The end of 2017 is here, and I imagine there are many of us who are pleased to say farewell to the year. While I had many moments of personal triumphs, some days, it was hard to exist as a woman of color in Trump’s America. Nevertheless, I persisted. Nevertheless, we persisted.
As a society, we were challenged by this year—at times, vexed, angered, exhausted, overwhelmed. But we were also determined, committed, disciplined, hopeful, and driven, and that’s got to count for something.
I’ve been seeing so many resolutions for 2018 and, perhaps it’s just me, but they seem to be much more thoughtful than I’ve seen in years past. Resolutions to be kinder, to live more meaningfully, to be patient, and one I’ve seen again and again is to live without fear.
As someone living with anxiety, living a life without fear simply isn’t possible for me. But I do think I often let fear hold me back from pursuing things I’m interested in. I’ve gotten better about that in recent years and, as I get ready to look 30 in its face, I’d like to try to adopt a modified version of that motto for 2018: live with less fear. It doesn’t sound as pretty, but it feels more achievable for me, so I’ll try to embrace it.
I spent 2017 trying to live a life I could look back on and be proud of, and I think I mostly achieved that. I traveled. I went on adventures. I laughed. I cried. I persevered. I took leaps of faith. I challenged myself. I tried new things. I said goodbye to things I loved. I said hello to things that scared me. I loved. If I can do all of that again in 2018, it will be a good year.
Here’s to some of the lovely (and not-so-lovely) things I experienced in 2017*…
*some of the captions below may not make sense because they’re part of old posts, but just roll with it!
Spent time with these doggies (Reilly, Lexi, and Tiny and Cody, who are not pictured)
Fun at the Portland Museum of Art
Visited the Broad
Went to Rupaul’s DragCon
Met my fave queen, Trixie Mattel
Ventured to Griffith Observatory
Explored Sunset
Enjoyed a meal at Pie Hole in LA
Sprouted angel wings
Visited Disneyland for the first time
Watched the sun set at Montaña de Oro
Made a pitstop in Endor
(Its name is General Sherman)
Birthdays call for beer.
Saltwater Vineyard in Stonington, Conn., was stunning.
Plus we got a float for Obi so he could enjoy it, too!
At the Florence Griswold Museum
Kind of obsessed with this giant chair (which, sadly, I didn’t buy)
These are all of the wonderful, sentimental, beautiful things my friends and coworkers gave me on my last day of work. Such an amazing group of people!
At the Forest Park Zoo with my new friends
Taylor Brooke Winery, one of our favorites. I highly recommend raspberry rendezvous!
Celebrating Independence Day with some sparklers 🙂
Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, MA
Mass MoCA was up next. The exhibits were breathtaking.
MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA
On my last day of work, my friends through me a going away party! This DELICIOUS cake was made by my friend Kerry.
With the warm weather, my husband and I ventured to Hammonasset Beach
Hammonasset Beach
Hammonasset Beach
Hammonasset Beach
And reading books and poetry (I became obsessed with Rupi Kaur)…
It was SO nice to have Ladies Night with my friends from my old job. I miss them terribly!
My husband and I went to another drag show on July 13
War on the Catwalk: Sasha Velour
Snuggles with my child 😛
At my new job, enjoying a sea salt caramel macaron
In New London at Muddy Waters Cafe
And some beautiful views
We loved our weekend getaway to the CT shoreline with Obi!
The greatest gift I’ve ever been given: an autographed photo from Mama Ru
Trixie Mattel
The Wrecking Club
I MEAN… IT’S PEPPERMINT!
Every day on my way to and from work, I drive by a small hill. Cars are sometimes parked at the bottom of it and I kept wondering why. Today, I decided to see for myself.
Spotted a hot air balloon on my commute to work!
My little Superdog
Where we visited my little brother
Took a road trip to Boston (this is my grandma being adorably excited)
Went pumpkin picking at a local farm and enjoyed delicious apple cider and donuts
Had dinner at Steaming Tender, one of our favorite restaurants
Enjoyed fall
In early October, I met up with some old friends and colleagues and we had a pumpkin painting party. It was a blast. This was the result!
Siblings
Here he is at his race!
We loved the penguins!
Bill turned 29, and I assembled this alternative “cake”
Look at those leaves!
We went to a drag show, too, where we got to see some of our favorite queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race
I got breakfast with some friends! (Not pictured: That little cutie pie’s momma!)
We had an impromptu photoshoot outside with Obi.
And my husband had an INCREDIBLE costume (maybe his best ever?) that he wore to work. He was a viking!
Ahead of Halloween, Bill and I went to a performance of Sleepy Hollow at Old Sturbridge Village.
If you don’t think this is the best mug, we can’t be friends.
Appreciating this shirt I made out of my Hocus Pocus patch!
We had a great time 🙂
Shea Coulee
Spent time with Steph!
Decorated my office with this Beyoncé-inspired plaque
Really missed Barack Obama
Went to see the Backstreet Boys with my cousin, Justin, and my grandma
Enjoyed BSB
Put together a Harry Potter puzzle with Bill (our new Christmas-ish tradition)
Baked gingerbread cookies
Loved the new Star Wars film
Loved on this furball
…And to a 2018 with less fear.
Happy New Year, all.
xo.
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