It’s that time again to look back at the moments that made this year very special.
I celebrated both my third anniversary in China and second year in beijingkids on December 28. Reaching that point has been a challenge … but ok, it’s a cliche. Everyone else has had their own share of issues in 2018, but this year has helped me define one important aspect of living and working abroad: mental strength.
In an article on beijingkids, I talked about how practicing mindfulness should be a goal for many this 2019. It struck a big chord on me as this year has shaken my mental strength to the core – from personal issues all the way to career decisions. Just days before I began working on this article, I asked myself if I am ready to share all the struggles I faced in 2018 but then realized the sad stories and traumatic experiences are meant to be kept in the deepest vaults of my subconscious. Hiding those stories might mean they will feed the devils in me, but can also remind me that somehow in my late 20s, I succeeded and I grew better.
I’m better than that. I’m beyond that. I’m more than that.
When I selected the 30 photos that best represent my 2018, I thought, “Oh, this year is not that bad at all.” Though I traveled less this year, I still made or joined activities that focused more on the self and the mind. I experienced my “China days” where I wanted to say “fcuk ya” to every 坏人 huàirén who blocked my way. But they weren’t the problem; it’s the way I viewed the world that stressed me out. It’s the fcuking self-imposed expectations and the pursuit of perfection that stressed me out.
But reviewing my phone gallery was extremely satisfying in itself: it showed the moments that defined my third year in China, reminding me to be always thankful no matter what.
Click each photo to see its caption.
Jan 1. Staring the year with a trip to the Temple of Heaven Park
Jan 31. The super blue blood moon as seen in Beijing
Feb 8. Blogging in Beijing’s first meetup
Mar 31. Kusina ni Kabayan food tasting
Apr 15. Kusina ni Kabayan at the Beijinger’s Hot & Spicy Festival
Apr 22. Seeing my first nephew for the first time
Apr 27. Solo backpacking in Bohol, Philippines
May 8. Post-birthday dinner
May 12. Birthday surprise at Little Creatures
May 26. Sunset spotting in Kota Kinabalu
May 29. Toruk: The First Flight press conference
May 31. Blogging in Beijing open forum
Jun 16. Kia’s last Beijing Burger Festival
Jul 22. Camping at Chicheng in Zhangjiakou
Jul 29. The Peking Man site at Zhoukoudian
Aug 1. Toruk: The First Flight performance
Aug 24. My journey to learning a new language
Aug 29. When I Grow Up photo shoot
Sep 16. Kusina ni Kabayan’s Pamilyang Pinoy autumn fair
Sep 30. Recreating my best Summer Palace photo
Oct 2. National Holiday with Kusina at The Brickyard Mutianyu
Oct 7. Tiffany and Bleddyn’s wedding announcement
Oct 11. Oktoberfest at Paulaner Braühaus
Oct 16. Making the New Beijing photoshoot
Oct 27. Rescuing Fu on South Sanlitun Road
Oct 27. Shanghai Swing gala at Western Academy of Beijing
Nov 11. Basia at Blue Note
Dec 1. Kusina ni Kabayan’s Krismas sa Pinas Christmas market
Dec 16. First bullet train ride and a trip to Tianjin
Photos: Andy Penafuerte III It's that time again to look back at the moments that made this year very special. It's that time again to look back at the moments that made this year very special.
