"Grief is love with nowhere to go."

• Participated in Ali Abdaal's Feel-Good Productivity Annual Planning Workshop. Ali is one of the YouTube influencers that really helped me a lot to hack life, and I am a fan of his recently published book Feel-Good Productivity. One of the perks of pre-ordering his book was this free workshop on setting your intention for the new year. This is one of my most favorite activities, that's why I was very enthusiastic to participate in this event. I believe the workshop was three hours long, and I've got to say it's one of the best new year planning sessions I attended in recent memory. I even got teary eyed during the session. I never thought I would feel emotional during the process. I initially thought I would just listen to Ali talk about all the hacks to make this year the best one of your life. I never thought I would go deep into my emotions. I also got to know Ali more as a person. And I must say I love his energy. I thought he would come off as obnoxious, but I was wrong. He has this pure enthusiasm to share his knowledge with others. I think that's what makes him a great coach also, because he feeds off energy to others.

• Went to Japan with the best of my friends. Finally, I got to go on an overseas trip with my friends! It was in 2022 when all of them went except me. I had my personal reasons back then, but I'm so happy the stars aligned for this trip. I even had one great experience during our stay in Japan -- attending Taylor Swift's Eras tour concert in Tokyo. Ahhh!!! This trip deserves a whole set of posts (which I hope to get rolling soon 😅).

My friends and I @ Shirakawago. It's their first time to experience snow. It's my second time (first time was in Japan too. 💖). Jean and me at our happiest Swiftie forms. This was such a memorable day. 🥰

• Finally caved in to the urge to buy a Nintendo Switch! For years, I have had an on-and-off craving to actually buy a Switch because I really enjoy gaming. I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I enjoy playing games all the same. I have fond childhood memories of playing on the Game Boy, so it was one of my dreams to actually own a Nintendo Switch. When we passed by a Switch store in Japan, I couldn't resist the urge anymore and bought one for myself. 😆 Since then, I have been enjoying playing games like Pokémon Arceus (but I have not finished it, I abandoned it and gave the game to my sister). Now, I am continuing to play Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and I am really enjoying that game on the console. My happy gamer self thrived this year. 🥰

Unboxing the Switch at our Airbnb in Japan

• Gone through a grieving process.
• Enjoyed pampering my inner child. ✨I indulged with buying items that I enjoyed as a child. Well now that I'm an adult with money, I can buy stuff that I want! 😉

Harry Potter and Cardcaptor Sakura items that I bought from SHEIN. 😍

• Bought a sunrise alarm clock! Waking up has never been this seamless. I also rediscovered my love for reading (via the Kindle) so I have developed a healthier night routine to substitute endless doom scrolling on the phone.

I got this on Amazon and shipped via Kango Express.

• Went to visit my friend's house and met his folks. KP is one of my longest friends and we live in the same province. I was so happy I got to finally visit him with the help of my folks also (it was a one-hour drive from our place). 

• Got to see Miss Saigon live on stage! I went with my friends Jean and Maan to see the play. I instantly became a fan of the actors. 👏

• Travelled with family to a quick outing. This was something new for us and so I was so happy we got to gather together to just do some sightseeing and eat some great food.

We all had our share of photos here. Of course I will only upload my solo. HAHAHA.

• Was able to renovate our house's roof. 🙏
• Listened to Taylor Swift's new album The Tortured Poets Department. Of course this is included in my highlights for this year! 🤍
• Reunited with my beloved thesismates. Yes, the very same friends I went to Seoul with in 2016. I think that was actually back then when we last met, and here we are 8 years later! With them, it felt like no time passed by. I'm so grateful I got to meet up with them again. 😊

• Bonded with colleagues and got to know my new friends a little better. It's one thing to share happy memories with friends, and it's another to go up against the worst kind of life's challenges together. I'm so humbled to be welcomed in this circle of friendship that has tested their relationship in the most difficult way, which they all emerged as warriors by the way. At this point, they already know that they are soulmates for life. I'm so grateful that I, as an outsider, got to know their stories, how delicate and sensitive it all was, and I deeply appreciated that they warmly welcomed me to be part of their friendship. Those conversations in the car and in the cafe were moments that I really treasure.

• Got to watch IU live in concert! IU is one artist that I really adore, and I'm so happy I got to see her perform live! Thanks again to Jean's help in securing the tickets. 💖

• Went to Lasema with friends. This jjimjjilbang place will always be a favourite, and I'm so happy I got to go there again with my friends, Hazel and KP.

Of course, it's a must to eat ramen when we go to Lasema! 🍜

• Bought a treadmill to reach my fitness goals. ✨I knew I had to level up with my fitness routine and so I bought this treadmill that my friend recommended to me, and I was so happy with my purchase! Even my dad loves using it!

I got the Kingsmith Walking Pad from Lazada.

• Joined the Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone Conqueror Challenge! I stumbled upon a sponsored ad on Facebook for The Conqueror Challenge, which was launching their Harry Potter virtual run challenges. After some consideration, I decided to participate. My Potterhead self just couldn't resist! The Conqueror Challenge is a virtual run challenge wherein the goal is to completely cover a targeted distance for the marathon. There's a mobile app being used that features a map that follows your progress in the distance covered through walking and other exercises. For the Harry Potter themed marathon, the map follows the story of the books. I subscribed for just the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The other six books are available for purchase separately. Included in each virtual run package is a physical medal which is HP-themed also. There's an optional add-on for a runner's shirt (where you can choose the design you want). I chose a Hufflepuff runner's shirt and I ran the virtual challenge contributing points to my house, Hufflepuff. Go badgers! 
  
  However, I think I may have over exerted myself, particularly on the treadmill, which is why I needed to consult with a doctor about my knees. 😅 Despite that, overall I really enjoyed The Conqueror Challenge. It was a very effective method to keep me motivated to be more physically active. 💪

• Participated as a session speaker in a conference in Las Vegas. This was another significant milestone for me in terms of my career. This is my second time being a session speaker at our company's conference in Las Vegas. My friend Hazel attended the same conference with me. We flew together with another colleague from Manila to the US. This year's experience was really fun, filled with new and familiar experiences. I am always thankful for the opportunity to travel to these places because of work. It has helped me connect with more people and gain confidence in my public speaking skills (also thanks to all the training I have received from Toastmasters!). 

• Went to a side-trip in Tokyo after our business trip! I never thought that I would be able to visit Japan twice this year, and it proves that life is just full of surprises 😍. I was overwhelmingly excited when I discovered the possibility of doing a side trip in Japan after our business trip in the US. Together with my friend Hazel, we took a side trip to Tokyo and transformed to tourist mode in the city for a few days. We did a lot of shopping, eating, and had many heart-to-heart conversations with each other. I was really happy, and it was another memorable trip, which I hope to write about in more detail in this blog. 😉 Seeing this picture below reminds me of all the happy memories I had during my short stay in Tokyo.

• Participated in a surprise proposal. This was my first time participating in a surprise proposal, and I feel truly blessed and grateful to be part of such a special event for the couple. It was an overnight gathering, and I also had the opportunity to meet their mutual friends. Initially, I felt some anxiety because I would be surrounded by mostly strangers, and I was unsure how I would interact with them. However, upon arriving and meeting everyone, I realized why we are all friends of the couple. We all shared the same energy, and it felt as though, despite it being my first time meeting them, we could all also become good friends if given the opportunity. 

• Took the role of "Toastmaster of the Day" in an in-person meeting. This year, I had the opportunity to be Toastmaster of the Day in our club, this time in a face-to-face setting. At first it was a bit unsettling, as it required a different setup and a different set of skills to pull it off smoothly. However, thanks to all the supportive members and the officers, I was able to succeed. I received great feedback from the members and evaluators present at the meeting.
  
  This experience was quite different compared to participating in online Toastmasters meetings, making it a memorable moment for me. There is a unique kind of magic in conducting Toastmasters in a face-to-face setting. I hope to do this more often in the future. 💗

• Drove down south to visit a friend's place. We have been planning this for the longest time, but was significantly stalled by the pandemic. I'm so happy that it finally happened! I drove down south and visited one of my friend's homes, where we were able to meet her husband again and at the same time meet with our other teammates and their families. It really felt like a reunion.
  
  Before the pandemic, we used to have company outings and would always bond with each other's families. However, due to the pandemic and our differing schedules now, we do not gather as frequently as we used to, so we all felt nostalgic that day. We realized how quickly time has flown by. We tried to avoid discussing work as much as possible 😆. The gathering became a potluck, as each family brought food to share. We enjoyed the meal together, and my friend’s husband prepared some cocktails for us, which we really loved. He enjoyed mixing cocktails based on recipes he's been experimenting with. It was really a night of fun, filled with food and drinks. 🍹
  
  I am incredibly grateful to my friend for hosting us and also allowing us to stay overnight. I truly miss this kind of connection with my officemates, as things have changed. I really missed these kinds of conversations over food that we no longer have because we are all working from home. I am so grateful to have shared those moments again in this way with my friends at the office.

• Splurged on HP x MINISO items. This deserves its own entry as one of my highlights this year because I am a huge Potterhead, and it was such a joy to know that a whole new line of merchandise was released via MINISO shops. My sister and I (both Potterheads!) busied ourselves discovering the different products that were available, and it was a delight for me to look at each of them. I was so happy to be an adult now with money because I got to buy all the things I liked. I bet all of us millennial Potterheads were thrilled because we now have the purchasing power, and it is such a nostalgic experience to revisit our childhood fandom and enjoy the buying experience itself. Thank you, MINISO, for collaborating with Harry Potter for this line of merchandise in your stores.

• Participated in a promotional video for my Toastmasters club. I was able to attend another face-to-face Toastmasters club meeting, and I discovered that the newer generation of members has great talent in producing online content. One of our members, who is also our VP for Public Relations, edited one of our club's promotional content online, and I was thrilled to be included in the video. We did some shooting and video recording after our meeting session that day, and it was fun to act in the skits and follow the directions given by our VPPR. 

• Underwent a cosmetic procedure. Together with my mom, I visited a nearby beauty salon to undergo a cosmetic procedure, something I had considered for a long time because it is a bit invasive. It was an experience to undergo this procedure, and thankfully, things went well for the first session. I am excited to do the second session with them next year! 💋

• Attended an online book club meeting. One of my main goals for the year was to expand my network, and I thought that joining book clubs would be a great way to achieve that. So, I joined several online book clubs, and this was my first time attending one of their Zoom meetings. There were only a few of us, but it was a very comprehensive session. Our host was passionate about her role in the club, which inspired me to do the same.
  
  Attending this book club meeting changed my perspective on various aspects of the world, especially regarding leading projects. I often feel demotivated when only a few people participate or contribute to a project I am working on. However, during this book club meeting, I realized that this mindset is not ideal, as it indicates a reliance on external validation for my work.
  
  I learned that you can maintain the same passion, dedication, and quality of work regardless of whether one or two people attend your meeting. You do the work because you enjoy it, and that enjoyment is self-validating already by itself. Your high-vibration will soon attract like-minded people that share that same level of passion, and that's when you will find your people. 😀
  
  I feel fortunate and grateful to have attended this meeting because it truly changed my mindset. With this realization, I am motivated to engage in more volunteer work in the future. I am happy to have gained a new perspective on working with others, and I look forward to attending more book club meetings in the future!

• Stayed at my sister's house for a week. One of my highlights this year was traveling to my sister's house and staying there for a week. It is always a joy to be there because I get to babysit her furchildren, which include two dogs and a cat. My favorite part is taking care of their cat because she is very adorable and friendly. Additionally, their dogs do not bark at me, which makes my time there even more comfortable. I seldom see my sister's cat, so I am very happy to have the opportunity to stay for a few days and take care of her.

• Went on a local trip with KP and his partner. I traveled locally in the last month of the year with KP and his partner. It was a memorable trip because it was a small group, creating an intimate experience. We were able to do a lot of things during that trip, including food trips and nature adventures. I am grateful to have spent these kinds of moments with friends I am very comfortable with. This trip was life-changing and memorable, and I plan to write about it soon on the blog! 😉📝

• Celebrated my birthday with my folks. I had a simple and quiet celebration of my birthday. I was actually working on my birthday, but that’s okay 😅. I forgot to file a leave for my birthday, actually. Anyway, my birthday was a simple celebration with my parents at home, and we ordered some food. I felt a different level of peace and gratitude on this day, which was a unique experience because I usually feel some sort of existential crisis during this day. Well this year was different and because of that, I am very grateful. Despite working, I still had some quiet time during which I was able to write down my thoughts and reflect on my life so far. I am grateful everyday, but especially on my birthday, for the opportunity to celebrate with the people I love and those I am close to. 🥰

• Travelled to the province to be with my extended family members. We made an unplanned visit to the province due to some family events, and I got to enjoy morning walks while being there. Those quiet moments in the morning, before everything gets busy and noisy, are precious to me. I am grateful to have experienced those moments during our visit to the province.

• Visited a famous church in the province. We also visited one of the famous churches in the province, where we offered our wishes for the family and for the people we are close to. The energy that people bring into these traditions and the faith they give to the saints and churches fascinates me. This is why I enjoy visiting places of faith; I love observing people and feeling their energy and faith as they gather together to pray.

• Did an overnight staycation with my sister and her hubby. I never thought that the last month of the year would be a very busy time for me. In the last few days of the year, I was able to travel with my sister and her husband, and we enjoyed an overnight stay at a hotel. It was fun because it had been a while since I traveled with my sister. I believe she was still single during our last trip together. 😂
  
  This trip allowed us to get to know each other better and create new happy memories. We were able to enjoy food trips and take many photos, and I really appreciated the relaxed atmosphere of traveling with them. We also visited one of the chapels that honors the same patron as the church I visited with my parents in the province. Was it a coincidence? Perhaps. But I believe we were meant to be there.
  
  Things are just meant to happen that way, whether by coincidence, magic, or the alignment of the stars. It all felt magical. The energy of faith really draws me to these religious places. I made my share of wishes and prayers and offered well wishes for myself, my sister, and our family. It was a very enjoyable way to end the year!.

The year 2024 was a phenomenal year. I am grateful that we have arrived at the end of it with many happy memories and additional layers of experience through life. I hope for the best in the upcoming year, 2025, as we carry on all the lessons we have learned this year and maintain the positive energy from the lovely memories we have created. I am looking forward to what is to come in 2025. I am thankful to have experienced all of this. Thank you, Universe, for all the blessings and lessons you have given us this year. 

Happy New Year! ✨