Tag Archives: new year

Reset, Revamp, Renew, Rebirth

There is so much going on in the world – COVID-19 pandemic, economic crashes, elections, political activism (BLM!), mental health awareness … the list goes on and on. 

For a lot of my friends and family, 2020 is on record as the worst year ever.  

And guess who decided to jump back into blogging (on a hopefully more regularly basis) and re-vamped her site? ME. If you haven't noticed yet, she got her own domain, too! yay

With all that's going wrong in the world right now, what is going right for you right now?

Let's celebrate the wins in 2020, even if it is minimal:
  • Tales of a Curly Island Girl got a new and improved outfit, I got her own domain set up, and her logo is new and improved (thanks to my hubby!)
  • My mental health is so much better now than it ever has been, this year had been a learning curve with my own demons. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a working progress, but now possess some tools to help manage that. Thanks to my licensed social worker friend, you da bomb.com. If you want to check out a book for some self-help, go ahead and click here.
  • I have the most wonderful group of friends that I am in contact with pretty regularly. You know who you are! We need another FaceTime date ASAP.
  • I applied to a Masterʻs program, and this month I will apply to a second one. Man, oh man, did I forget how grueling the process is with just applying. Oh, let’s not forget the cost to just apply too. Send me all the good vibes and prayers that I get accepted!
  • None of my friends and family got sick or passed away from COVID-19 and I am truly grateful for that. We are all healthy and take necessary precautions to stop the spread of this disease.
  • I had maintained a job throughout the year, and I am grateful for this. But I was finally able to get out of that sticky situation. I am already happier for it.
  • I created new relationships that I feel will last a lifetime. I am so grateful for the the people who held me during the year.
  • Although we were not at home in Hilo, we had a wonderful Christmas and New Yearʻs Eve. Being with each other will always be enough.
  • By leaving my job, I now have the time and energy to pour into things and people that I truly love.

I truly wish you nothing but the best in 2021. May you continue to take care of yourself, your loved ones, and your community.

Happy Curl, Happy Girl

Signing off,

Your Curly Island Girl

Reflecting on 2018

Let’s talk about 2018.

It has been the most amazing year for me. You know how everyone keeps posting their top nine on Instagram? Well let’s do a top ten on this blog post. I want to reflect on all the awesome things that’s happened for me in 2018:

  1. I was published four times this year! Poems and photos in UH Hilo’s Art & Literary Magazine, Kanilehua; an essay in UH Hilo’s Academic Journal, Hohonu; another essay in The International Journal of Arts & Sciences (Humanities); and finally a short story in an anthology (released on Amazon). This all happened in the spring and summer.
  2. I participated in Read Across America. That was important for me! Watching college students do this for us as children, made me very happy to give back in such a way. (March)
  3. I had the privilege and honor to attend Merrie Monarch for the first time in person. It was amazing, and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. (April)
  4. After 5 years of school, I finally graduated with my Bachelor’s degree (May). I was so proud to have walked with my dear friends and to have had support from everyone. My last year of college was so much fun, I learned so much and made so many new connections.
  5. My husband and I finally got married after 7 years of long distance dating. It resulted in me moving away from home for the first time, and it was tough. I’m sure you all remember from my posts. But I am so grateful and thankful! (May)
  6. I got to spend two months with my girls and my husband up in WA. We got so close and went on many adventures. I also attended my first concert, it was G- Eazy. (June & July)
  7. We got our own first place together in Oahu and have had many “first” memories. Our first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, (and now New Years). (August up til now)
  8. I got my very first “adult” job. It doesn’t always feel the best to go to work, but it feels awesome having my own money to spend/save. My co-workers are the real bonus. My supervisors are the best. (August up til now)
  9. My best friend also moved to Oahu shortly after I did. Now I don’t feel so alone here! So glad to have that touch of Hilo here with me. (September)
  10. I went back home for my birthday and to surprise my dad for his birthday party! It was so nice to be home, but I miss it already! (November)

 

If you haven’t already, take some time to reflect on all the wonderful (or not so wonderful) things that have happened in 2018. Take a look back at the year and see where things could have been better or how awesome they were, that you couldn’t even imagine it being any better. Thanks for being on this year-long ride with me. I truly appreciate the people who take the time to read what I write, and I really do hope I can be even better in 2019.

My focus in the New Year is to do more of what I love. To read, to write, with passion and happiness. We should all have our souls on fire for the things we love. May your new year be just as amazing as you are. 

 

Happy Curl, Happy Girl 

Signing off,

Curly Island Girl