Goals for 2021 and 2022

January 1, 2022

GOALS FOR 2021

Work on finishing the house. Finish the bedroom, the spare room, get a real dining room table set.
- LOL, still a work in progress. This is getting carried over into 2022.
Work on a brand new portfolio.
- A year later, I’ll still admit l am not comfortable with my dark hair. I still miss the blonde. But again, I don’t miss the upkeep, the dry damaged strands and everything else. But I’ve definitely grown a little more comfortable and this year I worked on 28 shoots total for the year and I love a LOT of the shots. One of my favorites is actually a simple studio shoot with nice lighting. No elaborate backdrop, location or wardrobe.
Disney goals: Mickey balloons and more Disney bounds
- Jasmine, Megara, Belle/Up bound, Woody, Princess Leia, 50th anniversary/Belle, Wilderness Explorer repeat (oldie but a goodie) and Mickey bound. Even completed one of my bucket list shoots as Lock, Shock and Barrel for a Halloween shoot, as well as redo my Halloweentown Mayor as a brunette.
- For the balloons, I had two different goals. I wanted to buy a rainbow bouquet of them to shoot with, and then give away to various guests throughout the park and make their day. I did finally shoot this, but not in Disney. I ended up getting party city balloons in NYC and doing Up at Anime NYC while helping my sister booth and it turned out pretty great. Secondly, I wanted to take a few Mickey balloons home. We road tripped twice this year to Disney and on the first trip I forgot to buy them in time to bring home but on the second trip, I was successful in bringing home two. They’re still floating in my living room.
Perfect a no-makeup makeup look.
- Halfway through the year, I got super lazy as I got more focused on my race training and wanted more time to work out so I forfeited my extra time getting ready for work. I stopped wearing makeup altogether. All I did was put on moisturizer and walk out the door. Towards the last month though, experimenting with different eyeliners to find the most marathon-friendly one, I started wearing eyeliner again and realized I have gotten really fast at applying it. I don’t think I’ve perfected a no-makeup makeup look but I definitely have gotten more comfortable going without. But don’t get me wrong, I still love a good full face when I have the opportunity to get all done up, especially for shoots.
Try new workouts. Look for more new running trails. Go on more walks with the husband.
- I started out the year with the #21daytone Blogilates challenge and I never thought I would end up being one of the challenge winners! And today I can proudly say I completed all 12 months of Blogilates workout calendars. I really love the workouts and it’s been a great addition to my weight lifting and running when I want to switch things up to keep it from getting boring or monotonous. I love that they’re not as intimidating as Insanity and very doable but still challenging so I look forward to these workouts when I get a chance to fit it into my routine.
- I did find some trails here and there, and learned that I like track running, as the impact is not as damaging on my body and safer than running in my neighborhood having to worry about dogs, terrible drivers swerving or not properly observing traffic. My hubby also ran with me for a few months which I enjoyed a lot. I wish he liked it more to do it more often and for a longer distance.
Take dance or pole lessons to work on my flexibility.
- I wasn’t able to find any classes or lessons local to me that were available within my days/time off unfortunately. Especially due to the pandemic and limited offerings. I do want to continue working on my flexibility though. My splits have definitely gotten better and I’m almost to the floor. It’s still going to take some time but I’m getting there. I’ve gotten some yoga blocks and a stretching strap to help, I just need to incorporate more stretching into my routine more regularly. I’m actually very bad at this when it comes to consistency.
LEARN MY DAMN CAMERA ALREADY.
- I’m not even going to talk about this anymore. I’m a POS.
Read one book a month. Finish a damn series if I start it on Netflix or whatever streaming service I’m using.
- I started out the first 4 months of the year strong…and then got lazy going to the library, lol. But I definitely attained my goal of finishing up all my shows! I even re-started and caught up on The Walking Dead and it’s actually pretty good.
Be more organized.
- I added more drawers to my closet and I started cleaning/organizing it more regularly to keep it tidy so less of a mess builds up!
Get rid of all credit card debt by the end of this year. Go back to being able to pay bills in full.
- I have literally one more month left and I’ll be free of this! I’m excited.

GOALS FOR 2022

Work on finishing the house. Finish the bedroom, the spare room, get a real dining room table set.
- Rolling this over from 2021, I do realistically want to work on this. I just need to actually set aside time to dedicate to it, a timeline, do it. Once I set a concrete plan, I know I can do it. I do want to go through a lot of things and throw it away and de-clutter more of my life.
Complete the Dopey challenge/my first full marathon.
- I know this is a little ridiculous to put on here but I’ve been training for 6 months on top of the past 4 years of being consistent with running but this is something I’m really proud to be taking on at the very beginning of this year and even if it’s over quickly, I damn well want full credit for the work I put in.
Workout goals: Reach a full split. Unassisted pull-up.
- I know I need to lean more into these goals and complete them already instead of doing easy reps. I want to work on flexibility and upper body strength. I want to be able to pull myself up if ever in a situation that calls for it.
LEARN MY DAMN CAMERA ALREADY.
- One day.
Regular closet clean-outs.
- I want to make a goal to do this at least twice a year, if not 4 times, eventually once every season. List items online to sell, donate the rest.
Work on being more sustainable.
- I’m terrible at this because I’m an impulsive shopper. But I do want to cut down on my fast fashion/trendy purchases and try to limit my purchases to more long term wear items and ask myself if I’ll wear this more than 1-2 times. I’m at the age where I should be picking more classic, timeless pieces. I’ve never had a problem with outfit repeating anyway. I just need to continue on with my virtual lookbook so I have an easy gallery of outfits at hand to pick from instead of tearing apart my closet every time.
Cut my hair.
- Grow my hair long enough to cut off the old chemically processed roots. Maybe get a new haircut finally for the first time in years? I wouldn’t go short as I never found short hair for me, but maybe a new style.
Work on my CEs
- The next renewal period is coming up for my pharmacy license and I know I can superman this shit if I just dedicate time to it like the last two renewals.
Get rid of backlog and post in real time again.
- I’m going to try and not focus so much on a curated feed and just post what I like, when I want again. It doesn’t make for a pretty feed but I’ll see if the two can coincide sometimes.
Go on a vacation with just hubby again.
- It’s funny when everyone’s schedules didn’t align and I went on vacations with just my husband, I missed having my friends with me to share the experiences with. I always texted them on vacation, “I wish you guys were here too.” And these past few years, ironically during the pandemic, have been with more friends. And now I realize I miss what I had. I still love my friend vacations but I also enjoy having intimate moments, dinners, experiences with just us. It’s a hard thing to balance though because when you have friends, at least they can take your couple pics for you, haha. It’s harder on a couples only vacation because I don’t trust randos to take decent pics for me and it’s not always easy to find a photographer to book depending on where I’m going. But it would be nice to have time to ourselves again. I love both vacations, with friends and just us.

Reflection on 2021

At first I thought nothing really happened in 2021, it was just a continuation of the pandemic but then looking back on my Google photos backed up, I realized a LOT happened. It's crazy. So what happened?

Both my bffs are in healthy, happy relationships with partners I absolutely LOVE for them and I can't scream to the heavens loud enough about how happy this makes me. Seeing them happy makes me so happy. That's all.

I traveled to DC for cherry blossoms, Salem for spooky season, frolicked in North Fork blooms all summer, went on so many cute dates with the hubby and was fortunate enough to go to Disney twice this year! And with my entire Ohana too for my birthday. It's been something I've been wanting to do for a while now and I'm so glad we finally got to do a family trip again and had an amazing time doing everything we wanted.

I started this year out trying a new type of workout called Blogilates and ended up winning the #21daytone! And then continued on to complete an entire year of Blogilates calendar workouts. I used to be the girl who quit after 2 weeks of Insanity. Who am I? I'm actually very proud of my consistency since I started my fitness commitment to myself in 2018.

I also committed to and trained for 6 months for the Dopey challenge. A few years ago this was never a goal of mine bc I thought it was so incredibly impossible and unrealistic. I checked my Samsung Health app and I ran and walked a total off 1192 miles for 2021. I ran the furthest I've ever ran in a run too, 26 miles. It's crazy.

I got the opportunity to work with several new brands; East Meets Dress, Crowned Athletics, Buckle Down, and most recently in time for the Dopey challenge, Popflex! I still get imposter syndrome from time to time so I want to say thank you to these brands for taking the time and giving me the chance.

I also got the opportunity to work with several new photographers this year. It was a challenge looking for new people to network and work with pre-pandemic and it's been hard trying to coordinate shoots during as well. So to all my friends, old and new, I want to say thank you for taking the time. My best friend got a new camera and started more serious into photography and ended up taking some of my most favorite photos that make me absolutely love my dark hair. My hubby has been eagerly taking me on cute dates to take cute IG photos and worked hard when we were in Disney to get me the empty park photos I’ve been longing for. I got to take dreamy cherry blossom girly photos in DC when I visited for spring. I even got to do a shoot in a kimono which was another experience I've been dying to do. I spent a LOT of time shooting in Central Park this year but loved every minute of it. Some of my absolute favorite photos were taken this year and I'm still absolutely in love with them looking back at it all. In retrospect, I shot a lot and am really grateful to everyone who took the time, made the time to work with me.

I'm not sure yet what I want 2022 to do for me but here's to more adventures, photos and opportunities.

New Beginnings

May 3, 2021

For the first time in forever, it feels like the stars are starting to align again. My friends are in happy, healthy relationships and everyone is GROWING. It feels really good. I don’t really have much to write about these days because I don’t travel much or do gram tours anymore because pandemic but I wanted to jump on here real quick and write a quick blurb about our relationships.

It’s hard. It’s really hard watching your friends go through relationships in search of the one for them. Especially because all you want is to see them happy and being treated the way they deserve to be treated. I hate seeing my friends being taken for granted and unhappy. I really do. It hurts my heart to see someone not be willing to make the minimalist of efforts to make their day if they’re supposed to be their loved ones. All I want to do is scream. But it's not your place, and you have to let people go through things sometimes because no one can tell you otherwise. Even if you think someone isn’t right for them, you can’t do much other than say your piece and go. In the end, all you can do, is be there for your friend. Be supportive as best you can be through the journey. Be a good friend.

And relationships aren’t something you can explain to anyone either in one cohesive definition. All relationships are different, whether it’s someone’s first or ninth relationship. You can offer advice and the lessons you learned yourself and again, just be there and supportive. There is no handbook you can give someone with all the right things to say or do to make sure it works out.

What I’m loving though, is the excitement of my friends and their new blooming relationships. I love when two people are so excited to see each other grow. I love when they are supportive of each other. Uplifting one another, learning about each other, encouraging each other’s endeavors and showing an interest in what makes that person passionate. And I really freaking love when someone goes out of their way to make someone else happy. That extra mile effort shit really makes my heartstrings flutter. And I love love LOVE seeing them enjoy each other’s company. Wanting to be by their side, wanting to do everything with them, experience new things, teach the other new things, introduce them to new people, showing them off to their friends and family, it’s all really beautiful. I know it comes off corny and cheesy but stuff like this really makes me happy. Just wholesome cute relationship things. This is probably why I still love rom coms and those teenage drama romance stories about young love. I’ve been wanting to see my friends win for a long time and I’m just really happy about it. I was lucky enough to get married to my best friend and despite how different we are, something about us just clicks and we’re crazy for each other. I remember feeling this “some type of way” when I was sitting there on my wedding day reading my letter from my husband to be, and then when I got to the altar and we exchanged vows, there was a moment that I simply can’t describe other than being utterly completely happy. It was a split second of all is well with the world, peace of mind that I was where I was meant to be at this place and point in time and nothing could take that away from me. I want this happiness for all my loved ones. I just want them to live encompassed with radiating positive energy and excitement for life and what they're going to do together. I want to see them grow and I'm so excited for what the future holds.

Don’t take what you have for granted. Don't take who’s in your life for granted. Count your blessings. Love your loved ones fiercely. Root for them. Every day.

And lastly, remember to take tons of photos along the way. 🥰💗

DC Weekend Getaway

April 13, 2021

My 2021 has been off to an overwhelmingly rough start. Between taking care of both my parents health, going with them to doctor visits and coordinating my dad’s referrals and surgeries, and trying to be as supportive as I can for my mom, it’s been quite a learning experience and sometimes I felt really overwhelmed trying to juggle it all. And at the same time, I felt guilty for not being able to handle it without wanting to break down. I know there are people who have it worse, are going through worse. I should be grateful it isn’t as bad as it could be. But it still feels very heavy. And on top of that, every day in March felt like there was no end in sight with all the Anti-Asian violence that went on. Every day was something new, something more violent than the last. It was a lot. My heart couldn’t take it and I ended up breaking down on several occasions. Sometimes out of nowhere. One day I was stretching before my workout and suddenly I was overcome with emotions and lost it. I couldn’t deal. The whole day was bad. Then it was fine for a day or two and then it came rushing back. The roller coaster was unbearable. I felt so much burden trying to stay on top of the current events and tragedies, but I knew at a certain point I had to step away for my mental health’s sake.

I escaped for a weekend in DC for Easter. I had no intention of staying on Long Island. I felt like I was suffocating. I felt really hurt about what was happening in the world to my people. I felt grateful for those who reached out and asked how I was doing and what they could do to help and for just lending a listening ear. And I felt incredibly disappointed by those who didn’t reach out or speak out as well. It was incredibly hurtful. They say actions speak louder than words, but I also found that inaction speaks volumes as well. It was an eye opener to the performative people in my life. Moving forward, I will continue to distance myself and lower my expectations. Now I know who I can and can’t rely on to be there. It was definitely a confirmation of past suspicions as well.

My time in DC, however, was a breath of fresh air, despite how short my visit was. I didn’t do a lot besides literally walk around and take in the sights and the beautiful weather but it was something about the different vibe and company I was in. It didn’t feel as suffocating. It was a really nice mini vacay that I really needed to press reset. Sometimes you just need a good friend to have relaxing conversations with who JUST GETS IT to spend the weekend with. I missed spending time with my closest friends and I really enjoyed staying with her and just being able to talk and chill all weekend. It’s crazy to look back and see how far we really have come. And I’m really glad we’re still able to make time for each other. Love isn’t always wrapped in a romantic partner, but in the purest forms of friendships and sisterly bonds. I love my girl Kerri.

I’m really looking forward to Disney a month from now. Maybe I’ve been working too long without a break and it’s caused all the thoughts in my head to come to a culmination of how overwhelmed I’ve been lately.

It’s a lot. I’m hoping spring brings better things. I’m looking forward to working on new projects I have coming up soon. I’m looking forward to new blooms and new beginnings. I’m thinking of deleting old photos of my blonde shoots on my phone to make way for the new portfolio. I don’t have a desire to post old photos of what’s dead, I just want to move forward with what’s here to stay and what exists in the moment. I want to do a physical spring cleaning as well as a mental one and get rid of whatever no longer serves me. In all senses.

Let’s start anew already. 2021 is the year of the ox and it’s been a hard one, but there’s no turning back. We’re going to march forward, hopefully stronger than ever.