Onto the next year!

The year is a couple hours from being over and that can only mean one thing...

It's time for the annual year-in-review blogpost!

I know I haven't blogged very much this year but here's every entry over the past twelve months organized just for you.

January:

(1-22-17) Eight and counting.

February:

(2-14-17) Love today!

April:

(4-15-17) I could be the one.

May:

(5-31-17) Purple couch!

June:

(6-10-17) It's time to celebrate!!!

July:

(7-25-17) Happy Halloween!!

August:

(8-26-17) Condo anniversary!!
(8-29-17) A crafty anniversary!

September:

(9-20-17) Six years going on seven.

October:

(10-30-17) Call me Mother (Plant).

November:

(11-23-17) "Don't lose your creative outlet!"

December:

(12-28-17) New beginnings.
(12-31-17) Onto the next year!

Most of 2017 was pretty uneventful for me, unless you consider buying a couch an "event". I spent the past twelve months working and being alone and lonely--I only went on three (unsuccessful) dates this year.

I really don't do New Year's resolutions anymore but I would like to incorporate creativity and art into my life again. I'd say it'd also be nice to go on more dates in 2018 but I can't control gay men's lack of interest so I won't get my hopes up.

We shall see what happens though.

May the coming year be AMAZING for all of us. 

***Happy New Year, everyone!!***

New beginnings.

It always begins the same.

New growth, then a single leaf. 

Outstretched. Ready to explore.

And this is how it starts.

"Don't lose your creative outlet!"

Turkey. Overeating. Time with family.

Thanksgiving is here!

I spent most of the day catching up with my mom, aunts, and brothers--putting on several pounds via mashed potatoes and stuffing.

I made it a point to text everyone on my phone's contact list this morning, wishing them a happy holiday with their families. One in particular was a former coworker at the crafts store I work at. She ended up getting a job with Corporate and now lives in another state.

She replied back asking how I was doing. I mentioned I'm mostly working a lot and haven't really drawn or painted much (at all) over the past couple of years.

"Don't lose your creative outlet!" she warned. "You need that."

I knew she'd understand since she comes from an art background as well.

I haven't forgotten my life as an artist but I certainly have buried it very deep. It's so hidden, I often wonder if it's gone forever.

You'd think something so simple as picking up a pencil or a paintbrush would be easy but for me it's not.

I will heed my former coworker's advice though. Somehow, someway, I have to become an artist again.

I'm just thankful to still have the opportunity to try.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, everyone!!

Call me Mother (Plant).

Epipremnum aureum. 

Commonly called Pothos and Devil's Ivy. 

It was the first houseplant I ever had...and it's still alive to this day. 

Someone gave it to my dad over 25 years ago and judging by the red and green weaved basket it came in, the plant was probably a Christmas gift. 

That makes sense because it was abandoned in an unheated part of the house (that we used for storage). I remember spotting it as a child--surprised it was still alive during the wintertime. I gave it some water (every now and then) and in the weeks that followed, I moved the plant into the main living room. 

My mom saw I took an interest in the plant and she ended up buying a small little houseplant from the grocery store as its companion. Then another (and then another) would follow. That's why I call it my "Mother Plant", not only because it was my very first plant but it led to all the others I acquired over the years.

When I moved out of my family's home over two years ago, the Mother Plant was the first thing I took with me. I could never leave it behind. It then came with me when I bought my condo last year. 

I probably didn't keep up with its maintenance as often as I should have (due to working so much) and I slowly saw my very first houseplant looking rather sickly over these past few months. 

So I did the unthinkable. I cut down the Mother Plant all the way to its base...to start again. 

Here's my Mother Plant now...

 Bare and naked.

Now mind you, I could've easily rooted the cuttings trailing the floor and added them to the pot but I want the plant's original root systems to be producing the leaves, not its "children". 

Its roots are intact and it's a very resilient plant. I have faith it'll grow once more. "Come back to me," I whispered. 

Now to sit and wait for it to return to its former glory. 

This one's dedicated to you, Mother Plant...

Six years going on seven.

Today marks six years of working at my university night-job and I’m happy about that.

It’s a place where work doesn’t feel like work and I actually look forward to going there.

 My work computer. Don't you love my desktop image?

Due to the university's budget issues, there won't be chances of advancement anytime soon but I’m grateful to be part of this team. To see my student workers grow and spread their wings and then help train incoming students that will take their place. They’ve helped me more than they know. 

So before my workday ends, I just wanted to say… 

Happy Anniversary, university night-job!!

A crafty anniversary!

I’m not sure how much of an anniversary it is now that I'm just there on Sundays, but today marks my seventh year working at the arts-and-crafts store! 

I've seen this company change and evolve over the years, mostly for the better. 

We’ve had four district managers, four store managers, and five assistant store managers come and go during my time here. I went from being the newest employee to becoming one of the senior-most members. That just seems crazy to me that I “outlived” so many managers and fellow associates.

 

I steadily grew into my role over the years and eventually mastered and surpassed it. Even though the job is still quite frustrating, I know I can handle it because I've been doing just that.

Time will tell how much longer I'm there but for now...

Happy Anniversary, arts-and-crafts store job!!

Condo anniversary!!

This particular day came faster than expected. I guess one loses a sense of time when working so much. But still an important date to remember.

Today marks the one-year anniversary that I officially bought my condo!

I'm embarrassed to say I still don't have any art on the walls and am still in need of a coffee table but at least I have a place to rest and recover and call my own.

I spent most of the day being a homebody. Cooking for myself, cleaning, watching TV, and taking care of my many houseplants. What better way to honor this space than to use it, right?

 Just some of my houseplants.  :)

While I don't think this will be a place I'll live for the rest of my life, it serves its purpose for now and I'm thankful to have it. It beats renting any day!

So with that said...

Happy Anniversary, dear condo! I'm glad to own you!

Happy Halloween!!

I heard wicked laughter while putting up the store's price-change labels over the weekend.

Was the arts-and-crafts store I work at mocking me?

From around the corner between the wedding section and the candle aisle, I spotted the source.

A full-blown Halloween display, complete with flashing lights and ghoulish sound effects!

Already? It's still July.

But that's retail for you. You know it's a sure sign the holiday shopping season is slowly rearing its ugly head.

Thank God I only work there on Sundays now and will be avoiding most of it.

So Happy Halloween, everyone!! Be safe if you're out trick-or-treating...three months from now.

(-_-)

It's time to celebrate!!!

Familiar faces leaving.

Moving on to new cities, to new jobs, on to bigger and better things.

It's bittersweet for sure.

Here at the university I work for, students are finishing up their final exams for the year and many are preparing for graduation.

That can only mean one thing.

It's time to CELEBRATE!!!

I wanted to give the student workers at my (second) university job a big send-off and thank you for all their hard work this academic school year.

The counter in the back office space was transformed into an abundant potluck party.

Before...

After!

I tried making it as colorful and festive as I could. Bold signage, metallic fringe, and bright floral garland among bags of chips, candy, and cake.

Mmmmm.....

It was fun livening up an otherwise dull space. It was also a much-needed moment to create and play with color and patterns and textures. And it helped bring us all together over some good old-fashioned junk food.

Congrats to this year's graduates! May you all go FAR!!

Purple couch!

These things always seem like mini milestones for some reason, even though they're probably not.

I moved into my very own condo nine months ago but besides my bed and dining room table, I didn't really have any furniture to sit on.

My previous place was a small studio so a couch never seemed necessary. Now that I own a one-bedroom, well, there's a big space in the living room begging for seating.

That's all changed though because I purchased a couch and it arrived two weeks ago!

It's my first couch. Ever. Like a proud sofa dad, I must show it off!

The walls in my condo are warm oranges and peach tones (that's how the previous owner had it) so I wanted the sofa to pop against such dominant colors.

I chose a lovely purple.

Not a Barney purple. My couch has more blue in it.

Not quite, Barney.

Almost like a Prince purple but deeper.

Closer!

Here it is.....

 

It's a three-seater but the end has a chaise lounge built in so I can rest after a long day's work. And now if I ever have company, they'll have a place to (properly) sit.

I still don't have artwork on the walls (yet), and I feel there's still much decorating to do, but this couch will help make my place a little more like a home.

I could be the one.

It was the spur of the moment. 

He flew all the way from his country to see me late last month. 

It was for less than a week--like a drawn-out daydream. 

We talked about life and love. Our families, our past, what we want for the future. 

There's no denying there's something there. How long will we dance this dance? Will we ever see it through? 

If he would just give me his heart completely...I think I could be the one. 

"I see the moon

I see the moon 

I see the moon 

Oh when you're looking at the sun

Not a fool 

Not a fool 

Not a fool 

No, you're not fooling anyone 

Oh but when you're gone

When you're gone 

When you're gone 

Oh, baby, all the lights go out 

Thinking oh that, baby, I was wrong

I was wrong

I was wrong 

Come back to me, baby, we can work this out 

Oh baby come on, let me get to know you

Just another chance so that I can show 

That I won't let you down, oh no 

No, I won't let you down, oh no 

'Cause I could be the one 

I could be the one 

I could be the one 

I could be the one 

I see in blue 

I see in blue 

I see in blue 

Oh and you see everything in red 

And there's nothing that I wanna do for you 

Do for you 

Do for you 

Oh 'cause you got inside my head

Oh but when you're gone 

When you're gone 

When you're gone 

Oh, baby, all the lights go out 

Thinking oh that, baby, I was wrong 

I was wrong 

I was wrong 

Come back to me, baby, we can work this out 

Oh baby come on, let me get to know you 

Just another chance so that I can show 

That I won't let you down, oh no 

No, I won't let you down, oh no 

'Cause I could be the one

I could be the one 

I could be the one

Be the one, be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

I could be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

I could be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

I could be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

Be the one, be the one 

Will you be mine? 

Oh baby come on, let me get to know you 

Just another chance so that I can show 

That I won't let you down, oh no 

No, I won't let you down, oh no 

'Cause I could be the one 

I could be the one 

I could be the one."

Love today!

You'd think today of all days would depress me the most. 

I've been painfully single most of my adult life except for a few brief stints here and there. And yet I still believe in love and am happy for those that have it and have had it. They are truly blessed. 

Everybody's gonna love today!

My heart remains very full and hopeful, even if I have no one to give it to. I know love is a powerful, transformative force that can and should last a lifetime. 

So even though I am very much alone and often very lonely, I still celebrate today. I still celebrate love!!! 

Happy (St.) Valentine's Day, everyone!!

Eight and counting.

I've been so busy with work that I almost forgot about today. Today is Exploding Doughnut's eight-year anniversary!! 

I don't know how many people read my blog anymore but I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge making it yet another year in the blogosphere. 

Thanks to everyone that continues checking out what I'm posting on here. It means more than you know. 

 ***Happy Anniversary, Exploding Doughnut!!***