2018 Highlights

Before writing my 2018 highlights, I read my post about my 2017 recap and it’s funny how I said, I wasn’t sure how 2018 will top last year’s achievements and blessings. Now, as this year comes to an end, I can’t help but reflect and feel even more blessed. Just when I thought I had the most amazing year of my life last year, God always knows how to show me that I do not know any of His plans.

2018 brought such a huge learning curve for Johnrick and I. We quit our full time jobs (I continue to work per diem till now) to pursue a dream that we both have, which is to put up our own business. And as always, it is much harder than it seems. Life update: we are still working on it but we cannot wait for it to come to fruition. It has been the busiest year of travel for us (for work and to check off bucket list items). We have met many friends while traveling whom we have met through social media. It used to sound crazy whenever I think about it, but now, we are both so used to it and even made life long friends. We even traveled twice and continue to plan future travels with some of them. Social media turned my world upside down this year, but I wouldn’t wanna have it any other way. Building long lasting friendships with creatives who understand you and continue to support and learn with you, is my best take out from it. We were able to work with hotels and brands that we used to just dream about, etc.

So, here’s how our year looked like:

JANUARY

We decided to start the new year by exploring our own backyard. It was both our first time going to Big Sur. It is such a beautiful drive and our stay at Glen Oaks Big Sur made it extra special. Check out my blog post about our stay. I also met cool instagram gals, Nicole, Chelsea and Claire!

FEBRUARY

It was such a special month since both JR and I’s families went on a cruise to Ensenada. Though it was short, everyone had so much fun! Also, JR and I spent few more days in LA and we were able to meet up with some friends that we met through Instagram. (Hello Jules, Steph, Jeanie and Cherise and Michael!) We also went to Joshua Tree National Park for the first time for a unique glamping experience.

MARCH

It was our first ever trip to Europe! We’ve always worked full time and had to go back to Asia a lot that we’ve never had enough Paid Time Off work to cover vacations to Europe. We flew to Barcelona, flew to Porto (where we met Raquel and Miguel) and started our road trip to Algarve then took buses and trains to get to Seville, Cordoba and Granada.

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Wearing Meant To Be Mini Dress from Black Coral.

APRIL

Finally checked off Morocco with two of the best insta-babes ever! I have been dreaming of going to Morocco and it was such a dream come true. It was even more fun because Jules and Jess were there who made it an even memorable trip for us. It was officially our first time traveling with (then) strangers. It was such a fun three-week of travels till our backpack got stolen in Barcelona airport. Life lesson: never sleep at the airport at the same time.

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MAY

First time meeting up with Rayray in SF. It was also time for our two-month trip to the Philippines to pursue our dreams. We spent our time looking for the perfect land where we want to put up our business which proved to be harder than we thought. But it’s okay, we’re in no rush. We also went to China for the first time and ate our weight in dim sum. We also met up with one of our favorite couples, Nick and Tina, for the very first time.

We went to Beijing then flew to Zhangjiajie, where we parted with Tina and Nick. Then Johnrick and I took a 22-hr train ride from Zhangjiajie to Shanghai. It was another first for us. It was honestly not bad. We had beds and toilets and we bought food so we had everything we needed. We also met up with Cynthia and Jens in Shanghai.

JUNE

We flew to Bali for the first time. I honestly thought Bali was all hype till we got there. It’s really an island you will fall in love with. All the cute cafes, the endless waterfalls, the amazing sunsets, and everything about Bali is just so beautiful. We also met up with a bunch of creative couples, Adri and Luke, Ayda and David, Ivy and Tiago.

Other than Bali, we also went to another island in the Philippines called Siquijor.

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JULY

By July, we were ready for more dim sum and went to Hong Kong. It was Johnrick’s first time and my third time. We met up with one of the girls behind my favorite brand, Black Coral’s Cici. We went back to the Philippines and before we went back home to California, I had dinner with Jojo and Nica.

AUGUST

We spent the month exploring more of San Francisco. It’s such a shame how we’ve always lived in the bay but never really took the chance to go out and see the gems that we have here.  I also met up with Molly and Jules and we went to the lavender fields. Who would have thought there’s one here in California?

SEPTEMBER

We were able to work with amazing brands and tourism boards that had us traveling almost every week of the month. I went to Amsterdam and London for the first time with Residence Inn by Marriott. I met up with Ophelie in Amsterdam and had a nice breakfast. Then Johnrick and I got invited by Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau and had a fun weekend with other creatives. I then went to West Virginia and worked with their tourism board to showcase fall in West Virginia. Check out my sample itinerary if ever you go. Aside from partnering with tourism boards, I was also privileged to work with Chanel during the launch of their new fragrance at Nordstrom. I also met up with Sarah after the event.

OCTOBER

October was another big month of travels for us. So many bucket list items were checked and still can’t get over the magical places we’ve been. We went on another trip with Tina and Nick to Egypt and Jordan then Johnrick and I flew to Turkey. Each country was amazing and bucket list worthy.

Shop red dress here.

NOVEMBER

We went back to the Philippines and checked out the newly reopened island of Boracay. We also had a long layover in Seoul.

DECEMBER

I got invited by Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to explore Las Vegas in a different way. It was also an honor to partner with Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism to experience the culture and cuisine of the country. The thing I love about these trips other than learning about the place/country, is that I get to meet a lot of talented and creative individuals and I always learn something new from them.

As always, we spent the holidays with our families. As much as we love traveling, there’s still no place like home. I will be spending the rest of 2018 reflecting on all the blessings we received this year and how we can better give back. I honestly haven’t given much thought about the coming year. This time last year, I have already booked two trips for the coming year and pretty much knew already where we’ll be at. But the year went by so fast and I feel like I want to just take it easy on 2019 and just see where the opportunities will take us.

So, bring it on, 2019!

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE AMAZING BRANDS AND COMPANIES WHO I HAD THE HONOR OF PARTNERING WITH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TRUST! HERE’S TO A NEW YEAR OF CREATING MAGIC TOGETHER.

Away, Flixbus, Booking.com, Socialite Clothing, Scarabeo Camp, MVMT, Glen Oaks Big Sur, Coolhaus, The Udaya Resorts and Spa, Lucky Brand, Fete Boheme, Bulletin, Shangri-la Kowloon, Herbal Essences, Bali Exclusive Tours, Four Seasons Resorts (Shanghai, Beijing and Cairo), Lost In Lunar, Zaful, Wanderdream, Ecuadane, Residence Inn by Marriott, Solid & Striped, IV Liquid, Trytreats, Escape, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, Ellie Activewear, Shein, Asara New York, Pullman Hotels Zhangjiajie, Shop Raga, Coffee Cartel Bali, Hertz Europe, Atlantis Dive Resorts Dumaguete, Bliss, Fortunate One, T3, Niconico, Munduk Moding Plantation, Haulshop, Pinacourt, West Virginia Tourism Authority, Rebels Footwear, Adobe Creative, Zipsak, Stanford Court San Francisco, TIJN Eyewear, Neutrogena, Onyria Palmares Beach and Golf Resort, Shopbop, Koza Cave Hotel, WhatsMode, Bohme, Raramuri Sandals, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Neon Palms Bali, Quinta Bonita Luxury Boutique Hotel, Genius Pack, The Avocado Factory, Patricia Nash Designs, Sugarhigh, Wils Fabrik, Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, Poshmark, This Bar Saves Lives, Juicy Couture, Francesca bracelets, Lui the Label, Lily Lulu, Bisoubisous Store, Kismet, Eaux de Chanel at Nordstrom, XLE, Curology, Journey on Lovely, Ring, Everly, Sura Hagia Sophia Hotels and Spa, Vinebox, Es Saadi Marrakech Resort, Ritual, NA-KD, L*Space Swimwear, Weebly, Vici Dolls, Pura Vida bracelets, Surrender the Label, Visit Japan, Tidal flipflops, Roku Player, Seavees, Kapten and Son, Slick ‘n Click.