Reflecting On 2017

Hi everybody & Happy New Year!!
Just like anyone else, I can’t believe its already 2018! To be quite honest with you I am GLAD 2017 is done & over with. Towards the end of the year, we often get asked “how was your 2017? Good or bad?” immediately I practically screamed “bad”, “horrible”, “worst year ever” “eh”, “I’ve had better”, “glad its ending” to anyone & everyone who asked. I truly was not a fan of 2017, personally, it was my toughest year in school. There were a lot of nights spent studying, not understanding, feeling like a failure, feeling like I wasn’t getting anywhere in life, questioning my capabilities & crying. It wasn’t until one of my best friends questioned why it was so bad & I was kind of embarrassed to say why so I brushed off the question & she then told me I was crazy to think 2017 was a bad one for me. I can’t believe it took a friend of mine to point out that I started my blog, I traveled across the world alone, went to Europe for the first time & studied in France, I hit a year with Henry & so much more. At that moment I was like wow. Look at me over here throwing myself a pity party when in reality I had a pretty darn amazing year regardless of what troubles I went through because guess what I got through them ALL.

It happened, it had to happen & I’m glad it happened – Steven Furtick

I started to look through old pictures from this year just to really show myself how good of a year it was & wow. I am so blessed. To ever think my year was a bad one is a joke. There are so many others who had it way worse than mine & I am forever grateful for the life I was chosen to live. With that being said, keep on reading & check out just some of the highlights from my 2017.

In January I started my blog (December 31st to be exact) & it was a dream of mine that God planted in me years ago finally coming to truth. We also celebrated my grandpa’s 1 year anniversary after passing. I also turned 24 & declared it my “Golden Year” although my official Golden year was 12 years ago, I don’t remember how I celebrated at the age of 12 so I decided to re-celebrate the golden year. My inspiration was my favorite, Bruno Mars & his new album 24k.

In February the Superbowl came to Houston which was such a cool experience for Houston. Not only were some of my favorite celebrities in my city (the best city ever) but I got to see Bruno Mars & DJ Khaled in concert at the “traveling nightclub”.  With the Superbowl being hosted in Houston, it brought a lot of events & opportunities. I got to feel like an awkward shrimp walking my first red carpet ever, I attended many Superbowl parties & I was even on live TV! I also got to see Us The Duo for the 2nd time in concert, went to my first tea party, Henry & I celebrated our first Valentine’s Day as an official couple at this new restaurant where he later that night got food poisoning.  And last but not least, Henry & I went to Austin for a day to check out an opportunity he was given that almost changed our lives.

In March I got extremely close to two girls who are now my best friends! I also went back to Austin & went to my first Create & Cultivate event. It was so inspiring, so fun & SO COLD.

In April Henry & I hit our one year mark as boyfriend & girlfriend & had THE best time celebrating at the happiest place in the world!

In May I got to see one of my favorite bands Hillsong Y&F where I danced and praised all night with babe & some of our best friends, Veci! It was also the end of my boyfriends’ project he worked 2 years on. Cheers to happy endings & new beginnings! So proud of my hardworking man.

In June I went to New Braunfels with some friends & almost died in the river. It scared me for life to where I NEVER want to back again LOL read more about it here.

In July I put my big girl pants on & made the decision to take such a once in a lifetime opportunity & travel to Europe for the first time ever & study in France. It was such a growing experience I really wish I could relive. I was SO homesick but will never regret going. I made so many new friends, some that will last a lifetime (shoutout to CK & Demi, miss you guys!!), I ate gallons of gelato, lived off pizza, pasta & wine, sweated the second I stepped out my apartment but saw a life I never knew existed. In July I also finally got to join in on the experience of a pedal party! I quickly realized how short I was when I couldn’t reach the pedal.

In August I saw oh so sweaty John Mayer for the second time, risked going blind to see the solar eclipse & Harvey hit. Darn, you Hurrican Harvey. Although my house & 97% of my family’s homes were safe so many of my friends & Houstonians lost all they had. It was a time our city truly came together as one. The whole world heard about what happened & people from all over were traveling to good ole Texas to help. It was a time I felt so helpless not being able to do much but I made sure to stand together with my church & volunteer to help others.

In September Henry & I went to Colorado. It was my first time & I FELL. IN. LOVE! I can’t wait to go back! From Denver to Breckenridge, I finally got to taste the infamous VooDoo donuts, I stood in line for almost 2 hours for some ice cream (anything for ice cream), had some of the best tacos of my life, rode a horse for the first time & had a true connection with my Horse, I hiked one of the hardest hikes ever, lost my breath every 5 seconds, forced Henry to “keep on going” lol & saw some pretty breathtaking views. Last but not least I got to be apart of Henry’s sisters big day! She looked so beautiful.

In October was just the beginning of football season, GO COOGS, we went back to Austin for ACL & won best costume award (not really lol) by dressing up as Loteria cards for Halloween!

In November Houston went from losing it all to winning it all. We won the world series baby & Houston was liiiit. GO ‘STROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also hosted my first ever shopping event & attending my first traditional Nigerian Wedding where I laid eyes on one of the most beautiful brides EVER.

In December I FINALLY got a rest from school after taking classes non stop from Fall to winter mini to Spring to spring mini to summer & so on. I hung out with family & friends, did a lot of relaxing, filmed a spicy noodle challenge then never uploaded it LOL & I also tried Ramen for the first time w my bestie!

2017 was such an amazing year. Not just for me but for you too! Whatever hardships you went through in 2017, you got past them.  Leave what happened in 2017, in 2017. We have entered a new year with new opportunities, goals & memories to be made. I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite highlights from this past year. I’d love to hear what your favorite memory was in the comments down below!  I wish 2018 is your best year yet!
Xx, Es <3