Monday 6 January 2020

2019 Highlights – My Year in Review


Hey Guys,

We are not only starting a new year, but a new decade; it’s almost unbelievable. I wanted to start off this blogging year by looking back at 2019, as it was definitely a hard one for me. 2019 took me on the roller coaster ride of a lifetime. I am not sure how I survived but I did, and I get to keep on fighting for my dreams. This is something I take so seriously as a lot of us don’t get that option.

So, follow me on this journey as I recap the year.

January was a wonderful month. My sister got married and I gained a bother-in-law in the process. They had been together for a decade prior, so I felt blessed to take part in and witness their beautiful nuptials. We started the year with love and I don’t think it could have been better.
In February Kelly and I hosted our Galantine’s event which turned out pretty great, if I may so
myself.



In March things took a turn for the worst. I had two deaths in my family, one of them being my cousin. She was only 28 years old and like a sister to me. I just saw her at my sister’s wedding; how on earth could this have happened?!........If I said I understood any aspect of death I would be lying. This left me shattered and, to this day, I am still trying to put myself back together. I pray for her Mother, Father and Sister because if I feel like this, I don’t think I can comprehend their pain.

I love you Sharane, RIP

It’s funny how life works. In April not only did I do a little traveling (read about it here and here), but my husband’s brother got married and I gained another sister :)



I started out the month of May with a little fun. I headed down to Miami to celebrate a friend of mine’s birthday. We had a great time and ate lots of food (check out my adventures here).


However, before I could even get home, the universe decided I was having a little too much fun. I left Miami and headed straight to the hospital where I was admitted for about a week. I have mentioned on here before that I have Sickle Cell Disease, which is hard enough to deal with day-to-day but being hospitalized for it is exceptionally terrifying. I have to deal with a lot of doctors and health care professionals that don’t know much about the disease (maybe because it is dubbed a “black person’s disease”) and, while being in bone-crushing pain, I have to try to educate provided they are not too smug to hear what I am saying.

This time was particularly interesting. I had security dispatched to my room; Why? I am not sure, but I am going to assume it was because I was screaming out in pain and, instead of helping, I guess they wanted me removed from the area. My husband and mother were both livid as no one was attending to me even though we told the nurses exactly what to do to get the pain under control and make me more comfortable. I guess it was just easier to ignore me. What’s funny is, both of the security personnel that arrived were African-American. They decided they were just going to stand at the door and watch instead of removing us because they were familiar with how Sickle Cell Patients are treated (I think that speaks volumes). Let‘s just say I was traumatized by my emergency room visit.

Towards the end of May I got a much-needed weekend getaway. We visited family in Palm Beach, which helped me to take me mind off any health-related stress.


June was a slow month; I got some rest, which my body was extremely happy about. The only thing I got up to was decorating my friend’s son’s first birthday party. How do you think I did?



July and August, were also laid-back months. I mostly stayed home and worked on opening my online store called Sparq Boutique. The name came from my cousin’s Graphic Design website that was in development when she passed away. I plan to make her proud!


September was a dream month! Jason was awarded a Silver Achievement Medal for outstanding work by NASA, and then we went on our dream vacation to St.Lucia! (travel guide coming to the blog soon)




October to December just seemed to flow into each other.

I celebrated another year on this earth. Yaay me!


We went on a Royal Caribbean Cruise! (I will be reviewing their Key program in an upcoming post)



Jason and I Celebrated our Nine Year anniversary! I swear time flies. I can’t believe it will be ten years this year.



Took a quick trip to Miami for the Thanksgiving weekend.
The Christmas season came and went in the blink of an eye, but it is truly the most wonderful time of the year. All the stresses of the year seem to melt away with the lights and glitter.

Most Liked Instagram Photos of 2019


Looking back at 2019, I felt like it was all about dodging landmines while trying to plant a rose garden. There were several other low points of the year that I don’t wish to address in any details. All in all, I can only take all the experiences and learn from the good or bad. My hope for 2020 is that I can overcome the fears that I feel have kept me paralyzed in my life. I am wishing all my readers a blessed 2020!

Until next time guys, thanks for reading
xoxo TianShanae
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9 comments

  1. What a great year! Travels, weddings and events - so fun! I am so sorry you ended up in the hospital - I hope that is left off of your 2020 list. I need to do a 2019 recap. What a fun idea for a post!

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  2. You're not kidding - it really does sound like you had a roller coaster of a year. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your cousin. I can't even imagine how painful that is for you to go through. And my gosh, your hospital experience sounds horrific. That's truly awful that you were treated in that way, and not treated for your actual illness in the way you deserve. I recently read a book where someone had Sickle Cell and I had never even heard of it prior to that. It opened my eyes to the disease and broke my heart. I truly hope that there is a cure found for it soon. Chronic diseases are no laughing matter, that's for sure. I hope that 2020 brings you more joy, hope, and fulfillment than 2019 ever could.

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  3. Sounds like a great year overall! Your trips look really fun!! Sorry to hear about your hospital visit! I pray one day we'll have a handle on Sickle cell disease!

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  4. 2019 seemed like a wonderful year for you and your family! So sorry about being admitted to the hospital, but hope you are feeling more like yourself. Can't wait to see what memories you make in 2020! Happy New Year babe!

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  5. What an amazing year you had! Looks like you traveled, gained family members, and went to a lot of fun events! How fun!

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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  6. While it had its moments, 2019 looked like a pretty solid year for you. I am living for this Galantines Day event, so cute! Can't wait to see what 2020 has in store for us. More travelling please!

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  7. Wow, what a year! Although you had some rough moments (I'm so so sorry for your loss and for your Sickle Cell flare up!), it looks like you also had some very beautiful ones too. Wishing you the best in the year to come!

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  8. Even though you have hit some bumps in the road in 2019, this is only going to make you stronger. I'm so sorry for losses :(. 2020 is going to be an amazing year for you and looking forward to following you on your journey!

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  9. Looks like an incredible year (minus the hospital stay)! Your Galentine’s Day party looks so fun— are you having another this year? Hope 2020 is good to you!

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