2012 | The Year in Review
As I type this, my cup of hot chocolate is right in front of me and I am smiling as I marvel at life's ways of surprising you. When I think of 2012, I honestly thought I couldn't finish it with a smile --- what with all the emotional rollercoaster I'd been through {cue Meredith Grey's dark and twisty speech}. This was sometimes in the 3Q and here I am, three days shy of a new year and I amzen-like. Operative word: Like.
I am happy to be friends with introspective beings -- as the other night, we were seated in a Japanese bar, drinking lychee sake and we were summarizing 2012 in one word. It didn't take too long to know what was mine:
2012 was the year my faith was ignited --- in levels I didn't know existed. Some days ago, I discovered that my family had actually been talking about it, in a manner I thought would be similar to changing gender preferences. Maybe IT was a big thing, to change something about you as big as the denomination of religion but the God I believe in has always been the same --- I am just more connected now and in tune with my faith, AND that it wasn't only me who had been faithful -- God had really been faithful to me, He answered all my prayers, and that, is the biggest thing in my life this 2012.
As for the rest of 2012, here are some of my favorite photos from this year, of which I am forever thankful for:
Family trip. Exciting that our next one is miles and miles away :)
Incredibooth-ing with the parentals.
Something sparkly.
Yonge St. Toronto | 2012
At the Sunshorts Gala Night | This was by far, the biggest project of my career and happy it went the way it had to.
... which brought me to Tokyo. Forever grateful.
Dreams do come true. Thank you Universe, for making Phantom of the Opera happen!
Lola realizations.
Hellos. And goodbyes.
Though it was a bit ScarJo-ish, it was pretty groundbreaking to be somewhere else on my birthday.
... and with new luggage to boot. Thanks, Jane and Crumpler!
Spending quality time with friends who celebrate life's triumphs with you and foregoes judgment when life throws a curveball.
My finisher's medal at the Sunpiology Run. Cheers to finishing things!
Think you can't do something? Think again. This was me during the football clinic. While I'm no expert, I think I played decently. And I am raring to go again!
Plus, we emerged CHAMPIONS! And I got new friends :)
Squeezing in a little beach trip before the year ends, with Chai | Bohol | 2012
What life missed out on other things, gave way for things that are equally as great.
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before? Kicked a ball around and learned football.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Yes, I surprisingly fulfilled a year of quiet temperance.
3. Did anyone close to you die? No, fortunately.
4. Did anyone close to you give birth? None but I know a lot who did (from online) and I am happy for them.
5. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Quiet times, serenity, clarity of mind, free will.
6.What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 20th.
7. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Finally finding my happiness, where it has always been in.
8. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had a cancer scare. Thankfully, it was nothing serious.
9. What was the best thing you bought? Experiences, travel and gifts to loved ones.
10. Whose behavior merited celebration? NA.
11. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Why would I say that here? :P
12. Where did most of your money go? Travel.
13. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Japan.
14. What song will always remind you of 2012? Till I See You by Hillsong
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Beyond happier.
Richer or poorer? Richer.
16. What do you wish you'd done more of? Praise and worship God. I feel like it's not enough for all the blessings I've received.
17. What do you wish you'd done less of? Introspection. The human relationships are best left to be a mystery.
18. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent it with my family at my hometown, with neighbors, with my oldest friend in the world, and with much love.
19. Did you fall in love in 2012? Always have, always will.
20. What was your favorite TV program? Suits, still. Drop Dead Diva, too.
21. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hate is toxic. No, I don't hate anyone.
22. What was the best book you read? You'll See It When You Believe It by Wayne Dyer. My mom sent it to me years ago, included in a balikbayan box and I was quick to dismiss it as a woo-woo book. One day, while I was cleaning and feeling sorry for myself {eew}, I read through it and was surprised I couldn't stop reading and well, here I am, very happy about my life. Guess things come when you need them the most.
23. What was your greatest musical discovery? Please don't laugh at me but I'm slowly appreciating teenybopper music like Taylor Swift and One Direction :D
24. What did you want and got? To transform myself a certain way and I did it.
25. What was your fave film of this year? Argo.
26. What did you do on your birthday? Spent my birthday in two countries: Japan and Philippines and inside a plane. Best and worst way to spend a birthday. :P
27. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? Classy with bursts of color -- as it has always been.
28. What kept you sane? The book of Psalms, a small prayer every now and then and the thought that everything will come to pass.
29. Which celebrity figure you fancy the most? Chris Evans.
30. Who was the best new person you met? *blush*
31. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012? It's not important to be right all the time --- rather be kind. Let go. It's not important to always have the upper hand. It's important to be the bigger person. You never lose something --- it is where it should be. You deserve everything in the world, as much as the next person deserves everything too.
My wish for you is for 2013 to be even more epic than how your 2012 has fared, that whatever it is you've always dreamt of, you would get. I wish you amazing adventures, the crazy stories we will tell our grandchildren, a peaceful heart, a soulful journey and a brand new day to always look forward to.
Here's a little something to look forward to this 2013 on Chronicles of Vanity:
Happy New Year, my dearest readers! I hope that you have someone to kiss tonight! :)
xx
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