2021

This is a post I never got to share last year but I still want to give it space on my page and add my little updates and comments. Reading this filled me with warm fuzzies xx

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Hello, continuing last year’s post on gratitude with things that have brought me joy since I’ve left Manila.

1. My Chitown family — all the time I got to spend with them, their support, the way they love and spoil me

2. Walks with mom — both in IL and NYC

3. Getting a library card and borrowing books. (By the end of June, I’d read through my original book challenge of 30 books. The new goal now is to do 52 books this year, basically a book a week) — I ended up reading 45/52 and I now have a NYPL card!!

4. Secondhand bookstores — found my favorite ones in NYC! And have a lot more I wanna check out. Basically exploring the city a bookstore at a time.

5. Sending postcards / Receiving mail and packages — gotta pick this habit back up

6. Reconnecting with old friends — and making new ones

7. Snuggling into warm, freshly laundered sheets

8. Learning how to make taho (taho is clearly a staple in my life lol) — seeing this made me make taho lol

9. Being a converted e-reader. Used to be a book purist but now I’m obsessed with my Kindle. I love reading with it especially cause I can borrow e-books from the library and read in bed with the lights off.

10. Working with a nutritionist and getting on top of my health

11. Learning to make my own meals that are equal parts healthy and tasty — another habit I need to get back on lol

12. Starting new habits and maintaining them - LOL

13. My mom and her unfaltering love and support. I literally would not have made it through this year without her

14. Getting vaccinated — and a booster shot!

15. Learning to ask and accept help — this is a big one for me. I’ve always been of the belief that the only person you can rely on is yourself so I preferred doing things on my own. But then I moved to a city that is nearly impossible to thrive by yourself. So I reached out to acquaintances, friends of friends, even strangers. And I was floored by the warmth I received. Mental note to be open to the good, in any shape or form it can take - may that be opportunities or people

16. Moving to NYC in the summer and witnessing the Grand Reopening. This city’s energy

17. Carla and our 3 months together at apt 12C — all the laughter, heart-to-hearts, drunk nights, and kalokohan

18. Landing a job that’s perfect for me. Way too good to be true. One of those pinch-me opportunities I can’t believe I got. Definitely worth the wait and all the unanswered applications. Note to self: rejection is redirection and divine protection. — wrote this long before any offer came in, kinda like a manifestation of sorts and boy did it actually happen!! And right before the year ended, too! May pahabol pasabog ang Universe. So grateful for my first job for keeping me afloat, the supportive community I found among the directors, and the warm send-off they gave me when I left. So so lucky!

19. Finally having a place of my own. Currently writing this post as I sip a hot cup of vanilla chai on a slow Sunday afternoon with my favorite Spotify playlist playing over the speakers. It doesn’t get any better than this. #romanticizeyourlife — another manifestation I wrote when I was experiencing intense anxiety on finding an apartment to move into. Like the job, it just fell into place and now I’m getting myself a hot cuppa to make this manifestation a reality. Also, since mum’s been over, we’ve decorated the apartment and added little personal touches to make the space my own. It finally feels like home 🤍

20. Celebrating my 30th in Miami

21. My plant babies (and fall in NY) — my plants have grown a lot since this photo was taken!

22. Creating my own community and finding home in people

23. Little pockets of kilig that this is my reality — I get this at the most random and mundane times. When I’m walking around my neighborhood. Taking the subway. Catching a glimpse of the sunset whilst running around the office carrying out my tasks. Doing my groceries. Making dinner. Waking up to a sunny day (or a rainy day. Just waking up in general. lol) Even cleaning my apartment (although no lie, I do miss my yaya and the alagang-Bing) Literally just loving life right now.

24. Everyone who’s come through to visit and the ones that are planning to

25. Museums, live shows, and all the activities, just being around people

26. Having the most New York things happen — like seeing Miss Goode irl (and her reposting my story), attending a movie screening of a big blockbuster film with a discussion between the director and one of the leads afterward, and meeting Eva Chen and Tom (!!). This happened on 01/13/22 but it needs to be mentioned: I met AB, and saw AW in person. I mean???

27. Being reunited with my family and spending the holidays with them

28. All the vintage scores and bargain buys

29. Eating home-cooked Filipino meals. TY mum

30. Leaps of faith and witnessing the Universe’s Grand Plan unfold. My biggest takeaway from 2021 is that you get in life what you have the nerve to ask for. And once you do, be ready for your wildest dreams to come true.

As always, the people I love, both old and new, have been my strongest anchors and brightest North Stars. I would not have loved 2021 (and my life) as much if it weren’t for them. I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings. On the up, always.