Thank You

Hey all!

I just wanted to say thank you for being super patient with this post. I know I haven't been active for the last several months and I truly thank you for continuing to support and follow this journey. These last several months have been some of the most difficult times in my life, testing my true mental and physical power. Going through that, I wanted to start with this post before starting up again and catching everyone up on this crazy adventure. So, I won't go into detail just yet because I want this post to be more of a shout out to everyone who has been there with me through out it all! And after this, I will continue to share my latest journeys going through Australia, relationships and love, fitness and health and most importantly, more travel!

First, I want to thank my PARENTS for everything they have done for me. Growing up, I admit, I was super spoiled (and still might be) and a little bratty. I never appreciated anything that my parents did, I don't remember saying thank you very much and never really realized what they sacrificed in order for my brother and I to have the life they gave us. We always had the nicest things, our house was the party spot and our friends were almost always welcome over. A lot of my friends wanted to have a mom like mine because she didn't really restrict us from going out late, having parties, drinking, etc... My dad however, was more strict and really only cared that we got good grades in school and did well in whatever after school activity we were in. They were my biggest fans. They showed up to every basketball game, every dance recital, every talent show or track meet, everything! I did whatever I wanted and still, I did not appreciate anything they did. Once I moved out at 19 and "grew up a little," I started to realize a bit more but still never thanked them and barely ever said, "I love you."

I do have a lot of pride and can be very stubborn so I never want them seeing any of my failures or of them knowing of anything going wrong but during my last month in Australia, I broke. Going back to the Goldcoast from Toronto the last time (refer to Mental Health Awareness post) was not easy and it did not get any easier. I went a few weeks of not calling and not showing my real situation (where social media played a big part in that with all the parties and beaches) but I had no other option and I knew they would do whatever it took to get me to come back home. So, I called my parents and they did whatever I needed. After figuring out what was happening, I slowly made my way back to North America and stopped in Bali, Indonesia for a week. There, I found a whole new self. I had a lot of me time and learned a lot about Hinduism and learned more about myself, really, which I will talk more about in my upcoming post about Bali. I cannot thank my parents enough for just always, always being there whenever, wherever. Without them, I would not have gone to Bali alone and would have never gone through that experience. It was absolutely life changing! I say it a lot more often now but, thank you both for everything and I will always love you with all of my heart.

Next up, I want to thank one of my cousins who has been like another brother to me ever since I was born. We talk almost everyday and when I mentioned I was stopping by Chicago on my way back home, he got so excited, more than I expected which made me realize how much more I love this guy. I would do anything for him and appreciate everything he has done for me. This last month has been crazy and he was there every step of the way. I can't wait for you to move to Toronto! *wink wink* There's also another cousin I want to thank.. she's definitely one of my bestfriends and like an older sister I've never had. She's my go to person with absolutely everything! I always need her approval before doing anything lol I even show her my posts and captions before posting on Instagram! I know, crazy right? I can tell her anything and know I won't be judged, knowing she'll always tell me the truth. She keeps me in check everytime I make dumb decisions or start thinking crazy thoughts but at the end of the day, she is always looking out for me, making sure I'm okay. We message eachother everyday from the moment we wake up, to when we go to bed and somehow never run out of things to talk about. Thanks for always being my person!

I also want to thank my bestfriend of all time, my other half, my sister from another mister-- She has gone through hell and back with me and never judges anything I do. She loves me no matter what and knows who I really am no matter what they say. She's my ride or die forever and I thank you so much for always having my back with everything. I know we don't talk everyday but I think that's the beauty of it; when you have a friendship and know you'll be solid even without talking for months, knowing no matter what happens, you'll always be there. You're my rock girl, I don't know what I'd do without you.

Lastly, I want to thank all of my friends and family for everything they have done for me. Thank you for texting and calling everyday, for keeping me company on the phone/Facetime for hours at a time, for picking me up when I was down, for always knowing when to check up on me, especially when I tried to hide it and for always just being you. If I could thank each and every one of you, this post would be never ending because there's so many of you and I can't thank you guys enough. You guys have been the greatest people I have ever known and am truly grateful to have you in my life. And thank you to the many new friends I've gained along the way. Many of us still keep in touch and I know we will be forever friends regardless of where we are in the world. Thank you to the ones who gave me a home when I didn't have one and thank you for being some of the most kind hearted and down to earth people I have ever met. I know we'll see eachother again sometime.

I'm truly grateful for everyone in my life, the ones who passed by and the ones who are on their way. Please stay tuned as I promise to try and write more often! I have so many things I want to share and I can't wait for you to be there! Thank you for your continued support.

Love you all!

Until next time...

Haze

x0