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Happy July, friends! It's been a while since my last life update, and I have much to share. So, grab a glass of something to drink and a snack because I'm about to dig into three months' worth of updates, what's new on the blog and elsewhere, and what I'm currently reading and watching.

April: We kicked off our year of travel with a trip home to Kauaʻi to be with my family for Easter. The last time I saw my family in person was in January, when we went home to celebrate the New Year with my family. My dad had put in a fire pit after our January trip, and I was looking forward to using it during this last visit. Unfortunately, it rained our entire trip, so we could not enjoy it. Boo!

May: In May, we flew to California twice! Angel and I are Godparents to Angel's brother's daughter, and we were supposed to be there to help prep for her baptism and first birthday party. But somehow, we ended up at Downtown Disney, Stoney Clover, and the LA County Fair for most of the weekend. After that trip, we were home for a week before flying back to California for the party.

I love traveling, but traveling back-to-back-to-back left me feeling burnt out and exhausted. It was a busy vacation where you're always on the go and an emotional one filled with family drama. (I mean, is it even a good family vacation if there's no family drama?)

When we returned home, it was hard for me to reintegrate myself back into my routines. When I realized I wasn't feeling like myself and none of the tools in my wellness toolbox helped me shake the funk, I scheduled an appointment with my therapist to talk it out.

I believe vulnerability and self-awareness are my superpowers, making talking with my therapist enlightening. With her help, I laid out all the things that were bothering me and dissected them with her so that I could move on and feel like myself again — whether it be my old self before the burnt-out feeling or a renewed version of myself post-burn out.

Therapy plays a huge role in my healing journey, and it's not lost on me that therapy is a healthcare service denied to many because of the lack of accessibility. If you need mental health help, a therapist isn't your only option to seek help. Free options are available, like talking with a friend or family confidant or non-profit organizations like Mental Health America.

It can be scary to ask for help; I was afraid of seeking help for a long time because I was afraid of being put on anti-depressants. But now I know medication is an option and a temporary solution in aiding in treating depression, which is a small branch in the vast ecosystem of mental health.

June: Speaking of mental health, I find it hard to recap June without memorializing my Nana's death anniversary. In the weeks leading up to her death anniversary, I knew that confronting the reality of her death would be difficult for me. So you can imagine my surprise when I felt fine the week of the anniversary. But it wasn't until the day and the days following it that I slipped into my grief again. I cried and tried my hardest to allow myself to feel that uncomfortable sadness until I learned how to live with it again.

If you're a longtime reader of my blog, you know writing is one of my favorite ways to process difficult feelings. Although I say vulnerability is my superpower, the choice to share my feelings on my platforms does not come easy for me, but it has always been worth it because it increases my self-awareness and helps me grow as a human. It also helps me connect with others who feel the same or are willing to have a calm conversation. Being vulnerable on the internet is scary; There are some mean people out there with nothing better to do than exile people from behind a screen when other people's beliefs don't align with theirs.

I want to share how SCOTUS's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade affects me. I'm not interested in debating anyone on the issue, nor am I looking for advice or discussing which side is right or wrong. These are purely my feelings, and I would very much appreciate you respecting my boundaries.

Before I get into it, I think it's important to highlight what I grew up learning about the issue. I'm Catholic and have always labeled myself pro-life because of my affiliation with the Catholic church. I was taught that life starts at conception and ends at death, and I still believe that today. Up until recently, no one taught me that choosing to have an abortion goes beyond not being ready to bring another life into this world. I didn't know that abortions are used in emergency medical situations, like ectopic pregnancies, septic uteruses, or the removal of a stillborn fetus due to a miscarriage. I was taught that abortion is bad and that people who choose it are sinners, regardless of why they decide to terminate.

Although I grew up pro-life, the right to choose has become deeply personal for me. I chose to go on oral birth control when I became sexually active with my then-boyfriend-now-husband, and I chose to quit said oral birth control when it made my body feel yucky after being on it for eight years. And my husband and I actively choose to use condoms as another form of birth control because I'm not ready to have kids yet. Those choices never came easy for me and required lots of contemplation, self-reflection, discussion with trusted people in my life, and prayer.

My decision to quit birth control forced me to unlearn and relearn sexual health because a lot of the things I know now weren’t taught to me at home or in school. With the overturn of Roe, and maybe an attack on access to contraceptives coming down the pipeline, sexual health awareness and education will be key. Everyone — not just women — need to learn about reproductive health, including women’s health (puberty, the menstrual cycle — menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases — fertility and the reality of how babies are made, menopause, etc.).

I've always struggled with where I stand on the pro-life, pro-choice spectrum. It's a complicated and personal issue, and I don't think it should be governed by law or church. SCOTUS’s decision makes me feel angry, sad, but mostly confused. I stayed up late the same night the of the overturn wondering if I'm a bad person in the eyes of God for choosing what's best for me and wanting women to be able to do the same. I can't even imagine what it feels like to have to choose to have an abortion, no matter the circumstance. And although I'm not ready to start a family yet, I don't think I could find it in myself to terminate my pregnancy because I'm not ready.

SCOTUS overturning Roe v. Wade is an attack on women's health, and their reasoning feels very 18th century. With my history of growing up pro-life and then choosing what's best for me and my health, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to confidently label myself one or the other. But if there's one thing I do know for sure, I'm pro-Jessika, and I will make the best decision for me, my health, and my future babies, and I will try my best to hold space for those who are also struggling with processing their feelings on this important issue.

ON THE BLOG AND ELSEWHERE

Phew! That monthly update was extremely nerve-racking to write, so I will follow it up with something a little more light-hearted for you to read.

My longtime readers and followers know I'm a huge fan of Disney (read: I'm a "Disney adult," lol). Disney recently announced updates to nighttime entertainment, Halloween, and the holidays at Disneyland. Check out my Disneyland travel guides, When to Visit Disneyland in 2022 and Everything You Need to Know About Halloween Time at Disneyland, to help you plan your 2022 Disneyland trip. Use my code "OROZCO" to save $10 when you book a Disneyland vacation package (tickets + hotel) with my travel partner, Get Away Today. Book now.

WHAT I READ

I took a little break from reading to focus on everything else in my life, but I recently got back into it and finished If the Shoe Fits: A Meant to Be Novel by Julie Murphy.

This was my first novel by Julie Murphy, and I think she's my new favorite author (Jasmine Guillory is still my first). I loved that the story was a contemporary romance inspired by Disney's Cinderella and not smutty. It was the perfect book to read to get back into reading.

Next, I'm reading Set on You by Amy Lea, and it features a male character inspired by Chris Evans, one of my many celebrity crushes! 

WHAT I WATCHED

I recently finished watching Outlander season 6. I first learned about this show at my nail salon, of all places. I'm typically not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I like this show because it involves time travel, which doesn't surprise me considering I like Marvel. The locations they travel to each season, and the clothes throughout the years, are beautiful. I can't wait to watch season 7!

I also finally finished Bridgerton. As much as I love a good enemies-to-lovers storyline, the struggle between Kate and Anthony was frustrating. However, I'm still invested in the show and look forward to watching season 3.

Promised Land is a drama about a blended immigrant Mexican-American family who owns a winery. Together, they struggle with hidden family secrets, identity, and what it means to be an immigrant in America.

I finally watched House of Cards after discovering it at my nail salon. (Do you see a pattern here?) This show is screwed up and will mess with how you see politics.

Last but not least, I watched season 4 of The Circle. I liked this season way more than seasons 2 and 3 because they featured Emma and Mel B from the Spice Girls! #TeamYuLing all the way!

If you made it to the end of this life update, you're the best! Thank you for keeping up with me and allowing me the space to express myself. I look forward to catching up with you next month!