Hello, 2016!

​When I was Blonde..

I started the year as a blonde and ended it as a dark-haired vixen ready to conquer whatever life hands me next. Technically, I don't think life is giving me anything too much (not anything I can't handle), but rather, it is what I personally am diving head first into! I am the one who tends to take on to much, usually, watches too many seasons of Breaking Bad (or all the Resident Evil movies). But 2015 was good to me, as every year before it, was too! Surprisingly. I can honestly say I'm wayyyy up; I feel blessed. I hope you read that in a Drake and Big Sean voice.

I hope this new year comes as fresh, bold and the most important fun, as 2015 did.

Blonde. January 2015

Blonde. Oh how I miss it. January 2015

I tried to follow along with the latest craze, the "2015 Best Nine", but it didn't come out the way I wanted, and it didn't show my personal best nine photos of 2015. As the avid and strong-willed being, I am, I present you with "2015 Best 14". I should have chosen 15 to make it really cool, but for now, I aim to bring you insight into my life and maybe even ambition to the upcoming new year. This may be mostly for me to look back on and to aid in forward thinking, but here are my hopes for the new year:​

Valentine's Day in Ann Arbor. February 2015

I hope your upcoming holidays are spent with family and loved ones. That your valentines day and/or Galentines Day (if you watch Parks and Rec) is as sappy, chocolatey, stuffed with fun and food. Spend it with good people, and I promise it will be just as great. If that means writing out a list and planning, then do it.

*A little note I learned from my previous boss and her husband, sometimes guys don't know exactly what you want (maybe most the time), but give them a helping hand. Make it easy, because if you are hoping and praying, he reads your mind and gets tickets to the Ann Arbor Comedy Show, but doesn't. Then why not send him the link and just help him have superpowers! LOL!

Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority. March 2015

I hope you let new friends in and you are open-minded to new experiences. I am not "sorority girl" material, but I am apart of the amazing, tough and intelligent group of girls who are like family above. I'm not saying join a sorority but, surround yourself with empowering people.

Metal Studio process at the Stamps School of Art & Design. April 2015

I hope you create new things, even if that means baking a pie or knitting a square. I can't wait for my studio to grow, where I can work with metal again, where I can solder, and use a torch! It's a powerful feeling to have when you, yourself can build something beautiful. 

Native American Graduation at the University of Michigan. May 2015

I hope you set goals and bust a** to reach them! I honestly believe in small steps and crossing off items from a list. If you could see the endless list making I do, your mind will be blown. Maybe that's what I will do next! Create a book of lists; I'll name it "Endless Lists Recorded by Girl of Many Visions". But real talk, it's setting your mind to something and accomplishing it. 

St. Petersburg Coast, Florida. May 2015

I hope you travel and travel for vacation. Everyone deserves a getaway! You don't have to see white sandy beaches, just leave your comfort zone. My boyfriends truck broke down coming home from shopping about a month ago and we happened to stall right next to a small-town dive bar, and hands down that were the best mini-vacation I had in a while. Adventure can be right in your backyard, and it starts with good people and good places.

Heading home from Washington, DC. July 2015.

I hope you savor the little things. My recent trip to DC was fantastic (I mean I got to see Michelle Obama!!!), but the in-between time was just as amazing. The Uber rides throughout the city, the friendly people who always let Jailyn or I swap seats to seat next to each other on the plane, and Starbucks while we waited to go home. 

38TH ANNUAL Keweenaw Bay Powwow. Baraga. July 2015

I hope you dance. Just like the Lee Ann Womack song! The song is descriptive enough, so I'll leave this open-ended.

Our first apartment together, apartment #3. September 2015

I hope you find a home that is secure, safe and stable. If you have one already, you better be very thankful. If you have a roof over your head and food in the fridge, then life is good. I happen to have a big screen TV, a loving man, a cat that doesn't like to cuddle, a sewing studio, and every Apple device = I think that means I am in heaven!!?

I hope you appreciate the outdoors and everything the world outside has to offer. Be free, just jump in cold, deep Lake Superior (make your boo thing do it too), climb tons of stairs at Sugarloaf, and walk Canyon Falls. 

I hope you take a chance on the unknown. Branching out and feeling the anxiety that comes with the new territory. I can't believe my little one-woman operation has already come this far.  What first started as a mandatory class assignment has now turned into a passion!

After our Gallery opening reception. December 2015

I hope you appreciate art and more than that, education! The past three months, I was able to teach, as a professor, at my local tribal college. I taught an Intro to Illustrator course, and it went surprisingly well. I had eight students, and I couldn't have been more proud of them. In a way, it was a joyous cycle, and I am so happy to give back. I have received so much from my education, from the world travels to new friends. I hope to empower people enough to do the same and know anything is possible.

The making of our holiday card. December 2015

I hope you find a loved one that is willing to dress up in Christmas lights without a jacket on during December in freezing cold Michigan. If so I believe they are a keeper. He is a true!

Once in a snow storm, I get to sit down and read. December 2015

I hope you pick up a good book! Nothing wrong can come from reading, it is a momentary escape and my current read allows me to be the wild Drew Barrymore. Nothing wrong with that. I also have been on a kick with drinking more water, so add that to the list too! 

Below is the original 2015 best nine, I guess it is not too bad. But I am excited and can not wait for what it to come. I am hoping more rings, necklaces, fur, gold and more sewing! Miigwetch (Thank you) and I truly appreciate all your support.

And I will leave you with this super inspirational video! If you know Stephen Curry then you'll appreciate and you'll be ready to conquer anything!! (And more Drake! Gah!)
​Stephen Curry: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

​Chi-Miigwetch! 
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