Dear Diary: I Survived

This is the beginning of Chanel understanding who she is. It is really quite transformative to hear her go from managing the chaos in January, to learning to overcome it by the end of one crazy year. Chanel is learning to follow her heart, to listen to the voice inside her and take all the opportunities to become the person she hopes to one day be. The opportunities range from learning about a new religion to trying fried ice cream, both of which ended up being a big part of my whole life.

This last episode does not disappoint.
Thanks for following along on this journey of self discovery.
It was hilariously painful. It was genuine and vulnerable.
I have come to realize forgetting is both glorious and unhelpful.
I am thankful that I have this small insight into who I once was and how I learned to survive.

Uncover the dichotomy of living a life untethered to rules and yet desperate for safety and security.

This episode is full of tragedy.

What experiences in your life shaped you? Did something happen that you thought would destroy you, only to realize later that it was an experience that changed you into exactly who you didn't know you wanted to be? 

This episode is so amazing! The entries are the original one I first read that inspired me to start this podcast. Drama at its maximum. Listen up; you'll cringe, you'll laugh, you'll be glad you weren't me!

Chanel is Student of the Month, begins her journey of having a monthly visitor, and moves AGAIN which is almost a monthly occurrence. Listen to catch a glimpse of her belief in the supernatural too.....just for fun!

A single entry documenting the beginning of my antiracism work. Being a true ally takes courage, determination, heart, and seeing people for who they really are and loving them for it. 

The first week of middle school is under way! Chanel traverses the intricacies of the cafeteria much to her relief. Labor Day weekend brings an overnight babysitting job and a quintessential American experience. Chanel explains her own Fremont Street experience, and this was long before Vegas covered that street with neon and zip lines. It all culminates with her big concert attendance. You don't want to miss this!

Chanel faces her fear as summer comes to a close. She takes a flight, is chased by dogs, and registers for middle school. In between surviving summer there is another move, some poignant babysitting, a major purchase,  and her 12th birthday party! Tune to hear just how Chanel survived the summer of 1990. 

Summer is in full swing and nobody seems to have a single drop of sunblock! Fireworks, a new birth, family brawls, and a California vacation are all uncovered in this latest episode.

Who let this family have pets?!? Chanel reveals not only the trauma of cleaning a fish tank in 1990, but it leads to a deep family secret from earlier in her childhood. Warning, this is shocking and I inappropriately laugh too hard!