Review of 2012: A Time to say Thank You.

Happy New Year! Goodbye 2012 and hello 2013!

For me, the time seems to go by faster as the year passes. 2012 has been an interesting roller coaster ride. Usually my years are uneventful, but not this year. During my winter break, I’ve reflected on the good, bad, and crazy times of 2012. I don’t normally set resolutions for myself, but I had some key accomplishments that I’m proud of this year.

Scruffy, The Lhasa Apso (left) and Sumo, The Beagle (right)

Early in 2012, I adopted Scruffy from the local pound. I don’t know if he is happy to be here, because he is always happy. I like to think that he saved me more than I saved him. He really brought a light into this house. I’m not saying that Sumo didn’t, but she is not full of emotions, except when it comes to food.

I actually accomplished one of my biggest dreams–experiencing Europe. Coming from Hawai’i, it’s rare to find people my age, who is not in the military, that actually visited Europe. I will always cherish my experience and memories of Europe. I’ve been slowly sharing my journals from Europe through my Wanderlust series. I can’t wait to go back!

My friend, Illusyon and I started our own book club, which I’m super excited about. I’ve always wanted to be an avid reader. No better way than to start a book club, right?

Experiencing a page one meeting at the Chicago Tribune. It made me realize that maybe Hawai’i is not where I’m supposed to be. That maybe I’m supposed to be better than what I am right now. Lately, I’ve been conflicted with staying in Hawai’i. On one hand, I want to stay because I’m comfortable, but on the other hand, I think I’m a big fish in a small pond. Maybe 2013 will take me somewhere afar and new.

With ever high, there is a low. There weren’t too much lows in 2012, but a couple did stand out in my mind.

A day after I come back from Europe, my father injuries himself. Although he is very strong (health wise), it seems that his body can’t keep up with what he wants to do. His brief stint in a wheelchair made me realize that my hero is slowly turning into my child. He is walking now, but for those few months, I was afraid that his life would be bound to a chair.

This may be a shocked to some of you, but yes, I’m turning 30 in a couple of months. *cringe* I’m happy to say that I don’t look that old. Thank you Asian power! On my birthday, I wrote a sorta bucket list. Sadly to say, I didn’t accomplished much. HAHA

Time to give some thanks and love:

You! Every single person who clicks onto JenKakio.com. I mean, I’m nobody special, so I’m grateful for the people who takes the time to read my blog. Per WordPress, I gained double views and traffic. I hope this pattern continue. Of course, I welcome the pattern to increase by triple or even quad triple.

Now time for the love! These are fellow bloggers who has been supportive in many different ways. I am so grateful to have met all these wonderful people. Hopefully you can take the chance you gave me and pay it forward to these lovely bloggers.

Kat from Vodka and Soda. She went from flabby to fit and is always an inspiration for my body transformation. Although I’ve never quite made it to my goal, she is always there to pick my butt off the floor and kick it! Ya, she is one of those friends. She is not afraid to say, “Stop cry and just do it.” I value her voice very much.

Illusyon at Finding My Bliss, my IRL friend turned blogger, has always been my #1 cheerleader. She blogs about her semi-crazy life, books (avid reader), and weight trials and tribulations. Without her in my daily life, I might as well go crazy. In some ways, her craziness keeps me sane. And I like to think that my crazy weirdness keeps her sane as well.

Lisa from Expandng is always filled with encouragement! Although she blogs about family life, raising a child, and photography (all things I can’t give any advice on), she always makes me feel welcomed on her blog. I may not help her in her quest of find the perfect way to stop a 2 year old from screaming his lungs off in the store, she humors me nonetheless. I appreciate that.

Dan from Fog’s Movie Reviews, another blogger who humors me in my opinions on the latest (and not so latest) movies. If I had the time, I would blog more about movies, but I can’t keep up. That’s not a problem with Dan. He seems to have the latest buzz worthy movies up on the same day it comes out. If that was not enough, he even podcasts about movies!

Jeremy from Bended Brains is currently teaching in Turkey! His blog is filled with all kinds of things like movies, life, and travel. All his posts have one thing in common and that’s philosophy. He writes posts that makes you think, kinda like bending your brain. (you like what I did there? It’s like I used the movie title in the movie.) I love his bucket list and I actually stole a couple of his ideas. Shhhh!

Jaina from Time Well Spent is oh-so lovely! I love reading her 100 Movies posts and she actually inspired me to do the same challenge next year. It’s nice to see a movie and TV show blogger that’s a woman. Ever time I watch Dexter or The Walking Dead, I secretly wonder what Jaina is thinking. Too bad we don’t live in similar time zones, because I’ll be tweeting her all the time!

Tiera from Side Culture, my blogging twin! We live close by and is born on the same day! She blogs about cool stuff that she finds on the internet and Hawai’i. Last year, she got a DSLR and have been taking all these great photos. She was one the first blogs I started reading before I got into this blogging game. She’ll always be my twin!

The guys from 3 Guys and I Movie! I’ve always said that if you wanted different opinions about a movie, this is a one stop shop. Instead of getting one opinion, you get three! You can’t beat that. Although I don’t blog a whole lot about movies, they comment on my blog regardless, which always makes me smile. It show that they are great guys!

Tania from MauiShopGirl and I actually made one year as blogging buddies. It was around this time where we met. Man, time really did fly by. To me, Tania is like the cool hipster girl who you want to be friends with. She find all these great simplistic designs ranging from clothes, jewelry, and decor.

Christine from Grrrl Traveler makes me think that maybe I can do it! Be a female solo traveler that is. Christine is a Hawai’i girl like me, but has bigger dreams than what Hawai’i can offer her (sounds TOTALLY familiar). Her love affair with all things travel is infectious. Between her travels and working in film production, she manages to find time to comment on my blog. She is awesome. If you ever need a vacation, just visit her blog.

Gwen from Saturdays with Maggy inspires me to be a better cook/baker. She has award winning recipes that makes me want to eat my screen! If you ever wanted to try Hawai’i cuisine with a slight twist, Gwen fits the bill. She shares the same love that I have for food and travel. I also love her philosophy of eating clean and local.

Andy from Andy Watches Movies, is great because he visits my blog and comments on things not related to movies whatsoever. It’s not like I make him or anything. He does it because he such a rad guy! Currently, he is trying to fulfill his goal of 300 movie reviews in 2012. I love answering his Fun Friday Questions. It’s actually one of those emails I look for every Friday. It keeps me sane.

I hope I didn’t forget anyone! I just can’t express how much I appreciate each and everyone of you! So…here’s to 2013! Let 2013 be filled with adventures, love, laughter, and friendship!