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At the beginning of Chapter 2021, I outlined how I wanted this next chapter in my life to go. I had big and small goals written down in hopes to achieve many of them, with a couple of them depending on the status of the worldwide pandemic.
I knew challenges had to be included in this chapter as they are a recurring trope in my novels, with one having to have the strongest villain of them all. Nonetheless, just like many stories, the main character is always left with a couple of lessons, blessings, adventures, friends, foes, and motivation to look forward to the next chapter of their life.
So, folks, my 2021 book is coming to an end. A rough draft for the original “1994” 27th edition is in the works with 12 new chapters waiting to be written. I hope to see many of you as there will be a lot of new adventures, opportunities, characters, plotlines, along with a major dose of main character reflection, healing, and growth.
For now, let’s take a look back at what happened in 2021 – the good, the bad, the favorites.
Word of the Year
Productive
(adj) – having the power of producing; generative; generative creative || producing readily or abundantly
I aimed for every hour of my day to be doing things that enhanced my creativity, stimulated my knowledge, expanded my skills, strengthened my mental and physical health, and elevated my soul and spirituality.
All the while, I balanced all of these with self-care and time to myself where I unwind, reflected, and listened to my mind and body.
I didn’t know how this year, or the rest of my life, would play out. What I did make happen was to no longer play it safe and get out of my comfort zone and regular routine.
I’ve spread my wings wider than ever, even when I was flying within my room for the majority of the year.
I’m still focusing on living life and looking at everything with a renewed sense of positivity and passion.
Chapters 1-3 (January-March)
The first three months were extremely bumpy and were my least favorite months of the year (for obvious reasons).
JANUARY
“You don’t have to be good at it. You just have to do it.” – Unknown
Eye strain. I actually forgot this happened until I read back to my older post. I thankfully hadn’t had another massive eye strain for the rest of the year. In a way, this was also kind of a blessing because I was able to catch up on rest, and just be in the moment, away from the world of social media.
FEBRUARY
“Whatever is happening in your life, don’t preoccupy yourself with the question why, but rather ponder more on to where these events will be bringing you. Know you are being led to somewhere beautiful, beyond your present harsh reality. Once you get to the WHERE, then you’ll know the WHY. Trust the process.” –Unknown
I tested positive for COVID-19. When I tell myself I wanted to experience many things in life, this wasn’t one of them. February was easily the most challenging month (and overall time of the year), and it’s something that I would like to put on the very back burner of my mind. It’s happened, I’ve gotten over most of my negative feelings towards the situation, and all I can and will do now is to just take it as a learning experience and move forward.
MARCH
“You are stronger than you believe.” –Unknown
Well, March was more of a recuperative month. I was kind of waiting for another ball to drop this month, but most of it was just happening inside my mind that was slowly healing, and I was gaining my creativity momentum back.
Chapters 4-6 (April-June)
The next three months were the highlights of being productive. I focused a lot on creativity and personal well-being.
APRIL
“What defines us is how well we rise after falling.” –Unknown
I tackled and completed 30 Days of Gratitude. I love doing writing challenges. They help me stay on top of my blog and stay organized while keeping ahead of deadlines. With the hurdles from the first three months, I needed to get my feet back on the ground and remember the blessings that I was given in life.
I received my first dose of COVID-19 vaccination.
MAY
“There is magic within all of us.” –Unknown
I began redesigning my previous design projects this month because I find them to be amazing concepts and themes that I want to showcase proudly with a more mature visual. By mature, I simply mean the growth of my design abilities from the time I was in school to now.
I received my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination and had a bunch of other health check-ups that assured me my physical body is healthy.
JUNE
“Create the sweetness of your life.” –Henpal
I continued my creative designs well into June, had more health checkups, and began doing my daily morning walks that my body absolutely loved me for. I also began the process of renewing my passport.
Chapters 7-9 (July-September)
The first three months of the second half of the year shall be described as my growth months.
JULY
“Great things take time.” –Unknown
In July I accomplished more adult tasks on my own for the very first time, and I was very proud of myself for doing so. I also mailed out my passport renewal documents.
AUGUST
“Take the risk you’ve been considering.” – Panda Express Fortune Cookie
August has focused on creativity again – whether it was spending the day with a high school friend or redesigning my entire website. It was a good kind of change in pace from the previous months, and I’m thankful for it.
SEPTEMBER
“You can only fly once you are willing to give up the safety of your own cocoon.” – Unknown
I had my two wisdom teeth extracted this month, so that was fun (note the sarcasm). I’ve always been afraid of having them removed because I didn’t want to be put under anesthesia as I had no one with me, and I was just afraid of the aftermath. Thankfully my gums were just numb, and I got to watch Toy Story during the procedure. And the aftereffects weren’t as horrifying as I imagined them to be.
Chapters 10-12 (October-December)
I don’t want to be too cliché, but these last three months of the year are my favorites (for obvious reasons).
OCTOBER
“If you don’t like the hand that fate’s dealt you, fight for a better one.” – うずまきナルト
This was it. The month my renewed passport arrived, and I was preparing for the big move back to Saipan. In the meantime, I was booking flights, sending packages back home, and planning for the hectic of November’s annual writing challenge.
NOVEMBER
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lau Tzu
Goodbye, San Diego… Hello again, San Francisco. Goodbye, San Francisco, I’m back home, Saipan. I had a mini-vacation in San Francisco and happily spent my birthday with my soul sister and her family as well as visited Barnes & Noble for the first time ever. I then trekked through the 20+ hour flight itinerary and made it safely back to Saipan. After quarantine, I happily reunited with my parents.
I also tackled my annual November Writing Challenge. This year’s theme was letters, and I think writing them has helped me heal old wounds and release any embarrassing emotions I’ve felt with these individuals or circumstances.
DECEMBER
“The best Christmas gift is to realize how much you already have.” – Unknown
I feel like December was the busy, but not too busy kind of month… if this makes sense. Wrapping up the year was another productivity-filled month. I’ve been getting used to the time difference on the island, along with my parents’ schedules; while trying to catch up on missed work and prepare for next year’s tasks, events, and activities; while decluttering and reorganizing my physical, digital, and mental space.
I was able to spend this Christmas with my parents for the first time in years, and it was the best Christmas gift I ever received.
2021 Highlights
TRAVEL
Air Travel: 2
Places Visited: San Francisco, CA || Saipan, CNMI
ADVENTURES WITHIN CALIFORNIA
Scandia Fun Land [Rohnert Park, CA]
Barnes & Noble [Rohnert Park, CA]
Unconditional Surrender [San Diego, CA]
Chicano Park [San Diego, CA]
Botanical Building, Balboa Park [San Diego, CA]
HEALTH
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Eye Prescription Updated
General Body Checkup
COVID-19 Vaccinations & Booster Shot
Walking and yoga
CAREER
HENPAL was accepted into the Amazon Affiliates Program
Website traffic increasing.
Social Media presence increasing.
Gained more experience and knowledge on how I want to run my brand.
PERSONAL
Learning how to cook a couple of recipes.
Releasing circumstances and people that no longer align with my purpose.
Being with my family.
Spending time with close friends.
2021 Favorite Wrap-Ups
MOVIES & TV SHOWS
The Last: Naruto the Movie
Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower
Red Notice
Prodigy
Cruella
The Tomorrow War
Ne Zha
Naruto / Naruto: Shippuden
Avatar: The Last Airbender
鬼滅の刃 (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)
青の祓魔師 (Blue Exorcist)
学園ベビーシッターズ (School Babysitters)
The Good Detective
NCIS
MUSIC
*Any singles from these artists are automatically considered my top favorites of the year
Little Mix
NCT 127
Yasuharu Takanashi, YAIBA (Naruto: The Last Movie Soundtrack)
SHINee
Ed Sheeran
Adele
Lauv
“He Mele No Lilo (From “Lilo & Stitch”/Soundtrack Version)” by Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu, Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus
“For You” by BTOB
“If” by Kana Nishino
“Happy” by Secrets In Stereo
“Beautiful In White” by Shane Filan
“Protect You” by Oh Joon Sung
“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
CONTENT CREATORS
products
Disposable / N95 Face Masks
APPS
Adobe Lightroom
Canva
Forest
Google Calendar
Google Drive
Google Tasks
Keep Notes
Amazon
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
MOBILE GAMES
Genshin Impact
Family Island
Love Nikki
Happy Color
LEARNING
Duolingo
Drops
ENTERTAINMENT / SOCIAL MEDIA
Spotify
Netflix
Youtube
SELF-CARE
Daily Yoga
