2014 was honestly one of the best years of my life.  Yep, it’s true.  It really has been a great one and it feels so long I’m kind of left wondering what even happened at the beginning of the year?

Well, the highlight of those early months was Christmas 2013 I decided to focus my energy on making my youtube channel as great as it could be.  I made a background and got off the webcam and learned how to edit.  (Poor few who suffered through my previous videos thank you!).

2015 my channel should get even better and I am so excited.  I’ve learned so much, made new friends and had a blast.  If you aren’t subscribed please do.  It really helps me out and I think you will enjoy either the box or movie reviews I post. https://www.youtube.com/user/smilingldsgirl

When I started to work on my channel I thought I was just doing it as a hobby but all that I learned proved to be extremely helpful in a surprise opportunity that came around March.  My Dad told me about a job opportunity he had heard about at Kobayashi which is the company that bought Grabber where I used to work.  It was in the marketing department, particularly digital content.

It was a part time job but anxious for a chance to break out of accounting I jumped at the chance and applied.  It’s one of those tender mercies because if I hadn’t decided to work on my channel months before I wouldn’t have had a chance of getting that job.  But after about a month and a half of applications, interviews and waiting I got the job! It was so exciting!

It was one of the best days of my life when I started the new job and it has been a great experience ever since.  I’m grateful for all those years in accounting but to be able to do something new and creative, putting all my social media and blogging experience to use,  is really a dream come true.  Plus, still get to work from home and telecommute.  I am so blessed.

And yes, the dream job really is a dream!

In March we had the 40th book celebration for my book club.  It’s kind of sad now because I’ve taken a bit of a break .  With an injury it became too much wrangling people and planning everything, but I’m sure eventually I’ll feel inspired to start it up again.  Regardless, it was a fun party to throw.

Before I started the new job I had the chance to travel and took a risk to visit an old friend from high school Kim Durkin I hadn’t seen in 15 years.  We had kept in touch through facebook and I was a little nervous we wouldn’t have much in common but we had a wonderful time together.  She was an amazing host and I loved going to the beach every day.  It was gorgeous and I really had the time of my life.  Plus, I was in between jobs so it was the first vacation in years where I didn’t think about work at all and just enjoyed myself.

  Just after Tampa I was able to swim in the Great Salt Lake Marathon Swim 1 mile race and despite cramping at the start I got a great time, nearly 20 minutes faster than the previous year.

In July I got the chance to visit my folks in California and had  a good time seeing my nieces.

Unfortunately the trip would end by a slip in the shower and a torn MCL that would dominate the rest of the year.  I’m still going to physical therapy for the darn injury.

My injury meant that I couldn’t swim at my usual Deer Creek race, which I was feeling pretty depressed about.  Well, in an attempt to turn a negative into a positive I decided to watch the entire Disney canon something I’ve always wanted to do.  It took me from August to November but I started a new blog and had a blast watching all the Disney films.

I had so much fun with it and enjoyed conversing with other movie lovers that I kept up the blog even when the project was ever and did Scrooge Month in December where I reviewed 30 different versions of Christmas Carol.  If you haven’t looked at the reviews please do and add your comments.  I am very proud of the quality of the writing and I learned a lot from each review I did.  Plus, I had so much fun watching all these movies.  (2014 was also a great movie at the theaters too).

http://54disneyreviews.wordpress.com/

I worked more movie reviews into my channel and started a whole series called the ABC’s of my blu-ray collection.  It hasn’t gotten a ton of hits but I’ve enjoyed making the videos which is what matters.  I just posted the letter’s I and J.

I also continued my box reviews and set up a facebook page to promote the channel and have giveaways.  If you aren’t a follower to both please check them out.

Got to https://www.facebook.com/smilingldsgirlreviews for the facebook page.

I had the chance to do a collaboration with the Lawn Gnome which was really fun on our Top Forgotten Animated Films.

I’m just really proud of myself for taking a sucky situation and finding the positives.  I took on a whole new adventure and had a great time when it was very painful and difficult. I hope that is something I will have in my pocket for the future when life gets tough.  Thank you to anyone who read any of my reviews or watched any of my videos.  It means so much to me and really helped me get through a sad and painful experience.

The Fall flew by.  Two of my best friends moved this year, which was very hard for me.  I miss both Emily and Tania so much.

In November I spent the month working on my Nanowrimo novel which I finished!   Winner!

The elections also made me very happy in November!  Wahoo!

The rest of the fall was about work and trying to help my knee to heal.  I watched a lot of  movies, blogged a lot, made a lot of videos and spent a lot of time with friends and family.  It was a very happy time if frustrating with the injury.

 So with a new job, blog and channel I couldn’t have asked for better for 2014.  Yes I wish I hadn’t been injured but I wouldn’t have been inspired to write and try something new, so it all worked out.  I’m grateful for my life and the good people I have cheering me on and worrying about me.  I am so blessed by the Lord.

Most importantly I’ve felt Jesus guide me all year and help me to forgive others and remain positive even when in pain.  He is the source of all happiness in my life and I know He loves me and is aware of my needs.

May 2015 be as great as 2014 for you and me and everyone! Sure love ya all!

Rachel