Powering Through 2024

“Here's to powering through 2024 with new beginnings.” – a line from my last year’s blog.

Suffice to say that I have powered through 2024.

“Live in this moment and love with no restraints. Realize that taking life slowly and absorbing things is not wasting time.” (Climate by Whitney Hanson)

I kicked-off the year attending Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour with no other than my best friend and Coldplay buddy, Jasmine. It was surreal! We patiently waited since their last concert during 2017, and I am elated that we have scored our tickets and fulfilled our promise to attend the next Coldplay concert. I guess this will always be our thing. 😉

Meanwhile, just when I thought that EXO-tingi is over… apparently, it isn’t. Hahaha. 😆  Starting off with Baekhyun (April 2024) – through which I am lucky enough to witness the send-off, he is so playful and his energy is unmatched! Next EXO-tingi was last June 2024 for Suho's solo concert – I love the live band! I also got tad emotional when Suho cried on stage, our soft-hearted Junmyeon. 😪  It was also my first VIP experience with Kyungsoo’s Bloom Fan Concert last September first - his singing voice is very much better in a live setting, truly a bang for the buck. Onto the next month (October 2024), I am with my “new” concert buddy this time, Jenica, as we scream our hearts out during Chanyeol’s Cityscape Tour. It was also a great timing because my new phone arrived the day before the concert. Last but not the least – Chen’s Beyond the Door Fan-Con last November was another memorable experience for me as an EXO-L. He’s super game and funny, I love his interactions with the PHIXOS, but most of it all – I am in awe and mesmerized as I watch and listen to him sing, his power vocals are 💯. 

I also shared a few events with my closest friends this year: got emotional on some scenes when I watched Miss Saigon (superb cast and production!) and One More Chance (the incorporation of Ben&Ben playlist sealed the play very nicely). Of course, as much as I could, I will not miss out any comedy-related shows this year. It was my first time to see Atsuko Okatsuka’s live stand-up (thanks for the reco, Jassy!). Of course, we watched The Absolute Mega Best of Comedy Manila – it was a solid three hours of laughter. We also attended The KoolPals Anniversary comedy and music festival which was truly one for the books. This year, I also met podparents Jim and Saab and podninong Ali and professor Manny when we went to their live podcast recording at Linya-Linya HQ. I enjoyed strolling in UPD and (first time) eating at Mang Larry’s Isawan with Jassy and Ate Joy after the live recording.

“Learning leads to growth. Growth brings happiness.” (When Things Don’t Go Your Way by Haemin Sunim)

One of the highlights of this year is trying spin class. Thanks to my enabler officemate (hi, Nicole!) who encouraged me to book classes in Ride Revolution – it was so satisfying and a no-brainer stress reliever after a long day’s work! My first session was painful and took me a week to recover (lol) but hey, what matters is me still showing up during the most difficult times (iykyk 😂) and I’m proud that I did. 👋

Speaking of showing up during the most difficult times, best believed I did that too at work – as I am expected (and compensated hahaha) to. I have to say that this year, I get to fully grasped and appreciate my team and the department I belong to. We bonded outside office hours more this year which further strengthened our working and personal relationships. I am proud to have contributed to the success of GCIB and be a part of the OG team organized by my Department Head. I feel privileged to have witnessed our team's growth since I joined last 2019. This year, I celebrated my 5th anniversary at MUFG and will always be grateful for the experiences, challenges, and memories I have created with my workmates. 

“Refocus on the things that make you feel powerful not the people that robbed you of your strength.” (Home by Whitney Hanson)

And so, I did.

This year, I decided to continue the healing and recovery process by spending more time with my core family and friends and getting active in church. I am grateful that despite my busy schedule, I get to spend some quality time with people who matter the most, sees my worth, and truly understands me. I intend to keep my circle intimate and close this time, I find solace and I feel my truest self whenever I am with them: no judgments, just a safe space. 

This year, I have been more intentional while allowing myself to continue processing and acknowledging my feelings. This year, I have been more carefree while still being mindful. I have been more honest with myself while still being reasonable.

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I started my 2024 reading Michelle Obama’s Becoming and now as I conclude my 2024 YE blog, allow me to share this wonderful passage: 

“Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”

May we welcome and journey 2025 with positivity and light, with proper intentions and with God’s grace so that we continuously aim for a better self as we are all in the process of becoming.

Magpapatuloy,

Abby 🌻