It’s been a really long time since I blogged.

Mostly because I associated my blog (and anything computer related for that matter) with smoking.  I can proudly say that I have NOT had a cigarette since about 10:30 pm on Sunday July 15th 2012.  The day before my grandfather’s birthday, a man who coincidentally enough died of lung cancer.  I had to make some major lifestyle changes due to my hours being cut back at work, which resulted in an obvious loss of income and that was one of them.

Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things I have ever done for myself but I couldn’t be happier that I did!  They say that everything happens for a reason and something good came out of having my hours scaled back.  That was probably the only thing but it’s better than nothing.  Which is funny because everyone kept telling me “think of the money you’ll save” when in reality my hours had been literally cut in half and I had to choose between smoking or eating and paying my rent.

I’ve also partaken a greater interest in photography.  It affords me a different artistic outlet and I have found all kinds of helpful and lovely people on google +   it’s where all the cool kids hang out.  I haven’t really utilized it in any other way except for some light social interaction, but mostly photography.  I also decided to embark on the Google+ 365 self portrait project.   it’s an interesting challenge and you can follow my own personal journey (that started yesterday) here

I started making jewelry and stuff and opened a store on Etsy, which you can find here  eventually I need to investigate sharing my Etsy store with Kristina who makes these AWESOME sock monsters and monkeys.  You should check her out on facebook  and tell her Steph sent you. 🙂

I’m starting to get tired and going to wrap this up, but this is what’s noteworthy in 2012 for me at least:

• Photography.  Lot’s and lot’s of it!  Follow me on google plus if you like to see some of what I do.
• Travel. I haven’t gone anywhere exciting, just home.  More than I usually do.
• Got myself a boyfriend.  He lives with me.  It’s kind of nice actually and a little scary all at the same time.
• Still chugging away at my sleeve, so not much new on the tattoo front.
• The new manfriend is vegan so I’ve been expanding my culinary horizons and eating better in the process.  I was mostly vegetarian/Pescetarian before he came along and i’m OK with that.  I’m not going to become vegan for him.  Besides I like Bacon and cheese too much, even if I only eat bacon once or twice a year.
• More charity/volunteer work.  Not just for my own foundation but others.  It’s nice actually!  Especially when you get to partake in projects such as the plus one collection .  Not only do you get your work published, you get it published alongside the people you admire the most and it’s for charity too, which is pretty bad ass.
• I’ve been working a lot more on being true to myself.  It’s been tough in some regards because even though I don’t entirely care what most people think about me overall, sometimes it’s good to have people in your corner just the same.
• I started working out more.  It’s proven to be not as impossible as I thought to get up before the sun rises and work up a sweat.

I’m busy and content.  Which is all that really matters I think 🙂