My Silent Year

Have you missed me? I logged in a few weeks ago and was horrified to realize I did not post one new blog in 2018.

I promise I'm alive and as passionate as ever. I still have a lot of things I want to write about, but the truth is I have been focused and engaged in what I needed to do this year and that meant some things had to give. Blogging was one of those things.

At the beginning of this year, I knew there were a lot of things that were going to be required of me and a lot of things I needed to do for my own growth and success. I know for a fact that things don't just happen. If I want something to get done, or to make sure I can do something - I have to make space for it - physically, emotional, & financially. If I leave it to chance or "crossing that bridge when I get there "I often will not have the energy, time, or resources to do what needs to be done.

So, I picked my priorities based upon my core values and the commitments that I needed/wanted to make. My list was short: (1) love my family well and take care of them; (2) maintain a healthy and thriving relationship with Karamoko; (3) excellence in my role at work; (4) remain on the dean's list while finishing my degree; (5) consistent physical exercise; and to (6) stay connected to my persons. These are the things I give priority. I plan for them and make space for them. Everything else has to get in where it fits in.

Here are the results of my prioritizing

I lost 20 lbs by exercising 5-days a week and meal-prepping instead of eating out!

This was hard. I had to rearrange my work schedule some days. I had to plan how I would work out and meet my school deadlines. I planned for grocery shopping and meal-prepping. This definitely took some effort and intentionality to make happen and I am so glad I did. I proved to myself that I can do more than I thought I could. Unfortunately, I injured myself (unrelated to working out) and had to completely stop working out for a few months so I could heal. I've been slowly getting back into it and am more aware of what my body needs to stay healthy and uninjured. Increasing my personal fitness is a big goal for 2019.

I made A's and B's in all of my college classes this year!

School has been an all-consuming labor of love to myself. It is my biggest time commitment and something I am constantly trying to balance against time with family, friends, and other things I want to do. If you have not seen me or I have not spent much time with you this year - this is why. It is hard. I am tired, but I'm plugging away with it. Only 10 more months and I'll be done.

ALSO, when I decided I wanted to go back to school, I determined I did not want student debt. I figured out how much I would need to save each month to pay for a year's tuition and I have been making it happen. I cut back my spending, decided to continue to live with housemates, made some sacrifices, and have completed 3 semesters debt-free.

I love my job and I am an 'effin beast at it!

I am a project coordinator and I work in the development and implementation of leadership development programs for established and executive leaders. This year I decided I wanted to stretch myself, say yes to development opportunities, and begin to narrow down my career goals. I was provided the opportunity to take on some front of classroom responsibilities. I met with and participated in leadership coaching sessions with our executives. I took on the entirety of program management for one of our programs. I developed curriculum and materials which improved the learner experience and overall efficacy of the program. To sum it all up: it has been a great year of development, growth and opportunities for me. I have received multiple awards and recognition for my work and contributions. I am incredibly grateful for my job and those I work with. God knew exactly what he was doing and what I needed when he led me to this particular company.

I moved my parents to Sacramento

The biggest, hardest, most audacious and most rewarding thing I did this year was to move my parents to Sacramento. My parents have lived alone in Maryland since I moved to California in 2014. My father has MS and his health has been declining for years. He needs extensive care and my mother is his sole caregiver. The weight of that without much of a local support system, had really worn her down physically and emotionally over the last four years. In January, she told my two sisters and I that she was moving to Sacramento THIS YEAR whether we helped her or not. So, my sisters and I sat down and created a project plan with everything that needed to be done in order for our parents to move by summer 2018. It was an incredible undertaking requiring our combined planning and execution skills to not only make it happen but keep it in budget. We had to find a place for them in Sacramento which fit their budget and their physical needs (wheelchair accessible and able to be modified for my dad's specific needs). We had to figure out how they were going to physically get to California. Could my dad even fly? Would we need to figure out a way for them to drive? It was too much for my mom to pack up on her own. How would we get that done without paying and arm and a leg? There was so much to consider and to plan for.

We ended up doing a three-phased moving plan with each of us taking a week off work and making it happen. (1) Their essentials were packed and shipped to CA so that their new home would be move-in ready with everything my dad needed for his care. (2) Then we had to fly my parents (and their pets) to California. (3) Lastly, we had to pack up the rest of the house, ship their vehicle, and get the home ready to put on the market.

The three of us and our significant others were successful! Everyone and everything made it to California safely and we still love each other! Having all my immediate family in California has been one of the most rewarding things that I've done this year.

I traveled to Canada for my cousin's wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Bowker - July 2018

I married off my baby sister

If you know me, you know I am crazy in love with my baby sister. She is seven years younger than me and I often feel like I've raised her. Walking with her through the process of dating, engagement, and marriage has been one of the greatest treasures of my life. I am so proud of her and everything she does!

Mr. and Mrs. Gilstrap - October 2018

I stood beside one of my best friends as she got married in two ceremonies throughout the Caribbean

Mr. and Mrs. Ugorji in Jamaica - November 2018

Bridesmaids decked out for the Indian ceremony - November 2018

Mr. and Mrs. Ugorji in Grand Cayman- November 2018

Karamoko and I had the best year of our relationship...ever!

This needs a whole post in and of itself. The two of us really put in work to have the relationship with each other that we desire. Last year was full of heart break and a lot of pain. This year, God has brought us full circle. I am loving every moment with this man.

I was able to share so many fun memories with my family!

Elanore's 2nd Birthday - February 2018

Aiden's 4th Birthday - March 2018

Zoe's 1st Birthday - November 2018

Zimmy family picture - October 2018

Zimmys and Gilstraps - October 2018

Great-grandpa and Great-grandma with Zoe - July 2018

Lopez Family @ Robertsonville, NC - June 2018

Hanging with Momma/Grandma Lopez - June 2018

The Lopez men and I - December 2018

"We're tired and hungry" - December 2018

Hanging out at Tahoe - December 2018

__________

2018 has been a beautiful year. I have worked harder than I ever have in my life and I also was able to see many of my dreams begin to come to pass. I am so thankful for the growth and experience and I am looking forward to what God has for me in 2019.

During this season of growth and intentionality you won't hear much from me. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can - with more than just a life update. I hope you all are also growing, stretching, making hard decisions, and building the future you want.

Happy growing,

Sarah Dawn