New Beginnings

With the New Year comes a renewal of self. It’s a time of reflection, when we get to look back on the year (or years) past and make changes and commitments to become a better version of ourselves in the year ahead.

2017 was an incredible year for me. It was most definitely not without its struggles. But somehow through those challenges, I gained a lot of insight into my weaknesses and the strength I needed to overcome the obstacles that seemed to have become a pattern in my life.

From my newfound strength, I found new friendships, new love, and new experiences. I traveled more than I had in all the years since my studies abroad in Southeast Asia. I have built upon friendships that are dear to me. I have forged lasting relationships with good people I have met along the way. I have embraced my career for all the opportunities it presents to me and all the experiences that unfold in my life because of it.

But alas, I am still not perfect! It’s hard to imagine, I know. Jokes aside, though, I realized that in all the excitement of 2017, I lost track of something that makes me happy: writing. I got complacent with my time and energy by not carving out a place for my writing. I have cooked up many a storm, and I have shared many a meal with those I love across much of this world. But for some reason, I did not commit to sharing those experiences here.

The holiday season was when it really hit me. On several different occasions, I was confronted about the case of the lost food blog and where in the cyber world Whimsy Kitchen and it’s quirky posts they had once enjoyed following had ever vanished to. I was told of neighbors who had never met me and friends of friends who had loved my recipes and reading about what I had to say. In all honesty, I was a bit surprised at the inquisitions because I had always figured that my friends and family read my blog as a show of support. And hey, I’ll take all the support I can get! but I didn’t realize that people–strangers–actually enjoyed it.

So, after catching some feelings about it all over too much pie, too many spiked ciders, and a lot of quality time with my loved ones, I came to a decision–a Resolution, if you will. I resolve to take Whimsy Kitchen Seriously. I resolve to continue to cook and to continue to write about and share my experiences with you all right here.

So here’s to the New Year and a new beginning!

Cheers!