This year I visited 2 new places - The UK & Cuba. Both were completely amazing. The UK... London, Rugby, Hertfordshire, all so marvelous in their own unique ways, that I must go back for longer as there is so much more to see. And then Cuba which screams of so much history (if you are into that) and definitely worth a visit. It got my inner wander-luster revving up for more adventures.

Life is indeed full of teachings, with that said, I learnt so much this past year of myself, who is in my life and where I want to see my life going. 

I have grown and learnt to be strong, to speak out when most of the time I would stay quiet. To not allow anyone to walk over me because I'm "too much of a nice person to say anything" and to stand firm in my ground in what I think is right/wrong. I am no longer a door mat for people to use.

The hardest thing this year showed me was the true colours from people I would never think twice of hurting... people I thought were "friends". After tears and a constant stabbing betrayal feeling, I woke up and walked away, and it may bring on more they can say about me, but trying to impress themselves will only leave them looking foolish. The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. Be careful who you share your time with. So here I am, moving into 2015 without a few, and a lot more space in my heart for those that know the value of love, friendship, honor and respect. 

This year, I started my blog. From "luludarling" at wordpress, to "missluludarling" at blogger and then changed entirely to "littlestepsbigheart". It has been a bit of a bouncy journey not knowing where I stood in the blogging world, so having a first year and sticking to it, made me so much more confident that I have decided to change up my blog a little more to suit who I am. So, if you notice my writing and the content changing, don't worry, it is still me. :)

As I mentioned in a past post about some exciting things that will happen next year, I broke it down into bullet points. 

I guess you can call this my 2015 bucket list. :)

As always, lists grow, so this will definitely be an expanding list of exciting things!! 

I do hope you have each grown this year. I would love to hear from ya'll which was your hardest hurdle and what 2014 taught you. 

Also, what do you think of a youtube channel? And do you have any advice for me if I were to do one? 

*waves* Hellllllooooooooo

In no way am I a gambler... I control how I play and how much I spend, so it's all good in the hood. :)

I am also working on a post but will not be publishing it until after Christmas, but sit tight, as next year I want to add a few new additions to blogging, including a bit more of travelling. 

Here's a caterpillar cocoon I found today and was completely amazed at how he created it with twigs and web. So much beauty. I stuck around to even see him poke his head out a few times to move. Completely speechless.

Hummingbird feeders I bought the other day. Can't wait to hang them in the new year.

On the 8th, I finally got to have a little birthday celebration with 2 of my girlfriends that I meet up with monthly for dinner.

I know - finally !! 

We choose Samurai Trinidad as the destination for celebrations and it was so lovely. After being seated, we ordered our cocktails and toasted to another year. 

There, as I sat with my girls, looking back at 20 years of friendship. The most beautiful thing about our relationship as friends [and some of you ladies might have the same/similar relationships] is we can go days, weeks, months, without talking.... and when we do, we pick up from where we left off. There is no jealously of who else you are hanging out with, or "why you haven't contacted me", etc. There is an equal and beautiful understanding of what we have. 

..... 

Our waitresses were amazing, so cherry and happy. They made jokes with us and were outstanding when it came to hospitality - [Props to Samurai] as this is extremely hard to find. :)

I have read some bad reviews of their service and their rolls, but up to now, everything had been flawless and our food, delicious !

During the course of the night, Melanie mentioned that it was my birthday - so that had entitled me to a yummy dessert of my choice. How fab ! :) Since I was already having the Lychee Martini, I decided to have the Lychee cake as well. Clearly I couldn't get enough of Lychee! hehe

After our dinner we ended up at the Carousel park - such kids - hahaha They had 2 new rides and although you have to be "14 and under" we still got to ride. 

I tell ya.... 33, and still enjoy rides! :)