2014: The Year of Discovery

2014 was a big year for me. I don't think any other year has served me with as hefty servings of ups and downs as this year's, and I don't know if it's just because I'm all grown-up(?) now that I've gotten a clearer understanding of these things. 

This is the year I: finished all ten seasons of FRIENDS; almost became a millionaire; took part in the International Book Giving Day; took calligraphy lessons; saw Macklemore and Ryan Lewis live; said goodbye to the MacLaren's gang; got thrown a surprise birthday dinner by my awesome friends; celebrated my birthday with a How I Met Your Mother-themed party; decided I would write a romance novella and failed; enjoyed three days at the beach just living in the moment; switched from Android to iOS; got promoted; realized that I no longer have the energy for meaningless friendships, forced interactions, and Michael Bay movies; lost my paternal grandfather; got braces AGAIN; made handmade paper; made handmade dolls with my sister; got purple hair; went to a watercolor workshop; celebrated 75 years of Batman; went to the Philippine Literary Festival; met my idols Pam Pastor and Manix Abrera again and had them sign my books; lost my Uncle Karl who is one of my favorite people in the world; edited my About Me page; planned to watch Jason Mraz again but had to cancel; became part of Sample Room; and asked (and received).

2014 was a big year for movie adaptations. My favorites were Mockingjay Part 1, Gone Girl, and The Fault in Our Stars. I read some really good books this year but I'm disappointed I didn't finish my Goodreads Challenge. Finishing at only 25, it is significantly less than last year's record. Anyway, my favorite reads from this year include Gabrielle Zevin's The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Rainbow Rowell's Landline, Cecelia Ahern's Love, Rosie, and Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project (I'm currently in the middle of its sequel, The Rosie Effect), while the books that impacted me the most are Ned Vizzini's It's Kind of a Funny Story and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. Out of everything I read this year, I disliked Veronica Roth's Divergent the most.

2012 was The Year of Living Bravely and 2013 was The Year of Indulging My Inner Fangirl - what about 2014? I named 2014 The Year of Discovery because it was the year I exposed myself to a lot of things, dipping my toes in the waters until I found something that's just right. I committed a number of mistakes, but what is life without a little spice? My one regret is that I wish I hugged Kuya more and told him that I loved him so much.

My favorite discovery from this year was discovering watercolor skills I didn't know I had!

The artworks I painted, excluding the ones I have already given away
See the rest by checking the hashtag #KrissyfiedMakes on Instagram
(While you're at it, follow me also! Hee.)

It's been a good year all in all but I couldn't help feeling I'm done with it. I say this without a hint of ungratefulness, though. It's just that I am ready for the new chances and possibilities that a new year's clean slate promises. I have many plans and dreams for the coming year and I can't wait to get started.

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your year with me. I'm wishing you a happy and bountiful new year with the people you hold most dear. Peace, love, and lip gloss! ♥