New Approach to the New Year: Does 2020 Bring More Challenges or a Fresh Outlook on Old Situations?

It's now 2020 but a lot happened towards the end of 2019.  I stood up for myself at my place of work, completed my second Associate's Degree Program, Graduated with honors, was offered a scholarship, and applied to a local four-year institute.  All of these things were the positive parts of how a year of struggling ended.  Behind all of these steps forwards, other things in my life had me looking back or falling backwards.  My car needed major work, setting me back financially.  The holidays are never easy and this year was pretty rough.  I kept my head high, though, and did as my heart told me, ending up exhausted even more than normal, going into the new year.  

2020 is a year I thought for change or for a more positive push towards my future.  We are now 9 days in and so much has happened already that has been negative.  I have been personally in a funk since Thanksgiving 2019, with that holiday being around the death of my mother which happens to also be my grandfather's birthday.  They have both been gone over 10 years, with this year being 14 years since my mother died.  If I were to nitpick every moment that has led up to today, I would only see me giving my all to others with little appreciation shown.  I guess you can expect that when it comes to family.  It has been several years since I have truly enjoyed a holiday since I end up attending all family commitments but somehow am roped into helping out to the point of doing things so they don't have to.  Now, some of it I never minded like helping my great aunt, who is in her 80s and mentally challenged.  The hard part is watching my aunt talk down to her, treating her like she's a dog.  I tried to keep quiet about all she had said or done but I told my father, who became equally disgusted with my aunt.  We all made it through the holiday season but the new year's brought new issues, one by one.

Right before Christmas 2019, my sister scheduled wisdom teeth removal for January 3rd.  I went with her to the surgery, not knowing exactly how much she was going to need me for a few days following.  As stated before, I never mind helping family and she was truly appreciative.  I am just lucky that I am off of work from the college for a couple more weeks to assist her as she needs.  The problem that came to light, which I have seen for years, was just how uncaring my father was to the situation.  He acted like he was going to help but only tempted my sister with food she couldn't have, was mad that I couldn't help him with yard work because I was so tired, and yes he works a lot but was not helping out with anything at all.  A couple days after her surgery, my area was placed under a boil water advisory, which made washing clothes, washing dishes, and even cooking difficult.  My sis had to boil water just to do her mouth rinse and trying to cook "soft foods" for her, besides a pudding or yogurt cup, grew harder to do.  We made do and the advisory was lifted.  Yesterday, the 8th, I was able to wash all the clothes that had backed up and all of the dishes.  All in all, each obstacle thrown at me I took head on, no matter how tired I was or how frustrated I became with the people around me.  If this hadn't have tested me, I wouldn't have even realized that it was a test.  I already know how stressful life can be and that life doesn't hand you more than you can handle, so, I must be one tough cookie.  

Maintaining Interest With a Social Media Following: Am I Doing Enough?

Social Media: Am I Relevant?

The use of the internet and social media to get information out has grown in the last 20 or so years.  I grew up using some of the first types of computers that had a large back and were simple.  Now, computers come in all shapes and sizes, for all different uses.  Along with this progression with technology came a growth of communicating via the internet instead of more, face-to-face, interactions.  Being that I grew up in a rather sheltered home, a computer helped me connect with people around the world, allowing me to make "friends" that way.  The only problem was that I lacked the social skills to interact properly in a "social" setting.  So, whilst starting my blog, social media accounts, and, most recently, my YouTube channel, I worry if I am gonna stay relevant enough to be able to continue to help, or support others, around the world.  

Building a "Positive Reputation: My Goal is to Help Others

My favorite thing in the world is to help others, be it with math, like I do for work, or being an ear for them when they need someone to listen.  When I realized just how much I loved helping others, I decide to go back to school to become a teacher.  That will be just another way I will be able to boost others up while helping myself grow, too.  Starting the YouTube channel was truly stressful for me because I sadly do worry what others think of me, which is caused by my traumatic past and how people treated me.  I am a work in progress, though, and constantly getting better as long as I keep working hard on myself.  What I want to come from my channel is a way for me, an average "Joe," to add another way for me to help, or support, people.  I am hoping that my content truly does help others and that they enjoy watching what I have to share.  It has been fun and my goal is to have fun, while making sure that others see that they can have fun, as well.  Pokemon "GO" and Wizards Unite were created to entice people to get out of the house more often to experience nature, while also creating a new way for people with common interests to socialize with one another.  Yes, you are still partially behind a screen, but for most of the "in-game" aspects, you need to be there in person.  I do not see the point of people who "spoof" for a game that is meant to be done at the actual location, but, to each their own.  I will always support, and promote, the "getting out" aspect of these two games and you will find me pounding the pavement in my local park or neighborhoods around where I live.  I try my hardest to play these games as I feel Niantic has made them to be played, with my judgement aside, so I actually "GO."  This may upset some people, but, Pokemon GO has helped me to get out of the comfort zone of my little room and experience more of the world around me.  It is worth it to try either of these games even if you are not a Pokemon or Harry Potter fan.  It is exercise....it is fun....it is something you can do as a family....and it is just one way that a company is trying to rewrite how people view video games by making them more relevant to the world they were created for.  Join in the hunt for Pokemon and the fight against the "Calamity." You will not be sorry.

A Leap of Faith: Creating a YouTube Channel

"NOLAdventures" With the Kristenator

Am I Even "Fit" to be a "YouTuber?"

My YouTube Channel is geared toward both Pokemon GO and Wizards Unite.  I love playing both and sharing any insight I may come across that could be helpful to another player. Also, for anyone who has played one, or the other, I also compare and contrast how each game is set up. Combining the beauty of a historic town in the deep south with the fun of playing in local parks, distinct "known" areas, and taking a moment to realize just how much Pokemon "GO" and Wizards Unite showcase the world outside of your phone screen, I take a step back from the in-game experience to experience the world around me. I think that is truly what Niantic wanted to do in creating these Apps.  "Get Out" and GO back to being one with nature.  Only you are stopping yourself from seeing the true beauty that is at your front door. 

Having a lack of self confidence or self worth due to how others treated me throughout my life, I constantly question myself with  even the most minute situations. Being a very active Pokemon GO player and helping others find research tasks daily, I wondered what it would be like to venture out to help players on a larger scale.  Being a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, I live in a city that is a massive tourist destination.  I see on Facebook, or other social media outlets, that people ask where the best places to play Pokemon GO are if they are coming into town.  Most people respond with a "Google" map and say the location.  They never show the possibilities certain areas around the city have to offer.  That is where I come in.  With the help of other active players around the city, like myself, I hope to encourage more out of town players who come to New Orleans to try and experience the different levels of game play.  It is a city full of history, culture, amazing cuisine, and scenic spots everywhere you look.  All that makes it attractive to non-locals who arrive here to have a good time.  Let me show them how to live as a New Orleanian, and play like one, too!

Link to the Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyI3YMEcDsYLrGWOjLmmVZQ