Twenty18 Year in Review

Twenty18 was a year of many firsts and it's always fun to wrap it up by taking a look back at all of the unforgettable moments.  Here are just a few:  I traveled over 15,000 miles, hit my one year mark as a Registered Nurse, became ACLS certified, started Forensic Nursing in the ED, began my Bachelors of Nursing Program, and ran by 4th Half Marathon in Colorado.  I learned to love camping even more than the year before and hiked a lot of miles of trails; I even learned to embrace the cold weather and realized winter camping is the most fun! I explored new places on my own and learned to let go of the fear of doing this, grew my travel blog, stayed involved in local KC photo-shoots, got a few new tattoos and spent time at the lake to end the summer. I just can't get over how incredible 2018 was for me.

The year started with a quick trip to Florida to see my Mom and Phil. I spent some time at the beach even though it was only 60 degrees in the water, did some hiking, and enjoyed the warmer weather.

Next came, Colorado. A long weekend trip that included two flight changes to see my bestie so we could catch up and a take a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

The month of March meant a road-trip to Eureka Springs for the BF's b'day, camping at Buffalo Point, and hiking Overlook Trail and Indian Rock House.

Checked out the Parkville Nature Sanctuary and hiked the 3 mile trail with Lola; waterfalls and an old root cellar are just a few of the highlights. 

I made my solo trip to Colorado to run my 4th half-marathon, hiked around Garden of the Gods, spent some time at Pike National Forest and the Catamount Reservoirs, my favorite Zoo, Guanella Pass Brewery, met Parker the Snow Dog and his owner Dustin, and witnessed Seven Falls.

Back to Florida to see my Mom again. We ventured to Bathtub Reef  and Jensen Beach, enjoyed seafood at Conchy Joe's, numerous golf cart rides, hiked in Ocala National Forest, took a swim at Juniper Springs, and dined in the Villages.

Flew off to Mexico and enjoyed the sand, sun, and cocktails on the beach.  Toured Mayan Ruins, went snorkeling, drank rum from a coconut, and enjoyed learning to take the local bus' around Cancun.

Road-trip to Hermann, camping at Red Bluff Recreation Area in the Mark Twain National Forest, camping at Pull-tite on the Ozark National Scenic Riverway, hiking at Cave Spring Trail, Devils Well, and Round Spring. Missouri is full of surprises.

My sister and I surprised my niece for her 8th b'day and took her on her first plane ride to Florida; she experienced the ocean and swam like a fish, took in Disney World and Animal Kingdom, toured an orange grove, and watched a seaplane land.

Camping at Devil's Den in Arkansas; hiked Devils Den Trail, Lee Creak Trail and Yellow Rock Trail; this place offered views for miles and some of the prettiest scenery.  Blue green lakes and streams and winding roads for days.

Spent my 38th b'day in beautiful Colorado; stayed in Georgetown, skied Loveland, went up to Echo Lake, drove up Guanella Pass, spent a day in the Springs and a night in Denver. One of the best b'days so far!

I ended the year with highlighting some of my favorite KC spots, after-all it deserves some attention too. Thanks KC for another great year!

Happy New Year Everyone! 

Twenty19, I am ready for ya!

Shona

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The Roads of Twenty17

Twenty17 was quite the year and it's time to share my annual review! It had some major positives and some days weren't all roses and bonbons but I believe those days happen and often at times they happen for a reason.  And as the year ended, I was able to reflect on it and appreciate it more than I imagined I would.  I learned more about myself, what I am capable of, my weaknesses, and my strengths.

This year started with my last ever "holiday break" from college.  As I started my 4th semester of Nursing school, I knew graduation was just around the corner!  No time to give up now! The last semester wasn't easy but it was worth the many hours of studying.  I was voted as Class President, would be giving a speech at graduation, and was offered a Nursing position at Shawnee Mission Health.

February meant a last-minute-leaving-at-midnight-trip to Eureka Springs with my BF.  I took my first test of the semester and after celebrating a friends birthday, we left at midnight and headed on our first adventure of the year! I loved Eureka Springs, it's definitely on the go back list!  My Dad also received the Kansas Bankers Association Award Soil Conservation for 2016, {insert}proud daughter moment.

March brought some warm spring temps and we decided we should start our camping adventures early!  We settled first at Clinton State Park and have visited there since then, spending the weekends with nature, campfires, and tent living.  Camping has made me realize how much I love the outdoors and even though I also love mascara and getting all dolled up, I can hang with the best of them. Dry-shampoo for the win!  Lesson, don't judge a book by it's cover...a long time rule.  We toured the Boulevard Brewery for the BF's birthday and if you haven't done it, add it to your list! The beer is great and so is the food! Plus, it's local!  I made an appearance on Fox 4 KC for Spring Fashion and auditioned for Fall KCFW.

April brought Spring KCFW and I was fortunate to walk Saturday night for Barbara Bultman and made the KCFW Instagram page showing off her amazing designs.  I walked for Noble Native at the First Friday's Alley Fashion Show, also showcasing Amina Marie Millinery and Coki Bijoux Designs.  Camping at Lake Perry and a last minute trip to Florida for Easter to visit my Mom and Stepdad were more highlights!  A photo shoot showing off fitness and running around Kansas City and my last clinical day ended the month off just perfectly!

May brought on Cinco de Mayo, showing off KC to friends from Tulsa, farmers market shopping, taking my Mom on her first KC Streetcar ride for Mother's Day, Nursing Night at the Royals, Memorial Day weekend at the lake, and finally....GRADUATION!  The next day, off to Palm Springs for more adventuring and exploring California!

The Summer was spent mostly at the lake, working, studying for that wretched test...we all remember that...and just enjoying time with friends and family.  I drove to Colorado to visit friends and run my third half marathon, surprised my sister with a long weekend trip to Florida, had a jeep-day with my home girl Heather...cruising open country roads and sippin' on Sonic Route 44's. The very unique Valkyrie photo-shoot with none other than Jonny Hackett and Heavy Metal Heros was super fun and a crab broil with friends which included a slip-in-slide ended the month of July.  A quick trip to St Louis for a local runway show and getting to spend time with two of my favorites designers while they introduced me to "The Hill"...one word, Italian! I made an appearance on KCTV-5 for Fall Fashion with Jana, had minor surgery, and tried to watch the Eclipse...of course Kansas was cloudy and rainy that day! I was also fortunate to be photographed wearing Lucia Sarto gowns and Marianna Haritunian Jewels for a local photo-shoot in Lawrence.

September meant Labor Day and more lake days...by now I was getting pretty used to this lake life and loving every minute of it!  I participated in the Local Runway Fashion Show held in the West Bottoms and we spent another weekend camping at Clinton Lake.  The warm fall temps just meant more of nature and outdoor adventures!  This camping trip was the time the deer almost ran into me, literally...an unforgettable moment for sure!

October...October 4th, the day I found out I passed my NCLEX! I was at my Mom's that day.  I will never forget it.  They took me out for margaritas that night to celebrate...I have never been so happy. Mainly because it meant no more studying and I could finally start being a Nurse!!   I learned how to play Bunco and even won the bank that night...I was invited back, but the "older" people said I couldn't win again!  They were probably all cussing me as I strolled out with my dough! I walked both Friday and Saturday night for KCFW, spent Halloween with my nieces and nephew, and got that 10th tattoo I had been waiting to get.

November...let's be real, birthday month!  Celebrated with a little weekend get-a-way to St. Jo and a stay at the Whiskey Mansion with my Mom and Sister...it's tradition for us to have a weekend together.  Got a private tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary and while there had an amazing photo shoot capturing the architecture of the prison.  Spent Thanksgiving Eve with the rent's since I had to work Thanksgiving...my Mom made a special dinner just for me...and consumed way too many noodles! Adventured back to Arkansas, this time staying in Hot Springs, Ouachita National Forest, and Ozark National Forest...camping in 40-degree temps and surviving, a perfect weekend away with gorgeous views.

December...spent the holidays with family and friends and that's what's important. From baking cookies with Mom to an all-you-can-eat crab brunch and bottomless mimosas with our lake friends, to watching holiday movies and drinking a lot of hot cocoa...it was the perfect way to end the year!

{gift from my dad, 2017}

Here's to New Roads in Twenty18!
Shona

A Tribute to Twenty16

Twenty16, you were amazing.  As I look forward to Twenty17, I must reflect on the year I like to remember as the year of unforgettable days, nights, weeks, and months.  A year for me that as they say, is going down in history.

The year Twenty16 started with a two hour brunch at Succotash, literally, on New Years Day.  I took someone very special...I can admit that because I am happy to say this special person is my now boyfriend, to one of my favorite places to enjoy brunch and after losing track of time, we had gotten a chance to catch up on the lives we had before the months-in-the-making date happened.  The fact I could sit down and have a convo with someone who I hadn't seen in a decade was a good way to start my year!

I had just started my second semester of Nursing School and knew this semester was going to kick my booty, and it did.  I passed the Nursing class but barely passed Patho and I will admit, dropping the class crossed by mind, but lucky for me the teacher talked me into staying in the class.  I was stressed to the max and ugly cried a lot, but it was worth the chance. I never have to look at Patho again!  This whole semester I was planning my Summer...because I couldn't wait to get to May...basically because I knew it was going to be my last free summer as a student :)

I traveled and traveled and traveled.  Even with school and work, I was fortunate to adventure around the U.S. and the Caribbean.  May began with Dallas and the Summer and Fall continued with Colorado Springs, Denver, Loveland, Tulsa, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and the Dominican Republic. Dallas included dinner at Reunion Tower, Poutine at the bar next door, and nights at the Nylo with the rooftop pool were amazing. I met my boyfriend's family too, all very sweet and welcoming people.  A roadtrip with me, myself and I to Colorado to run my second Half Marathon; Dinner in Denver with a friend from KC, staying in the Springs with my good friend Alec for the remainder of the trip, and running in Loveland a cool 13.1 miles finishing with a faster time than the previous year proved to be yet another good get-a-way.  The next day we conquered the Manitou Incline, I wanted to die! Upon returning from Colorado, I was off with the BF to the Caribbean.  No plans but the sandy beach, ocean, beer, tequila shots and sunshine.  The resort was amazing and the DR was all that it could be.  Right down to the Coconuts and Machete's. This trip was super relaxing and we hadn't a care in the world.

August hit which meant moving and third semester of Nursing school. Not as tough as second semeter, but I still spent a lot of time studying.  I ended this semester acing Pharmacology and not doing to bad with the nursing course either!  It was a bit more relaxed but I didn't lose focus...just had a little more free time!

I moved into a loft at the River Market in KC, MO. I LOVE IT!  The views, the people, the fact I can walk almost anywhere or catch the Streetcar, brick walls, big windows and concrete floors...I couldn't have asked for a better first experience moving from suburbia to downtown city life!

In the Fall we made a road trip to Tulsa to attend the Deco Ball at the Mayo Hotel.  A weekend of fun around Tulsa, from nightlife to brunch, to the art districts and hot dog trucks and even had the pleasure of meeting some of the BF's friends.  A last minute trip to the East Coast to visit him while he was there for business turned into a Fall tour of 4 different cities and a lot of adventuring. It was a quick four days for sure!  Although I loved the entire trip, I really enjoyed the local bookstore in Philadephia we spent hours in and the night in DC with his family, who showed us some local places they enjoy hanging out at.

I attended my first Opera at The Kaufmann Center for Performing Arts, The Marriage of Figaro, and it was amazing! For my Thirty-Faux Birthday, the perfect gift from my BF followed by dinner at a local Mexican joint. Tacos, cheese dip, margaritas and a bite of his tamales was the perfect way to end the evening.

You know I love this city and this year had so many amazing opportunities around Kansas City.  From photo shoots to runway to live segments on Fox 4 with Jana Meister, it was a great way to meet new people and support my local KC peeps!

Twenty16 came to an end as I spent the Holidays with family and friends. New Year's Eve with my guy listening to Jazz music and a midnight champagne toast at one of our favorite River Market bars, Harry's. Happiness was all wrapped up!

School Semesters Passed, Check!
Adventures, Check!
Opportunities, Check!
New Friends, Check!
Time with Old Friends, Check!
Lot of Happy Hours, Check!
Time with those I love, Check!

Here's to the New Year! I have a feeling you may be better than the last!
Shona