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2021 year in review
Under the wire! Also I got distracted 3/4 into this post by a cheap airfare deal to Panama and holy fuck do I want to go to Panama now.
Way too many thoughts. I don't like some of these questions and might change them again next year (if I remember and have time).
Your 2021
What did you do in 2021 that you'd never done before?
Visit Mexico and stay at an adults-only all-inclusive resort. I've never done a vacation like that before as I'd always planned to visit cities and see a bunch of things. But this was incredibly relaxing and stress-free and much needed. Also went to Portland, Maine, and Phoenix, Arizona, for the first time! And saw a standup comedian for the first time (Hasan Minhaj). Look, I'm not great at live shows.
If you had to describe 2021 in three words, what would they be?
Blur; mixed blessings.
What new things did you discover about yourself?
Thinking too much about the huge structural and systemic problems makes me feel powerless and despairing, so while I kind of keep up with those (climate change, downfall of democratic voting protections, etc.), I really focus my actual action on getting involved at a more local (and hopefully more sustainable and directly impactful) level.
Oh, also that I enjoy local popup markets!
What single achievement are you most proud of?
I've always been bad at looking back at accomplishments. What did I achieve? It was mostly ongoing growth in many different arenas. I suppose either launching the formal internship program at work, or reading 100+ books.
What was the best news you received?
I think the most excited I was all year was discovering Epik High's tour dates -- they're coming to Houston in April 2022! Immediately bought tickets.
What was your favourite place that you visited in 2021?
First time to Cancun and it was lovely, but definitely Portland, Maine! A bit rainy and gray but really pretty on the ocean, with cooler weather, good food, and good company.
Which of your personal qualities turned out to be the most helpful this year?
Ability to find self-sustainment in my hobbies (watching hockey, reading, cooking) but also the part that stays in touch with people I care about despite the distance and all the different things going on in our lives. The ability to make allowances for different friends' comfort levels re: COVID and meeting up/dining together and still be able to hang out some.
Who was your number one go-to person that you could always rely on?
Kevin has heard everything, from work rants to hockey rants to arguments about the news and discussions about family. There's good stuff too, I promise! But also I journal every day so -- me?
Which new skills did you learn?
Project design/management, somewhat, regarding the internship program. It continues to develop!
Uhh...staying warm in a Texas freeze? My cat learned how to sleep under blankets, finally; up until February, he only ever slept on top of them.
What, or who, are you most thankful for?
Always grateful for the people in my life, near and far. Extremely grateful to the library for operating via pickup throughout the pandemic and keeping me supplied with books. Also thankful to be mostly healthy, to not have to fight about COVID or vaccines among my close family and friends, or workplace, and for all the fun local popup vendors I follow on Instagram and can support with orders.
If someone wrote a book about your life in 2021, what kind of genre would it be? A comedy, love story, drama, film noir or something else?
My life doesn't have any particular genre as it's pretty stable and boring. Self-help? Memoir? Comics, a la Sarah Andersen or Dinos & Comics.
What was the most important lesson you learnt in 2021?
Be flexible, as things are constantly in flux. Also social interaction and mental health are not just buzzwords but literally integral to my wellbeing, and need to be weighed appropriately against the risks.
Which mental block(s) did you overcome?
That I'm fucking sick and tired of this shit, and still need to do the right thing, but what that looks like is more nuanced than it was pre-vaccine, and often people are stuck in situations with no Absolute Correct Choice and/or their risk factors are different from mine.
What five people did you most enjoy spending time with?
Kevin, Chris, Phuong, Janine, Sarah??? I also really enjoyed the trip to Baltimore in September for E&A's wedding, because I got a chance to see so many people again briefly -- those who came for the wedding and those who live in the DC area.
What was your biggest break-through moment career-wise?
Uhh...not quitting? Realizing I find the most fulfillment in working with interns and teens, hence my commitment to YLI and to developing the internship program and to helping out/collaborating with our Education & Outreach department? I don't know where that goes in the future, to be honest.
How did your relationship to your family evolve?
It was surprisingly good. My parents have accepted we're not having kids without any real fuss, and I have a screencap of my mom texting me "it's your life and your choice". They are so chill now it freaks me out. The visit back to NC in July was nice, and hosting them in December was stressful but rewarding. My brother and I don't talk as much as friends do, but stay in touch and he sometimes still values my perspective, which is something! I don't know that I dispense that much advice though, since we are so different and want such different things.
What book or movie affected your life in a profound way?
Can I just list almost all of Rebecca Solnit's essays? Oh wait, Fredrik Backman's various novels made me think a lot about life, humanity, family, meaning. (And also cry a lot.) If anything, they reaffirmed my perspective on what I want to get out of life: not to leave a legacy, not to be remembered by some achievement documented in the annals of history, but find and create meaningful relationships here and now, in this life, and to value those.
What was your favourite compliment that you received this year?
I have no memory whatsoever. Most recently, probably from Phuong, a new coworker and now friend who joined us in July/August, about how welcoming and helpful I was. (She is also a very cool person who understands my love of children's lit!)
What little things did you most enjoy during your day-to-day life?
Truly, my NYT daily crossword and spelling bee. Harassing my cat! Reading a lot and connecting with coworkers/friends about work and other things. Following delicious food vendors on IG to various popup markets to try their banana bread, beef jerky, hand-pulled noodles, etc.
What cool things did you create this year?
I redecorated and reorganized my cubicle so it looks nice and has plants? Also my various plant shelves around the house!
What was your most common mental state this year (e.g. excited, curious, stressed)?
Being tired is a state of being! Also stressed! But looking back now I want to say I hope I took time every day, week, etc., to be grateful. (The journaling helps with the venting and the gratitude!)
Did anyone close to you give birth? Did anyone close to you die?
No and no. Former soon to change, but probably not 'til 2022!
What was your favourite moment spent with your friends?
Portland was truly fun. This might still go to the Baltimore trip though just because of how much was packed into a short few days.
What major goal did you lay the foundations for?
Getting involved from the ground up of the local Texas chapter of NAPAWF (National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum). More local and direct activism, hopefully.
Which worries turned out to be completely unnecessary?
Excuse you, all my worries are legitimate.
What experience would you love to do all over again?
Cancun, Portland, my birthday dinner at Uchi.
What was the best gift you received?
All the books I bought myself! J/k, but I don't know, I don't really remember gifts as much as I remember feelings. The time Sarah spent in Portland with me, for instance, is memorable. The excitement of Sonia booking a flight to Houston in April so we can see Epik High together. The "gift" of hosting my parents then my brother and helping them see and enjoy Houston.
How did your overall outlook on life evolve?
I think it is similar to last year's and hasn't changed that much. I want to constantly read and experience and grow, and I want to my actions and my relationships to be meaningful now, to let the people I care about know that I care about them, and to feel connected to my community (in all the senses of the word).
What was the biggest problem you solved?
Honestly, it feels like procuring COVID-19 tests - drive-through on at-home. But maybe the biggest "problem" was finally telling my parents that I didn't plan on having kids, and solving it was less on me and more on the fact that they were ready to accept my decision. Also I worked on some things at work, and I coordinated the logistics of my family visits?
What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it?
My god, I have no memory. I'll just chalk it up as part of Letterkenny, which I discovered and loved this year, and some of its blooper reels.
What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever?
Discounting "flights to fun vacations", ESPN+ for my hockey streaming purchase, perhaps. Various books and plants. The numerous wine clubs I've joined for that first discounted shipment of wines before canceling? Yes.
What one thing would you do differently and why?
I could have probably done more research on project development with the internship program.
What do you deserve a pat on the back for?
Not burning out. I think I did better managing this year than last.
What activities made you lose track of time?
Reading, still.
What did you think about more than anything else?
Anti-Asian racism and our place in U.S. politics and culture. The fallout of 1/6 and how much we aren't doing in response and how that's going to fuck us up in the future. But to keep from debilitating stress, I also thought a lot about what food I want to eat and what books I want to read.
What topics did you most enjoy learning about?
Houston's local popup market scene. Terrible humans and their terrible decisions via Bad Blood (re: Theranos) and Empire of Pain (re: Sackler family and the opioid crisis).
What new habits did you cultivate?
More plants. Finally started a mobile game called Tsuki's Adventure.
What advice would you give your early-2021 self if you could?
Honestly, not much I would've done differently.
What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year?
Anti-Asian racism in reframing how I engage with my work as well as what organizations and causes I'm involved with outside of it, as well as thinking about my relationship with the community and world at large. Also, my library. Also, the Toronto Maple Leafs, fuck. (Canes are still my team.)
YOUR 2022
Now to read! Or watch something! Or start a puzzle! Our NYE plans are to order in and go to sleep before midnight, just the way we like it.
Way too many thoughts. I don't like some of these questions and might change them again next year (if I remember and have time).
Visit Mexico and stay at an adults-only all-inclusive resort. I've never done a vacation like that before as I'd always planned to visit cities and see a bunch of things. But this was incredibly relaxing and stress-free and much needed. Also went to Portland, Maine, and Phoenix, Arizona, for the first time! And saw a standup comedian for the first time (Hasan Minhaj). Look, I'm not great at live shows.
Blur; mixed blessings.
Thinking too much about the huge structural and systemic problems makes me feel powerless and despairing, so while I kind of keep up with those (climate change, downfall of democratic voting protections, etc.), I really focus my actual action on getting involved at a more local (and hopefully more sustainable and directly impactful) level.
Oh, also that I enjoy local popup markets!
I've always been bad at looking back at accomplishments. What did I achieve? It was mostly ongoing growth in many different arenas. I suppose either launching the formal internship program at work, or reading 100+ books.
I think the most excited I was all year was discovering Epik High's tour dates -- they're coming to Houston in April 2022! Immediately bought tickets.
First time to Cancun and it was lovely, but definitely Portland, Maine! A bit rainy and gray but really pretty on the ocean, with cooler weather, good food, and good company.
Ability to find self-sustainment in my hobbies (watching hockey, reading, cooking) but also the part that stays in touch with people I care about despite the distance and all the different things going on in our lives. The ability to make allowances for different friends' comfort levels re: COVID and meeting up/dining together and still be able to hang out some.
Kevin has heard everything, from work rants to hockey rants to arguments about the news and discussions about family. There's good stuff too, I promise! But also I journal every day so -- me?
Project design/management, somewhat, regarding the internship program. It continues to develop!
Uhh...staying warm in a Texas freeze? My cat learned how to sleep under blankets, finally; up until February, he only ever slept on top of them.
Always grateful for the people in my life, near and far. Extremely grateful to the library for operating via pickup throughout the pandemic and keeping me supplied with books. Also thankful to be mostly healthy, to not have to fight about COVID or vaccines among my close family and friends, or workplace, and for all the fun local popup vendors I follow on Instagram and can support with orders.
My life doesn't have any particular genre as it's pretty stable and boring. Self-help? Memoir? Comics, a la Sarah Andersen or Dinos & Comics.
Be flexible, as things are constantly in flux. Also social interaction and mental health are not just buzzwords but literally integral to my wellbeing, and need to be weighed appropriately against the risks.
That I'm fucking sick and tired of this shit, and still need to do the right thing, but what that looks like is more nuanced than it was pre-vaccine, and often people are stuck in situations with no Absolute Correct Choice and/or their risk factors are different from mine.
Kevin, Chris, Phuong, Janine, Sarah??? I also really enjoyed the trip to Baltimore in September for E&A's wedding, because I got a chance to see so many people again briefly -- those who came for the wedding and those who live in the DC area.
Uhh...not quitting? Realizing I find the most fulfillment in working with interns and teens, hence my commitment to YLI and to developing the internship program and to helping out/collaborating with our Education & Outreach department? I don't know where that goes in the future, to be honest.
It was surprisingly good. My parents have accepted we're not having kids without any real fuss, and I have a screencap of my mom texting me "it's your life and your choice". They are so chill now it freaks me out. The visit back to NC in July was nice, and hosting them in December was stressful but rewarding. My brother and I don't talk as much as friends do, but stay in touch and he sometimes still values my perspective, which is something! I don't know that I dispense that much advice though, since we are so different and want such different things.
Can I just list almost all of Rebecca Solnit's essays? Oh wait, Fredrik Backman's various novels made me think a lot about life, humanity, family, meaning. (And also cry a lot.) If anything, they reaffirmed my perspective on what I want to get out of life: not to leave a legacy, not to be remembered by some achievement documented in the annals of history, but find and create meaningful relationships here and now, in this life, and to value those.
I have no memory whatsoever. Most recently, probably from Phuong, a new coworker and now friend who joined us in July/August, about how welcoming and helpful I was. (She is also a very cool person who understands my love of children's lit!)
Truly, my NYT daily crossword and spelling bee. Harassing my cat! Reading a lot and connecting with coworkers/friends about work and other things. Following delicious food vendors on IG to various popup markets to try their banana bread, beef jerky, hand-pulled noodles, etc.
I redecorated and reorganized my cubicle so it looks nice and has plants? Also my various plant shelves around the house!
Being tired is a state of being! Also stressed! But looking back now I want to say I hope I took time every day, week, etc., to be grateful. (The journaling helps with the venting and the gratitude!)
No and no. Former soon to change, but probably not 'til 2022!
Portland was truly fun. This might still go to the Baltimore trip though just because of how much was packed into a short few days.
Getting involved from the ground up of the local Texas chapter of NAPAWF (National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum). More local and direct activism, hopefully.
Excuse you, all my worries are legitimate.
Cancun, Portland, my birthday dinner at Uchi.
All the books I bought myself! J/k, but I don't know, I don't really remember gifts as much as I remember feelings. The time Sarah spent in Portland with me, for instance, is memorable. The excitement of Sonia booking a flight to Houston in April so we can see Epik High together. The "gift" of hosting my parents then my brother and helping them see and enjoy Houston.
I think it is similar to last year's and hasn't changed that much. I want to constantly read and experience and grow, and I want to my actions and my relationships to be meaningful now, to let the people I care about know that I care about them, and to feel connected to my community (in all the senses of the word).
Honestly, it feels like procuring COVID-19 tests - drive-through on at-home. But maybe the biggest "problem" was finally telling my parents that I didn't plan on having kids, and solving it was less on me and more on the fact that they were ready to accept my decision. Also I worked on some things at work, and I coordinated the logistics of my family visits?
My god, I have no memory. I'll just chalk it up as part of Letterkenny, which I discovered and loved this year, and some of its blooper reels.
Discounting "flights to fun vacations", ESPN+ for my hockey streaming purchase, perhaps. Various books and plants. The numerous wine clubs I've joined for that first discounted shipment of wines before canceling? Yes.
I could have probably done more research on project development with the internship program.
Not burning out. I think I did better managing this year than last.
Reading, still.
Anti-Asian racism and our place in U.S. politics and culture. The fallout of 1/6 and how much we aren't doing in response and how that's going to fuck us up in the future. But to keep from debilitating stress, I also thought a lot about what food I want to eat and what books I want to read.
Houston's local popup market scene. Terrible humans and their terrible decisions via Bad Blood (re: Theranos) and Empire of Pain (re: Sackler family and the opioid crisis).
More plants. Finally started a mobile game called Tsuki's Adventure.
Honestly, not much I would've done differently.
Anti-Asian racism in reframing how I engage with my work as well as what organizations and causes I'm involved with outside of it, as well as thinking about my relationship with the community and world at large. Also, my library. Also, the Toronto Maple Leafs, fuck. (Canes are still my team.)
- What do you want the overarching theme for your 2022 to be?
Fuck it, just enjoy your time and make it meaningful, whatever that means for you. Engage with sincerity, but don't take everything too seriously. - What do you want to see, discover, explore?
The usual: A visit out of state, a visit out of country. A live hockey game might be nice! - Who do you want to spend more time with in 2020?
My friends broadly, but specifically my out-of-state friends! - What skills do you want to learn, improve or master?
Project management! Maybe I should get a certificate. Also more professional development opportunities in general, perhaps? Not sure what those look like. - Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?
Discipline on working out ahhh. - What do you want your everyday life to be like?
It's pretty good, honestly. Balancing work, alone time, social time, volunteering/activist time. Sometimes I think I should watch more stuff but, nah, I find other things fulfilling. More time in nature perhaps! More active exercise. And spreading out a few short travel trips (balancing learning/experiencing with just relaxing and rejuvenating). - Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of?
Uh: I'd like to eat more fruit and get back into regular exercise, even if it's easy stuff like yoga and pilates first. Then get back into cardio and strength-training... - What do you want to achieve career-wise?
More integrated teen/university engagement with Asia Society. Otherwise...I don't know, I suppose I have to think about what career development actually means or looks like. I'm not acively looking to move on or anything, and I do find the mission and work meaningful, but I want to continue to find new ways to grow and improve myself and my work to keep it meaningful - How do you want to remember the year 2022 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now?
Change for the better, in ways that are not solely measured by numbers, accomplishments, or profit. - What is your number one goal for 2022?
My goal for 2021 was to eat fresh sushi: accomplished! For 2022, I don't know, see the Toronto Maple Leafs (okay, Mitch Marner specifically) live? I have tickets for a Feb 28 game... I mean, I don't like to set goals for books read or job raises or whatever. Keep growing or be grateful are constant goals and not very measurable. Maybe the goal should be to not spend too much on books, haha.
Now to read! Or watch something! Or start a puzzle! Our NYE plans are to order in and go to sleep before midnight, just the way we like it.