So it’s the 365th day. And honestly, I had no idea what my subject would turn out to be. Honestly, how do you end something like this? I don’t know. Haha. But as it turns out, the day kind of decided for me. The main event was a family get together for the aunt’s birthday. And there is no better subject than this group of joyful, caring, insane people.

It’s weird that tomorrow I won’t have to worry about whether or not I took a picture. And whether it’s interesting and well-lit enough. This was kind of a pain in the butt—this picture thing. Haha. But I loved it. Really. And somehow, I feel that this was the perfect year to capture in photographs. From left to right in this picture, there have been so many changes.

The sister has graduated from college with a degree in biology. She’s working her way to dental school now, transitioning through various work places and brand new experiences. The cousin in red beside her just started high school. She owned orchestra in middle school and is continuing mastering the cello, while simultaneously rising in status in forensics and wolfing down all the Broadway obsessions she can manage. My mommy spent a month galavanting through Europe after hitting her fiftieth birthday, spending the rest of the time conquering various computer games. And Fruit Ninja.

The cousin on the right just got her first acceptance to an accelerated program at an East Coast college; she’s spent the remainder of the year winning mahjong tournaments and working her way through senior year, leaving academic legends in her wake. The little dumpling in the middle? Well, she was born. Haha. And she’s just starting to walk and talk. I think she can say about half of my name. Or, at least, I’m gonna say it’s my name. Whatever. ;P

It’s been an amazing year. Long and difficult. But full of firsts and craziness and friends and family and coffee and an A in organic chemistry—shut up, I’m proud—and musicals and weirdness and love. Thanks for sticking around to read this, by the way. I’ve really had a lot of fun. :]

Mexican lunch with the family today. The restaurant was super busy and packed, though, so we ended up at various, divided tables, with the kids sitting at this little window bar thing. It was a bit strange because everyone walking outside kept stopping to stare at us before continuing on their way. So halfway through the meal, I thought it might be amusing to go Olympic judges on the passersby. A Sharpie and a few napkins later and we had our judging panel. Needless to say, we amused a few. Ourselves, especially. Haha. But anyway.

Spent the rest of the day running errands and visiting people before our flight home tonight. Thanks for a wonderful vacation, San Francisco and family. I love you, and I had a really beautiful time. Miss you guys already. <3

Spent the day at the “Great Mall” with the family. And a great mall it was. Great as in big. Because it was HUGE. The sister and I were so overwhelmed by the large size and number of shops that we just quit trying to look for things and gorged ourselves instead on Chipotle in a safe corner of the mall. 

And then we found these adorable mini rides, so a picture was necessary. :]

I’m probably not the best person to ask about what happened today. Since it was New Years Eve last night, I spent most of it awake, and then, I couldn’t sleep, so I stayed up rereading the Hunger Games trilogy. Moral of the story is that I woke up at 3 in the afternoon, ate “lunch,” and then passed out again until dinner. Mm.

Anyway, because of this, the family didn’t get to do the eat-twelve-fruits-for-twelve-months thing until before dinner today, and all the fruits had been cut up and ready since last night. So they were kinda crunchy and soggy, depending on the fruit. Haha. But nonetheless. Happy New Year, again.

Now off to watch a movie with the family. :]

Another amazing day in the life of a musical addict. Bring It On: San Francisco with the exact same cast we saw in Los Angeles. And it was fabulous, exactly like it was before. :]

Also today, the grandfather’s birthday (on my dad’s side). And of course, the eve of our New Year. Which, oddly enough, still feels three days away, given the awkward date on which I began this project. So I guess my year reflection will come then. But still. I hope you all have a most wonderful New Year. Celebrate. Enjoy. Be safe. :]

By some ironic and coincidental twist of fate, this project has neared its end exactly where it started almost a year ago—in San Francisco with this cousin and this uncle. My picture today wasn’t supposed to be this, initially. But the family visited an art gallery today and among our wanderings, I found the pair of them standing in this familiar position. She’s gotten taller. Sillier, too, I think, though a detail like that can’t be seen in a picture. Nonetheless, the moment simply felt too symmetrical to pass up. :]

While the rest of my family was shopping at the mall, I snuck off to Barnes and Nobles, where I picked up Hunger Games and settled in a quiet corner with a bag of grapefruit slices and refused to move for the next few hours. A new obsession? Oh, indeed. :]

These books are fantastic. As is evidenced by the sister and the cousin, who came to join me a little later. And attention: this is my sister, the girl who doesn’t read fiction, who picked it up and immediately got sucked in, too. Mm. I love books. 

At the house now, playing around with the family and reading some more. It’s been a good day, ;]

Family San Francisco trip. I love this city, really. We took an early morning flight, and I, of course, who hate packing, stayed up all last night to do it instead of just throwing my clothes in my bag at a reasonable hour, like I was supposed to. So the family and I were severely low on sleep. As in, we got none. So we spent the day in a rather zombie-like mode. Haha. Whatever. Took this shot after a Vietnamese lunch with the whole family. We found a random bag of leaves outside, so naturally, this occurred.

I mean, why not? ;]

Glad I’m here. I love my family.

The gingerbread David Thaxton Enjolras I made last night. He’s missing the glorious blonde hair, but I like him this way. Haha. :]

Not much else to report today. Packing, Parks and Recreation watching, brownie baking. And still the days here are infinitely better than my days at school. Mm. :]

Gingerbread men and house making with the cousins today, after our Secret Santa reveal. Actually, this year was weird. Because school was pushed so close to Christmas, no one had time to work on their gifts, which go a little differently in our family. Each week, we get three ingredients—and, this year, one song and a few pictures, too—and each week, we are supposed to make a gift that incorporates all of these things as they relate to our “baby.” It was quite a challenge, since I’m fairly certain all of us literally put all of our gifts together this morning before the big reveal. I know I did. Haha. But somehow, it still seemed like our most successful year, despite the “gifts” being handed out all at once, eliminating the careful deducing we do of each other, watching out for clues with every gift and marking off who could and could not be our Secret Santas meticulously on charts that are very characteristically dorky. Mm. I love my family. ;]

Anyway. After that, we had a little gingerbread party. Which was amazingly fun. And way more successful than I had originally imagined. It seems one of the cousins is particularly skilled in the art of frosting decorating. Look at this house! Haha. Anyway. I love you guys. Merry Christmas again. <3 ;]

A beautiful family Christmas Eve and Christmas. The family always holds our celebration on the night of Christmas Eve so it carries over to midnight and we can wish everyone a Merry Christmas and celebrate surrounded by everyone we love. We eat, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, wear pajamas, goof off, talk, eat more, play games, eat more. You know. It’s a nice tradition. ;]

Anyway, this is a shot of the kids playing a made up game that can only be described as painfully hilarious. Painful only because your abs hurt the next day from laughing so hard. True story. ;P Anyway. Merry Christmas, everyone. Hope yours was as happy and as truly filled with love as was mine. <3

Also. Happy Birthday, Jesus. :]

My Christmas gift from the beautiful and very clearly talented aunt. A painting of my favorite verse: Psalm 46:10. Seriously, it’s so gorgeous, I can’t stop staring at it. Thank you so much! I love you, and I love it. It’s going on the wall right away. <3

So story. Since I’ve gotten back from school, I’ve spent most of my time with the sister, working on my final art project while simultaneously chain watching Parks and Recreation. Which is pure awesomeness, by the way. But anyway. A few days ago, my sister got really sick and because my parents were trying to protect me, I haven’t seen her, and she’s been quarantined in her room ever since. Even when the cousins came, they were told to stay away from that room for fear of punishment. And by punishment, I mean, violent illness. So. Today, I walked out of the room and saw her in the living room, socializing with the other virus-susceptible humans, a fairly sure indication she had recovered just in time for Christmas.

So as a reward, I let her eat my Christmas brownie batter. :} Just kidding. Still. Welcome back. Haha.

A check on my bucket list. ;P