two-zero-one-five [2015]
As we hang up new calendars and try to train ourselves to write 2016, it's a perfect time to reminisce on days past. Specifically, this past year.
I'm the type of person who tends to focus on the present and where I'm going - I have a terrible memory! Thank goodness I've been blogging, otherwise I'd never be able to recall anything!
While scrolling through 2015's posts, I was reminded of quite a few big things that took place in my life this year, and I thought today would be the perfect day to take a walk down memory lane.
1.Moving to Boise
To be up front about it: it was hard.
It was the first time I moved somewhere that was more than a half hour drive back home. It's still a reasonable distance to travel if something really happened, but not practical. I was far away from everything I'd become accustomed to and I realized what I'd left behind. Family and close friends are some of the most precious things to me, and they were all miles and miles away.
I had to adjust to a new campus, new teachers, new roommates, a new job, and it got to me.
But I think I've emerged on the other side a much stronger person and I love it here now. It's funny, but when I visited home for winter break, I found myself missing aspects of Boise! I suppose by this point, it's become a form of a home to me as well.
It was the first time I moved somewhere that was more than a half hour drive back home. It's still a reasonable distance to travel if something really happened, but not practical. I was far away from everything I'd become accustomed to and I realized what I'd left behind. Family and close friends are some of the most precious things to me, and they were all miles and miles away.
I had to adjust to a new campus, new teachers, new roommates, a new job, and it got to me.
But I think I've emerged on the other side a much stronger person and I love it here now. It's funny, but when I visited home for winter break, I found myself missing aspects of Boise! I suppose by this point, it's become a form of a home to me as well.
2.Becoming a contributing author to College Fashion
I applied and was accepted as an author at College Fashion!
It was so exciting to be able to be a part of that, and the experience of doing writing and networking with such a website is amazing. I discovered the pressures of writing on a deadline and creating topics that are relevant!
It was so exciting to be able to be a part of that, and the experience of doing writing and networking with such a website is amazing. I discovered the pressures of writing on a deadline and creating topics that are relevant!
3.Going on my first real road trip
Remember that time I went to Oregon with my friend?
Well, that would be the first time I ever took a road trip without my parents tagging along or involved in any way. We mapped our route, chose our destination, crashed on friend's floors, and made our talk over the winter happen! It was marvelous and makes me crave hitting the road again. We saw Portland (survived the driving there too!), got lost wandering the streets, found our way to the coast, and fell in love with the ocean. It had been years since I'd been to the ocean, and oh my, how I've missed it. I'm not sure what it is, but I'd say part of my DNA is mermaid because every particle in my body was jubilant at being reunited with the salty, powerful waves, foamy kisses, and caressing sand.
Well, that would be the first time I ever took a road trip without my parents tagging along or involved in any way. We mapped our route, chose our destination, crashed on friend's floors, and made our talk over the winter happen! It was marvelous and makes me crave hitting the road again. We saw Portland (survived the driving there too!), got lost wandering the streets, found our way to the coast, and fell in love with the ocean. It had been years since I'd been to the ocean, and oh my, how I've missed it. I'm not sure what it is, but I'd say part of my DNA is mermaid because every particle in my body was jubilant at being reunited with the salty, powerful waves, foamy kisses, and caressing sand.
4.Starting my Youtube channel
I've thought about making Youtube videos for about three years now. I wish I'd started sooner, because I absolutely love it. Video is a new medium for me to explore, and I still have a lot to learn, but the extremely involved creativity behind it and the editing process is so fun for me! I actually used to make AMV's (if you don't know what that is and you love anime, look it up) in junior high, and that previous experience with editing has contributed to today.
PSSSST: If you haven't checked out my channel yet, click HERE to find out what I've been working on ;)
5.I experimented more with my hair
While my hair wasn't exactly a virgin, I hadn't really experimented too much with it. At the start of the year, I decided to give it a fresh start and chopped most of it off and dyed it black. It was a bold move for me - cutting my hair is not easy commitment!
Of course, it didn't stay like that for long. It's grown back, my original dark brown color returned, and I've since ombred it. However, it was a great way to start of my year of big changes!
Of course, it didn't stay like that for long. It's grown back, my original dark brown color returned, and I've since ombred it. However, it was a great way to start of my year of big changes!
6.I worked with a lot more companies
I feel as if before this year started (actually, most of the first half as well), I'd been slacking in being a productive blogger. I did the requisite OOTD posts, and that was it. However, once the summer hit, I found my creativity again and it's payed off! I don't always get the collaborations I'd like, but I've gotten a lot more opportunities compared to last year!
7.My photography and designs improved (still working on it) and I designed the blog's layout!
I've been having a bit more fun experimenting with blog photos, and adding text and little design flares have started popping up. It's been a fun way to add my own personal touch to this blog.
Oh, and I made my own blog design for the first time ever! It's not perfect, but I'm quite proud of how it's turned out regardless. Hopefully my continual practice will spur improvement!
Oh, and I made my own blog design for the first time ever! It's not perfect, but I'm quite proud of how it's turned out regardless. Hopefully my continual practice will spur improvement!
8.Blog topics were expanded
Tying into the lines of finding my creativity and working with more brands...I think it started showing in blog topics. It's still hard to churn out post-worthy content during the semester, but I manage! This year, I noticed a definite improvement in post topics. I've expanded from strictly fashion-y posts to include beauty, music, and books. Here's to never ending growth!
9. My relationship with God was rediscovered.
Finally, the most important aspect of 2015.
I've always kept a kernel of subtle spirituality here on this blog I think. However, if I'm being honest, I was spiritually dead for several years. I'd stopped growing as a Christian for a long time and had become comfortable with where I was at.
However, something happened.
All I can say is it was God's work, because in no shape or form would I be inclined to give my heart to Him on my own. It happened during the summer though, and I found a growing interest in reading the Bible, looking up articles, and seriously re-evaluating my faith.
It's been life changing and so revolutionary to everything I do. The way I think, view life, and approach every single thing in it (meeting new people, doing schoolwork, even making coffee) has changed and has meaning.
I hope 2015 treated you well, and if it didn't, today is a fresh start. Every single day is, but perhaps by changing that last digit to a new number will inspire you to make those changes you've been putting off for too long.
Happy New Year everyone!
PS: And in the spirit of introducing new things into life, I've switched the commenting system over with Disqus! Let me know what you think of the new format. I personally prefer it as it'll make replying to comments much easier :)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Finally, the most important aspect of 2015.
I've always kept a kernel of subtle spirituality here on this blog I think. However, if I'm being honest, I was spiritually dead for several years. I'd stopped growing as a Christian for a long time and had become comfortable with where I was at.
However, something happened.
All I can say is it was God's work, because in no shape or form would I be inclined to give my heart to Him on my own. It happened during the summer though, and I found a growing interest in reading the Bible, looking up articles, and seriously re-evaluating my faith.
It's been life changing and so revolutionary to everything I do. The way I think, view life, and approach every single thing in it (meeting new people, doing schoolwork, even making coffee) has changed and has meaning.
I hope 2015 treated you well, and if it didn't, today is a fresh start. Every single day is, but perhaps by changing that last digit to a new number will inspire you to make those changes you've been putting off for too long.
PS: And in the spirit of introducing new things into life, I've switched the commenting system over with Disqus! Let me know what you think of the new format. I personally prefer it as it'll make replying to comments much easier :)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
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