Yes, you read it correctly!  It may not be as surprising to some, but to those who know me personally, know that this is BIG!  This is also the main reason why I’ve taken a break from posting (although I’ve remained active on Instagram – follow me @HelloBloomingAugust if you’re not already).  I also took this time to prepare and schedule a number of posts to get ahead, so be sure to keep me on your radar for more.  It takes a lot of time and preparation for a post so I’m doing my due diligence to have a few weeks of material done ahead of time. Someone once told me “organization + preparation = success” and I agree.

Now to answer the big question:

Why did I move to Houston?

My immediate family is here and based on some recent life events, my husband and I decided that it would be a good time to move.

Backstory

My family relocated to Houston, TX in the hot Summer of 2002 from Los Angeles due to my Dad’s job moving his position to the city.  I was devastated!  It happened all too fast and I completely closed my mind to accept this change.

Houston is a completely different city than where I had just come from.  We also moved in July when it was very hot, humid, and rained a lot.  It rained the first two weeks we were there. The whole two weeks! I mean, Tropical Storm, Tornado watch, type rain that flooded the streets, interrupted our power, and delivered the loudest thunder I’ve ever heard in my life.  Great introduction to a new city, right?! Yea, I was over it and continued in this mindset for a while.  Eventually, things got better…

Winter 2005 – 2006: LA State of Mind

Fast Forward through the next few years, I realized that I wanted to go back to LA and figure out what I wanted to do with my life.  LA or Houston? I wasn’t quite sure.  My parents and some friends didn’t understand why I wanted leave, but this was something I felt was necessary for my personal growth.  I thought it would be a great idea to try and figure this out while I’m in college and could live on campus.

After a long conversation with my parents, I received their support … actually, I think I told them after I applied to Cal State University, Northridge and was sent my rejection letter for missing 1 or 2 classes.  I wanted to show that I was serious about this. The next day, I called the admissions office at CSUN to get clarification on classes the letter claimed I missed.

For some reason, the system now said that I had been accepted. What?! I was clearly holding my rejection letter in my hand. In disbelief, I asked what she meant by saying that I’ve been “accepted.” Ha! She repeated and confirmed that I had indeed been accepted even though I missed two classes.  I couldn’t believe it!  It was an answered prayer, as I was desperate to get back to the great city of Los Angeles. However, it was less than a week before the beginning of Spring Semester and I didn’t have the funds to pay for it all. So, I put LA off for the semester and planned for my move to happen in Fall 2006.

During this time is when I met my husband.  How ironic?! If I had gone to LA for the Spring Semester like I wanted, this meeting may not have happened.  My cousin, who worked with a popular Gospel music group, visited Houston during one of their tour stops and my husband was on this same tour. My cousin called us the same day, and my brother and I drove about two hours to the concert.  I had no idea I would meet my future husband that night.

September 2006: I Believe I Can Fly

Fall semester is here and I began my journey of self-discovery, to stretch my wings, and utilize all of the knowledge and values my parents had taught me. Yet, I had no idea of what lied ahead of me. (You can read more about this journey here.)

October 2016: Headed Home

It’s officially been 10 years… and looking back, I believe it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I grew up. I graduated from college, made friends with awesome young people doing great things, attended one-of-a-kind events, became a wife and a mom… most importantly I discovered who I am and what makes me happy.  During this time, I had also learned that despite how much I loved being back in LA, my love for Houston continued to grow.  Little did I know, 2016 would be the year I’d make the move; this time, bringing my husband and son along with me.

I’m excited to be back and enjoying the city that has embraced my family for the last 14 years.  It feels like home… like I grew up here. It’s really nice to be back!

Here’s a few things I’ve been up to:

I drove around to see some of the murals in downtown for the Huemural Festival…

Here is my son running through the water fountains at Discovery Green… (A small portion of it)…

Made a German Chocolate Cake for my family…

Tried Watercolor painting for the first time…

I made my first decorative cake…

Enjoyed desserts from SWEET (Honey Lavender, Creme Brulee, Salted Caramel Macarons; Oatmeal Raisin cookies)

This is my son and I hanging out after a enjoying a scoop of Gelato at the MKT Bar inside of Phoenicia Foods.

… and lots of family time.  I’m looking forward to more of this!

A few lessons I’ve learned over the years:

1. Change is good.
2. Do what makes you happy.
3. Always be open to new opportunities.

Peace and Love!

Yasmin

(Note: All photos were taken by myself, except the one featuring my first decorative cake.)