I think 2018 was a good year. It definitely wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst, either. It was good because I made a lot of landmark decisions for myself that actually propelled me further to adulthood. Of course, there were some highs and lows, a lot of fun and a whole lotta confusion, too -- but I'm not gonna talk about that! (Let me save my sob story for another day.) I'm here to talk about my 2018 favourites.
Every month, bloggers post about their monthly favourites, be it their new make-up, fashion, fragrances, reads, music and the likes... but I guess y'all know by now that my time for blogging has been very limited. (Adulthood still feels strange to me.) I find time to write about my day-to-day musings and some stories during my free time (especially during my commutes and breaktimes at work).
I thought to myself that one of the best ways to cap off the year is by listing down some of the things that made my 2018... worthwhile. Take note: this is a pretty heavy list, but I'll make it light by limiting my posts to around three to four per category.
Accessories
- Star drops from F21 - This is Joseph's anniversary gift for me, which he handpicked while I was looking at other cute earrings at Forever 21. I wear them when I feel like making a statement or just feel like being a queen. (They're a bit on the heavy side, though. But still cute.) ✨ - Heart lollipop earrings from Dollymoon - Now this is something else. Almost every item from Dollymoon makes me want to go broke, but this takes the cake. I contemplated on buying it the moment I saw it and I did. I also waited a painstaking one month before finally receiving it, and the wait was totally worth it because it's so CUTE. And cute + cute = super cute, which is me. ✨
- Pearl Heart earrings - What can I say about this except for the fact that it's so cute, too?
BONUS: Silver hoop earrings - I wear this pair almost everyday just because.
Make-Up
- EB Lip and Cheek Roller in Night Berry - One of the things I like about this is that I can leave the house barefaced with just this on and I still look good. It doesn't wear out easy, too. - Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick in Ruler - I have three shades of these super sticky inky matte lipsticks and this is my most favourite because it looks pretty natural on me. (Not as vampy as Voyager and not as light as Lover.) I often wear this on days I feel like being a queen, too. - Colourette ColourTint Lip/Cheek Oil in Coco - I got this from my older sister. This has become my year-end to-go style. I like how long it stays without budging, though I often swipe some back on from time to time. It has a powdery finish and can leave kiss marks! (I know because... I tried it on Joseph lol.)
BONUS: Revlon Matte Lip Balm in Fiery Flamboyante - I got this from my mom because she said it wasn't her colour (It was originally a gift to her). This was my mid-year to-go style and it has worked its best throughout the year. (It's time for me to buy a new stick, but if you're thinking of a present for me... *wink wink*)
Webtoons
- True Beauty by Yaongyi + Odd Girl Out by Morang + My ID Is Gangnam Beauty by Gi Meng Gi - Ah, yes. These three webtoons greatly focuses on how outer appearances really determine how society treats people. All three protagonists have significant face and body issues they eventually learned to deal with (through their own ways). The stories personally touched me as well and enabled me to have a deeper appreciation for who I am and what I look like. - I Love Yoo by Quimchee - Sad emo gril + handsome bois galore. Need I say more?
BONUS: Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe - A modern-day retelling of the story of Greek gods.
Anime
- Darling In The FranXX - While it's not the anime of the year, it has taken up quite a lot of my attention span this year. I realised how my preference in anime has changed over the years, and I found myself drawn to this one because of the robots, or FranXX, and the protagonist, Zero Two. The story was kind of okay (Why don't you just see for yourself?), the art is nice and the romance is super good. I especially liked Kokoro and Mitsuru's romance plot (and the baby omg).
- Tokyo Ghoul:re - When I started watching the first series in 2016, I didn't expect myself to be drawn into the story so much to the point that I'd watch the third and fourth series. Also, I didn't read the manga, so I guess I missed out on a lot of details. I was particularly drawn to Kaneki's evolution and how he came to fully accept his new purpose in life as the One-Eyed King. (There is also a baby in this series so yes, there is babymania this year.)
- Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san - I watched this on a whim because I found a clip of Episode 1 (Yaoi Girls from Overseas!) on Facebook and I was instantly hooked. I don't work in retail, but this anime looks at the ups and downs of 'having a job' (in retail and in general lol). Alos, the humour is A+ so I suggest this if you feel like watching something lighthearted.
BONUS: Aggretsuko - I KNOW IT'S NOT AN ANIME, BUT! (Retsuko is a Sanrio / Yeti character and she came from Japan, so no arguing with me lol) I particularly liked this show because I can relate so much to Retsuko's disillusionment in life after her employment. (Also the fact that she tried to escape working by getting married? OHOHO if that ain't me!)
Feel free to recommend some anime I can watch while I'm on my way to work or home! (My preference has shifted from pure vanilla romance to action-fantasy-romance... and maybe a little mecha lol.)
TV Shows
(In no particular order or genre)
- The Crown (Netflix) - As a huge royalty buff, this series is actually gold for me. The series closely follows Queen Elizabeth II's ascension and current reign. Claire Foy's performance as the young Queen Elizabeth II is also just golden. I don't particularly like the royal family, to be honest, but the show gives a lot of insight on what it's like to be a member. (I LOVE Princess Diana a lot, though.)
- My ID Is Gangnam Beauty (JTBC) - Since I read the webtoon, I knew pretty much how the Korean Drama would go, but I gotta admit, some of the show's creative liberties added a bit of realism to the story. (Also, Cha Eun Woo is such a sweetheart jusko.) Mirae's story of self-acceptance just hits home for a lot of girls struggling with appearance issues, even myself. I personally like how the show gave both Mirae and Kyung Seok best friends, which the producers say is their way to express their thoughts instead of talking to themselves instead. I also liked how they fleshed out both Mirae and Kyung Seok's family stories.
Music
(In no particular order or genre)
The songs on this list are my 'heavy rotation' throughout the entire year. Most of them, if not all, are on Spotify, so check em out if you feel like listening to some cute / cool / sad songs. This list is a mixed bag, so you'll see some J-Pop, OPM, Mainstream, Lo-fi chill vibes, Indie and a lot of other genres here.
- Follow Your Fire - Kodaline - This song reminds me of someone I used to love. (Haha no, I'm not gonna say anymore except that he went and followed his fire, which was something I've always wanted him to do.)
- Love My Way - The Psychedelic Furs (From the Call Me By Your Name OST)
- Love Diamond - Weki Meki + True - RUNY + Love Scenario - IKON (From the My ID Is Gangnam Beauty OST) - These songs make me want to go back to college (minus the drama lol).
- Fake Happy - Paramore (Ugh this song plays almost everywhere and I can't help but cry to myself whenever I hear it.)
- Ganja Burn + Barbie Dreams + Good Form - From Nicki Minaj's album Queen (Sometimes I just feel like being a badass rap queen.)
- Balisong - Rivermaya (I know what you're thinking. Why is such an old song here?) - This became one of my favourite songs because Joseph sings it to me a lot.
- Wildfire - Chopper Seven (This is a song by my co-worker's band. I listen to it a lot when I'm on my way home and it gives me a lot of 'heartbreak' vibes.) - Sometimes while walking down the streets on my way home, I imagine I'm in a music video or something (with a lot of orange light). Support local, guys!
- HALF - Queen Bee (This is Tokyo Ghoul:re's first ending theme and it always reminds me of my co-workers / work batch mates.)
People
- June 25 #cutiesofisentia / 13th Month Abangers / Regularisation Abangers - It's funny how they easily became my favourite people of the year, which is because I spend a lot of my daily time gossiping and bantering with them on Skype while at work and sneak in some snack time before they leave work and before I start work. We're a really great support group (and just a bunch of sad kids doing some strange work) and there's never a dull moment with them.
- #KabataangTransfi - What else is there to say except these kids give me hope? (I call them my reason for being - 'pinanghahawakan ko sila'.) We're just a small ragtag group of kids from a church on a hill and we are still searching for more of us: those who heard the call to serve (Big G hehe) and love (everyone). Most of the year revolved around me apologising to them because of real life (and how my life has taken a really sudden turn for God knows if it's better or worse) and how work has taken up so much of my precious time (yeah, they took all my Sundays and I want them back). We're just a handful, but we are all hopeful that it'll change soon. ✨
BONUS: 39th Floor's North Melbourne Kangaroos - My teammates at work lol. We like sharing a lot of food and inappropriate jokes. I still have yet to know them all, but I can see myself working with them for... a while. (Still hoping... hoping and praying that my schedule changes soon.)
SUPER BONUS: MY CUTE LITTLE GODCHILDREN.
The friends I see all the time shouldn't be bothered by this list since they're my favourite people forever. (You guys know who you are lol.)
Year in hodge podge
The nicest thing I bought for myself: The Tree of Life fuschia agate Rosary from the Rose Garden Rosaries.
A snack that became a favourite: Nissin Creamy Seafood Cup Noodles, deep-fried calamares (breaded fried squid) and bato-bato (chicken spleen).
Something I used to dislike but then came to love: Travelling on foot (also known as walking).
A sudden realisation: I am actually a milk person (Coffee and tea are just no good for me at all).
Something I had to teach myself: Australian English (lol replacing 'z' with 's' and adding 'u' to some words requires a lot of presence of mind).
Travel Goals: New Zealand, Japan and Poland.
A silver lining: Despite having work on Sundays, I have a really nice boss who is also very cool and understanding.
Something I did consistently throughout the year: Read manga and eat sweets.
A wish I'll be bringing to the new year: For my work schedule to change to M-F.
Favourite Meal: Cheesy pork chops from The Stritz.
Am I who I want to be? - I'm getting there.
Am I happy with my career choice? - Work is ez. The only thing I don't like about it is Sunday work (Because the only work I should be doing on Sunday is the Lord's work lol).
Some life lessons I learned this year: There are people whom I love that I had to let go of for the sake of my own progress and sanity. They weren't necessarily bad to me, but my decision doesn't make me a bad person, either. It only means I care for myself enough to let go of things that are stunting my improvement. I loved them to death, by the way, but after we stopped talking, I took it as a mutual understanding that we just didn't need each other in our lives anymore. I just had to let go of them because they remind me so much of good times that just aren't there anymore, and I wasn't up for keeping reminders of my mistakes (especially since I learned from them already). I didn't need anymore reminders to keep on showing me what I did. I feel like I wisened up a little. I carefully choose the people I love now because I don't want anymore unsaid and unexplained goodbyes. I want to keep the people who will stick around. I want to keep the people who will choose to keep me in their lives.
I know what you're thinking: Where's the manga, Tony?! Kidding aside, I hope my list inspired you to look back on some of the things (and people) that made your 2018 worthwhile. To be honest, I'd list down a lot more, but it would take a really long time to write and read. 2018 has certainly been a roller coaster ride. My 25th year of existence has been a mix of gladness, sadness, confusion and realisations. I have no idea what the future has in store for me, but I know for a fact that big G has got my back, so come at me, 2019!
May your life be filled with nothing but all the good things in life this coming new year! Don't forget to go to church!
