Flashback, January 10, 2014. My first blog is complete and published. Now, I am going to blog again next month and the next and then once a month from here on, forever. Ha! I haven’t written another blog until today. Well, today, Christmas Day, I am travelling. I am flying to DC to spend time with my brother and his family. Since I am travelling alone today, I have plenty of “me” time to think and reflect and, well, express myself in the form of my second blog of the year. The year 2014 began for me on one very specific track but shortly into the year took a pivot. A friend of mine recently said to me, “Denise, you have really done a 180.” Well, she’s right. In January, I was working as an office manager and pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Studies with a minor in hospitality. In March, however, things took a turn for me. Those of you who are closest to me know the details. Everyone else, all you need to know is my heart was broken and the winds began to change for me. Recently, my youngest daughter compared me to a butterfly, spreading my wings and breaking out of that darn cocoon I’ve been hanging out in for so long.
You may be wondering, what has changed? A LOT! I have stepped out of my comfort zone and explored new avenues out there in this big world. (I highly recommend this, by the way) I have spoken my heart and my mind in circumstances where I would have just held it all in a year ago. I have rappelled 200 feet down the side of a 17 story Hotel in downtown St. Louis with a friend. The rapelling was part of a fundraising event for Special Olympics, which I challenge you to try at some point!!! In May, I returned to my career as a freelance court reporter, updating all my technology, committing to perfecting my skill, becoming very familiar with my new software and pursuing further certifications. I changed my educational course to a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Security Management. As a court reporter, the criminal cases have always intrigued me. So, I thought, why not? Who knows where this education will take me, but I’m staying the course! I am sad to see 2014 go as it has been a year of change, growth, accomplishment and celebration for my family and me; but I would not want to cheat myself out of all the new adventures 2015 will bring. So, cheers to the New Year!!!!
Here I Go (from where I am) 
Change can be bittersweet, but overcoming the bitter usually gives us a much sweeter “sweet!” Hoping to read more of you in 2015…Happy NEW Year my friend!