January in hindset: new ways new days

hallo hullo henlo, 

welcome to post #2 of the year! (technically, I didn't fire this post off *during* January, but at least it's still getting done)

I personally tend to like Januaries - the starts to our new revolutions around the sun are special, if you think about it. 

Not gonna lie, it really did fly by - even the difficult parts (though maybe that's the gift of hindsight). Had a lotta ups and downs. Overall, I feel proud of how I made it (and grateful for God & others in making so much of that journey happen!), and happy with a lot of the progress made. 😄

Some of the challenges of the month: 

• Car issues - having more of those, in the midst of other stressors, really stunk. I finally snapped, and set aside a chunk of money to buy a new one before summer comes. 
• Adjusting to life after my familys' health scare - has been harder than I thought (who knew that traumatizing events could be...traumatizing?). Saw my counselor, pinterest boards, friends, and coping mechanisms a whole lot; somedays, it's all I could do to just keep on walkin'. 
• Schoolwork/schedule - this semester is STACKED academically, and that (combined with my extracurriculars), has been a lot (especially since I feel like winter break wasn't very much of a break).
• Sticking with new habits - I set a bunch of those, and the first month is always the hardest to get into gear on. 
• Home changes - similar to #2, it still takes me a sec to get used to our new household rhythms (and, to be honest, I still am working on feeling stressed while in the casa). 

January highlights: 

• Did great, for the first time in awhile, on my fitness + other 2023 improvements! Such as running, sketching, journalling, and others - something finally clicked, and the dopamine rush of consistency turns out to be AMAZING :) 
• Dance - continued with my little kpop club and modern dance company, as well as starting up a new choreo project. Creative brain is still alive!
• Social - saw friends/loved ones pretty regularly, chatted on the phone/zoom with others, and restarted my mentorship of others. I credit that as being a big part of my making it through the month. 

Below are some of the related pictures in my January photo album, as well - I usually am quite negligent when it comes to photographic documentation, but I'm improving at such. 

me during my first week of midterms - said week was lowkey BRUTAL (in a different way than last semesters' finals). I made it through with passing exam scores, but also a lot of sleep deprivation, prayers, and out-of-whack schedules. I'd like to say I've completely learned my lesson, but...I think I'm still learning, shall we say. *muffled clown noises in the distance*

*also* me during the first few weeks of clinpath (picture courtesy of Going Seventeen, one of my favorite KPOP shows on YouTube). They weren't lying when they said this course was intimidating - there's SO many different moving parts. By the grace of God, I'm doing well in the course; exams have been HECKA intense, yet I've made it! 📚

Been drawing more! My bestie Bethany gave me this book last year, and it's been really nice to fill out. I am behind on my daily goal, so am trying to double-time - it's really good for breaks, when I need to process stuff, or to calm myself down. 🖉

Occasionally, I feel weary during my commute to vet school (often directly correlated by how stressed or sleep-deprived I am). Thankfully, the natural phenomenon of sunrises has a way of dispelling that. Yes, somedays the fact that I drive straight into them is...intense...but overall, it instills hope and calm in me to see the colors of the sun launching itself from the horizon. 🌅

my new hair color! this was from January, of course, but it's still doing well now. I was surprised by how well it's stuck, as well as the delighted reactions from my friends. It definitely feels like a good fit for my current personality now - especially accepting how I've changed recently. 💇

January also meant the cats got caught up on their care - and that Jade continued her consumption of cobwebs? why??? regardless of her dietary choices, I'm grateful for how these kittykats greet me every time I get home. Sometimes, after a tough day, that's what cheers me up the most.🐱

Got to do lots of henna this semester - both on myself and my classmates! I'm currently working on making a poster with one of my classmates (so I can more professionally field my inquiries), and am fielding more requests for events. Good side hustle, I guess - I'm still always kinda amazed when people admire it. 🖌

Blue sky over my school - it's always nice when I get this view, whilst walking to classes. There's often a myriad of wildflowers by the path as well - it's become a small pleasure to gaze at those, as well as the songbirds that populate the area, whilst I tread to work. 🏃

Dang, the introverted urge to photograph the sky is really showing through, huh? Doesn't do it justice, but this was a gorgeous lava-colored sunset that made me cry after a hard day. Sets right over the parking lot. 🌄

With our new home arrangements (my brother is living with us now again), I spend more time in my childhood bedroom - and so do my cats (under supervision). I made the mistake of showing Cody (my panther depicted above) some mouse videos on my laptop, and now he will NOT LET IT ALONE. Makes for a good photo-op, but a lot of swatting him away as well. 💻

Took this photo after my near all-nighter before my first clinpath exam. It was hecka foggy, close to 4am, and I was done with everything. Made for a cool pic, though. #ambience

Systemic pathology exam 1 prep :'-) 

January unfortunately has not been very sunny, and I can feel myself getting pastier by the day. Supplemental vitamin D is good for maintenance, but golly, do I need some good sunshine.

Had fun performing in a kpop showcase - my friends are still making fun of me for the ONE time I feel myself while I dance? Like dang 😂

My scripture for the year <3

Alright, here's to the rest of the year being up and up! Till next time (aka Februarys' missive) ~ 

~hew🌹