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Wow can you believe that we are already heading into a new year and new decade tomorrow?! I always like looking back at the year on New Years Eve, and going through what events happened and anything I learned or things I have gained as well. 2019 was by far my most busiest year and taught me a lot about myself and experiences that I got to take. There are some years that go by extremely quick, and then there are other years where you have so much going on that it is hard to even take a break. That is how 2019 was for me. I feel like I had something going on almost every weekend. I challenged my brain a lot, got to go overseas for the first time, and did my first big presentation at a conference. I went on many dates, was in a friend’s wedding again, experienced NYC at Christmas time and fell in love with the joy of having a kitten. 2019 was a great year, and I can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store. It will be hard to top, but I am ready for the challenge. This is my 2019 recap of what I learned and gained this year.

• Embraced A True Vacation: I went to Europe for the first time with one of my best friend’s family in June/July for 2 weeks, and had an absolute blast. There is something so special about being able to fully take a vacation and not have to worry about the stresses of everyday life. I had taken a week off before, but never 2 weeks. I think I will want to do this every year to really detox my brain and relax.
• Experienced The Joys Of Giving Back: A lot of the times you donate money for charities or causes that you believe in, but don’t ever really get to witness the benefits of this. By helping volunteer and experience some of the charities that might not be the most well known ones, are some of the ones that might need it the most. I really enjoyed this past month being able to help kids in CPS here in Houston with their Christmas. In doing this and going to several functions this year that benefitted some of these charities including my first gala, was all worth it this year.
• Be Passionate At Work: If you aren’t really passionate at work, do you really love your job after all? Now there is a professional way in doing this, but you have to have passion for what you think is the right thing and passion to get it done. It doesn’t matter what you do, but having passion behind it really sets you apart and leads you in the direction you need to go to accomplish your goals. If you see something that could work better or see a gap in a process, speak up. This could get you noticed more and bring opportunities that you didn’t think were there.
• It’s Never To Late To Reconnect: Life is so short, but it also is not that short where you would want to miss out on reconnecting with an old friend, colleague or even a family member that has been distant. This year I was able to spend more time with people that have had a place in my life at some point. There was also childhood friends that came back into my life at a time of vulnerability that I needed to be there for them. You also never know who you will end up working with, where you always want to be able to reconnect.
• Family Time Is So Special: This year I spent a lot of time visiting with my parents. Whether this was me going out and just seeing them or having brunch or even mother/daughter trips, just being with them is so special. If we go out to dinner I try to make it a point to leave my phone at home. Taking the time to connect and asking questions about their childhood or just memories in general are so important to me. Whether we are playing games or watching another Netflix movie, spending time with your family means so much.
• Say “Yes” To Those Nervous Opportunities: This was the year that I put everything into my job. I just finished year 2 of my 3 year project that I am managing, and this was for sure the busiest year yet. I grew so much as a person and who I wanted to become as I was leading. Your personality does come out and should while you are working too. That is what sets you apart and has you putting your own spin to things. I went to Vegas in June and spoke about my experience to a big room and had a session at this huge conference. I had asked to do this and was honestly so nervous. Saying a prayer before hand and not going on exact script, made it more real and a better experience. These type of opportunities can scare the hell out of you, but they shape you as well.
• Slow Down And Enjoy The Little Things: I probably learned this the most when I was visiting Europe. Every morning we would leisurely enjoy our coffee, eat breakfast, and honestly just enjoy the outdoors and each other. I don’t think this was just because we were on vacation and in Europe either. People get wrapped up in every to do item that they have to do, trust me I know this oh to well. My mom has always done a great time of this to just sit outside and enjoy nature and the birds and relax. The world is such a beautiful place and sometimes just being still can help all of your problems.
• Went On My First Hike And Opened Up My Eyes To God’s Brilliance: My best friend and I went to Denver in May for the first time and had a blast. The best thing about this trip was how much time we spent outdoors and honestly just exploring God’s nature. This was the first time I had ever gone on a hike before and I really enjoyed it. There is something so serene and peaceful about being able to walk through God’s brilliance of this nature. It made me want to go to a national park one day and explore other areas on vacation that are more nature like.
• An Animal’s Love Is So Pure: We have always had a pet growing up and when my parents got their kitten over the last couple of months, I really understood that an animal’s love is so pure. They play with you, are comforting, and love you unconditionally. Even though I didn’t see the cat every day, I felt so happy when my mom would face time me. It is the joy that they bring. Since they had to put the kitten down and just got another one, I already see the joy this one is bringing as well. I can’t wait to be able to have my own one day.
• Go Out Of Your Way To Make Someone’s Day Special: I consciously tried to do this all year. I would write thank you cards to my coworkers and take out someone for lunch when I thought they needed it. There were random acts of kindness or little surprises for friends and family through the year. Even sending a picture to a friend from a great vacation truly can make their day special. It is all about throwing kindness around. You don’t always have to be right, but if you are kind people will remember that.
• Be That Listener: My boss always said I was one of the best listeners that he ever met. I try to take it all in and really just be that ear that someone needs. Yes I want to give my opinion or make comments, but it is better to just listen for a while. This past year was some of the hardest times in some of my best friend’s lives. There were lots of battles and not as many highs as they had hoped. Being there for them when it was tough was the best thing that I could do. Listening and just being in their company made all of the difference.
• It’s Ok To Go On Too Many Dates…..They Are All Teaching Something: In the true words of Taylor Swift, this girl went on a lot of dates this year. Everyone was different and some were so bad that I wanted to leave right there, and then others I felt like I could have a connection with. I will say that each one taught me a lesson. Some people had things that I wanted out of a soulmate, and some pulled me out of my comfort zone. I really got a more understanding of me as an individual, and what would be considered normal courtesy is an unknown to a lot of these boys. Finding someone that respects you and your passions and make you a better person and who sticks to their word, is someone that yes I would love to go on a 100 dates with.
• Take Out Stereotypes Of What You Should Be Doing Or Thought You Would Be Doing: If I was to go back to high school for a minute, people thought I would be the first one to get married and have kids. I am so glad that didn’t happen, because I would not be the best at either of those if it would have happened sooner. So many people think “OMG, you are 30 and you don’t have a boyfriend even.” That’s right and I am still happy too! Yes I want to get married and have kids, but everyone is on different stages of life. There are so many stereotypes or things that people think you should be doing. Heck, when I go on dates guys are so surprised that I am a project manager in IT at a utility company. I am over people thinking what you should be doing or what you could have been doing by now. It is your life and you are holding the map, yet God is the compass ultimately.
• Indulge In What You Like: If you would ask my friends or family what I love to do they would say go out and be around people. That could mean going out to a restaurant and having a drink, or hosting people at your place. It is fine to indulge in what you like and embrace it. This year I did just that and don’t regret a single thing and I loved it. If I wanted to go out to eat at this new bouzy place, hell I did it. I also enjoyed having friends over for a rose tasting party and other events. I am a Hospitality major after all so food, drinks, hotel and events are my favorite things. Take time for your self and indulge. I love getting facials every 6 weeks, dining out, traveling, shopping and taking bubble baths and I do it.
• Got Stronger: Every year is a year of strength. This year was focused on getting stronger physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. I found my new love for working out with reformer pilates. I was never one to want to work out, but when I found this new activity I found myself going 2-3 times a week. I got stronger and felt overall better. I also was finally able to get in a good place emotionally after my break up from my ex and was fine when I finally ran into him in person. It takes each person a different way to get over people that time and prayer helps. I also was able to grow more spiritually and enjoyed going to bible study, having daily reflections, and yearning to go to mass. Mentally I pushed my brain and thought in new creative ways that I hadn’t in the past. This got me different projects, undiscovered some new interests and overall was great for my well being.

This has been a great year full of growth and opportunities. I am so thankful for all of you for going on another year with me here at BNB styling. I love being able to open up to you all and want to continue to always be real and an outlook that you can look to for inspiration. Cheers to 2020 and a prosperous and strong year to all of you!