reflections

2022 Reflections and Goals for 2023

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2022 was an eventful year filled with gains and losses. I finally got settled on the East Coast, bonded with a few people, rekindled a couple of friendships, changed jobs, and got to know my extended family better. My family and I traveled to Rhode Island for a conference and Canada (Toronto and Montreal) for a family reunion and wedding. With my significant other, I traveled to Connecticut and Massachusetts for a 3-day trip and wedding.

While the Covid-19 pandemic eased, turmoil increased in several countries, leading to increasing prices of goods, supply shortages, and human suffering. It is hopeful that 2023 will mean a gradual improvement in the stock market and hopefully the state of the world.

In 2022, I got to know my surroundings better and discovered new games, books, films, and Anime series through the influence of people I have met. As a result, I ended up purchasing more rather than finishing what I have. I did, however, completed some of my goals, including the following:

  1. Complete a sudoku book. [Completed]
  2. Complete CEs. [Completed – about 50% done before upcoming renewal date in April 2023 and 81% done with BCGP renewal]
  3. Complete a crafting or personal project every month using the materials I already have. [Completed 13 projects]
  4. Complete 5 video games over the course of year. Cannot buy until 5 are completed. [Completed]
  5. Finish 5 books in “to be read” pile. [Completed 80% (4 out of 5)]
  6. Practiced Chinese daily [Completed 11 of 12 monthly badges on Duolingo]
  7. Developed a new skill [Learned how to play mahjong]

For 2023, I hope to continue…

  1. Complete CEs for license renewal in April 2023.
  2. Complete CEs for BCGP renewal.
  3. Finish 5 books in “to be read” pile.
  4. Complete 5 video games over the course of the year.
  5. Practice Chinese daily.
  6. Complete a crafting or personal project every month using the materials I already have.
  7. Write or sketch once a week.
  8. Bond closer with friends.

January 3rd just passed! Happy 1 year birthday to Xinglong!

Xinglong Art by Raichana

“Yay! I celebrated with a relaxing day all to myself, until Tianlong decided to bother me!”

January to April Updates

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Since the last update in January, most things have been settled. Returning to the East Coast did mean that I had to adjust to the weather and the work culture. While it was not much different at work (since I just transferred within the same company), it just took me a bit of time to get used to the people and the environment. I connected with people and explored the area, getting to know what is out there. It helped that I had been in this part of the East Coast during my visits to my paternal family in the past, so it was not entirely a new experience.

These past few months I have worked on mini creative projects, including making a pin banner to display my pin collection and drawing personal cards for family and friends. Please see Gallery » Traditional Art » Card Designs for the most recent designs. In addition, I have been continuing to build upon healthy habits while finding time for myself in between work and family matters.

Future Plans

In the upcoming month of May, I will be posting my travel journals for South Korea (2017) on a semi-regular schedule (once to twice a week). Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! If progress is satisfactory, I will also work on finishing up the remaining travel journals for my trips to China in 2018 and 2019; and Singapore 2019.

Also, in the works, is a major project! After almost three years since the end of the web series, A Gathering of Heroes: Anhu, Taki and I have decided to return with a new story set in the same setting but with xianxia elements and some returning characters. The story will be special in that I had– on whim– commissioned an artist to help with designing two of the major characters; both of whom have been around in a story concept that I had from my younger days. We are currently in the story development phase, so it will probably not be debuted until Winter 2022/Early 2023 (should things go well!).

That is all for now! Hope everyone is staying safe and healthy!

Belated Reflection of 2021 & 2022 Goals

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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.

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

5 Games That Made Me Who I Am Today

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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.

Continue reading →

2019 Resolutions

/ orchidus

Sunset at the Monterey Tides Hotel, Monterey, CA (11-3-18)

Sunset at the Monterey Tides Hotel, Monterey, CA (11-3-18)

Between lapses between working and daily life, I reflected on what I learned from 2017 and 2018, and what I can do to make 2019 more fulfilling and better. Since 2017 and early 2018, I dealt with health issues related to work stress and work environment. I also participated in my local pharmacy association activities and eventually was elected as a board member in 2018. In the summer of 2018, I took on a new role at work and was challenged due to having to balance administrative duties, managerial duties, and workflow. Throughout all of this, I co-wrote a web serial with Taki called Gathering of Heroes series: Anhu and tried to find time for hobbies and relaxation. I supported quite a few artists (thanks to sleepyriceball‘s influence) and indie game developers, such as Zeiva Inc and roseVerte. I visited Shandong province, Henan province, Nanjing, and Beijing in September 2018.

Ultimately, I realized that my health is important and reducing stress is the key to improving my health. In 2019, I hope to continue to improve my health and continue growing as an individual.

  1. Exercise 3-4 times weekly (running, walking, hiking).
  2. Read regularly and complete Popsugar 2019 challenge. [50% on the 2018 challenge]
  3. Do 1 continuing education assignment every 2 weeks minimum.
  4. Write something this year.
    1. Complete writing piece for Legacies Anthology (due in February 2019). Near completion, March 13, 2019 due [COMPLETE!]
    2. Complete travel journals for Japan, Korea, and China (2018).
    3. Write a new story(?).
  5. Participate in Inktober 2019 or an art challenge. [canceled]
  6. Learn Mandarin Chinese.