-A Daily Self Reminder
Even though this year has been so odd, strange and honestly maybe the worse year on the bigger level scale, there’s so much to still be thankful for. The month of November I feel always brings out what we’re thankful for not only on Thanksgiving, but for the entire month and rest of the year. Here are some things that I’m super thankful for.
» My Friendships. I really don’t know what or how I could have made it through this year without all my friends. From pre-pandemic to the present, they have been the best. I would say my friends are already pretty amazing, but wow they really went beyond that for not only me, but everyone else too. There’s more facetime calls, more groups chats, video chats, discord channels, more supporting each other’s art or new hobbies, just more presence in each other’s lives even if it is just a text or phone call. All of my friends have sent a random check in text to me and honestly that’s just all love.
» My Family. The health of my family is very important to me and I’m thankful for what this year has brought to us. If it means that I see them less this year, but everyone remains in good health, then so be it. I’ll take it. Just like my friends, there has been a bigger presence with my family too. It’s crazy how that is when we are literally being restricted. Also, my oldest niece has more technology use and I love getting random messages from her or video calls. The time taken away definitely makes you appreciate the smaller ways of communication that we all have just taken advantage of.
» My Boyfriend and His Family. The weekend before things started closing down and quarantine was official in March, I was suppose to go to Chicago for a Slander show. The show got canceled, but I still had the weekend off, so I decided that instead I would just go over to Wisconsin for the weekend. Well as the virus got bad and more rules and regulations were made, my weekend turned into a week into three months. I spent three whole months in Wisconsin with my boyfriend and his family and I couldn’t be more grateful for how welcoming they were and still are. I had some really warm hearted conversations at the dinner table and it really felt like my home away from home. If it wasn’t for the quarantine, I would have never been able to experience all of it. Plus, the bond with my little Mr. Sweetface grew to a different level and I’m oh-so-so-soo grateful for that, he’s literally my best friend when I’m over there now. It was a taste of my future and I can’t wait for it. They are my home away from home.
» Myself and My Journey. Yes, the time away from work was so needed for me. I had to find a way to rebalance myself and get myself together again. My life should not be revolved around my job. It was rough and I’m still trying to adjust now, but I’m more at ease and I’m happy with what I did with all that time. I’m thankful for my journey through all of this because I have learned and grown so much. I’m actually taking the time for me. I got the help that I needed desperately, but just couldn’t get around too. I was very much in my lows and in my highs, but I pulled myself out of it, I did that. It’s a very strange feeling to think about yourself and to care for yourself when all you want to do is do that for others. In all my relationships, the presence of one another has increased and that is no different for myself. I am finally here for me as well.
For others, covid has been a nuisance and a nightmare, but it’s been a blessing in disguise for me. For how weird that is to say. We all have something to be thankful for though, so let’s keep that energy going. Stay safe everyone!
SALLY ♡ T
Although would like to say this was part of the Drunk Thoughts series, it’s not. I actually sobered up from my drinking and just typing my feelings out at 4 AM. Here we are again, the heavy feeling. It all comes rushing back.
Just when things seem so great, it all comes rushing back. You can’t do anything about it, but to deal with it. That part I’m not so great with. How do you know you’re making progress? How do you know you’re getting through it instead of pushing it aside? Am I really putting my needs first?
I don’t doubt or second guess my decisions, but I do doubt where I should be or think I shouldn’t let shit bother me like it does. Why do I still get these nasty little reminders and why do they still hurt me just as much? Sometimes I get so far, just for a reminder to remind me that I actually am not. I actually haven’t even gone anywhere, like I’m just stuck in the cycle.
I go on with my day with a little bit of a heavy heart sometimes and I just push through, but what if one day I don’t have the strength for it? What can I do then? The last thing I want to do is let it consume my emotions and dwell. I’ve done that so many times and had that time already. You know, people carry a lot on their shoulders, they carry a lot on their backs. Not everyone is as happy as they seem. I hope my peace finds me, I really hope soon.
Be kind to others, be respectful, or just leave them alone. Leave things be and let it happen.
“But now I know you can’t change the past, way too young to know the reason why and it all comes rushing back, rushing back.”
SALLY ♡ T
The chances of you reading this is close to none or when I’m too old to remember about this blog, but to my little Mr. Sweetface ♡
To explain why you’re Mr. Sweetface, I thought it was such a cute nickname from one of my favorite shows, Jane the Virgin. In the show, she unexpectedly got pregnant and that’s what she called her son. With you, you came into my life unexpectedly, but in a good unexpected way. Actually the best unexpected way that could happen.
Today is your birthday (I posted this a day later) and I can’t be there to celebrate with you, but just know how much I’m celebrating you from afar! We’ve been in each others life for 2 years now and I can’t even explain how special you are to me. Our bond is very special and no one will take that away. You are my best friend when I come visit over there and I love how much you “bother” me. (I never see it that way, btw.) One of the sweetest kids in the WHOLE SOLAR SYSTEM. That’s right, solar system! Even though I’m the adult, you have taught me so much more than what I taught you, to love someone as their own. I’m truly grateful for that and how open you’ve been to letting me in. There’s so much I wish I could tell you now, but as time passes and your big brain expands more you’ll understand it better. You are really one of the greatest blessings in my life.
I hope you’ll see that I’m not here to replace anyone or to take anyone away, but to make my own little space in your heart. I want to be there for you, for everything and to be able to share those moments with who you already share it with. Just know I am always here for you. Our hello’s, goodbye’s and I will miss you’s are still so special to me and warms my heart every time.
I can’t wait to hear all your fun facts and see all your new projects the next time I’m over. Miss you tons and hope you had the best birthday yet. You’re super loved and I hope you know that!
SALLY ♡ T
Hi, hello. Yes, welcome to drunk thoughts number 2 post. This topic actually came from an Instagram question poll thing and my friend came up with this prompt. To let you know how drunk I am, I drank 4 shots and 2-3 glasses of wine before this and can’t sleep without getting the spins. So I’m going to write a blog to try to sober up enough to sleep LOL. So I’m pretty lit. If this blog post ends up half ass, I’m sorry, I’m drunk lol.
So this suggested topic stood out to me because everyone usually asks “what would you tell your younger self?”, while this was the opposite, “What would your older self tell you or think about you?” Honestly my older self will love all these memories that I’m making and will love her 20’s, good and bad moments. I will regret some things, but nothing I’ll beat myself over with. I think I’m doing what anybody in their 20’s should and that just to live and experience life in whatever way works for them. What I do now, will be told to my kids and grandkids and I wouldn’t be ashamed. If they can learn from my mistakes, LOVE IT. Just like this blog, if it helps you in anyway, perfect. I did my job. I made someone one step closer to who they are or helped them through something that they were struggling with. I’m such a helper and people person, I hate it sometimes LOL.
I think my older self would tell me to stop being so up right and find a job that better suits me. Manager restaurant life is not it, especially during this pandemic. I’m pretty tired, if I didn’t feel and see the spins when I closed my eyes, I would be sleeping by now. But boohoo. It’s fine, everything’s fine.
SALLY ♡ T
* I’ll write about this topic when I’m sober too lol
Are you ready for more food and drink boomerangs? It’s probably my favorite thing to do haha. Today’s city is Madison, Wisconsin and you’ll notice that I’ll be writing a lot about here or already have, but the answer for that is because my boyfriend lives in Wisconsin. So I do spend a good amount of time here and you guys already know that we both like to eat. Let’s jump into the food though!
When I arrived into town, our first food stop was to the new asian market that just opened called Global Market and Hall. It is a market, but it also has a food court inside with many different stands to choose from. I can’t remember the name of the food stand that I ordered from (oops), but I got a bowl of Beef Brisket Pho and a side of Barbecue Pork Buns. The Pho broth wasn’t as flavorful like how Pho usually is, but the beef brisket was really good, tender and just melts in your mouth. I was pretty disappointed with how dry the pork buns were, but I’m the type of person to give places a second chance, so hopefully next time it will be better!
If you guys follow me on snapchat, then you know my new favorite thing to eat are seafood boils in a bag. I can eat these forever! I usually get full quick, but when it comes to these, I will sit there for hours eating everything like I have a bottomless stomach. This one is from Ragin Cajun Seafood. You always have to get the House Special flavor, which is all the flavors combined. They have a good variety of seafoods in their combos compared to other seafood boil places that I’ve been to as well. So far King Cajun Crawfish in Orlando is my #1, but Ragin Cajun Seafood is pretty good if you find yourself in Madison, Wisconsin!
You can’t enjoy all these yummy entrees and big meals without some desserts. Treat yourself and top it off with some sweets! The boyfriend has a bigger sweet tooth than I do, but it’s starting to rub off on me. I do have a soft spot for boba and pleasing pretty looking drinks. We had to go get some drinks and dessert from Le C’s Patisserie & Tea House! Ugh, I wish we had places this like in Grand Rapids. Pretty tea drinks are so pleasing. We got the Flamingo Boba and the Peach Green Tea with Rose Flower and Lemon. Both are very delicious!
The dessert that we picked to try was the Caramel Coconut Custard Cake. It tasted so much like Flan, but with a soft custard/pudding like texture. It was really good! I wanted to get about 5 more just to eat. The desserts come in such cute boxes, white all over and gold on the inside. Felt like I was about to eat a million dollar cake. Both yummy and satisfying!
If you guys were wondering, my favorite thing is to make my boyfriend make boomerangs with me and he probably gets so annoyed with it hahah.
There’s so many other locations to eat at and a couple more seafood boils to try over in Wisconsin, so I’m ready for all of that. Don’t worry, these Food Alert post won’t be going away anytime soon. I think these are my favorite to write about and share. Recommendation for other food places are always welcomed, you can post them in the comments below or on the contact page!
SALLY ♡ T
When your heart feels heavy what do you do? When you start to feel it take over, why can’t we just snap out of it? I just continue to stand or sit there and I can’t move, I can’t think about anything else. My eyes become waterfalls. It’s not until then when I can try to make myself feel better. Where I can try to talk myself down and away from whatever dark place I went too. What can you do when your heart feels heavy?
It just happens sometimes. There’s no way around it. You just have to live with it. What a tragic feeling to feel honestly. A heavy heart, a heavy weight. A tragic feeling to feel when you least expect it. It creeps up on me all the time. I can be at my happiest or feel like i’m finally at peace with myself and then it comes. A constant reminder of things I don’t want to remember, of things I tried to block out, of things I tried to drink away. Why do I have to relive the sadness? I really don’t understand why I remember any of it. They say “Whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” but it pretty much kills me in the inside every time. So when your heart feels heavy, what do you do?
SALLY ♡ T
To anyone who needs to hear this, including myself: STOP PRETENDING AND JUST LET GO. Let whatever you are trying to suppress out and allow your mind to rest. You can’t just sweep things under the rug and then expect it to go away. It doesn’t. Believe me, I tried and thought it would and now I’m here a year later still hurting about the same things.
It’s okay to feel hurt. It doesn’t feel good, but it’s okay to feel hurt. It’s a human thing, it’s normal. Even though you didn’t ask for it, you can’t let it control you and you have to find a way to accept it. Acceptance can happen in hours, days, months, or even years, but you will get there one day. It doesn’t have to happen quick and most times it won’t, some things are just too big to snap back from. That’s normal. Please do not beat yourself up for not being over or healed from a situation. You’re going through something already, you don’t need to add more to it.
If you pretend that you’re not hurting, you can’t heal. The out of sight, out of mind might lighten the load, but it will come creeping back. The only way to heal is to go about it head on. That can mean talking with people, making amends, going to counseling, etc. There’s so many healthy and positive ways of healing. You never are alone and you don’t have to heal yourself with no help. I think that’s so important for people to hear because sometimes we feel like we’re alone or our problems are just baggage that no one else wants to hear. There’s always someone to talk to and listen, you never are alone and you don’t have to heal yourself without help.
Be kind to yourself and be kind to others. You might be hurting still, but hurting others can disrupt whatever healing process they have going on too. It doesn’t feel good to be on the receiving end, believe that. Plus, projecting your hurt on someone else makes no one happier in the end. It doesn’t help you and doesn’t help them.
I could probably go on about healing and I’m pretty sure this is my 3rd post about this topic, but this is where I have the most feeling. Just like many of others, I’m just trying to accept it, move on and be okay. Just like many others, I’m in the thick of it and still struggling to get to where I want to be and picture myself to be. I am just like many others and if I can help someone while I get through mine, just perfect. The first step towards healing is to not pretend you’re hurt, but to acknowledge it. It’s okay to feel hurt.
SALLY ♡ T
If you didn’t go to school with me or know me before high school (2009), you probably wouldn’t even have guessed that I had and dealt with severe eczema. My skin is pretty clear now and I get a pimple or two once every few months, but it wasn’t like that before and the confidence that I have now would not exists without my eczema. I just wanted to say I am PROUD of my younger self and take a little time to appreciate this “horrendous” period of my life.
I actually first started noticing my eczema when I was in 3rd grade (2003) and it wasn’t a huge deal, but it just got worse and worse very quickly. To the point where the eczema would scab over and if I scratched myself or it got caught on my clothes, I would bleed. It spread over my entire body too, behind the knees, on my legs, my elbows, my stomach, including my face. My cheeks and nose especially. The button on my jeans would cause me to break out, so I would have to tape a piece of tissue or something to cover it. I brought extra shirts to change into at school because the eczema scabs would get caught on my shirt and bleed through. Then for my face, I had glasses that would rub on my nose and cheeks. Having a flat nose bridge and big cheeks did not me out at all. It seemed like nothing would help for the longest time.
I remember in elementary, we would go to the school pool as a class for swimming lessons and the eczema on my stomach was so bad that I had a coverup skirt and wore it the entire time. One time a classmate saw my stomach while I was putting the skirt on and she seemed disgusted. The swimming teacher tried convincing me that I didn’t need the cover up and when I took it off, she told me that I should just put it back on. My eczema would burn the first few seconds of getting into the chlorine pool water.
Through out middle school and some of high school, my cheeks and nose were red 24/7 even when the eczema rash itself was gone. The nickname I had was Rudolph the red nose reindeer and honestly I hated it, became very insecure and use to cry about it sometimes. I wanted to cover it up with makeup so bad, but I knew that it would irritate it even more. None of the steroid creams or medications that was prescribed helped enough to get rid of it. I was pretty much just stuck with it.
Younger self Sally was just as stubborn as I am now and I just pushed through the teasing and didn’t let it show (for the most part) that it bothered me. Along the way I started to accept my condition and started planting this little seed of confidence inside. I somehow found a way to love myself and the scabbed eczema skin. I actually started to forget about it and I don’t even remember when it went away or how, but it was sometime during sophomore or junior year. I was left with scars on my stomach (that faded away over the next 3 years) and my face is forever red, but I don’t look at myself any less. I just appreciate my strength at such a young age and how I dealt with it because of how emotional I am. I don’t think I could deal with it as strong now if it were to come back.
I still get eczema on my stomach or sides during super dry winters or if I wear certain metals for jewelry, belts or rave pieces. It actually has gotten worse now though, my eczema comes back and I get hives as well, but I do avoid those pieces at all cost. I can definitely say that without going through all of that, I would not be so confident and comfortable with how and who I am today. So thank you little Rudolph, you kicked ass ♡
SALLY ♡ T
Yes, you read that right, it’s our time to shine! Grand Rapids has a lot different options when it comes to food and drinks and there’s always something new coming. Even though I’ve lived here my whole life, I’m not even close to trying everything, but it’s one place at a time. Follow me into a two day foodie/drink weekend! #GREats
On Saturday, I met up with my friends at Butcher’s Union for some food and drinks before work. Butcher’s Union is one of my favorite places to go, it’s so cute in there and the servers are always friendly. We enjoyed some Brussel Sprouts for our appetizers, which is my favorite appetizer there. Then I got the White Chicken Chili. (Yes, I only got soup to eat. If you don’t remember in the last post, I really don’t have much stomach room haha) I did wash it down the a nice Watermelon Mojito. It was the perfect drink to end the summer weather and season with.
On Sunday, I went on a food and drink adventure. Every place was so good and I had very good company! 😉
It started at Royals, this cute little brunch diner. It was a recommended by another one of my friends and he was not wrong at all. The food there was very good and the drinks sounded delicious! I unfortunately went out to brunch hungover, so I wasn’t ready to start off with some drinks at our first stop.
Our seconds stop was to one of my favorite rooftop bars here in Grand Rapids, Haute at New Mertens Hotel Rooftop Bar. It’s has the perfect view 360 view of our downtown and the drinks are always good. The menu changes through out the year, so it’s never the same drinks, which makes it so fun to come back. They are open besides during winter, but a cold fall night? No problem, they have space heaters, fires and before the pandemic, blankets. There’s just something about having drinks while the sunsets in downtown.
This visit, the drinks are customizable spritzers. You choose your base, then they add champagne and fizzy water and there! Your drink is born! We got the Lillet Blanc.
We went to a candle making bar after the Haute, then decided to check out this new restaurant for dinner that opened called Tupelo Honey. It is so cute inside and out and the drinks and food are just as pleasing! We couldn’t have a Sunday funday without a mimosa, so we each got the Sweet and Tart mimosa size mega of course! A grapefruit with blueberry puree mimosa. It’s exactly like the name, very sweet and tart. They also use paper straws here and WE LOVE THAT. I really wish I wasn’t so hurt cause I definitely would have ordered another drink to try. This won’t be my last time here though, but let’s get to the food!
So everything sounded so delicious, we went in on Tupelo Honey. In the video, are only the appetizers that we ordered. We got the Fried Okras, Crispy Brussels, and the Mac & Cheese Bites. They were all so good and mouth watering. I’ve just discovered Okras this year, so I had to those, but the Mac & Cheese Bites were my favorite. Who just doesn’t like mac & cheese??
Everyone that has gone here recommends their fried chicken, so for the main entree I ordered their Fried Sweet and Spicy Chicken sandwich. It comes with a potato bun and have NEVER tasted any buns like it. Please use potato buns for every sandwich and burger now! These buns will change your life. Anyways, the honey sriracha on the sandwich was really good. It lives up to the hype!
I was so full this day, when I got home at 6 pm, I took a big food coma nap. I’m pretty sure the nap lasted 4 hours. I had a lot of fun though and it was such a fun adventurous day with my friends. Three things that I love, my friends, food, and drinks. It’s all just L O V E. Like I mentioned before, there’s so much more for me to try here in Grand Rapids, so expect more of these! There’s so many places already and there’s still more coming in and I think it’s so awesome. Very lucky to be in a growing city! I love Grand Rapids, I really do. Until next time though!
FUN FACT: Grand Rapids is also know as Beer City in the United States! We have tons of breweries here, so I’ll introduce some of my favorite places to you guys soon!
SALLY ♡ T
