2018 is 3 days away and I can’t help but be thankful for 2017 regardless of the many challenges that I had to overcome. I am still blessed and grateful for whatever happened this past year. Those obstacles made me discover hidden inner strength.
I am not focusing on anything negative about 2017. I learned and grew from every obstacle. I am only reminiscing the wonderful moments I have lived this year.
My family and I celebrated my husband’s 50th birthday in January. It was a beautiful day, both my family and his were there to commemorate his big milestone.
I went to, Marc Anthony, my favorite singer’s concert in February. I have been going faithfully to his “Concierto de Amor” for the past 5 years and I am never disappointed. He is one of the reasons I have learned Spanish.
April, I traveled to the beautiful island of Martinique. What a lovely place to be. I felt very at home as Martinique’s culture mirrors a blend of French and West Indian influences that is similar to my native country. I was pleased to speak French, my first language.
Our trip to Orlando and Tampa was the highlight of my summer.
I celebrated my older daughter’s 21 first birthday in Las Vegas in October. That mother-daughter getaway was so special and meaningful to both of us. I am still in disbelief that I have an adult daughter.
I was blessed to attend a nursing conference in Indianapolis at the end of October. It was such an amazing experience to network with nursing scholars from around the world.
I have left my comfort zone, joined Toastmasters International, participated in a speech contest and made it to the final. I am so grateful for all my accomplishments. It’s not always easy, but I have come to realize that challenges and obstacles bring opportunities to rise.
At the end of November, I embarked on another exciting journey to make my dream come true and created my blog. This is a risky enterprise as I am not tech savvy. I did not expect it to be so difficult to create a blog. I am pleasantly surprised to see how other bloggers share tips to succeed. I am not sure where this new adventure will lead me, so far, I am enjoying the experience. It’s already a reward to me, to bring my dream to light.
After all, 2017 was great, I have learned, grown, and gave my best. The journey is still ongoing to become a better version of myself. I am grateful for each experience. I am thankful for my family, my friends, and all of you who took time to visit and comment on my blog. Let’s all have a wonderful and prosperous 2018.
Such a fun recap of the year girl and I wish your coming year be even more eventful.
Happy and blessed new year Vyom, thanks for your comment.
Helicopter rides and Toastmasters competition – what a great year. Have fun topping that next year.
Wish you a wonderful new year Scott. Thank you for your comment.
I love all you pictures, you have so many beautiful outfits and so many amazing things done this year. Good for you for being brave and joining toastmasters international! Cheers to 2018 and continuing with more greatness
Thank you for your comment, Angela. May 2018 brings you nothing but blessings, joy, and happiness.
Looks like you had an amazing and fun-filled 2017! Your daughter is beautiful and happy birthday to your husband!
April,
Thank you for your comment. I reminisce about all the good things from 2017, and from the not so good, I only see them as a venue to grow. I wish you a blessed and wonderful new year.
Your family is so beautiful! I’m glad that 2017 brought you so many blessings, especially the speech venture! May 2018 bring you the same!
Diana,
Thank you for your comment. Wishing you a blessed and wonderful new year!
Sounds like you had such a wonderful year and it’s so great to reflect on. Best wishes to you and your blog for 2018!
Krysti,
Thank you so much for your comment, I am grateful for all the joyful moments and I have learned from the many challenges encountered in 2017. Happy New Year.
Whoooa! you seems to be enjoyed well with these amazing experience. Nice pic shots and lovely ones. Happy new year to you 🙂
Happy New Year to you Ajay, wishing you all the best for 2018.
It really sounds like your family had so many important milestones this past year. I am so impressed by people who excel at public speaking, kudos.
It is very challenging Melissa. Besides having great mentors, I realize staying in my comfort zone will not lead me anywhere. Thank you for your comment.
Looks like you have a lot to be thankful for in 2017! Love the photos with your family. They are beautiful. 🙂 I hope 2018 is even better for you!
Jessica, thank you. I wish you a healthy and prosperous new year.
Aw, I really love this recap! Its so important to be thankful even after we have faced challenges! Heres to an even better 2018 for you and your beautiful family!
Thank you, Tonya. Challenges make us stronger if we know how to face them. I wish you a happy and prosperous new year.
Now you know how to live. My 2017 seems boring compared to yours. I’m certain your new year will be everything you want it to be. Happy New Year.
Terri,
I am certain you had a great year and I wish you a prosperous and healthy new year!
My office has a branch of Toastmasters, reading your post makes me think I should give it a shot.
Ray,
It definitely worth trying, besides, you can visit as many clubs as you want until you find the one that you really like.
Such a fun recap. That black dress is gorgeous on you!
Megan,
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Sounds like you had an awesome year! I lived in Orlando for 7 years and went to college there and met my husband there. The city of Orlando and the University of Central Florida always hold a special place in my heart. Not to mention today UCF won the bowl game to be the only undefeated team in college football!!!
I love Orlando. The funny thing, I could swear I had as much fun as my 12-year-old daughter.
I am happy to say good bye to 2017, it has been a rolling coaster for me.
Robyn, I am pretty sure that all the up and downs of 2017 had made you stronger and prepared for a great year in 2018. Happy New Year!
YES!! Focus on the good and the growth. It looks like you have such a great attitude about things that can make life a bit harder. Lots of ups and downs for us in 2017 but it was also such an amazing year for growth for us. XO! Happy New Year babe!
Lauren,
my motto in life is to learn and grow from any challenges and mistake. Life is too beautiful to dwell on negativity. I wish you a wonderful and amazing 2018.
Your year WAS very eventful! Good for you 🙂 Every year has ups and downs – we just have to learn to roll with the punches 🙂
Exactly Destany, we have to learn and grow from the downs and reward ourselves for our success. Happy New Year.
Nice review of the year. Hope you have a lovely 2018
Nefeli,
Thanks for your comment. I wish you a healthy and happy New Year.
You had such a wonderful time last year! Wishing you an even better year 🙂
Kim, thank you. I wish you a happy and successful year as well.
As I think about 2018 I’m thinking about how it’s going to an amazing year. There are so many good things for me just waiting and I have so many plans.
Wishing you an awesome 2018.
That is great Danielle, I like your positive energy and the way you are calling greatness for 2018. Have a blessed and successful year.
It sounds like 2017 was a wonderful year fo you! I love all your pictures of the places you travelled too!!
Thank you, Angela. Although the negative experiences gave me the strength to become a better version of myself, I don’t dwell on them. I tend to look at the great things more. I make sure to enjoy each experience and I am thankful for the people that cross my path this past year. Have an awesome 2018!
what a fun way to look back on the year. I hope you have a wonderful 2018 as well
Thank you Angie, I wish you a happy and successful 2018.
I’m so envious of all the amazing travels you did in 2017! Can’t wait to see more of what you’re up to as you continue on with the blog!
I am going to follow and learn from great bloggers like you Caitlin. I wish you have a fulfilling 2018.
Oh wow, you’ve had a very jam packed 2017! Never heard of Martinique but sounds lovely. And Florida, well, I’m a massive fan! It sounds like you’ve had a wonderful year and I hope 2018 manages to beat it!
Let’s hope for the best and work to make it happen Jazmin. Happy New Year!
It sounds like 2017 was a great year for you! Congrats! Hoping 2018 is even better!!!
Melissa, thank you so much. I wish you a blessed, healthy, and successful 2018.
Looks like 2017 was a good year for you! Awesome pics — have a great 2018!
Mike, thank you. Have a blessed and successful 2018.
Congrats on starting your blog! Happy New Year. It’s also great to hear you have found other welcoming bloggers.
So far, I am grateful for the tips other bloggers have shared, and I will make sure to share with others as well. Have a blessed year Brandi!
It looks like 2017 was a wonderful year for you. Cheers to a new year!
Cheers to 2018 for you as well Jill. I read your blog every day.
Looking at what negatively happened is not the best way to start the new year. You are so right about that. Every single thing that happened whether good or bad helped you grow.
This is my philosophy in life Deb, don’t dwell on the negativity, learn, grow, and move on. I always find something positive to fix my eyes on.
I want to say goodbye to 2017 and please 2018 give this year more wonderful life for me and for my family. We really had a tough year since 2015 so i hope 2018 will give me a good year.
I wish you a blessed, healthy, and amazing 2018. I am certain you have learned from all the challenges encountered since 2015 and I am positive that they made you a better and stronger person. Happy New Year
Happy new year! This looks like you had an amazing 2017, I hope your 2018 is even better and full of more experiences than ever before.
Ariel, I am always hoping for the best in life. Happy New Year!
What a wonderful and amazing year you have had! Your trip to Martinique sounds so lovely. I have a hard time believing you have a 21-year-old daughter, you look amazing! What a fun trip for you two to take to celebrate! Best wishes for an equally amazing 2018!
I can’t believe she is 21 myself. Yesterday she was a baby, and today, she is an adult.
What an amazing year!!! And congrats on starting your blog! I hope to be able to accomplish so many wonderful things in a year some time in the future. 🙂
May all your dreams come true in 2018, Renee Rose.