2013—so daebak I want to cry!

I lost my six-year streak of publishing a year-end post every December 31, but oh well. Better late than never, right? I still need to post one because holy hell, I love 2013!

I have fewer trips than usual in 2013 but they were freaking highlights by themselves I get giddy everytime I reminisce. The plan to go to Sri Lanka didn’t push through but it was replaced by this epic trip to Myanmar in April I’ll just let the travel video show you how offbeat and cool the trip was. This was shortly followed by the highly-anticipated trip to El Nido in June which was so beautiful that it brought tears to my (and my friends’) eyes. Honestly, all of us were so stressed weeks prior that this was a welcome break. And frankly, it’s been a long time since I went on a trip just to play in the water. Then lo and behold, there was a fanmeet with Lee Seung Gi in Bangkok scheduled for August so hello Thailand again for another bout of fangirling! I can’t believe that I got to speak to him and hold his hand (fine, I just woke up this morning to the news of him dating Yoona *sigh*). It's also my first solo trip abroad ever and  it was amazing! And to cap the year right, I can’t resist going to Korea again! We had a way too short trip to Busan and Seoul (I swear, I can spend a month in Korea and not run out of things to do) in October. I’m still not finished doing the travel video yet (so sorry Rissee I’ll get right to it!) but hopefully I’ll have it up within two months, heh.

And then I’m devoting an entirely separate paragraph for this crazy new bout of fangirling over EXO. Ugh, I know, I feel like a cougar ogling at these boys. Believe me, I resisted for more than a year (my fangirl heart can’t memorize another dozen of boys. But well yeah, this music video happened and I was hooked. August 21, 2013. The day I got sucked into the abyss of EXO fangirling. I’ll make a separate post about this one (I can’t believe it’s only barely five months since then. I’m scared TT) but yeah…talk about downloading pictures and videos, talking about them with your fellow friends who care, talking about them with your fellow friends who DON’T care, and writing fanfics about them. Yep, the deep end. It’s a sweet dream AND a beautiful nightmare, lmao.

the music video that started it all

Of course, I can’t close the year without watching some concerts! I got to watch CN Blue! Hell yeah, they were great! And only a few days before my birthday at that. Also got to see Taylor Lautner in the flesh for the Bench promotions. THAT was crazy and tiring hahahaha. It’s a shame that the Matchbox Twenty concert didn’t push through because of the Yolanda tragedy. Hoping that I still can catch them on their next tour in Asia. AND let’s not forget KPOP Republic! The day when I discovered that I can bargain with a poker face just to see EXO! I swear, I turn in to Mr. Hyde in concerts but I really went crazy. I can’t help it. It’s EXO. Well, it’s just EXO-K in that one but still. It’s EXO. Enough said. 

Okay enough of the fangirling, this year is also the year that my niece was born! First baby in the third generation line of our family so we were all crazy excited. She’s so cute, and I’m an aunt! HAHAHAHA. Wishing more children for my sister and brother-in-law so that my relatives would get more distracted and not look at me hehehe. A lot of friends also got married this year (‘tis the season), so it’s definitely a year full of celebration. We also moved out of our home of 17 years TT. It was time to move on though, with my siblings already settling in respectively and my mom entering retirement. I’m now boarding at my relatives’ until I get to move in—get this—my own condo unit! Hopefully I get to move in this first quarter (and survive).

Apart from the highlights, I’m really happy at how the year panned out in general. Everyone in my family is healthy, I get to see my friends regularly (sometimes way too many times than I can count. Not complaining, just saying.), and work is still tolerable! Who would’ve thought! Hahahaha. But seriously, I love that this year gave me new friendships and opportunities to build on current ones. Not to mention taking random beach trips, trying out new food haunts, and just plain hanging around. I love you, guys *tears*

So there! 2014 is a HUGE year for me, since I get to turn into the big 3-0! It’s a bit daunting, I’m scared. But I’m using the “mabenta sa trenta” mantra to tide me over. Got to be fabulous this year, there’s no turning back. And I hope YOU guys continue to be fabulous! Here’s to a new year! Yehet!