What I miss about living in Texas

What’s up world?! As I mentioned in my previous post, I’m happier than I could ever be moving back home as an empty nester. Always knew I would and God knows, the only reason why I stayed as long as I did was to raise my son where his dad was, even though we parted ways when he turned 3. I always knew I’d move back eventually. I call it #deferredgratification 🙏🏼

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be the first to admit that I had a good life in Arlington and my time in Texas was great for the most part. I had a business with a great team, I developed good friendships over the years, but there were definitely moments when I felt alone because I didn’t have immediate family around and family back home always meant the world to me. I more than likely would’ve gone to UH Manoa and had the love and support of family as I raised my son, but because I was young and stubborn I didn’t always go with what my parents thought ‘made sense’. But that’s life right? There are good or bad consequences to all our decisions and then we live and learn from it afterward. In my case, 21 with a baby and no family around, and droves of life lessons along the way that I could have never imagined.

My silly and truthful answer…

1… DOLLAR TREE – enough said! 🤣 My money in general went a longer way but I wouldn’t trade my life now for the world. Y’all mainland folks sound like a broken record when you say, ‘it’s so expensive here’… but if you can live modestly ANYONE can live here. Most folks here care more about their families and simple pleasures over material things. You undoubtedly will be more respected for how you treat others than what you possess. You have to know how to budget and embrace a much simpler life and it’s certainly doable. I know I could live/survive in New York or Cali with a similar mindset.

Special thanks to my friend Gaynia who has visited from Texas and surprises me with the multi-pack of sponges, hair clips and hair ties because she knows we don’t have Dollar Tree here and it’s the only place I miss in Texas, aside from good eats at Jamaica Gates! 😄

2… and most notable, TRAVEL PROXIMITY to the Caribbean. I went from a 4hr flight to 14hrs (Jamaica, for example). 😣
The pic attached reveals why I have such a Caribbean crush! The waters have ALL shades of blue, my fave color by the way. 💙 😍 #bluecrush #caribbeanlove #reggaeroots

Hope you enjoyed the read and… Go C-O-W-B-O-Y-S! 😊

ALOHA and XO!!  
Sunkissed Haze

Pic: Blue Lagoon Island, Bahamas 🇧🇸