I know I’m a bit late for the “new year, new me” wrap-up post since I have been working a lot lately, but it’s better late than never…or so they say.
2017 has been weird. It was like my best year yet it was also my worst. I have been through a lot of beautiful experiences but also a lot of pain that I never thought I could go through. I lost a lot of friends, the love of my life and my grandmother all in the past year. It was rough, but I also gained a whole bunch of friends, new stamps onto my passport, and I got to live in a completely new city in a completely new country in a completely new continent. The past year has been amazingly painful yet beautiful, if that’s even a thing.
I have decided to list down 7 highlights in my life from the year 2017. I have come to a decision to list down only 7 instead of 17 because I am trying to limit my oversharing from people online lurking into random people’s lives, hahaha. Here goes:
> Being given another chance. I was blessed to have been given another chance in this beautiful gift called life. I am eternally grateful to God for blessing me so much more than I deserved or could have asked for. Our God is, indeed, so amazing and faithful and beautiful!
> Spending two months exploring the Philippines with Micah Scott. I am eternally grateful for the moments we’ve had and memories that Micah and I have shared from this trip. Even if we have decided to go our separate ways, I believe that all we have for each other is pure happiness and friendship and joy that we got to share a beautiful part of our lives together–even if the love had to expire. I will never forget these moments.
> Moving to New York. I came to New York last August to pursue photography, film and literature. I have been working on my portfolio and have been meeting beautiful people along the way. This has definitely been one of the best things that I have given myself. I mean, all thanks to God and my family’s support, of course!
> Getting sponsored by brands and establishments for my travels. I have been blessed to use my gift and talents into making content for my sponsors. I also have to admit that these experiences have been saving me quite some money. I hope I also get more sponsors this year, hahaha.
> Growing deeper in my relationship with Jesus Christ. Micah’s sisters created a Bible Study Group that has been helping me keep up in reading the Word of the Lord. These ladies has been such a constantly strong support and they have been praying for me and my journey, as I have been praying for them. I can’t wait to walk with these girls in faith this 2018!
> Seeing snow for the first time. I mean, I was born and raised in the tropical archipelago that is the Philippines. I have never really seen snow ’til Winter 2017. It was so magical!
> Finally seeing and realising my self-worth. I have been pushed around dozens of times by people I loved so in my head, I didn’t think I mind. But it was wrong in so many levels. People who love you don’t push you around or ignore your pain or forget to see the beauty in you. People who really love you are the ones who support you, fight for you when you don’t even feel like fighting for yourself, and the ones who lead you closer to God. I intend to surround myself with the latter this 2018–you should too!
As we all move into the new year, I hope we can reflect on how much we’ve changed and how much we’ve all grown stronger in all of our own different ways, and how God’s love and blessings are the only constant thing in this world.
We have been given another year, another shot at this beautiful gift called life. I hope you do something wonderful and amazing and something that your future self will be proud of. I hope that your dreams come true this year, and the years after this. Make the days count!
Happy 2018, everybody! I’m ready.
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
Psalm 5:11 NIV
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