Category: anniversary

To New Beginnings – Again!

~ NewBeginnings ~ Leave a comment

12 years ago come October, I moved across the country from Boston to the LA area with $3k in my pocket. I remember thinking: “What if I don’t make it in SoCal?!” And here we are, with what will be 11years and (9days shy of) 11months – I made it, and I’m doing it again lol.

I posted a reel on my IG about a week ago of a preacher speaking about those who play the victim in problems that they created. It resonated with me on so many levels especially the last 10 seconds: “Spend more time with people with whom you have a common future instead of a common past.” Yes, Amen!

And although the message really feeds into those who pull you down and try to create a stronghold on your choices, as well as toxic energy, I want to focus on the common future to common past. In the almost 12years I spent in CA, I was not able to create a community of friends or family. From where I stand now, I have one good friend left here in CA, and that friendship just blossomed in the past year. Always happens that way doesn’t it?! Lol. As the years went by, I kept thinking I found more people to add to my future, but in reality, most “friends” I met, only lasted a year or 3 – tops.

And as I turned the page to 2024, I realized how lonely CA had become for me. The people, and old friends, that I had known my whole life, including “family”, were no longer part of my daily, or weekly, or even monthly life, and my “friends” were rotating on an annual basis. I was finding more life in traveling just to see my good friends out of state, and vice versa. I found myself coming back to two realizations that I have blogged on before: : 1) just because you have known someone your whole life or are blood related, does not, by any means, mean they are meant to be in your every day life going forward. And 2) you meet people everyday, and even though initial connections do happen, it doesn’t mean all people you meet will become an integral part of your life either. I will be living by that mantra going forward of: “Spend more time with people with whom you have a common future instead of a common past.” As we have all learned, the past does nothing for us. It does not change, it holds us stagnant, even as recent as Yesterday. We forget that yesterday is part of the past. Today can change, tomorrow can definitely change. And the people in each of these parts of our lives hold the same energy. Stagnation, manipulation, holding you back – or hope, promise, opportunity, and experiences.

So as I begin packing, and feeling all sorts of sentimental, I think of why this decision is the right one for now. The people. Now, I of course have some people who have been in my life for years that are still by my side, but there are many who have been around that I am so happy to move on from. This new beginning is beyond the physical nature of people but more so mental and emotional ties that I am excited to release. And on the other side, those I have met in these past 12years in CA, that I have created solid relationships with (all of 3 people lol, and only one that’s left here) – I am fairly confident they will stay with me through this new adventure as well.

It’s that common future – I freakin LOVE that! Who in your life is adding to your FUTURE? Isn’t that a great thought to entertain? To know you have, even if just one person, to create life with. To share in successes, to be there when you don’t know your left pinky from your right knee. To laugh with you, and even better, to cry with you. To talk you out of negative thoughts and to raise you up, and be your hype-person. I love that “common future” concept so much – those people are your people. And let’s be clear for those who might read this literally – common future doesn’t mean you’re doing the same things together forever. My most favorite person in the whole, wide, world, lives on the other side of the country. She built a beautiful home in the woods, and created two of my most favorite, beautiful children – while I’m out here happy to rent and pay HOA fees for amenities, and being childless and constantly on a travel high, LOL. Two different lives that move, and grow, and create, together. It’s loyalty, it’s trust. It’s understanding dreams and aspirations and turning “differences” into bows tied with different colored string <3. Common future does not mean “same”. Common future is moving and progressing forward together, it’s constantly creating something new between each other.

In simple terms, anyone can be in your life, but the ones that hold value are the ones that continue to grow and change with you #future. Anyone can show up, or linger even, but if they are moving in a different direction, supporting your journey will be difficult.

So think about your “common future” people – continue to nurture those relationships, and be ok with making space or letting go of common past. You aren’t there anymore, you are here, today. I am so excited to have a handful of people growing with me, who never think I’m crazy for these moves and decisions, but see it as thriving and creating, and even finding possibility in their own lives, just as I do when they make changes or big decisions.

So let’s stay present and hopeful for tomorrow. And remember that you are who you surround yourself with, so make sure y’all at least have the same map on this journey.

till next time, xoxo

tis the Birthday season

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oof – last post in Nov? And I feel like it could have been better, lol

Well, for those who have been on this weird writing journey with me you hopefully know that time it is.. BIRTHDAY TIMEEEEEE. lol. From January until like June? lol its Birthday Season for me and my friends. Now, I don’t celebrate with some now, so the season may be a little shorter these days or sporadic? is maybe a better description? Because I have people I love in Jan, Feb, Mar, April, June, and July then the majority of my babies (and my Brother) are Oct, with baby Jojo closin’ out on Nov 2nd. So maybe I’ve been thinking about this all wrong? Although the majority of celebrations happen within the first half of the year, I truly celebrate all year long. whoop!

I started this post with my usual intention of talking about: Every day is a New Beginning, Be present, Live in the moment, and here I am, sidetracking bc I’m amazed that I have people I love almost every month of the year lol.

Anywhooo this year, like the past two years, feels different. My normal Birthday season involves a literal celebration every weekend of Feb with increased social media posts on positivity and magic, and being an independent, strong, wild, woman. Past two years however, everything from surviving a plague, to multiple deaths, to huge career changes have occured. It’s all come with many highs and many lows, but the lows hit a little harder. Maybe because I’ve never been good with death. I’ve been trying to grasp death since HS when a good friend of mine died in a car accident. Then another good friend died in college from cancer. Times where you don’t quite imagine having anyone die so young. And now in adult-adult life, it begins to feel even more surreal if that’s even possible. I think it’s because as an adult who survived their 20s, every day that comes is another day closer to the inevitable. And as we get older, death is more prevalent, from hearing about people you went to HS with, to their parents, siblings, etc. Because death is more common as we age, it starts to become more than just an idea, but a reality.

And don’t worry, I’ll turn this mood around, lol – but the past two years of this mental and emotional cloud of losing 5 people in two years, has challenged me in more ways than I imagined. I thought it would just refresh my perspective, start living in the moment, be more grateful, etc.. But no. It actually made me more scared. Scared of tomorrow. Scared of possibly no tomorrow. Scared of taking risks. Scared of living bc of the fragility that surrounds life. All of which is complete opposite of what death should teach us. Or is it?

Maybe we should be scared. I looked up my first blog I ever posted. And it was about: Doing something everyday that scares you. And we’ve come full circle here kids. And if we wanna get technical, being Afraid is probably more grammatically correct, lol but either way, as Natalie Babbitt wrote in Tuck Everlasting, “Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.”

It’s not death I think that is now the scary part. I think it’s more the fear that I will not be able to do all the things I hope, and wish, and strive, to do. Because if you’ve read any of my stuff, gratefulness oozes through the screen, adventure, wild thoughts, controversial ideas, and sometimes, I’ll even admit, toxic positivity, lol. But I DO truly believe things happen for reason – not A reason, but reason. There was a video I watched earlier today about a woman who lost one of her twins during birth. And she explains the idea of reason well, with regard that no matter what you believe, you just have to believe in something bigger, especially when death or tragedy occur. Because one moment (big or small) changes the trajectory of all that comes after. And she beautifully described how her son is at 7yr old now to explain her point.

I guess what I’m getting to here is, grief is hard. And it’s never the same as anyone or any situation. It’s as diverse as snowflakes and stars. It changes your life for good, for bad, or whatever mixture the two values create. But it changes you and your world. Personally, I feel as grief has changed me more on the good bc I love so much harder, and give more than I physically can now. Whitney Hanson has a beautiful poem about loving people who know grief and says people who know grief, know that, “everyone and everything you love will disappear one day” which is why said people who know grief should not be let go of. We know, how fragile life is, and maybe that’s why I have always known. I’ve literally been grieving most my life. I’ve felt pain like this since I was 16 and questioned so many things as the years go by. But I also love and care harder than most people I know. There are so many nights I’ve cried and prayed so hard to stop caring about “things I shouldn’t.” When now, I realize it’s just who I am bc I know nothing is permanent. I’m scared, so I care.

Well this came back around not in a way I had expected, which means my other ideas of Love and New Beginning will be expressed closer to Feb, which I guess makes sense being the Hallmark Month of Love. And maybe by then, I WILL feel a little more celebratory and hopeful. But until then, let me share that beautiful poem I mentioned above, and I hope anyone who has felt grief, or is feeling this now, that this little grief dump of a post, helped free a few of your emotions.

till next time, stay scared – the good kind ❤

another day, another New Beginning

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According to 90% of the world, we are in a New Year. I’m not debating this, as I trust the calendar, lol, but I have always felt my New Year starts on my Birthday. If you have been following me long enough, you know how important I believe Birthdays are, and this is one of those reasons.

This past weekend, I was talking about this with a couple friends, and not that they were going to change their lives based on when a “New Year” starts, but we did slightly agree that on a personal level, that it only makes sense that one’s New Year begins on their Birthday. This is the day we entered this world, and it’s the same day – every year – that determines you making it, yet another year, on this planet.

As mentioned, this is how I have functioned for a while, and I’m not trying to tell yall how to live your lives, lol. If you need Jan 1st at a starting point, please use it. My hope in all these posts is to remind everyone that New Beginnings happen all the time. New jobs, new relationships, death, new life path, etc.. And all those moments don’t wait for Jan 1. And I guess now you can argue, none of those moments wait for your Birthday either. And you are correct!

Point is, your Birthday, or lets use my Birthday, is another milestone of a New Beginning. What will I accomplish this next year of my life? Did I have a goal of buying a house by the time I turn 40? What do I do now about it? What limitations might I run into this year (because I’m an old lady now, lol)? Birthday New Years give a different perspective on your hopes, dreams, and goals. And I feel like we take our Birthday goals more serious because there’s that hidden fear of “another year gone by”.

So whether you plan your life between Jan 1st and Dec 31st, or you are similar to me, and your year hasn’t “started” yet, I hope y’all use this time to reflect. And remember, your life can change any day, so as much as we want to “plan” the year ahead, whether that’s now, or Birthday time: “No Plan is Perfect, and Nothing Perfect Can be Planned”.

So cheers to 2023, whatever day your Year starts for you, and I hope yall find magic, love, and all things meant for you ❤

And if life happens to suck, remember tomorrow, and every tomorrow, is another chance at a New Beginning 🙂

Non-traditional

~ NewBeginnings ~ 1 Comment

I was chatting with a friend earlier today, about the new year, blah blah.. and à la Carrie Bradshaw – I couldn’t help but wonder – what is it with traditions?

So like, we know what a tradition is: n – a long-established custom or belief that has been passed on from one generation to another. Or, in laymen’s terms – something that we “always” do.

I think I mentioned this in my last post or maybe I was just talking about it to someone, but for as long as I have been in SoCal, not one NYE has been the same. Come to think about it, no Christmas either. The closest thing to holiday traditions would be Thanksgiving, I do visit my brother every year. And possibly my Birthday – the past couple years I spent it my local watering hole, but every year has been a little different, the people mostly.

I guess my point is, the conversation from this morning was geared more at NYE, and I was having a moment, bc one of those “on this day, 85 years ago..” posts popped up and it was a NYE in Boston and the photo was insinuating the consumption of the proper bubbly concoction of champagne and Chambord. I remember making this drink another NYE while here in SoCal.. and I said out loud this morning, “All I wanted was Champagne and Chambord, I drank those every New Years!” And hence.. this is where I feel “traditions” fall flat.

The thing with – Holiday – traditions specifically, is that they are realistically short-lived. Or maybe this is just in my experience. Because as all things in life, nothing is forever.. which means, even if life is the most wonderful, eventually we all will die.

Therefore, once that moment happens, say, a person who passes, the current form of tradition, in a sense, changes. I say this because, I was seeing a lot of “what happens when the glue that holds us together leaves (is gone, or passes away)?”, posts, on the socials this year. Many commented with: MAKE NEW GLUE (ok maybe some didn’t yell, exactly, but yelling in text has been a delight lately, so thats all me lol). I digress, point is, new glue = a change in tradition.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying “traditions” are silly or meaningless, bc I definitely loved when I was part of one, or carried one on. But I guess, especially after this past year.. we need to normalize change. And I know we have all heard: “The only constant in life is CHANGE,” however, do we actually KNOW that? And ACCEPT it?

This has always been the scariest and most exciting thing to me. Change. I love it because in the 8 years living in SoCal, I have made about 7 friend groups (I just counted lol) – and in those groups are further sub-groups. I think about this, bc that means on average, I make a new friend group a year. THINK ABOUT THAT. I just hear all the silly people in my ear: “How do you meet people WITHOUT dating apps/apps in general?! It’s SO HARD.” No, its called GO OUTSIDE. Go to your local watering hole, go take a yoga class, go for a run, read a book at a coffee shop, and idk, when I was back east, everyone married each other at work! So just go to work! LOL (heres lookin at you #eastcoastfidofam) Thats how I have met people and made connections, then met other people through those people, and it goes on. And mind you, if you know me at all, you know I despise people who bother me at bars, lol, and at the coffee shop, etc.. but there is always someone who meets my energy, and the vibe is good, and friendships, and other ‘ships are made.

Through these ‘ships, some have kept and stayed since day one, i.e. I moved here in October, I met one of my best friend in November (from a mutual friend, she was looking for a new roommate), I moved in, in December, and the rest is history. Now, the volleyball friend group I met the following May/June? Inseparable like the first year. Then off-and-on the following, I was maid-of-honor at one of their weddings, then shortly after.. SEE YA. Lol. I mean, it wasn’t due to poor intentions, but life happened. Aside from random social media check-ins, I only talk to one person from that group still. ONE. And it’s not even on a consistent basis, lol.

I can go on about all the groups, those loves lost, and friendships of auld lang syne, but my point is: I, we, all of us – meet new people every.single.day. Whether we want those people in our lives or not is another story, but the opportunity is there, and those people are part of our daily “change.”

Tying these ideas of tradition and change together, is why it is all so exciting and scary at the same time to me. Because we have the opportunity to meet and experience new people/things on the daily. Think about that on a people aspect for a sec, how amazing is that?! Constantly making an impact or adding wonderful people to your life. BUT on that same notion, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND EXPERIENCE NEW PEOPLE/THINGS ON THE DAILY.

Y’all see where I’m going here?! Which means.. the people and things you experience today.. may not be the same people/things you experience in a year, a month, a week even. And as I wander through therapy to heal and repair myself, I realized that

  1. this is why loyalty and the idea of tradition is so important to me (people leaving/moments never happening again)
  2. this is why commitment is hard for me to accept (people leaving/moments never happening again)

I’m sure many people have had the feeling of this yo-yo/parallel emotion of wanting things to stay the same, but still yearning for change. I mean, as far as people are concerned, it takes a lot for me to actually trust someone and consider them my people. But at the same time, I’m high-five-ing and hiking with all these fun new people! But this is also normal for most, I think. We have all these friends, but only like 5 core people or whatever.

Anyway, because the only constant is change, how are traditions even possible? I mean, for me, the definition isn’t exactly set in stone, bc in basic terms, it’s just a long-established custom or belief (passed down from generations) – so those customs can include anyone? Like imma just make people, say, go to Christmas Eve services with me bc thats what my family did? And what exactly happens once that tradition isn’t done? (bc I haven’t gone to Christmas Eve services in like 39574594 years) Does that mean the tradition dies? Or does it become more nostalgic.. like my Champagne and Chambord on NYE? OR are traditions personal/singular? Because what if my brother hated celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve like our family has done every year (with or without us there, pretty much every year until this year). I would think that would mean it’s NOT a tradition for him, but it still is with the “family”?

Anywayyy, in all this gibberish, and for someone who focuses on the little things #details, I just find the “bigger picture” fascinating. With everyday being a literal new beginning it’s a wild flurry of excitement and fear of the new, and possible loss of whatever is not-new. And I guess, as a side note, as much as I truly believe that you can:

“Meet someone tomorrow who has better intentions for you than someone you have known forever. Time means nothing, character does.”

I do have so much respect, and admiration to those who have kept any tradition, or people in their lives for a long time. I think of one of my Aquarian Soul-Sisters, who I have been best friends with for omg.. FIFTEEN YEARS?! And although there was a small snippet of time where we were off running our lives, we have literally been soul- inseparable (we live on opposite coasts now 😦 ) But think about it – 15years. Thats a lot of time to meet a whole lot of people. I mean in just 8 years, I have 7 different friend groups! So that also makes me wonder, are things just meant to be? Or is it all a choice?

This is also why couples who have been together for 10, 20, 50 years (and are in HEALTHY relationships) are admirable. Again, that’s a lot of time to meet so many people. Some say, you must “choose” your partner every day. Like working out, it’s a choice #priorities. Is THAT all tradition is? A choice, a conscious decision, to do or keep things continuing?

Anywayyy, I’m just going down a rabbit hole now. So if you made it this far, embrace the change. Accept traditions that may have been “lost”. Let yourself be sad if you lose a friend or lose touch with a colleague. Constantly remind yourself (or at least TRY to) that the chances of all the same.exact.people being there, in a few weeks time even, is not a sure bet. That being said, cherish every moment. Enjoy the time you have with others, and also in the activities you are involved in; and of course, take care of the ones who never seem to leave (that are HEALTHY relationships), and continue any “tradition” you’re still able to. Because as great as new opportunities are, new people, new traditions.. what is new may also be a replacement, and sometimes not for the better. And then you find yourself on January 1st, some random year, wondering where your Champagne and Chambord was on NYE.

Cheers!

p.s. are you now in a tug-o-war with excitement and fear for tomorrow!? eek! I half apologize if that is now happening, but it is also one of the BEST feelings in the world. #itscalledbeinggrateful

it’s MY anniversaryyy – as sang by Tony Toni Tone.. hehe

~ NewBeginnings ~ 1 Comment

Anniversary of my awesome birth, that is! 🙂

I have been sad because I have not had much “time” to blog as I would like. Work has been insane and I’m trying my darnedest to focus on a 10k I’m running in May. But I can never go a year without expressing my love, gratitude and some terrible opinions when my Birthday rolls around! Lol

Topic for this years Birthday post is: “Nevertheless, She Persisted” which I’m borrowing from the theme of the 10k I’m running! (It’s a womens run)

I have been overly grateful lately, due to many events that have happened which force me to realize where I have been and where I am now. Iv’e had many a person make statements relating to how they view my life:

I’m spoiled.

All I do is brunch and drink

I’m a snob because I live walking distance to a beautiful ocean

I have a perfect life

Ok, let me explain, I am spoiled. Lol – not out of chance, however, which I feel people forget.. But I spoil MYSELF from working my ass off on a weekly basis, into the evening even – just to have the things I have. I have debt people, and I still have bills to pay. It’s called budgeting.

I only brunch on the weekends, relax. 😉 And red wine is good for – life. Anyway – who the eff cares?! You wanna brunch?! Go effing brunch! I don’t quite understand how/why brunching and wine drinking are effecting the masses not actively involved in my life. And yes, I’m a relative food snob. I have learned what good food tastes like, and how it effects mood and your body as a whole. So yes, I prefer to eat, drink, and enjoy as best as I can afford.

Call me a snob all you want, but It’s not like I was just granted this life, like *poof!* here ya go Kara! ALL YOURS! Love, God. Nope, doesn’t work like that. As many know, I moved to SoCal with 3k, no job, no home, blah, blah, nothing. So to all of a sudden be a snob because I got a job that allows me to rent a studio – yes, I live in a studio by the water – means nothing. I know how to do math, and I wanted to live by the water.. so I get a studio, do laundry at a laundromat, and live the best bad-ass life with what I have. Did the universe or the Lord have something to do with my blessings? Maybe, but there is nothing in this world that is ever handed to us without effort.

And no. There is no perfect life.. we all know this. So why would you say this to anyone!? There are millions of things we don’t know about anyone’s life. Mine in particular, from abuse (in multiple forms), to anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. I was a broken and desperate person until I was about 26. I was lucky to have enough hope and love in myself to not turn into a drug-addicted stripper in Vegas.. Because that thought did cross my mind at one point.

So going into this new year.. at my very young age.. LOL, I am proud to look back and see that I never once allowed myself to be called a “victim” of anything. Whether it be my abuse, or of circumstance. I have never believed in “blaming” life on anything, or anyone. Or making excuses for who I am. I’ve made mistakes, more than I would like to admit, but every day is a New Beginning. The only person to be better than is yourself. Many people hate when I say that.. mainly because excuses and blame are an easy fix. “I have anxiety”, “I was abused”, “I have issues”. I know many wonderful people who have issues (lol, I mean who doesn’t!?) – who have anxiety, depression.. and they still wake up every morning with a mission to create – whether it be art, music, or their life ❤

This life is our choice. We choose our happiness, and if we are lucky enough for some great moments to fall in our laps, even better. But still.. if someone puts a cute puppy on your lap, it’s still a choice of whether you’re going to pet it or not. Hence, just like the outside assumptions of my life, nothing is just given. We still need to do something with what’s provided to us.

I-am-not-what-happened-to-me-I-am-what-I-choose-to-become.

So for my Birthday, I wish you all health, wealth, happiness, and more importantly, love. As much as I hate Valentine’s Day – I love LOVE! Because love in it’s pure form is a verb. An action word. You must love to be loved. And in my life, I kept choosing love. To love myself, to love my life. It was all I had sometimes to allow myself to wake up another day ❤

Cheers!

lets regroup – (another inexplicable draft)

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Can I just say.. LOL to this?!

Because once again, I’ve slacked on my writing (UGH) and come back to interesting drafts waiting for me.. Not quite sure where this was headed honestly – but I thought I might as well share it since it was in my brain once. Also, in retrospect, my 3 years here in SoCal was lovely.. the LOL idea, however, is that from when this draft started to where I am now.. more “BOOM”s happened.. and not so positive ones at that. But it’s always good to know, remember, and share the silver linings when they come.. I just wished I had finished this back in September.. nonetheless, this is where I was 4/5 months ago 🙂

 

 

<<draft_begins>>

Funny, when I first moved to SoCal, (3 years ago coming up this October.. crazy!) time seemed to move at a “normal” pace. But the minute I met some people and got a job, it’s like I can’t blink fast enough and BOOM 3 years are here. And even more of a BOOM.. this past year. Whoa I say! Simma down.. lol

Anyway, I don’t even know where to start.. work has pretty much caught fire in my life and it’s been pretty good.. not too many complaints.. today was not one of those days though, and it reminded me how much I missed this outlet. I really wished reading and writing could pay my bills, but it doesn’t and because of that, I lose a little of myself for months. Getting caught up in day-to-days.. in what’s expected of me (work-wise.. I mean we all know life-wise I do nothing of what is “expected” of me HA! And well, because that’s silly to expect things in Life.. but that’s a whole other blog post). But I digress, so continuing on.. let’s see.. the past 5 months..

Aside from work, my personal life has been pretty.. I don’t know, stagnant? I don’t like using that word.. but I’m not quite sure how else to explain. I mean I’ve been happy.. it’s weird even, because there have definitely been some changes.. But there just haven’t been rollercoasters.. just a few uphill jogs.. Nothing crazy, and well, it’s been nice.

 

10/11/12

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I never even realized the date of my departure until this year.. I can’t remember who even mentioned it, but it was just a casual conversation of:

Me: “Yah, my 3 year anniversary is coming up this weekend! October 11th – I’ll never forget it.” 

Person who I don’t remember: “10/11/12 huh? Ha!”

I can’t believe I never noticed.. I wasn’t even trying to be ironic! Haha, but what I found so amazing about it, is that not only will 10/11/12 never happen again in our lifetime, but my fateful cross-country move – will also never happen again.

And by “happen again”, I mean, yah I might have another big move or something else as life-changing occur, but this move not only changed my life, it also created more than a new one.

When I think about that day.. omg. The crying. It was ridiculous. Like reeeaallyyy RIDICULOUS. I kept re-thinking the whole thing.. I was leaving a 5-year relationship, a 4-year job – this was the most stable my life had ever been.. It was comfortable. I kept yelling at myself: “I only have 3k in my pocket! I have no job, no where to live.. I’m 31 years old dammit.. WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?!?!”

But then 10pm PST came.. my flight had landed an hour late.. my cousin thought my plane had either crashed or I lied and ran back to Boston. Talk about an anxiety-filled first night! When I walked onto that tarmac at LGB it had been raining. It was warm, and I still remember the smell of the rain mixed with palm trees. It was like I was on vacation.

I wanted to kiss the wet ground, I was so happy. Every sad emotion was gone. I was now nervous.. Hopeful.. Excited.. Nervous.. Determined.. And did I mention, Nervous? Haha, but it was a great feeling.

Life hadn’t felt this promising since the first day of college. Except I now had more self-esteem, confidence, courage, sass, wisdom, and hopefulness. I had wanted this since I was 13. It was finally happening. I couldn’t decide where to start.

In one month I found a job, an apartment, and a best friend.

I never looked back.

Every new day that has passed, brought more new beginnings and new adventures. And boy, it’s been one heck of an adventure so far. Everyday is different, everyday is new. I never felt like that back east. There is a certain old-world stigma that New England holds. I appreciate it’s history and tradition, and miss it every now and then.. I will also always miss the Fall, but I’ve also never been a traditionalist. I’m always looking for something new. And whether it was me or my surroundings, there was never anything “new” happening. Just the same, societal-expected life cycles happening to different people.

“Normal” expectations are fine for most, but again, I’m unconventional. And my unconventional life is perfect. It’s only imperfect to traditionalists. It’s perfect for me because the only expectations I now have, are from myself. ❤ Honestly, I’m still learning to accept this part of me, (because, I mean, who doesn’t want to be part of the popular crowd, am I right?! lol) but thankfully I have been surrounded by those who support me and help me thrive in my little unconventional world. I have grown so much in these past 3 years; I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, and I’ve loved every giggle and every tear. My soul has been happy.

So here’s to year #3 and the beginning of #4! And to many, many, MANY! more years of New Beginnings 🙂

“The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings” – Dave Weinbaum

Cheers!