You, Me, & Penelope : 2014 & New Resolutions

Can you believe that it's already 2015? We are in the times of Back to the Future people! ;p I look back on this past year with such a sense of appreciation. I appreciate all of the lessons learned from this past year and cherish all of the unconditional love that I was shown by those who care deeply about me. And I feel so thankful to all of those who encourage me in all of the right ways. It can be hard, this life. Beautiful too. Mine is beautiful, mostly, lucky me.

I spent a lot of Christmas break back in California resting, relaxing, reading Wild {such a great story} and thinking about the things that truly make me happy and I have come to the following conclusions that I feel most alive when:

1. I am having a genuine heart to heart conversation with other people.
2. I am outside in nature: hiking, swimming in the ocean, laying in the grass, sitting amongst a flower garden, and just taking in the world around me.
3. Singing my heart out at music concerts.
4. Laughing...a lot.

So this year I plan to nurture all of the things that make me happy. I also plan to focus more on the three R's: Reducing (clutter, nonsense, anxiety, etc), Reusing (things around the apt for other uses, clothes - dear Elvia, stop shopping you have enough clothes, etc.) Recycling (composting, upcycling, etc.). I hope this year brings about a lot of change, it already has! {more on that later}, more lessons learned, more cherished memories, a lot more picture taking, and a lot of surprises. Here's to a new year!

+ Some memories from 2014!