Well, what had HAPPENED was LIFE!

A RECAP OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED in my LIFE LATELY.

You would think that by almost fifty years old I would have this thing called life figured out. I try to plan my life as much as anyone else, but it has not worked that way post pandemic. If you know my story you would know that I lived in Dallas, Texas for seven years. The last two years I lived in Dallas was isolated due to the pandemic, living alone, living in a state away from any relatives, and working remotely. During this isolation I thrived as an introvert with extrovert tendencies. I found myself learning so much about me. To challenge myself, I started my YouTube channel, Heavy on The Chai, a bit of my view of the city of Dallas but a whole lot of luxury beauty. A year into creating my channel life happened with the pandemic slow down a bit because of the isolation and vaccination. Life started to open, and people were easing out into life and traveling again. My job which was initially temporary, then turned semi-permanent finally ended, my aunt who helped raise me and introduce me to my career fell ill and needed my support. I decided to make my move back home to California.

I have always believed in the power of family. Family is not only the people who you are related to but people that you choose. And I have been tremendously blessed to always find family. So, when my eldest aunt needed me, I had to get to her. Once I was home and settled into the routine of spending time with her and spending time getting my home together and successfully putting up YouTube videos, actively posting on Instagram, and starting my business which is the Heavy on The Chai website which is my blog and eCommerce online shop. My aunt had a miraculous recovery and returned to work part time. My momma and poppa also became more active and healthier. I was enjoying being unemployed for the first time in my life. But the savings were dwindling, and it was time to get back to a J O B lol.

Finding a job that I wanted was a challenge. I wanted a remote, or a hybrid position, close to home, doing what I have done for the last ten years Clinical Documentation Improvement. I finally updated my resume and posted that I was in the job search market on Linkedin. What I realized in this post-pandemic world, is the healthcare field has changed. The criteria for CDI were leaning toward clinicians and I was less likely to get a position as a Certified Coding Specialist. All the offers require an active Registered Nurse license or a Physician license. This was a bummer and a blow to my self-esteem. This made me think of another plan, something I always wanted but never really worked on, building my experience in management. The core of my career is Health Information Management also known as HIM. A recruiter contacted me with an opportunity to get my foot into management as a HIM manager. The catch is it onsite, a ten dollar pay cut, an hour and forty-five-minute drive from San Gabriel Valley and I would need to start as a supervisor and finish my degree in Health Information Management before getting a manager position. For those who are not familiar with Southern California traffic anything over an hour commute means two to three hours in medium traffic or relocation. Yep, I just settled into being back home and yes, I am off again and this time to Palm Desert California best known for Palm Springs. Not only is it hot as hell 115 degrees on the daily day but it also expensive. And to exacerbate the cost of living the real estate market shifted and a recession is looming. I took the job, moved into temporary furnished housing, and went back to school.

To pull this off I needed to prioritize and disconnect from social media, including my website, YouTube channel and my social life. It has been a journey and I am feeling Blessed and grateful. I have completed the summer semester, completed my 90-day evaluation with excellence. This is truly a learning experience, and it is not easy but whoever said life was easy. We make plans but our story is already written. I am almost settled and ready to ease back into blogging, and YouTube at a study pace. I wanted to let you know that I miss you and share my beauty experiences. I did not stop buying, testing, and I am back to wearing the most work makeup. I am extra and you know it.

Stay tuned for my next blog in which I discuss my experience with falling in love again and my engagement. But what you are most interested in is my adjustment to beauty in 115-degree weather. The desert is brutal on the skin, hair, and wearing makeup is just a bit different. And finally, all the new makeup, and the oldies that I have fallen back in love with.

Please comment with what new beauty products you love. All the changes you are experiencing. I would love to hear from you. Take care until I blog again sending you love and hugs.

Love, Chai