Posted in Year Review

Looking back at 2020

2020 was supposed to be the year that my daughter started travelling together and the year that I quit my job to work on my business full time. Neither of those things happened. In March businesses started to shut down. My hours got cut drastically at work as a result of covid 19.

LA Marathon 2020

This was my first marathon since having Selena. I was planning on training so that I could run in under 5 hours, but I got lazy and unmotivated. The only long run i did in my training was a 13 mile run I did at the Surf City Half Marathon In February. While, I may have been very slow, my official time was 5 hours and 45 minutes, at least I finished. I am proud of myself for that fact, but I do think my next marathon will be much better.

Taste of Halloween and Taste of Merry Farm

Two things I was able to do this year was attend both of these events. These were events held at Knott’s Berry Farm. The rides were not in service, but we were able to get tasting cards and try many foods that Knott’s is famous for, as well as seasonal, festive food. It was so enjoyable, the food was great. The atmosphere was great and they really took many safety precautions to make sure their guests were safe. I hope that in 2021, Knott’s Berry Farm can host more events like this.

Athena Rose

I started my business in September 2019. However, my daughter was 9 months old at the time and I was working 2 jobs, so i didn’t really put much effort into it. I started putting more effort into it this year and it paid off. In June 2020, I added things to my Etsy shop. In July 202,0, I opened my own online store. In August 2020, I set goals for September-December and I am happy to report that I surpassed my goals. I did my first pop up of the year in October and then did three more in December. These were successful and I met so many vendors and great people. I can’t wait to continue doing these pop up events in 2021. I really hope to grow my business and be able to leave my current job.

Selena Taylor

My daughter turned 1 years old this year, back in January. In just one year, she has grown so much. She has learned how to walk, run, talk so much, eat lots of veggies, and play with her books. She is a funny, silly baby who has a bit of a temper. She can be a big troublemaker and can throw a tantrum when she doesn’t get her way. She is also a bit of a picky eater. Despite all of this, Selena is a such a great baby and I can’t wait to watch her grow up and learn as she turns 2 years old next month.

Big Bear

Another fun thing we did this year was go to Big Bear in August 2020. I went with my family. We were in a cabin in Big Bear for about 5 days. The whole time we were there, we had to social distance and wear masks. Some things we got to do were bike ride and spend time in the lake, We also went on nature walks and went down water slides. I had a lot of fun and I know Selena did too.

Last year in my 20s

Next month I will turn 30 years old. Of course, I am freaking out about this. In January 2020, I had planned to throw myself a big party to celebrate turning 30 years old. Of course that will no longer happen since here in California we were given stay at home orders and told not to gather with people outside of our household. I will still throw a small bday party, but only for my family.

World Events

Here are some things that happened this year around the world. The major thing that took place in 2020 was the covid 19 pandemic, which affected people all over the world. Millions of people tested positive and many people died. Here in the United States, millions of people were left without a job as businesses all over had to shut down. When this first started affecting us in March, many of us thought things would be back to normal by summer. We are almost in 2021 and things have gotten even worse. Things that have changed in the world because everyone had to wear masks. We also started social distancing, using zoom to talk to people, schools are now virtual instead of in person, many people are now working from home, movie theaters are closed, to name a few. Of course things are different depending on what part of the world you live in, but here in California, most things are closed.

The government did give unemployed people extra money to help them through this time and student loan payments have been stopped. However, people are still struggling and who knows when things will get back to normal. This month, people started getting the covid 19 vaccine.

Other things that happened were protests and riots all over the US protesting police brutality against black men. It seems as if every week or sometimes even every few days, another unarmed black man has been killed by a police officer. Many people pointed the blame at the victims, but the overwhelming majority of the time, the men killed by the police were unarmed. Here in California, we had curfews because of these protests and riots. It’s sad that despite the protests, nothing has changed. I received a book back in 2017 that talked about police brutality against black men. Sadly, it has gotten even worse over the last 3 years.

Celebrities and Well Known People Who Passed Away in 2020

Kobe Bryant

Chadwick Boseman

Alex Trebek

Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Regis Philbin

Jerry Stiller

Luke Harper

There are many more who passed away this year, but these are the ones that I knew.

Posted in music

Guilty Pleasure Songs

What is a guilty pleasure song? It’s a song that you like (or love) listening to that you would never admit. Either the song is not the usual music you would listen to or you don’t like the artist but the song is good. Here is my list of songs I like, but am embarrassed to admit. These songs aren’t necessarily terrible, but they aren’t the usual type of music that I listen to.

1. Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish

2. Circles by Post Malone

3. Gotta Go My Own Way by High School Musical cast

4. Blinding Lights The Weeknd

5. Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa

Posted in Bucket Lists, Challenge, Challenges, Year Review

2020 Goals and Bucket List Recap

This year I had so many goals and things on my bucket list. Then 2020 happened. It was so disappointing to look back and see that I only accomplished 2 out of 17 things. Of course, I am not to blame for not accomplishing most of them. Many of the things that I had on my list were things that I couldn’t o because they were cancelled thanks to this global pandemic and our stay at home orders here in California. Here is my list of 17 things I had hoped to do in 2020.

I only accomplished #12 and #16

Posted in Challenge, Year Review

The End of My No Buy Clothes Year

One good thing that happened in 2020 for me was that I did really well in my “no buy clothes” year. I did buy some socks, underwear, and 1 bra, but those are necessities. The one item I did buy was a pair of shorts from Amazon for less than $15. I feel great about that, In know I saved a lot of money thanks to my challenge. I am considering doing this again in 2021 because I really feel like I can do even better next year. I only do this challenge for myself because I have so much clothes. I exclude my daughter from this challenge because she is still growing and needs clothes.

Posted in Bucket Lists, Challenge

2021 Goals and Bucket List

I am hoping 2021 is better than 2020. Here are some goals and things on my bucket list for 2021.

Fitness

1. Run 300 Miles

2. Run a 10k in under 56 minutes

3. Run a 5k in under 26 minutes

4. Run a half marathon under 2 hours

5. Run a half marathon in under 5 hours

Financial

1. Save $1,000 in emergency fund

2. Pay off 5 credit cards and loans – Mom, BOA, Phone, PayPal, and Capital One

Business

1. Start Selena’s Sweets

Personal

1. Quit my job

2. Spend weekend in San Diego and visit San Diego Zoo with Selena

3. Spend weekend in San Francisco with Selena