Wow, today is the last day of this year. Thinking about 2015 and all that came with it makes me really emotional and teary. This year was the most challenging of all the years I have spent on earth, I probably cried the most this year, I was probably down for the most part of the year. At a point I just wanted to sleep and not wake up. I passed through trails, tests, temptations, disappointments, losses, heart breaks back to back without any breathing space. I suffered from depression, anger, loneliness, sadness, grief, pains, just name it.

2015 was a real battle ground for me. I was pulled beyond my elastic limit, I was tried and tested on every aspect of my life, I was thrown to the ground, wounded and battered by life's challenges.

First, I graduated from the university or college in December 2014, exactly a year now. I can remember vividly how I prayerfully planned my 2015. According to my plan I should be rounding up my service year (NYSC - the compulsory one year service to my country Nigeria) but as I write this now I have not started it. A mistake was made in one of my courses so I could not graduate with my mates. The first batch went in May 2015, I cried, became sick, cried and cried again. I asked God what was happening, I felt terrible, I created a shell and coiled into it. I didn't want to talk to any body, the NYSC uniform tormented me, I felt miserable.

I was assured that the issue would be rectified and I would go in the next batch in October, 2015 but it was not possible. I felt terrible again but not like the first time.

Next, I had a very painful surgery that I wrote about here. My junior sister had an accident that left her with a fractured right arm, she is completely fine now. I made some crazy mistakes that I will remember forever, my relationship with God was not what it should be at. I lost money, friends, personal belongings and opportunities..

NOW, enough of the sad stories.... 2015 was an awesome year, I met great people, likes of Bankole Williams, Detuke Morgan, Chinenye Nzom, Funto Ibuoye and her wonderful husband Gaise Baba, Jimi Tewe and his beautiful wife Lola Tewe, John Obidi, Stephanie Obi, I can go on and on. Trust me I would not have met these guys If I had gone for service in May 2015. Meeting them helped me to start living my life intentionally, living each day with purpose.

I started this blog this year, WHOOP WHOOP, and it has been a wonderful experience connecting with y'all. Your comments, nice words of encouragement and advice kept me moving always. I love you all dearly..

I started my natural hair and beauty care line Shanyi Organics.

I learnt better and more effective ways to tackle life challenges. I'm going into 2016 with my head high because I am Victorious. The fact that I overcame all the challenges of 2015 and I'm alive, healthy and sane enough to write this post means that I can go through any challenge with God by my side.

I'm not quite sure of what 2016 holds but I'm sure that God's got my back and I'd be just fine.

Thanks so much for making 2015 a remarkable one for me, thanks for yours calls, text messages, comments, likes, shares and all those good stuff. Let's do it again and more in 2016.

There would be give aways, freebies, collaborations, more features, meet ups maybe, better photography, better content and yeah we are moving to our permanent site, lol (shanyitots.com) in 2016. Stay tuned for more goodness and 'yumminess'...

Stay safe and see y'all in 2016...