December Catch-up

Wow. Have I really not written on here in almost a month? Yeah, I've been busy. But that's unacceptable. Let's get so some smiles

• It's Christmas. Like I know it's not yet, but it's Christmas. And there's pretty lights everywhere and all these fun decorations and outfits and the radio has Christmas music and people are in such a cheerful mood. Yay holidays!
• We keep getting all this amazing food brought to the office. Blessings galore.
• I miss McDaniel and Dog Party and Holiday Cabaret and all those fun things. But it's nice to see everyone else enjoy them and have a whole new generation take part. Plus, Torreke and Veronica danced to Howl's Moving Castle score and I'm still not over it.
• I had my last therapy session on the 9th. I was told that I could always count on my therapist as a resource if I ever needed it, but that I'd gotten to a good place and made a lot of progress in a short time, so I don't need regularly scheduled appointments anymore. I've gotten my anxiety to a manageable place.
• I had a birthday! With lots of fun gifts! And delicious foods. But mostly, with my favorite people. Cutting a cake with my immediate family was honestly so nice. My niece always manages to put a big smile on my face. She even prayed for our dinner and for my birthday. I was a very happy aunt. And the next week, I had a bigger dinner with some close friends. Seeing them was such a treat, but seeing them all get along and become fast friends is truly the greatest gift I ever could have asked for.
• I had a lovely brunch with Jim Dyson, only my favorite alumn ever! We caught up and talked life after McDaniel and RWBY fan theories. He's such a good person and I had a blast. Can't go wrong with Silver Diner!
• I've been able to talk to Nick a lot more. The kid has a life, and finals affect everyone differently, so I am still sad that I didn't get to see him for my birthday, but I refuse to hold a grudge or let that get to my energy. I'm just glad we're talking somewhat regularly again. I'm very happy to have him in my life.
• Michael is such a great friend. He's just so supportive and kind and understanding. I am glad that we've always gotten along so well.
• Hairspray Live happened. It may not have been the greatest thing ever but I had fun and it brought back some sweet memories.
• Pentatonix had their own Christmas special oh my goodness I am way too proud of them.
• I got to see Eric! We had a mini-birthday celebration for the both of us. I need that boy in my life more, seriously, he's a gem and I miss him.
• Brookside Gardens twice. I never ever ever get tired of that place. It's so beautiful and magical and happy. It reminds me of childhood, and it's so fun to walk through, even if it is cold haha.
• Ugly sweater party at church! Even if I didn't win, everyone looked so cute and it's nice to be silly with the youth group every once in a while.
• Christmas party at work was awesome. Exhausting and kinda expensive on my end, haha. But awesome. People are still telling me how much they enjoyed the games, which is always nice to hear. And I just enjoyed some delicious food with people I am proud to call my co-workers. Everyone looked so good. And I got the most beautiful ornament from my boss' wife. There's no way on earth she knew how much I love angels. That's God at work right there.
• Have I mentioned how happy I am that you're here? I hope I have. Because I really am. I almost feel spoiled compared to the 8 years without you right by my side. I have no idea what I'll do when you leave. But I know it's not forever. And until then, I'm loving the mess out of having you in the states.
• There's more. There has to be more. It's been such a good time. I am so very blessed. Bad days happen and bumps get in the way but overall, I am grateful. I pray that the rest of the world be able to feel the love this holiday season. It's a scary time for so many out there, but none of us are alone. And there's always someone, somewhere willing to help in whatever way they can. So I'll do what I can to keep spreading that cheer. And to keep it going all the way into 2017!

New Year's Eve (Goodbye 2015)

New layout for the new year. Ya dig the new look?

(I still think the butterflies were super pretty but I got sick of all the yellow haha)

I've had a beautiful 2015. A hard 2015. An interesting 2015. An eventful 2015. A heartbreaking 2015.

Basically this year has been absolutely all over the place, as you can maybe see by my "Soundtrack of My Life" posts on my private blog. I think I may continue that next year, just 'cause. Overall, I'm grateful for the insanity I went through, and all the things I gained this year. Like my beautiful Little, or a visit from my best friend, or bonding time with my youth group. I'm also grateful for the things I lost and learned. Losing my pride and finally going to counseling. Losing whatever relationship I had with Ethan and learning more about myself and God's plan for me in the process. I was a part of some of the most important shows I've ever done this year. My self esteem is building, slowly but surely. I'm taking better care of my body. I am working harder than ever before. I've gotten some of the nicest and most meaningful compliments I've ever gotten in my life. I am now realizing the immense work I have to do so that, instead of just focusing on getting myself closer to God, I can allow the Lord to use me for His work and His plan and spread His word and love to others in my life. And I have a wonderful niece who loves me. And a beautiful nephew on the way. I am blessed.

I have completed 5 out of 6 of my 2015 resolutions. I watched all of the Studio Ghibli films, all of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and all of Doctor Who. I made a workout and diet plan for myself that was healthy and safe back in December of 2014, and I stuck to it to the absolute best of my ability all year. And I wrote in this blog every single day. According to the little sidebar, I missed two days, but I actually only missed one, and didn't realize until a few months later so I couldn't make up for it. So there should be 364 reasons to be happy for the year of 2015. A whole lot of happy.

For 2016, I want to read 12 books (since I meant to do that in 2015 and only read 7). I also want to read the Bible in its entirety. I haven't read the whole thing cover to cover since high school when I still didn't really grasp it, and this way I still read it every single day. I want to watch all of the Marvel movies because I keep saying I will and I never do. I want to watch all of Steven Universe. And I want to save a life. At least one. Or, better phrased, save a soul. I'm a whole lot of talk but it's about time I really let God do His work through me.

I don't think I will write in this blog every day anymore. This was once a very safe place for me, but it feels compromised. I will not start a new blog or move this anywhere else, because this is our space, yours and mine, and I want it to stay that way always. But this was a place where I shared my deepest and bluntest thoughts. Instead, I want it to become a place where my words impact all its readers positively and shows them the good. I will be sure to still write. At least once a month, or maybe every week. This blog will not go dark. God gives me so many blessings and I refuse to be silent about them. But I accomplished my goal, and now it's time for me to move on to new goals. I promise you will still be updated on all the wonderful stories in my life. And, just because I don't write everything on here does not mean I will let the light go out. I'm going to start 2016 right and make it even better than 2015. There's so much to look forward to! So tonight, we will go to church, we will enjoy the evening with the Bowens, and we will get ready for a whole new set of memories.

#SammyInToronto2k16 #PrayAboutIt

10-29-15

Sometimes you come across albums and automatically know what songs are gonna be on replay. The catchy dance beats. Or those hauntingly beautiful ballads. Or the rough and raw stuff. And sometimes, on the best of occasions, you just cannot pick a favorite. Because they all speak to you in one way or another and they're all so good and this artist is so beyond brilliant that you have to appreciate this whole album for the masterpiece it is.

That's the Pentatonix album.

The Kind That Keeps Me Up All Night

*swoon*

Friendly Reminder

JuanJosé Medina is a great person and a true friend, and he loves me very much. These are things I knew, obviously. I've known them for several years. But I was reminded of that today. And, quite honestly, that thought has gotten me through this day. I am a very lucky girl :)

Edit: KARLA WAS AT THE PENTATONIX CONCERT TONIGHT. SHE WENT WITH NUBIA. AND NUBIA KNOWS KEVIN. AND KEVIN CALLED ME. AND SENT ME A CUTE VIDEO MESSAGE. AND I'M SHAKING I'M SO HAPPY. I DON'T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND HOW EMOTIONAL I AM RIGHT NOW AHHH.

Kevin Olusola said he missed me. I'm gonna die.

I have the best big sister in the entire world.

Dance Until the Morning Sun

I'm such a fangirl. It's really bad. I obsess. But Pentatonix is everything to me and I'm so happy for them and all their success. And it's so cool that their Christmas album went platinum. And it's so amazing that their Daft Punk medley won a Grammy. And now this. AH.

Most Wonderful

MY BABIES MAKE ME SO PROUD. All the proud mama syndrome. So my mentees have been working super hard on their presentations. I caught them rehearsing a couple of times. And their performances were today. They were. SO GOOD. They worked well as a group. The transitions were beautiful. Concepts were clear. They were effectively listening to one another. They used drama therapy techniques at appropriate times and it actually helped further the plot. They all did so much work and I'm just incredibly proud of their focus, dedication, and willingness to delve into new things.

ALSO. After my beautiful necklace from you and my sweet card from Jess, Craig anonymously gifted me the new Christmas album from Pentatonix "That's Christmas to Me" (but I'm smart and I figured it out). It's wonderful. And I just cannot get over how kind people have been to me as of late. Lord knows I've needed it. And it has not gone unnoticed. I'm so blessed. So so blessed.

V.I.P

Day six of mother nature's gift to you:
"Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest. It's about who came and never left your side."
Regardless of what happens, you will always be one of my best friend. Thank you for always being there for me.
(You're the one person I've known the longest and still consider my friend).
I apologize for not sending anything on your fifth day, but I think 30 Seconds to Mars did more than I could of done. That's so sweet.

Reason 353: I think it's important to know who is important in your life. To know who is a true friend. To know who is good for your life and who is not. To know, even though all people make marks in our lives, which people's marks should be allowed to truly matter in the end. Today I spent my morning/afternoon with Fabrizio. It was completely unlike hanging out with any of my other friends. It was kind of serious actually. But honestly? I'm okay with that. It was refreshing. He and I have a lot more in common than I initially thought, and it's great to know that I found a friend who truly gets me, especially in such an unlikely place. This friendship makes me happy. ALSO, our friendship. Thank you oh so much for sticking around and being so important to me <3

I love Pentatonix. I love Todrick Hall. I love that they're friends. I love that Kirstie gets a big part, finally. I just love all of this.

Cop Out

Reason 88: I'm not picking. Today was wonderful. And I have so much to say.

• It was BEAUTIFUL out. Beautiful trees and the weather was so nice.
• We got Pikachu back. He's safe in the room and no one will ever steal him again!
• Making plans for our visit to NJ. This can really happen. YAY.
• Skyped with Storm today. OMG the amount that I missed this kid is ridiculous. He's such a darling, and I loved being able to see him.
• MET SARA! We finally talked and oh my goodness she's so awesome. And so unfairly pretty!
• Ghost Tour. McDaniel campus is FULL of ghosts and all the stories are so incredible to hear. It's so cool to have so much history on one campus. Some stories are tragic, but overall it's fascinating. And some aren't even malignant, so it's kind of nice. Some ghosts have even been known to save lives. It gives me chills, in the best way possible!
• The couples everywhere didn't really bother me today. I was able to feel happy for them. Which, unfortunately, I haven't really been able to do in a while. But today, I was glad to see them smiling together.

Speaking of chills in the best way