Oh! What a crazy roller coaster ride of year it has been.  There have been amazing highs and terrible lows. As 2016 looms in the distance, I think a moment of reflection on 2015 is in order. First off, I would not be here if it were not for my ridiculously amazing support circle of friends and work family. From the laugh so hard, until you end up on the floor to the boohoo hug moments. They have been there for me, even when my family – my own flesh and blood – has not. Life has a funny way of telling you who needs to be part of your inner circle and who to keep at an arm’s length. 

Turning the big 3-0 made me open my eyes to many things.  I am able to answer questions like what is my purpose, and where do I want to go?  I certainly learned and now know where I do not want to be. This past year I stopped making excuses for people and I moved on with my life. Trust me… some of these decisions were awful to make, but I believe that at the end of the day it was the right decision to make. Why live a lie… 

The year of 2015 has been my version of “Eat, Pray, Love”. I was lucky enough to have traveled to many new places and I hope to do more of the coming year. I fell in love with Mexico in May and had a “Mexicoma” in November. The end of August was a magical.  My sister went to Paris to study-abroad and that gave me the excuse to go see her and see some new places along the way. My trip started in London with my soul sister and best friend, and fell in love. What an amazing place, I didn’t want to leave – I have to go back.

Second stop, Paris. Oddly enough, Paris was not as I had romanticized in my head. Although, it was still amazing…it was not what I had dreamed of for years.  On the upside I did get to spend my little’s 21st birthday with her. Barcelona was a mirror of the city I grew up in- Bogota. It was like being home, just not. It was a great experience to go on a trip like this, to travel alone.

All and all- I have realized my backbone is thicker than I thought, even though I tend to forget. Sooo… here is to ringing in the 2016 with positivity and not settling, maybe even saying NO and guarding the heart I wear on my sleeve. 

XOXO

Ana