SweetThunder413: 2018

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Ringing in 2018 in MALAYSIA!

REFLECT: It is always cathartic for me to journey through the past year and remember events, places, and treasured people. Taking an inventory of your life is a valuable lesson and one I sometimes forget to do. To say I lead a blessed life is an understatement. Never would I have dreamed that I would be in a profession that I love, be able to travel the world AND meet amazing people along the way. I love my life! Two years ago I spent New Year's Eve climbing a very large table-like mountain in South Africa and last year I was ringing in the New Year with my Ghana bestie and her family in Fort Worth, Texas. Just a couple of weeks ago, I rang in the New Year with friends, fun, and fireworks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

"We don't need the cable car, let's HIKE Table mountain," said no one ever! 2016

Fort Worth FUN ringing in 2017

RELISH: I am so thankful to have friends and family at home that give me roots all the while encouraging my wanderlust and adventurous spirit to live and work overseas. Without the first part of this equation, my journey to other countries and various places would not be as fulfilling. I am so grateful for my family that accepts my lifestyle, endures late or early conversations on Skype or FT and are always willing to dive into QUALITY time when I am home. Being overseas for eight years has afforded me the gift of friends all over the world, but I am most grateful for those "bosom buddies" as Anne Gables would say. Those people who know all about me and love me just the same. The confidants who have weathered storms, breakups, celebrations and downtime. Those people who I am happy to say, "let's do LIFE together."

Friends and family were very important to me in 2017 since I took a break from teaching for the first time in 13 years. The circumstances were not ideal, but they did seem to fall into place. I was especially grateful to my cousin and her husband for helping me find a job in insurance at Allstate. I learned a lot about myself through this process and am more convinced than ever that teaching is what I was made to do. Half of 2017 was spent in Fort Worth, TX and the other half in Suwon, South Korea.

My musings are mostly therapy for my soul, but if you are curious - here's a glimpse of my year! REJOICE, REJOICE, REJOICE!

January - March 2017: During these months I spent Christmas with family in Texas. I was so fortunate to spend quality time with my brother, Granny, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I continued my work in sales at Kennedy Allstate Agency and I have to say that I couldn't have survived the year without my friend Megan. We were soul sisters from the very beginning and I am so blessed that she is part of my TX journey. In February I ran the Hot Chocolate 5K with my friend Andrea and the month of March involved playing the 2nd season with my adult volleyball team. We came in 1st place and 2nd place respectively!

The traditional family pyramid

T-shirts and shorts and volleyball on Christmas day

Allstate Christmas party with Megan and Laurel

"You are in good hands with Allstate"

The things I do for HOT CHOCOLATE

Powderpuff girls for volleyball party

#1 in the league

April - May 2017: Two very busy months as I accepted a job overseas teaching in South Korea and created a Texas bucket list. Many things were on my list, but some of the big ones that I was able to cross off: going to a rodeo (even though I am allergic to horses), traveling to Fredricksburg, TX for a wine weekend, visiting the Magnolia Silos in Waco, TX, going to the Fort Worth Gardens, Fort Worth Zoo, various churches and cathedrals, and hiking. Also, I threw a baby shower for my friend Vania and both my Dad and step-mom and Mom came to TX to visit and help celebrate my brother's big 30!