May of All Trades

Another year went by where we’re indebted to Covid for giving us another outlook on life. I went to Solvang twice in the span of a short time. I had a newfound appreciation for indoor house plants.

In the beginning of the year, my dog had Pancreatitis, which gave me a harsh reality check that this was a time capsule that embodied everything I’ve been through--the loss of my mother, my assault, the drive-by shooting, the multiple heartbreaks, the lawsuits--but it also embodied milestones like getting paid for writing; getting an actual 12-month job with a salary and insurance; buying a house by myself; and finding love. 

Eventually, he got better, but it made me not take him for granted and to spend more time with him now that he’s getting older. In March, I went to Carmel for the Lily of the Valley and it was such a beautiful contrast to all the pandemic restrictions we had been going through. 

Fast forward to April when I lost my hearing on my left ear after getting the vaccine in March, and I really realized who was there for me and who was not, because although months have past, I still have to deal with not forgetting the vertigo that caused me to fear sleep on one side; buying a pillow in order for me to be propped up with my bad ear facing up; going to multiple doctor appointments only to have sympathy but no answers; resorting to different ways to get ear wax out because, just maybe, there was a natural cause to this or heck, I’m just getting old.

In June, I finally bit the bullet and adopted a new dog, a senior, something I wanted to do for some time. It took some time, and she has grown into the sassiest dog opposite my dog.

In August, I was able to snag the infamous 12-foot skeleton from Home Depot and it has been a crazy ride changing her outfits.

In September, it was my 33rd birthday and I went to Disneyland, and it didn’t go as planned.

In October, my skeleton fell.

In November, I went to the Grand California Hotel in Disneyland and I had a do-over with the all you can eat buffet and it was grand to say the least.

Just when things can’t get anymore wild, in December, I took in my boyfriend’s dog because his condo can’t keep him, and it hasn’t been the easiest, but it isn’t the most difficult challenge I’ve tackled.