A year in review brought to you from Gate 46, TX.

**Disclaimer - Just so you all know this post should really be titled: "I just have a lot of feelings!"**

Yes, I know. It's not the end of the year yet. But I feel like my year is pretty much wrapped up. I've already put it in a box and tied it up with a pretty little bow. I'm ready to put 2017 in storage.

As always, I'll revisit the important parts when needed. 

I have this superstition that the way you bring in the new year sets the tone for how the entire year is going to go. Your year gets themed at the strike of midnight.

So - let's start from the beginning...

This time last year my family had just lost one of it's strongest rocks. My auntie passed away. I was Hawai'i bound right before the holidays. While I was there for her funeral, my grandmother fell ill. I spent days with her at the hospital in between services for my auntie. And that's where the theme of 2017 was set.

Just before new year's I jumped on a plane because I needed to be with my other. I was sad. I was tired. I was hurting. He was the only one that could help my heart. We spent the evening with music and too much champagne. Most importantly the evening ended with the famous last words from a girl trying to forget about her feelings "Don't worry, I've got this." *girl drinks a lot all the champagne.*


Janurary 1st, 2017. I got an early morning phone call - my grandmother had passed. 

The theme was set: Decisions on impulse, it isn't going to be easy, a lot of feelings, and a little hung-over.
"This is going to be a hard year." 



The year started with long working hours which resulted in a constant conflicting work schedule, lots of family, a heavy heart, and a lot of trips to and from the airport. The first month was hard and weird and fruitful of love from so many people.

It was beautiful in all the right ways to discover my roots and the type of person I should aspire to be. 


Life goes on as it should. There was music, and dogs, and lots of kittens, and love. Things were going on as normal with all the right challenges in between. Exploring new dynamics of relationships while adding in all the new adult responsibilities. 

And then Texas happened...

Hurricane Harvey affected the entire country. You see images of disaster on the news but you don't always feel the need to be called into action. At least - I never have. This time things were different.

There was a definite call to action that was greater than myself. I couldn't ignore it. I couldn't push it aside. I couldn't just stay home. I had to do something. 

I read a few things on the interwebs of all the reasons people shouldn't just jump on a plane into a hurricane. That evening we had a conversation:

"What do you want to do for your birthday?"

"I want to go to Texas."

 We bought tickets and the next day we were Texas bound. 

I had a birthday that turned into something bigger than myself. It reminded me of the fruitful love I've unintentionally surrounded myself with. There are days you feel alone in the long work hours and a birthday surprise was exactly what I needed to bring me back down to earth and remind me that I am part of a tribe of wonderful human beings.

I worked harder than I ever knew I was capable of working. It was a reminder that I am doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing in this moment of my life. There have been no wrong turns or bad decisions. I am here because I'm supposed to be here. 


We were only there for a short time. We were part of something bigger than anything I could have ever imagined. I knew it wasn't something you can just walk away from easily. The efforts had started... there was no turning back. 

There were long work hours which resulted in conflicting work schedules, a heavy heart, and a lot of trips to and from the airport. The next few months was hard and weird and fruitful of love from so many people. 

It was beautiful in all the right ways to discover my roots and the type of person I should aspire to be. 

Today - I'm at the airport again. I've lost count of how many times I've been to the airport this year. This is now the third time I've been to Texas. Every time you walk away it feels a little bit different. The two times before I felt like I was ripped away. It wasn't time to leave. 

Over 1,000 animals later - I am ready for it to come to a close. For real this time. 

I left today with only 35 dogs left. 35 dogs that all have names. 35 dogs that all have places to go after their health is cleared for travel. From over 1,000 dogs and cats (and one bunny!) down to 35. 

35 named and loved companion animals. 


It was a full circle. A complete circle that I can gather up to put in my 2017 box and tie with a pretty little bow. 

I am tired. I am grateful. I'm a little bit buzzed. I am complete. 

Thank you 2017 for not being easy. Thank you for the challenges and a year of acting on impulse. Thank you for allowing me to grow, to love, to experience. 

Most importantly thank you, for Texas. 

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