speak on “Scalable Systems for Sustainable Success,” and let me tell you…I left READY to systemize my whole life.
My notebook was full.
My spirit was moved.
My to-do list was offended.
Toastmasters — Where Everyone Spoke Like TED Talk Finalists
My friend invited me.
I went.
Everyone was amazing.
I sat there like:
“Wow… I speak English too… sometimes… occasionally.”
Will I be like them one day?
Yes.
But not today.
Today I clap.
Volunteering at Consuela...And Buying Things I Didn’t Need
Kristen and I volunteered at Consuela to support Fort Bend Hope, and I left with:
a full heart
a lighter wallet
and probably a pound of pesto cheese inside me
It was perfect!
Ayusa Friendsgiving: Teens, Guitars & Enough Food to Cause a Coma
The Singleton family hosted the most gorgeous Friendsgiving ever.
The vibe?
Hallmark movie but multicultural.
There was:
food for days
kids in the game room playing ping pong like Olympic athletes
kids in the hot tub/pool living their best lives
and a balcony concert that felt like a Spotify acoustic session
The teens were singing under the stars like they were auditioning for American Idol.
It was MAGICAL.
ABWA Friendsgiving — Bingo, Blessings & Boss Energy
We celebrated:
Natasha Vaughn — Top 10 Women of the Year nominee
J Franco — Business Woman of the Year
Meanwhile I was just happy to be there, eating, clapping, and vibing.
The sisterhood in this group?
UNMATCHED.
Thanksgiving — My Heart Was Full & My Belly Was Fuller
Our house was PACKED:
Two former exchange students came “home”: Isi from Chile & Logan from Korea
Our oldest daughter came up from Corpus
All the kids were loud, happy, and eating everything in sight
We laughed.
We cooked.
We ate until our souls left our bodies.
We played Lotería and the kids won gift cards.
It was perfect.
Except the dishes.
The dishes were a personal attack.
Black-Friday-ish Adventures: Antique Shopping With Emma
The day after Thanksgiving, when the Tryptophan finally let me live again, Emma and I went antique shopping in Rosenberg.
Did we need anything?
No.
Did we buy stuff anyway?
We’re women.
We don’t need “need.”
Final Thoughts...November, You Chaotic Queen!
November was a rollercoaster of travel, laughter, volunteering, holidays, memories, cows, and carbs.
If I learned anything, it’s this:
Life is funnier, sweeter, and a little chaotic on purpose.
Bring it on, December!
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