Monday, December 31, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!

Happy New Year's Eve to all my readers! Thank you for supporting me and for following my journey to a happier and healthier life. Without you, I would bottle up all my stories and thoughts, and I would probaly pop like the champagne I'll be drinking at midnight!!

I'm looking forward to a safe, healthy, and successful new year for myself and everyone around me.  Thanks again for believing in me and my passion for writing!

I LOVE YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY LITTLE HOLLY HEART!

Friday, December 28, 2012

My Life :: Some Little Updates


“And I feel like I’m naked in front of the crowd ‘cause these words are my diary screaming out loud, and I know that you’ll use them however you want to….”
-Anna Nalick

            First I’ll say sorry for not blogging lately. Then, I’ll try to fix it by saying that I’ve been so busy with my fulltime job, and my side freelance writing jobs, and Christmas, and throwing hissy fits over cleaning, and everything else. But you probably don’t care because you’re either equally as busy or even more so. So, I’ll just say sorry and carry on about myself.
            As I mentioned in my previous post, it takes a certain bravery and courage to write about your life. Some people write in private journals for only their eyes, some people write through books and songs. Some people bottle it up and don’t write at all. I unashamedly write about my life right here, through words and poetry and pictures, for all of you to see. So I guess that doesn’t leave much room for embarrassment to harbor. I know there are readers out there who really do care, and for that, I just want to reach out and hug all of you, one by one.
            So here are the updates you’ve been asking for:
            I finally accomplished one of the more nerve-racking goals on my list of things do to before I’m 26 - I went to see the allergist. Just as I had suspected, I am still severely allergic to birch trees, and nuts, and everything that is cross contaminated with birch trees and ragweed, and then some. Learn about it here if you’re interested: It could save somebody’s life. At first, I was nervous to post this photo because it’s unpleasant and uncomfortable, but I want you to see just how allergic some people are (like me). I can’t believe a tiny needle prick consisting of simply the allergen proteins made me have this reaction. Right away, the doctor and nurse had to rush in some Benadryl and Zyrtec and keep me there on watch for almost an hour. Scary stuff. The mark furthest to the left of my back is birch trees, and the other ones on top are tree nuts. So if you don’t like me, please don’t secretly hide a nut in my food. I’d hate you forever.


Can you believe how allergic I am? This is nuts... get it?

           I have had a super crazy hormonal-flying off the handle-short fuse-don’t even come near me or I’m going to hit you- month. I really can’t figure out why. All I know is I have cried more times this past month than I have in a long time. However, I’m honestly and whole-heartedly trying to find reasons every day for smiles to win the war against my tears. I’ll let you know who wins.
            Really though, I feel horrible even bitching and complaining about anything that goes on in my own life. I am alive, healthy, and everyone I love is alive and healthy as well. My heart is crying for the families in Newtown, CT whose holiday season and whole life was completely turned upside down. I have been praying for everyone involved in the situation, and I hope God can hear my little voice and bring them some strength and comfort during this horrifying time.
             On a lighter note, my sister came home for the holidays on Saturday, and my aunt & uncle from PA came last Sunday. THESE ARE HUGE REASONS TO SMILE. Best Christmas present EVER. Stephanos spoiled me, as usual, as did my entire family. I feel so blessed, I literally couldn't ask for a better group of people to love. Here's to 2013 being the best year ever.








            So, there’s a little bit about my life. What has been going on with you? How was your holiday? Are you excited for 2013?

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

50 Shades of Blogging


“So, what’s your blog about?” “Well, it’s about being a vegetarian, trying to be as healthy and happy as possible while still living a normal 25 year old life, and helping animals, and about the times I cry when I get overwhelmed with cleaning, and just about the times I cry, and about my migraines, and about holidays, and about my boyfriend and my cat, oh and it’s also about what I do on the weekends, and blah blah blah…”

How am I supposed to explain all of that?
 
I then try to say that it’s about all the people out there who ask me how I manage to still have fun without eating meat, without wearing leather or fur, and what I eat at restaurants and cookouts, and how do I even live without meat? Finally I say, “you know what, just read the blog. It will all make sense.”

This was how last night went. Two of my friends, MacKenzie and Crystal (who both happen to be bloggers as well, despite what Crystal might tell you!) and I headed to Audubon Circle in Boston for the Boston Bloggers Holiday Meet & Greet. We wore cute outfits, sipped on Prosecco, took photos, deleted them and then took more, and mingled with some really interesting people. I’d say it was a complete success, if you ask me, which I know you didn’t but I’m telling you anyway since this is my blog and you’re reading it.

What I found to be most entertaining about the night was meeting people who blog about really different concepts. The people who had really enthralling stories are the ones that I remembered best. It’s fascinating to me how many different ideas and theories people have, and what’s even greater is the courage so many young people have to write about their own lives. There are so many different shades of the blogging world. You know, it takes a certain bravery to open yourself up to the world of blogging. Your life becomes an open book, and you quickly find yourself interested in other people’s open books as well. What’s remarkable to me is the group of people who write about things you wouldn’t expect. When you ask them what their story is, and you think “wow, that is so intriguing” – that’s what stands out to me. 




 
 
 


 
Until next time, keep reading, and I suggest the following blogs for you:

www.breatheeasywithme.blogspot.com
www.bbefa.blogspot.com
www.adrinkwithastranger.com
www.flipflopsandcombatboots.net
www.paleo-project.com
www.stylecusp.com

These are just a few of my favorites, but the world is full of many other talented writers who are traveling very interesting journeys. Go find them, but don't forget about little old me :)

Xo, Holly