A New Beginning...

"The Hardest Thing In This World, Is To Live In It. Be Brave. Live."

I've been going over this post in my head, trying to think of what to write. I haven't written since October and I feel like it's time again. The last few months of 2013, were some of the worst I've ever had. Most of you don't know this, but I was very ill for the past 4 months due to a severe food poisoning incident at the end of August that left me unable to stomach almost anything until a few weeks ago. In the middle of October, during one horrible week, my grandfather and mother-in-law passed away. I was already suffering from uncontrollable weight loss and then I added on severe depression and anxiety. After a course of antibiotics, the initial stomach problem was fixed but it led to other adverse and severe reactions throughout December. Now, I'm finally eating again and slowly regaining my weight. I've started some new routines, including yoga and a weight gaining diet, and I've been working hard to reprogram my mind to my once optimistic and playful mindset. In the end, I'm hoping that everything I've gone through will make me a much stronger person.

I used to think New Years Resolutions were ridiculous. Like, if you weren't going to do something in the first place, why do you think you'll be able to commit now? But, this year, was the first year I didn't "resolve to not have a resolution". This year, I woke up on January 1st telling myself I would smile and that life was going to improve this year. I wasn't going to mope anymore and I was going to finally enjoy my life out in California.

Then it hit me. In the two years that my husband and I have been out in California, I never actually started a life out here. Before we moved from Colorado, I had things to do and close friends. I had my voice lessons, not once, but twice a week. The first year we were in California, we were so busy with a job that kept us from making any time for ourselves, that my husband and I never had the time to make any friends. I never had the time to take voice lessons. The 15 hour days, 5-6 days a week, I spent working on the computer, ended up leaving me with carpal tunnel, which I'm still suffering from. In the end, I had to leave my job and I left it to only discover that I had no other life in LA. By the time the first year passed, I felt so miserable in LA, that by the second year, I didn't want to make any plans because I figured I'd move from here eventually anyways.

I decided this year, what if I stay in LA? What if we don't move anytime in the next few years? I need to push myself to get out there and actually do things. Not just talk about doing things. 

Which brings me to my resolution: To make a life for myself.

I'm excited to say I've signed up to try out a new voice coach on Monday, I've started taking cake decorating classes, and in the future weeks, I plan to sign up for guitar lessons and krav maga! It feels good to actually have plans! I forgot how motivating that alone can be. Hopefully, with new activities on the horizon, I'll meet some new people and I'll also have more things to write about this year on my blog!

For anyone who's been going through their own personal struggles, I hope it helps to know you're not alone. Don't try to distance yourself from having a life. Get out there and become active. Take control. Let yourself live.

Happy New Year 2014 everyone! May positivity and optimism light your way this year.

Christmas 2013

My Bunny is a TV Addict!

So I've been trying to be really good about making this a daily thing. Of course, yesterday, it was my hubby's day off from work and my dad's birthday so I had to prioritize!

I don't know if you guys noticed on my last post or not, but the new TV meter I created has a little bunny on the rating system. Of course, if I was truly rating shows by Willow's preference, things would get crazy! Two days ago, Gwith and I sat down to watch our nightly episode of Castle, and I kid you not, the moment we hit play and the TV made a sound, Willow came running into the room and flopped onto the rug all eager to watch. She didn't get up and hop around until the episode was over...and she came back in for the second one.

I think Castle is right up there with Dawson's Creek now. Have I mentioned that her favorite show is Dawson's Creek? She loves James van der Beek. She also loves Dawson & Joey (what can I say, she's not perfect). When Joey got together with Pacey (and I was filled with my usual happiness), she started boycotting the show. She'd only hop in for James van der Beek scenes. Yes, my rabbit is fickle. She also watches Beverly Hills 90210 with us - but she's skipped all of the really terrible episodes. I have no idea how she senses which episodes are good or bad but somehow she does.

Switching topics.

I was playing The Sims 3 today and downloaded the new ballet set from the store! I am super excited that my sims finally can have a dance skill. I've been waiting for this for so long! Of course, if my game would stop crashing and freezing on me, it would probably all be a lot more enjoyable. My sim (and her husband) did however get to visit her elderly parents that I built a retirement home for. I've never been very good at playing with my sims once their elderly, or having my sims see them once they move out, but this actually works well! My sims go over every weekend and play dominos/pool/ping-pong with her parents and watch a movie!

I wish Tuesday was here already!!! I am so excited for Island Paradise! I've been building beach houses for my sims with docks all ready for their new boats. Maybe I should put the 90210 beach house I built a while back in Island Paradiso?

Ooo! Even better thought! I can now create Dawson and Joey's homes and have Joey row across the water to Dawson's! That would be incredibly fun.

In other news, I'm improving on my guitar skills! I thought I'd learn to play so I could actually play along with my own songs. After teaching myself the basic chords and strings and practicing rotating between them, I have finally started to learn strumming. Yay! Now, if I could just stretch my fingers out so I could play that G chord without cheating, that'd be great. Oh well. It will all come in time. I'm looking forward to getting a teacher at some point. Although, I have to admit, it's nice to just teach myself. There isn't really any stress and it makes it even more exciting when I learn something new!

Finally, before I wrap this up to go and watch The Bachelorette, I must post my usual about Veronica Mars! Max Greenfield has finally be announced for the movie. I am very excited to have Deputy Leo back! I am curious how they're going to use all of these different characters, but I have faith in Rob Thomas.

Yesterday, my husband and I went to LA and we tried to sneak a peek at the movie being filmed. Unfortunately, it was all being filmed in the sound stages, so all we caught a glimpse of was the building.

Do you have any pets that are addicted to TV? And if so, what's their favorite show? Have you built any fun places for your sims to go or new homes? And finally, are you excited about the return of Deputy Leo?