2016, Happy New Year

Happy New Year from theChristyBel (and Marc)!

Today, we started the year off right by going on a hike. We travelled the second loop up of the Millbrook Mountain trail to the Millbrook Cross Path and down the Trapps Road. We wanted to make sure that we had enough time to come back and prep a huge turkey that my parents had given us for Christmas! 

Later this evening, we had the Toman's over for a New Years Day Dinner! The huge turkey was on the menu, along with stuffing, roasting veggies, mashed sweet potatoes, snickerdoodle cookies, and homemade marshmallows! Super delicious! Of course, similar to all turkey dinners, we all ended up in turkey food comas!

Here's to 2016 being totally awesome as 2015!

TheChristyBel

Happy New Year from the Trail!

New Years Love!

Turkey Cooking in the Oven!

How Does This Look!?!

After Effects! And Ted Taking Advantage of It.

Goodbye 2015

From the Tetons to Laramie, from Delaware to Wyoming, from Laramie back to Jackson, and now, to the Gunks - 2015 has been one heck of a year for me! I think one of my biggest accomplishments and biggest challenges was moving to Laramie and finishing my Masters. Laramie was definitely a challenging place for me - being in the same place as previous love (especially in a small town), buckling down to finish the masters, and finding my niche (again) was really a big mental, physical, and emotional battle. But I have pushed myself to overcome, cope, tolerate, and make the best of those challenges; I have learned to rely on myself in ways that I did not think I could. I learned to open up and let new people into my life. I have gotten to know myself inside and out to where I have developed a love and level of respect for myself that I did not give to myself before.

This past year really has paid off in more ways than one. And looking back at not just this past year but the last two years has really given me a lot to reflect on. Leaving the comforts of my home and beloved home state to a place where I did not know anyone, anything, or my barrings of Wyoming really have given me some valid proof that I have grown and learned a lot (and am still learning and growing every day). From the past two years, specifically this year, I have seen what the world and new places can provide me as long as I am open to receiving it (and will continue to work toward that openness). 2015, you found me love in some many ways - through the natural world; through science; through art; through losing some friends, but gaining some awesome new ones; through seeing some awesome wildlife and views; through trying new activities (like climbing and snowboarding); and much, much more.

Through the roller coaster that was 2015, I am truly grateful for how it has panned out and have many things to be proud of. I am proud that I obtained a new title to my name and can be called a 'Master' of something. I am proud that people trusted part of their vacation to me giving them positive and memorable tours in two of the most beautiful places in Wyoming (and in fact, the country). I am proud that I stood up to myself and others to go for my dream job (even if that meany moving from one beautiful place to another). I am proud and incredibly grateful for the friendships and relationships that have crossed paths with me - for those people that I have met in 2015 really helped shape me to who I am (no matter the time frame). I am so proud and incredibly blessed to have friends and family to support and back me on the decisions I have made and given me the space to learn from them and allow me to experience things for myself.

I have grown a lot from 2015 and I can only hope that 2016 will do the same. Here's to a New Year and a New Beginning in a New Place!

As I reflect back on my 2015 Blog Entries, my phone full of thousands of photos, and my computer. Here are some things that I am incredibly proud of, thankful for, and happy to have experienced in 2015! Enjoy!

Happy New Year! See you all in 2016!
TheChristyBel

Some of the Bestest Friends

Some Awesome Times in the Snow!

Being MASTER ChristyBel

ChristyBel, the wildlife tour guide

Viewing Moose All Day, Everyday, in the Tetons

Moving to the Shawangunks Ridge
New Paltz, NY

Having Days OFF and Spendings with Friends!

Mr. Ted the Cat!

Being Reunited with Gil

Of Course, Marc :)

So Long, 2014!

I cannot believe 2014 flew by so fast. I distinctly remember returning to the Tetons for my spring semester thinking I had all the time in the world going through this Forever West journey. Now...2015 is here, I have 1/4 of this 2-year graduate school journey left, and I am more than confused on what I want to do with my future endeavors! It's crazy how fast this time has come and left us!

This blog I have kept for 2-years now (and with 161-entries for 2014 alone) is really convenient when I want to look back and reflect on my year's journey. So many things have happened: from new activities and sports (and actually liking them!), to prioritizing my goals and needs (like art), to immersing myself in expanding the community I want to be in, and to gain deeper love for my curiosity of life and love myself. There were a lot of challenges, a whole darn lot, but despite those times where I thought I could not over come them and most of the time...did, I do not think I would change any of it if I could go back. Things happen for a reason, and from those experiences, you learn from them, you grow from them, and you put them into other new experiences, and you define who you are. And with 2014 under my belt, I can admit I did not really know most of myself to the extent that I do now. It's a good thing, and I am excited to use 2015 as an opportunity to keep defining TheChristyBel.

A New Year, Some New Goals?!? Of course, part of the New Year experience, is not just ringing in a new year with wonderful friends and family, but setting yourself up for success in the upcoming year. Yesterday morning, while I was updating my blog with my adventures back on the East, my friend Brenna shared a link on Facebook. I came across this website link about 15-New Years Resolutions that we should consider being proactive on. These resolutions are not the usual 'Lose 15-pounds before summer,' 'Go to the Gym at Least 3-times a week,' and 'Dedicate at least 20-minutes of my day to me.' These resolutions are a remix of mindful awareness pieces about what we should STOP doing in 2015. I know I am totally guilty of many of these and it made me stop and rethink my goals for next year. I know that this past year and well, fall semester, was very challenging, low energy, and low positivity (at times) for me. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself and the choices I have made and to make something of it. So maybe I'll take these on with a few other goals I want to set for myself!

 I've placed them in here, but if you wanted to check out the actual page, here it is!

1. Stop showing and telling everything to everyone.
2. Stop comparing yourself to others.
3. Stop worrying about what others think of you.
4. Stop waiting.
5. Stop doubting.
6. Stop being a stranger.
7. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
8. Stop standing in your own way.
9. Stop feeling guilty.
10. Stop thinking money creates value.
11. Stop feeling obligated.
12. Stop saying 'yes' all the time.
13. Stop thinking everything is a competition.
14. Stop trying to be like everyone else.
15. Stop thinking you ave to get it right on the first try.

Have a Wonderful New Year Everyone! Be safe, be happy, and enjoy the new year!

Here's to 2015!

TheChristyBel

Bye 2013, Hello 2014!

So the New Years Philly tradition did not pan out to ring in the 2014 new year. It is nice to try new things and have a relaxing holiday every now and then.

This year, Radley, one of my favorites from Eastern Mountain Sports, decided to have a housewarming, New Years Eve bash at his new house. Just having a casual, fun-filled party seemed pretty appealing instead of getting all dolled up, trekking to Philly, and paying the usual $40 cover into a overly-crowded bar. Maybe that's just the new appeal for me coming from the low-populated Wyoming. Who knows, it was totally the better choice!

One of my Best Friends, Radley!

Ringing in the new year with some of my EMS boys was so fun, and many of Radley's friends were hilarious to be around.

Wyeth & Radley are EMS Twins...so weird!

I got to meet Radley's girlfriend, Angie! She is such a gem! Such a wonderful person to talk to and laugh with! Cute as a button!

Radley & Angie! So Cute!

I can say that 2013 was full of a lot of unforgettable and forgettable moments, intertwined with many ups and downs, challenges, accomplishments, and beginnings of new chapters.

My EMS Boys!

2013 Taught Me and Brought Me:

- that no matter where I am, there are people in this world that I know will always love and support the decisions I make.

- to have strength in leaving the comforts of my job and home for new adventures and life upgrading.

- the courage to finally fight and push myself to follow my dream and go back to graduate school. A wise and smart choice.

- a certification in Wilderness First Responder. This course has made me more confident heading into the backcountry with friends and my students.

- new friendships in the Forever West and stronger friendships back on the East.

- confidence in myself and reconnecting with one of my passions: working and teaching children, in the outdoors!

- the sense of accomplishment in trying new things and activities, such as: skiing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing! And I'm liking them!

- to realize that loving someone and to be loved by someone are two completely different things and that when one is not reciprocated by the other, you need to fight for what you deserve...which is better.

- through the challenges of life, work, friendships, and love, whether they were positive or negative, the new chapters that unfolded after quitting my jobs and moving out of Delaware to Wyoming for school, have given me a whole new level of STRENGTH and HOPE, that I believe will bless me over the next year.

Such 'Brahs'!

All in all, even though there are parts of last year that I am not fully ready to let go of, it was nice to finally say goodbye to 2013. I am anxious and excited to see what 2014 will bring!

Luke & I Ringing in the New Year Together!

Happy New Year,

TheChristyBel