2020 Word of the Year

Cultivate: try to acquire or develop; apply oneself to improving or developing. 

Choosing a word that you strive to link to a year that is just beginning is tough. I wanted a word that was strong, that was narrow in vision but still flexible, and allowed me to say yes, THAT’S my word.

With my goals for 2020 summed up in 3 words (Healthier, Happier, and Simpler), my word needed to encompass those goals.

I started thinking: What do I personally need to do to achieve all 3? Do I need to develop new mindsets, apply different tactics that so obviously did not work in 2019? What do I need to CULTIVATE to make 2020 one of my favourite years?

That’s when it clicked. Cultivate. It was perfect.

Will I share the breakdown for each goal? No. However, progress is always shared, and I do want to keep up with my blog more this year, so you’ll see high level overviews. You’ll come along for some of the adventures, because even if I don’t leave the state very often, there is still plenty to see and do in Texas.

So, what say you? Have you chosen your Word of the Year yet?

Life Throws Curveballs

…..but that doesn’t mean you have to cower.

My Camino hasn’t gone as planned. That was hard to come to terms with. However, the Camino takes and the Camino gives. I’ve finally welcomed the changes with open arms, and it has been a godsend.

Am I still a bit unhappy? Sure. Like 8%. The other 92% is having a fantastic time. Remember, it’s all about the journey. Sure, the destination is nice, but the journey is the bulk of the adventure. Don’t let blinders keep you from seeing life happen.

Why this post? I’m sitting in a café in O Mesón do Vento. It’s raining and 49F outside. I’m pretty much soaked, and the café con leche hits the spot. My left leg has started hurting again, and I’m weighing pros and cons on the next choice (mainly how much more soaked do I want to be).

To quote Grace and Favour: “…..but she was happy!” And I realized, I am. It’s taken over a year to get back to this point, and I know the time it took was necessary. Was I impatient? Very much so. Did I realize the time needed prior? Of course not.

Life’s not perfect. Don’t try and force it to be. Let it run its course, adjust where you can, and everything will work out in the end, even if it’s not the way you expected or initially wanted.

Life will throw you curveballs. Question is: will you catch them, or will you cower?

xox

Jess

Work stress can’t dull my excitement!

It’s been awhile, I know. Life goes on, regardless of documenting every second of it. Synopsis? Stress. Anxiety. Nerves. Excitement.

I’ve started a new position at work and it’s basically required me to flip my schedule around. I’m back to the graveyard shift (which I tend to do better). I’m a bit stressed with it, but I’m also ready to get it going 110%.

The best part lately has been my growing excitement for my Camino! I’m anxious and nervous, but in the good “eek first time doing this” kind of way. I love it! Hostels/Hotels are as booked as I want them to be. The middle days are flexible depending on how far I walk those days. Overnight train ticket has been purchased. Clothing, footwear, backpack….all taken care of. I have been paranoid about my passport going missing, so I check on that daily lol. Sometimes you have to let the anxiety do its thing.

I’ll be sewing on my patches this weekend and spraying my backpack to help prevent bedbugs *knock on wood*. The boots need a few more walks in them for me to be confident that they are fully broken in. I know I need a few more odds and ends from Target and REI, but nothing that is detrimental to my trip if I don’t get it done prior to departure.

As far as my back-n-forth debate on taking my hiking poles with me….I’ve finally decided to NOT bring them, and to buy a set of poles at Decathlon in Ferrol. They’re a much lower price there, but, from what I’ve been told on various forums, the quality is quite good. If I have time in Madrid before catching the overnight train, I may scout out a Decathlon there. We shall see.

Ok, I’m yawning, so this post must come to a close. I hope everyone is doing well. I should have a few more blog posts before the journey begins, and *hopefully* a video or two up on YouTube. I’ll let y’all know 🙂

peace and love,
xox
jess

Why I’ve smiled lately…

I can’t put EVERYTHING in this list that has made me smile (keeping it PG lol), but here’s a small sample from the last month and a half (sorry it’s been so long!):

 

 

It’s two of my favorite animals in one photo! I need more cute photos like this 🙂

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Spent Comicpalooza with two awesome friends. Shout outs to Molly and Mark! It was definitely an interesting blast, because FOUR DOCTORS! 😉

Speaking of Doctors……..

I was able to mark another Doctor off my list: the Fifth Doctor! He may not be my favorite Doctor, but I have found I absolutely adore Peter Davison ❤ Plus come on, this photo is awesome (mainly because we were all laughing as my wig had attacked his face at first)

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Gotta love us Shafer gals 😉 Family embraces your weirdness (only because they are just as weird!)

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Helped End Alzheimer’s on The Longest Day this year with my loves, Team Wine Lords. Always have a blast with these people.

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And most recently, spent a long weekend with my parents celebrating their 35th Anniversary  ❤

Love you Moeder, love you Dad!

A jumbled mess of squee

Good morning my lovelies! How’s everyone doing?

January is always crazy at work, and this year has not been an exception. Customers shipping late or buying after-christmas deals = chaos (still).

How’s the New Year’s Resolutions coming along? Break any, or all of them, yet? Obviously mine isn’t going as well as I planned since I am just now writing my second post of the month. So, big oopsie there :-p

Brightside to the chaos, Gallifrey One is in less than two weeks!!! Can’t wait to see my Who family again ❤

And on top of being totally stoked for Gally, my ribbons finally arrived! They are even cuter than I hoped for! Love love LOVE them!

 OH! Did you guys see the new Serenity comics came out this week?!?! THEY. ARE. AMAZINGG!

Of course I grabbed all three covers. Totally worth it! I won’t give anything away yet, so GO FORTH AND READ THE SERENITY FANTASTICNESS!

Enough of that squee-ing and more, well…squee-ing. My larger version Ninth Doctor arrived. He was my first Doctor and always will be. Love the man!

 Much like the title of this blog post said, this has been Jessica’s “…jumbled mess of squee”, heehee. More timely posts to follow next month. Actually, expect a bunch of Gallifrey One related posts next month 🙂

Signing off,

xox

~jess

Apologies friends!

It has been a long month since I last posted, but I haven’t forgotten about all of you ❤
Life has been throwing me curve balls left and right, and I am going crazy trying to dodge them all.

Hope everyone is doing great! Everyone stateside, have a fantastic Labor Day weekend!