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kim-jongdrug · 6 years

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Note: No photo stealing please. Do not take out an my photos out of my blog. Thanks!

It’s that time of the year again. I haven’t been very active here, but still I’m excited to look back on the year that was. How do I sum up this year? Well, the golden saying “expect the unexpected” is a perfect way to describe 2017. So many things didn’t go as planned, but it ended up better than what expected. It’s all about seizing the day no matter what: FEARLESS!

So, without further ado, let me give you a rundown of 2-0-1-7!

January 2017 at CCF Center for IDC

2017 started with a cup of coffee and a piece of cake at Cafe I’m Here in Timog Avenue corner Tomas Morato, Quezon City. It’s in that cafe that I started to write down my plans for the year. First on the list was my resignation. Yes, you read that right: RESIGNATION. I had it all planned since the end of 2016. But I don’t think I’ve written it down on the year-end post last year (because my bosses might see it hahaha). So yup, I passed my resignation on the last day of January 2017. Between January 1 and 31, I attended the first ever Intentional Discipleship Conference (IDC 2017), hosted by CCF Main.

One of my 2017 projects is to create a public Instagram account, where I can share my hashtags #pawprintverses, #pawprintplaylist, and #pawprintinghistory. And so last February, @geeklikeoxygen went live for the first time. Check out my other public social media accounts on the right side of the screen.

Post Office Ho Chi Mihn City

Aside from that, I also went back to Ho Chi Minh City. This time, exploring the cafes and buying bags from Saigon Square One. My luggage is literally bags inside a huge bag. Hahaha Notable cafes and restaurants to visit in Ho Chi Mihn are Id Cafe, Mountain Retreat Vietnamese Restaurant, 4P Pizza, The Vintage Emporium, Slow & Chill, Bun Thit Nuong Chi Tuyen, Pasteur Street Brewing Company, Bahn Mi Hoa Ma, Mam Cafe, and Pho Phu Vuong.

And of course, the annual JS Prom. Yey coz I was able to wear my MOH dress from my best friend’s wedding in 2016. Surprisingly, it still fits well. Hehehe I need to get my ROI on that gown. Hahaha

One Korea Concert with SHINee

Speaking of weddings, my dear friend, Joi got married to her one and only. I was privileged to be one of the masters of the ceremony. March is also very special because of the One Korea Concert in Manila where I was able to see SHINee live for the first time! (OMG! I’m still fangirling just by thinking about it. Hahaha)

Jonghyun’s final Blue Night broadcast

After 3 years on-air, Jonghyun bid his radio fans farewell on April. I was also assigned as program director for CCF Commonwealth’s True Life during the latter days of that month. I really like working behind the scene, to be honest. My career took its turn when I attended the first ever Ignite in De La Salle University Manila, where I get to connect with people who are also passionate on education and technology. There, I met prominent people who inspired me to be a game changer. Shoutouts to Direk Mark Meily and Ms. Myrna Padilla, and the Design Thinking Team. Many, many thanks to Q Software Research (QSR) for the invitation.

Iced Caramel Latte

My SHINee latte art

Kicked off May with Subspace’s Latte Art Class. I learned how to make a latte (but really, I was only able to make a flat white because it’s too difficult to make froth with the right temperature hahaha). Oh, and I also made my first ever SHINee latte art. Yaaaaaaas, I’m cool like that. Hehehe My first beach trip for the year was at Camayan Resort in Pampanga. Snorkeled-ish with some fishies and did a lot of “pambatang” diving. As tradition and to mark the beginning of summer vacation, Joi and I went out for a salon date. Got myself an undercut (again), but this time, with a sidecut. Hihihi

Couldn’t stay away from the beach (I’m saying this as if it wasn’t planned hahaha). Ultimate destination for the year (or so I thought) was Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan! I went with Mabs, Daene, and Kristen. My favorite island would be Entalula Beach Club. The sand and water are divine! The experience to kayak from Miniloc Island to the Small and Big Lagoon was also incredible! And of course, unlimited sangria for dinner! Posting several pictures because I might end up writing a novel. I will just let these pictures do the talking. OMG! I should say this… #takemeback!

Oh, wait! Did I also mention that I passed the Google Certified Educators Level 1 exam? Yaaaaaaaas! 🙂 This opened the door for greater opportunities, especially partnering with QSR, a Google for Education Partner in the Philippines.

Started June with CCF East Hub Family Retreat in MMRC Batangas. Indeed, family time in a place with zero-zilch signal is a winner. As soon we got back Manila, we had to pack our bags and head to the airport for our long overdue family trip in Boracay. We stayed in Boracay Residences located a little close to Diniwid Beach. We booked through AirBnb for this. It’s cheap considering it came with free breakfast and a ride that can take you to almost anywhere in he island. Notable visits would be the Puka Beach, Ilig-iligan beach, Diniwid Beach, and of course the crowded White Beach.

July took me by surprise because one, I retracted my resignation; two, I signed a contract as an Educational Technology Specialist and Coordinator in Cornerstone Academy; three, I only have 9 hours of teaching load, which means I only get to go to the office twice a week; and four, I was commissioned to train some aspiring youth leaders in University of San Carlos, Cebu for the #epicyouth2017 summit. On the side, I was able to tour Downtown Cebu City and also explore Ayala Cebu CBD. For this trip, I stayed in Palm Grass Hotel, which is a 10-minute walk from Magellan’s Cross. Just to mention, they do have a better transport system there (i.e. numbered jeeps) and their cab drivers are polite. They give an exact change too!

By the time I came back, FANemployed had the final planning for the first KDrama Quiz Off in Love Monday Cafe entitled “Answer Me 2017.” It was a successful event. Shameless plug: please like FANemployed‘s FB Page. Just click the link. Hehe Also, do expect more fun quiz offs this coming 2018!

August was a little quiet. The only highlight was my iPhone 7 Plus by (RED) and the big reveal of Jara’s entourage. Hey, a girl can rest, right? LOL #WineNot

September is always known as the book fair month. I remember going to the Manila International Book Fair either in costume or as hoarder. But this year, I’m neither. I went as an exhibitor for QSR and Google for Education. Aside from that, this year is special because I get to go to two Kpop concerts! The second one I went to was White Night in Manila. Waaaaaaaah! Taeyang in the flesh!

GLC 2 Graduation picture taking and GLC Graduation is one of the highlights for the month of October. It’s also an action-packed month because of the Homeschool Conference 2017. Cornerstone Academy had a booth. Yey! I also met up with the Semi-Circle of Friends in Big Sky Mind a.k.a. ang mga lakad na di pinaplano ay totoong natutuloy. I finally applied for Ateneo Graduate School and of course, the highlight is applying for a South Korean Visa.

November felt like I was back in time because I volunteered to serve in Elevate Multiply 2017 at Eartheaven Re-creation Center. And I also taught my first Google Certified Educator Level 1 in Enderun Extension, The Study in The Podium.

And the highlight of 2017 is *drumroll* my long overdue trip in South Korea!!! Sheila and I spent 7 days in the land of skin care products. We stayed in Bunk Guesthouse in Hongdae booked through Agoda. Our first day is so memorable because it snowed! My first snow experience in my favorite city in the whole world! I have to say that I’ve never walked that much in my life! I love their public transportation and food. And most of all, I love winter!!! Notable places I visited would be Myeongdong Shopping Street, Namsan Tower, Han River, Gyeongbokgung Palace while wearing hanbok, Bukchon Hanok Village, Lotte Young Plaza, SMTown, SM COEX Artium, K-Star Road, JYP Building, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and MBC Building.

We also went to free tours c/o Seoul Metropolitan Government: Kpop Dance Experience and MBC World Broadcasting Theme Park Tour. For the dance class, we were taught by an SM choreographer and we get to learn from the same practice room that SM artists use for their comeback and concert preparations. Hihihi Oh and we danced to the tune of Hey, Mama! by EXO-CBX.

Notable places to visit for food and shopping would be Myeongdong street food, Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center (where the hidden Kpop shops are), ramyun in foil (only along Han River), Kamong, Gwangjang Market (OMG! Their kimchi tastes different, way better than the others), that katsu place near Gyeongbokgung, Osulloc Tea House, Insadong, Digital Media City, MowMow (makgeolli), Vinyl, Magpie, Mapo Dumpling, Hong Cup, that 24-hour samgyupsal place where Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo filmed (it’s near Exit 7 of Hongik University Station), Seo Seo Galbi, and Noona Holdak.

I have to say, this is my ultimate #takemeback! Waaaaaaaah! Writing about this is really making me emotional. I miss Seoul!

Days after I came back from my Seoul trip, I found myself in the airport again bound for Sydney, Australia! Spent 5 lovely days in Sydney to attend Google PD Partner Summit in Google Sydney, where I met amazing people who share the same passion on educational technology. For this trip, we stayed in Sydney Central YHA and Mercure Sydney, both are really near Central Station. Did I mention their train system is also amazing? Seriously! Flew with Cebu Pacific for this and unfortunately, we were delayed for 5 hours. 😦 We arrived Sydney later than expected. Joined a free Sydney walking tour offered by Welcome Walking Tours. It was raining, but the tour pushed through. I’m not really fond of British history, but I really enjoyed knowing the history of Sydney. I also met up with friends and relatives. It made my visit lovelier. 🙂 It was surprisingly cold for summer, but since I’ve already established that my favorite season is winter, then the cold wasn’t a problem at all. A big bonus: I saw Taylor Chan (the man) of Wong Fu Productions and I blew my birthday cake for my #Happy30 in advance!

Notable places visited were Google Sydney Office, Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour, Queen Victoria Building, Town Hall, Central Station, Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

As soon as I land Manila on December 9, I hopped in our car to be on my way to 26 Sta. Maria Resort in Talisay, Batangas for John and Jara’s wedding extravaganza. But before that, I went out and had dinner with my family for my 30th birthday! So yes, I basically spent the last days of my 29th year up in the air and on the road. I think I deserve to say that I’m really blessed and whoah! those were really, really unexpected! At the strike of 12 midnight, we arrived the resort, where my good friends met me to greet me for my birthday. The ceremony was really lovely and the view added to the spark of love and forever. Naks! #EatDrinkAndBeMeria Special shoutouts to my lovely D12 for treating me for my hair and make up. I love you all to bits! #Happy30

Just when I thought I’m ending 2017 smiling, an unexpected tragedy happened. SHINee’s Jonghyun passed away due to an apparent suicide. All I can say is, I miss you, Jjong. I will never forget you. 😥

Of course, this post won’t end sad. Let me share with you some films and dramas I watched this 2017. I was able to catch these movies on the big screen: Star Wars The Last Jedi, Unexpectedly Yours, and Thor: Ragnarok. For those who are asking, nope, I did’t watch any DC Film, except for Wonder Woman because Gal Gadot. Haha I saw the following Asian dramas (the ones underlined were the ones I finished): Secret Seven, Hwarang: The Beginning, Goblin: The Great and Lonely God, Black, Fight For My Way, Queen for Seven Days, Lookout, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, The King Loves, The Liar and His Lover, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Seven First Kisses, U-Prince Series, Princess Hours (Thai), and Full House (Thai).

Before I end this post, I would like to extend my heartfelt worship to my Father in Heaven who made all these possible. I became fearless this year because I know He’s with me throughout my 2017 journey. I felt secured because of His promises. Thank you, Lord. Thank you so much for all these blessings and even the heartaches. You taught me a lot and well. Let’s rock 2018 together, okay?

Happy new year, one and all!

[YEAR-END POST] Paw-printing 2017 & Other Unexpected Stories Note: No photo stealing please. Do not take out an my photos out of my blog. Thanks!

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