And That’s A Wrap, 2022!

As we embark on the unknown journey that 2023 has in store for us, I am grateful for all that 2022 offered me. All the lifestyle changes, adventures, food, and quality family time have been incredible. I’m thankful to have learned the lessons that 2022 taught me and gained the strength and wisdom to overcome them.

This year, I started blogging. I told myself it was just a passion project and that I would use it as a creative outlet. Since I began, I have come to see a bright future in the blogging industry. I have big dreams of turning this personal blog into one of the many social media presences I will run under my own brand. This year I learned to turn what I love into something I can live off of.

I traveled for the first time outside my country, the United States. I explored breathtaking towns and cities and met wonderful people along the way. I ate at some of the best restaurants and had some of the best meals. I visited the beautifully vibrant country of Colombia and had the adventure of a lifetime.

I was fortunate to spend spring break and fashion week in New York City. Three of my children decided to spend spring break with me in New York. While one stayed home with her grandparents, and the other two spent five days camping and adventuring in Utah with their dad. I took only one of my daughters to New York for fashion week as it was her birthday wish and a long-awaited mother-daughter bonding trip. We dined at some of the newly-starred Michelin restaurants and ventured through museums, parks, and beautiful libraries. New York is truly my favorite state in the US.

I welcomed Spring and said my farewell to Summer in Northern California. I made my way through incredible San Francisco restaurants and shopping malls for my birthday. I also humbly took part in a dear friend’s decade business anniversary in San Jose. I experienced a discussion panel and the opening of the Japanese American Exhibit at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose. Reading the stories and visually witnessing what many Japanese Americans went through upon arrival to our country was humbling and educational. It is a life-changing experience that I will hold dear for many years.

Luckily I live only a few hours’ drive from San Diego, Palm Springs, Big Bear, and, more locally, the city of Los Angeles and Orange county. I was, fortunately, able to take day trips to the beach, the mountains, the desert, and so many beautiful parts of the surrounding cities.

This year I was amazed by the growth of my family. Being in a large blended family has many struggles, but teaching my children compassion and understanding as we continuously grow together has to be the best part of the year. My children experienced having to selflessly support each other while overcoming their shortcomings and negative emotions. They showed great strength and maturity and are blossoming into incredible human beings. I have never been more proud to be their mom.

I tried to focus on gratitude throughout the year as I struggled with my mental and physical health. After severely breaking my foot in 2018, I have since undergone multiple surgeries to correct the damage and restore normality. I have booked my final (fingers crossed) surgery in Feb 2023 and hope these several procedures will be my saving grace. Although I am excitedly anticipating relief from pain, I am anxious about recovery. Hence, mental health struggles.

Despite losing a few vital people in my life I am learning to appreciate my grief as I learn to live in a world without them. I now understand love to be a vibrational energy in the universe and know that although I cannot physically be with them, our love for one another will transcend time and space and will always surround me.

The most important takeaway from this past year is that gratitude is my key focus. I’ve had one hell of a year, and I am so excited to set my goals for 2023 and embrace all that comes my way!