Life Update: Where Have I Been and My Year in Review

So, it's been almost a year, and I have not said a peep in this blog. To be very honest, I've had quite a rough 2017 with my personal and family life. Summer and Fall became very busy with Wedding season gigs, work, school and also coupled with some other major changes in my life that required my immediate attention, maintaining this blog had to take a back seat. With that said, now that events in my life have calmed down a bit, I am back to posting again, and this time I'm not just going to pick up where I left off, but rather actually prioritize this blog and website!

For 2018, one of the priorities I've set for myself to do is to start turning this blog and website into what I've always envisioned it to become. Obviously, that's not going to just happen in a year of putting work on this blog, but getting this started and putting in the effort and commitment into making that vision into reality is what I'm focusing on this year.

So, what exactly have I been up to in the past year, personal problems and issues aside? Below is a quick rundown of what has happened in my life...

I've been still been working out like crazy and officially lost 40 lbs.
I've been overly addicted to Soul Cycle and recently got into running over the Summer and Fall
Because I've developed a liking to running, I've decided to sign up for a half-marathon run and guess what?! Homegirl just finished her first half-marathon race during Thanksgiving weekend! Yes, I was sweating my butt off while you were busy stuffing yourself with leftover turkey and mac&cheese!
I've pretty much traveled at least once every single month since March. Places I've traveled to includes the Philippines, Las Vegas, roadtrip from Arizona to California (mostly stayed in San Francisco and Napa Valley area), Miami, Italy, New York, Colorado, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Maldives!!!
I went on a 3-week vacation allover Italy and had an amazing time exploring that beautiful country!
Helped one of my closest friends plan her wedding and did her engagement and wedding makeup
Went out quite a bit over the Summer and took advantage of some wonderful outdoor bars in the city- because half of my friends have their birthdays in June and July apparently!
Helped my parents prepare to sell our house and put it on the market. Sold the house and moved! This last point is what really took a lot of my time this Summer and Fall, if I'm being honest.
My hair went through some major hair color transformations. I went from having jet-black hair to getting lilac silver ombre, electric purple ombre and then a very cool-toned blonde ombre -- which I intend to keep for now
Traveled on my own to New York in December as a birthday treat to myself. Then I traveled there again 2 more times within a few weeks of each other!
For the beginning of the year, I was tasked to plan another vacation getaway with my parents and we spent 5 days in the UAE (stayed mostly in Dubai) and 6 days in the Maldives! I had an incredible time getting away from the freezing Winter weather of Chicago and enjoyed the most relaxing time under the sun in the sand dunes of Dubai and beaches of the Maldives.

And that's it! The last last year has been quite a roller coaster ride for me, there were some fun highs and gut-wrenching lows, but I've made it through and became stronger from that adventure. Now, I am back with a better perspective, reinvigorated and full of inspiration and motivation to get on with my goals for 2018 and give this blog/website the time, attention and commitment it deserves! I am very excited and can't wait to bring you content that you'll hopefully enjoy!