March has been an immense cleansing month not in terms of what I intended to do (clear out my social media accounts, reduce debt, reduce email accounts), but I felt a renewed sense of feeling unified. I was very productive. I feel really good, and I feel really happy.

Life
Life in general has been really good. I’ve been mobilizing and intensifying my efforts to moving to Portland. I now have a box with my clothes in it! Ha. Just that little something gives me hope of moving on to the next phase of life. Can’t wait.

I’m doing a great job at listening to my unified Voice. I’m laughing more. I’ve been less sad. I’ve also been getting a lot done, thanks to clearing off the desk in the office and keeping tasked with my list book. Making to-do lists can get really taxing if you’re a person that’s more fluid. But I’ve tried fluid for a year or so, and it threw me off my rhythm. I’m both type A and type B, and not letting my type A out to play (well, work) has proven discordant. No longer. :] Feels good. Right now, I have the fan on, drinking water, and listening to PNAU’s latest album, Soft Universe. I feel alive.

Love
Ah yes, well, I’ll get to the complicated portion first. I’ve been doing well at keeping my heart open. However, there have been times where I’ve stepped back when faced with opposing feelings from another person. That can be seen as being wishy-washy, but it’s not. That’s me making sure my feelings are reciprocated and what I’m putting forth is mirrored. So far not so good. And I think the more complicated it is the more it makes me question whether I should be even attempting to continue my efforts in pursuing a romantic relationship. In summation, a mutual loving and respectful relationship is ultimately what I’m after. And if it’s not that way from the start then it’s not something I want to put my whole heart into. It’s one thing to love someone and want to support them, but to put you’re all into something without a mutual respect and understanding is not healthy to either person.

But on the less-complicated and more personal front, I know how I feel. I still have love flowing through me — for one person, for everyone in my life. I am so proud of everyone going after what they believe in, especially Marlon. He’s shown so much growth and his self-confidence is definitely improving.

I’m in love with life. It feels good to feel that feeling again.

Design
I feel very connected with my design heart. Yay! We’ve reunited!

Yes! I feel confident about the work I’m producing. I have so many ideas flowing through me that are boiling to get out. Upgrading my portfolio. So much glee. :]

I’ve been approached to do work. Some have fallen through because people don’t want to pay. Sending out an estimate is the determinant for serious clients and others who want close-to-free work.

I’ve been using my dribbble account a lot more and interacting with other designers. I participated in the Valio Con Free Pass Contest. I didn’t win but I did get a freebie for participating, which is awesome. I have to thank designer, Drew Wilson for throwing the contest and allowing me to play.

I had a meeting with a job recruiter the other day. The placing firm has an office in Seattle so hopefully they can connect me with someone in that area. Northwest-bound, y’all!

What this means for my entrepreneurial/freelance career — well, nothing really. I plan on remaining a partner with my company until my partner and I mutually decide to end it (obviously), but I think we’ve expressed working together on developing products. As far as my personal freelance business, it will always be open for business. If anything, I’ll probably be on a break from freelancing if I can find a Northwest tech startup to work with. And if the startup or small business I work with is only hiring contractors, then of course TW Design is open for business. :]

So yay, designer-me has recovered!

Travel
The Southeast Road Trip/Civil Rights Tour was a great trip with my family; however, it was also taxing in the way that family trips can be. Apart from tempers and attitudes, I had a great time learning about American history (Black history ;]).

It’s turning out that my travel calendar is only permitting one long trip a month and a staycay in DFW, which is an exasperated and whiny “okay.” But you know, traveling has become the figurative boyfriend that I only see on the weekends. Is it the weekend yet?

I also keep planning to make it to the Northwest but things keep getting in the way. At this point, it’s not happening for April either. So I’m really hoping to squeeze it in in May.

I’ve set forth some travel goals for 2013: Spain and Australia. I’ve also daydreamed about Thailand and backpacking across Europe. Hoping for any and all of that!

Food
I’ve checked a few new restaurants: Pookie’s and Eno’s Pizza Tavern. Relived some recent favorites like Velvet Taco, Oddfellow’s and the Northpark Whole Foods.

I didn’t cleanse in March. It’s a hard commitment for me. 3 days of no food? Eesh. But I’ve bought 3 big bottles of Naked juices (that sounds gross), and I’m excited to start.

I’m also returning to eating healthier in April. February and March were bad in terms of this, and while I love eating everything in sight, I have to be careful to not get back into the high cholesterol red zone.

Music
As my Do Something Crazy for March, I’ve decided to try out for the X Factor TV singing competition! I’m looking for an audition song and places to practice.

My voice is stronger than it’s ever been. Sure, no whistle notes like when I was 14. But I’m doing so well.

Chicken List
I don’t think I mentioned in February that using a public shower (in a men’s locker room) was added to my Chicken List. The whole being naked with a man in a non-sexual capacity is strange to me. I think my body is programmed to think, “Why else would you get naked in front of a man?” But I’m aiming to change that with so many “get naked” items on my Chicken List; I want to be secure completely with my body.

I haven’t tackled any other chickens this month. Although, registering for X Factor is definitely chicken-worthy but I consider it “something I would’ve done a long time ago if I had parental support when I wanted to.”

Do Something Crazy Every Month
As you’ve read, I’ve committed to trying out for X Factor. I’m pretty excited about it. I think it’ll be super fun. To help out with practicing, I’ve decided to participate in Vlog Everyday in April but with songs. I usually only participate in August, but my audition is May 1 so it’s perfect!

Reading
I’m still reading the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It’s an interesting read, and I wish I could dedicate a day to just reading it, but I’ve got plenty on my plate. I have to finish it this month so my mom and I can chat about it before her birthday, Apr. 19.

Cleansing
Cleansing! Per my goals for cleansing:

Online: Tumblr likes cleared. Less Facebook consumption. As a result, I’ve used Dribbble more so I can connect with other designers. I’ve cleared out a lot of my email accounts. I’m hoping to close at least one account in April.

Health: I had a health scare at the beginning of March, which allowed me to clear out some crazies in my system. I didn’t get around to doing a juice cleanse. But definitely will in April.

Debt: My debt is actually rising. Ack! Working on reducing it soon.

House Clutter Reduction: My sis and I have started to quarantine clutter to the laundry and back room, so the rest of the house can get in order. We’re doing well in establishing an organization system for each room.

Abstinence: Doing really good. Back on track! Yay! No sex. As a result, I’ve been concentrating better. It’s awesome!!

What to expect for April 2012: April is a continued cleanse month; I’ll most likely give less attention to social networks to pay more attention to practicing for my audition; hoping for more design production to finish my portfolio and shop for companies to work with. A lot of excitement and fun!