Dear Diary: I Survived

This last episode does not disappoint.Thanks for following along on this journey of self discovery.It was hilariously painful. It was genuine and vulnerable.I have come to realize forgetting is both glorious and unhelpful.I am thankful that I have this small insight into who I once was and how I learned to survive.

This is the beginning of Chanel understanding who she is. It is really quite transformative to hear her go from managing the chaos in January, to learning to overcome it by the end of one crazy year. Chanel is learning to follow her heart, to listen to the voice inside her and take all the opportunities to become the person she hopes to one day be. The opportunities range from learning about a new religion to trying fried ice cream, both of which ended up being a big part of my whole life.

Uncover the dichotomy of living a life untethered to rules and yet desperate for safety and security.

This episode is full of tragedy.What experiences in your life shaped you? Did something happen that you thought would destroy you, only to realize later that it was an experience that changed you into exactly who you didn't know you wanted to be? This episode is so amazing! The entries are the original one I first read that inspired me to start this podcast. Drama at its maximum. Listen up; you'll cringe, you'll laugh, you'll be glad you weren't me!

Chanel is Student of the Month, begins her journey of having a monthly visitor, and moves AGAIN which is almost a monthly occurrence. Listen to catch a glimpse of her belief in the supernatural too.....just for fun!

A single entry documenting the beginning of my antiracism work. Being a true ally takes courage, determination, heart, and seeing people for who they really are and loving them for it.

The first week of middle school is under way! Chanel traverses the intricacies of the cafeteria much to her relief. Labor Day weekend brings an overnight babysitting job and a quintessential American experience. Chanel explains her own Fremont Street experience, and this was long before Vegas covered that street with neon and zip lines. It all culminates with her big concert attendance. You don't want to miss this!

Chanel faces her fear as summer comes to a close. She takes a flight, is chased by dogs, and registers for middle school. In between surviving summer there is another move, some poignant babysitting, a major purchase, and her 12th birthday party! Tune to hear just how Chanel survived the summer of 1990.

Summer is in full swing and nobody seems to have a single drop of sunblock! Fireworks, a new birth, family brawls, and a California vacation are all uncovered in this latest episode.

Who let this family have pets?!? Chanel reveals not only the trauma of cleaning a fish tank in 1990, but it leads to a deep family secret from earlier in her childhood. Warning, this is shocking and I inappropriately laugh too hard!

Summer has arrived and with no school comes absolutely no rules.As his farewell performance in my life Bubba ruined my yearbook with a filthy poem. My family tries camping...disastrous.I live up the night life...fabulous. I will never stop being astounded at how incredibly different each diary entry is and the amount of WEIRD crazy stuff that happened. This could be a fantastic study on how constant chaos can be normalized.

After watching Netflix's Hillbilly Elegy I was struck by the similarities of the characters' lives and my own; only Dear Diary isn't an elegy, it is a toast. A toast to car air freshener birthday gifts, watching apartment neighbors fight, preteen pregnancy rumors, and cheating in school...when I decided to show up.This episode, while definitely another serious reflection of my growing up, is not a lament for the dead, although the little girl in this diary has definitely moved on; it is a celebration for the survivor she is today.

Protecting your kids is probably the most important thing a parents does. How fitting that sunblock was not even a thing in little Chanel's life. Pretty metaphoric. There is a GUEST CO-HOST in this episode and he helps unravel the month of May in 1990.

Sexual education was quite diverse and intense for a 6th grader in 1990! From periods to AIDS to fetal development it was all covered in just 3 days. Buckle up and take notes...

Religion seems to have taken hold in my life. It is a good thing too, I need all the help I can get as we bowl our way through Easter and I resolve to single handedly SAVE THE EARTH!

A sweet reminisce of Chanel's grandparents and her development of faith.

A surprise special edition. How did Chanel celebrate Thanksgiving in 1990? Not at all how you would guess...and let's be honest, you could guess just about anything! This episode exposes what is really important about Thanksgiving; what matters most.

Good things are happening. The dog is ok, UNLV is the NCAA Champion, and my family pretended to be normal for one whole day.

March came in like a taunted lion for Chanel in 1990. She takes us through how you tame that beast, and let's just say I am proud to be that same girl today. Come at me yo!

Did your best friend ever get another friend and it made you crazy? How did you handle it? Sixth grade Chanel had her way. Also Chanel has some sage advice for dieting you don't want to miss. The 1990 Grammy's are reviewed and we find out Chanel had another pet. So much to laugh through...enjoy!!

February 1990 is coming in STRONG! Follow Chanel as she basically ditches 6th grade, hangs out unsupervised all over Las Vegas, endures cockroaches and family feuds, learns some big lessons about friendship, beauty, and ultimately self worth.

A few entries shared to wrap up the Bubba saga with some personal details of home life and my scholastic achievements.

What was it like to grow up in the neon glow of Vegas? Take a listen to Chanel as she walks you through Vegas's family friendly era.

Chanel is in the midst of growing up and there are some new challenges on the horizon.

Today we get some insight into the family dynamic that Chanel grew up in.And there are some great parenting tips too....

Chanel continues to enlighten us with her love of material things... from shoes, to autographs, to her brother's birthday gifts. She's starting to bring home the bacon too!

Two entries in today's episode, both centering on experiences that reveal Chanel's innate disposition to be upfront and also to protect.

Chanel reveals the dawn of her unabashed confidence while also coming to terms with one of her darkest secrets.

Unpack the chaos that was swirling in 1990 as Chanel explains her horoscope, divulges her true love, and meets the challenges of a sixth grade center.