Belated Reflection of 2021 & 2022 Goals

January 30, 2022January 30, 2022 / orchidus

My apologies for going MIA. I was in the process of moving across the continent in October 2021, and now, I have more or less settled in with some things still in progress.

2021 was a tumultuous year of changes and challenges. From receiving the Covid-19 Moderna vaccine to handling the rapid, abrupt changes at work, it was all about finding ways to cope and to be safe. I had to learn to adapt to change rapidly and to prepare for the move. This meant sorting out what I did not need, what I could sell, and what I wanted to keep.

Most importantly, I spent more time with family, celebrating small joys and overcoming challenges with them. When things don’t work out as planned, something else will work out in one’s favor.

As for the goals of 2021, I have read 48 books (including light novels and manga), completed CEs, and practiced Chinese regularly. Unfortunately, I was not able to do some writing.

For 2022, I plan on building on and tracking my habits using Habitca and Mossery’s yearly planner.

Complete a sudoku book.
Write a short story about my original characters.
Read 50 books based on the Popsugar challenge.
Exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week.
Journal daily for 30 minutes.
Complete CEs.
Complete a crafting or personal project every month using the materials I already have.
Complete 5 video games over the course of year. Cannot buy until 5 are completed.
Finish 5 books in “to be read” pile.

5 Games That Made Me Who I Am Today

July 17, 2021August 8, 2021 / orchidus

I saw this meme going around Raichana’s Twitter and figured I should participate. After looking over my list, I realized that most of the games I picked are dated in the 1990s-early 2000s.

Golden Sun (Gameboy Advance, Camelot, 2001)

*Golden Sun* and *Golden Sun: The Lost Age*

My most favorite game of all time is Golden Sun. In addition, it is also one of the few games that I played without any guides. Countless hours were spent figuring out the puzzles and speaking to all the non-playable characters (NPCs) as I unraveled the mysteries of alchemy alongside Issac and his friends. When Golden Sun: The Lost Age came out, I immediately played the game from beginning to end, experiencing the story from Felix’s perspective and trying to resolve the loose ends from the previous game. The battle music from both games is quite memorable and occasionally I would listen to the soundtrack for inspiration. Without Golden Sun, I probably would not have developed an interest in solving puzzles or world building.

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Reflection & 2021 Resolutions

January 2, 2021January 2, 2021 / orchidus

2020 was a year of challenges and changes. It was a test of one’s character and perseverance. For me, it taught me to step back and reflect; to encourage patience when faced with the unknown (at work and at home), and to build new habits to reduce anxiety and stress. From all of this, I learned to change my worldview and to accept that there are things that one cannot control. Thus, one has to make the best of their situation. I developed new habits, such as gardening with my mother and listening to the news every night.

In 2020, I have read 37 books (e-books and paperbacks), studied Chinese on Duolingo regularly, and participated in 2 art challenges (Mosstober October 15th t o 31st and Art in the Time of Corona). While I did not do much writing, I helped my father complete our family tree and discovered a few famous ancestors. As for career development, I attended virtually ASCP Annual in November and completed other continuing education courses on a regular basis.

This year I plan to continue building on the same habits and perhaps work on a writing project. It helped that I use Habitica, a productivity app that helps one keep motivated to complete goals by “gamify[ing] [one’s] life.”

Read daily for 15-20 minutes and complete Popsugar 2021 challenge. [37 of 50 books in 2020]
Do 1 continuing education assignment every 2 weeks minimum.
Write something this year.
1. Complete travel journals for Korea (2017), and China (2018 and 2019).
2. Write a new story.
Participate in an art project (photography or sketching)– 1 per week or daily challenge.
Practice Chinese Mandarin daily on Duolingo for 15-20 minutes.
Do 1 stress-free activity per week.

How was your 2020? What are some of your goals/resolutions for 2021?

Art in the Time of Corona – November 2020

November 15, 2020 / orchidus

Recon Boo: Arc Trooper Five on the mission!

Happy Halloween 2020

October 31, 2020 / orchidus

Happy Halloween from the slime family from the Dragon Quest series!

Can you name all the slimes pictured here? Answer below the cut.

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Art in the Time of Corona – October 2020

October 24, 2020 / orchidus

Still working on this project! Meet St. Joan of Arc from France!

Mosstober 2020 Half-Marathon

October 17, 2020 / orchidus

My first Mossery journal with dotted paper (not shown)

Trying out the Mosstober2020 challenge using a Mossery journal (which I planned to do mainly light sketching and writing). You are able to personalize the cover of your choice with your name or favorite emoji; and choose the type of paper: plain, dotted, or lined. The paper is very smooth and seems to handle Sakura pens and color pencils well without bleeding through the page. The best part of all is when you have finished the entire notebook, you can purchase a refill to replace it.

If you are interested in purchasing one, click on this link to get $10 off your purchase.

Below are my drawings. See prompt list.

I managed to complete the challenge, although many are sketches. My personal goal was to try to draw every day, whether it was a sketch or finished piece. In the end, I felt much more relaxed and eager to let my ideas flow onto the paper. I will consider doing another art challenge next year.