My 2018 Review

Hi! We are only a few days away until it's officially 2019 and I wanted to reflect back at how much life has changed this year. One of my goals was to blog more and I somewhat succeeded with like one or two blog posts a month. That's BIG for me because I'm absolutely horrible. I hope to continue sucking a little less and blogging a little more. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to read, feel free to leave a comment. Trust me, they're appreciated. 

Here's a look back at some of my favorite memories and realizations of 2018.

1. The beginning of 2018 was a memorable and chilly one. My family and I decided to go to Tahoe to enjoy the snow. I remember waking up (actually we hardly slept) at about 3:00AM and started driving to our destination. The sun rise was mesmerizing and the trip there was a breeze. It was Adam and my first trip together to the snow and when we arrived, we slept until 1:30PM while everyone else went snowboarding. I know so exciting but we eventually explored around and found such beautiful spots. As of right now, our next trip is this Saturday and I can't wait! 

2. We celebrated Chinese Vietnamese New Year in San Jose and of course I had to get some boba, free cotton candy, and lots of food. This was also the year I decided to chop off most of my hair and it was at one point shorter than this. I LOVED the change and am now debating if I want to grow it out or get it shorter again. No bangs though because those were a hassle to style. Thoughts?

3. My god daughter Aria took her first steps at the end of February and celebrated her one year birthday in March. I can't believe she's turning two in a few months! I'm obsessed beyond words with her and would never give her back to her parents if I could. Honestly watching her grow, learn, and become more of a human has been such a beautiful and surreal experience. I can't wait to have my own little mini Adam or Anny. ☺We have already thought of names. 😉

4. This year I went to The Museum of Ice Cream, The Color Factory, The Conservatory of Flowers, and China Town while in San Francisco. Lots of joyful adventures with not only Adam but some of my family as well. I can't wait for more outings in the new year. I need them or I get restless and it doesn't even have to be far, just different from my norm.

Behind The Scenes Muir Meet Up Video

5. I went to my first photography meet up as a model at Muir Beach and met a ton of talented and sweet photographers. I don't know if I would do it again because it's kind of overwhelming but I wanted to push myself to try new things and to be more social. If you know me I am an introvert so this was a fun change. I loved that we went out to eat at Super Burger afterward. You can never go wrong with food!

6. This year will also be my last year in my twenties. I'll pretend I'm 23 like my brother, Kevin for the next few years. Anyway like most of my resolutions I hope to be more active so I can have less body aches and to be more healthy. This includes drinking a ton more water because I need to stay hydrated. Also I REALLY NEED TO SLOW DOWN ON THE SWEETS! I have been struggling a bit with bloat for the past year. Honestly, I think it's me eating late in the night and my birth control pills. I need to be more mindful of what I am putting in to my body and nourish with much more love and exercise. On the flip side, I love that I have more meat on my body. People have always told me how skinny I was and that my body looked like it was as fragile as a pretzel. Well, not any more! 😝 Now I am just older and more tired.

7. If you haven't read my last blog post, we have been working hard on my new office space in our home as well as our home in general. Lots of paint jobs, tossing out things we no longer needed, and cleaning like mad. You can click here to check out the first part of my office room transformation. Part two will be posted in the beginning of January!

8. In August, Adam and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary and had our photos taken by my friend Jana Contreras. We ventured out to Point Reyes and had such a blast. I can't wait for 2019's photo shoot. I'm already planning out ideas. On the topic of photo shoots, Adam and I also had our first paid shoot together with Richard Wood for La Soie Bridal. We endured 100+ degree weather at Park Winters but we used the money we made for a new couch.

My last creative shoot of the year. Published in Jazzy Magazine. Makeup/Hair by Jennifer Villatorres and Model: Nicole Cherye

9. Photography has been busy and productive. I have had so many amazing opportunities and have worked with plenty of awesome brands, met new, and worked with old clients. I am forever in love with what I get to do. For 2019, I plan to take more breaks throughout the year. Saying "no" is tough because I am a people pleaser but I must not over do it with bookings, especially around the holidays. On top of that I want to create more for the hell of it and to photograph my family any chance I can.

10. Overall MORE of the things I love and less of the things that are slowing me down. 

What are some of your favorite memories from 2018 and goals for the new year? Better yet do you set them or do you go with the flow? I haven't changed in that aspect of my life because I love lists and crossing off all my to do's. Like I said last year "You can't go after what you want in life if you don't even know what it is. Jot them down." Whatever your goals are, I am rooting for you to succeed and am wishing you the very best and a happy almost new year. 😼

XO
Anny