I wrote the title of this post and then pondered deeply on the thought of 2021 being my “slice of humble pie”. On the outside looking in, it wasn’t a bad year for me. I bought a brand new house on an island that most people never even heard of. I’m the Cyber Systems Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year out of all the bases in the Pacific Command. However, along with those great accomplishments I also experienced betrayal, body image issues (weight gain), living without the internet for months, not having my household goods delivered until 22 November, death in the family, and a whole bunch of other things.
This year has reiterated what I’ve already known. You have to take the good with the bad. Life isn’t going to always be sunshine and rainbows all of the time. You can be up one day and down the next. Your clothes can fit perfectly one year and the next year they can make you feel like a whale. Your skin is flawless one day and look like a Crunch bar the next, but those times are when you discover the real you. Do you fold or do you continue to show up for yourself and the people around you?
I am proud to say that I did not fold. I still showed up to work with a great attitude even though I was having the worst acne breakouts of my life, at age 30 by the way. I continued to go to the gym and figure out different ways to accommodate these newfound curves that I have. After my breakup, I was out there meeting new people and not being a bitter woman. I now have this new mantra to love myself at each stage. I may not be as skinny as I used to be, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not worthy. As long as I’m healthy, that’s all that matters. I still got an excellent score on my PT test which was something that the 20-year-old airman didn’t do. My house is finally coming along. I enjoy decorating and making this place feel like home and my personal sanctuary, which is something that I’ve never done before. The vibe in my house is so nice and chill, trust me.
2021 has taught me a lot about myself. Chapter 30 brought out the big guns, but I’m thankful. I’m ready for this next chapter of my life and I’m open to all of the new lessons that it will bring. I doubted myself for a little bit this year, but not anymore. With my new year right around the corner, great things are on the horizon.
Dec 17 at my unit Holiday Party in all my thickness!! 
Back rolls and all! But the booty and boobs were popping too! 
I had to show up like this. I think that wearing the face mask made my breakouts worse, even though it was all over my face. 
One of the worse days of my breakouts. Sept 5, 2021 
One of the days when I felt beautiful because my skin was clearing. November 20, 2020 
Close up without the filter! Do you see the difference?! 
I finally put on makeup and went to brunch with a beautiful beat.December 5, 2021 
I love this outfit and I didn’t get seen in it much this night, so here you. 
I actually took a man out to eat this night…I was beautiful too.
Queen Juliette 