2012

Sadly...I am not very good at keeping up with this thing... I am waaaaaay behind in this thing and so much has happened! Just the past few months have been full of so many life experiences.. both good and bad. I have learned so much about myself and the things around me, and yet, I still feel like I have much more to learn. Thank God for being with me throughout this past year and I pray that 2013 continues to be a good one!

So there has been so many personal/family events that has happened in 2012. Maybe too many to mention.

some significant events that happened this year:

• my sister going by herself to her first missions trip to the PI
•  getting my first paid job
• both my sisters getting jobs
• My dog Reese passing after 12 years of loyalty
• finally getting a pixie haircut ( thanks sarah)
• going to disneyWORLD
• my niece and nephew being born
• two of my cousins moving to two different continents/countries
• my cousin getting married to his long time girlfriend.
• The passing of my lolo ( my mother's father).

WOW. I didnt realize that's all from THIS year. There are still some things that I KNOW that I'm missing and can't think of right now..

I have probably gone through every emotion possible this year about... ten times each. Through every loss, I have cried. Through every triumph and exciting event, I have danced and sang around the room with joy. Through every scary moment, I had cowered in the corner. Through every heartwarming scene, I have smiled/teared with happiness. Through every moment, I should remember to thank God. I forget sometimes to do so... But really, God is so good to me through EVERYTHING and every moment.  It's been quite the ride..

I'm am sooooooooo not good with words or explanations... I'm pretty good at creating pictures visually, but have trouble articulating things in words. That's why I made my "A Time for Everything" video. 2012 has been CHALK FULLLLL of art inspirations for me. This year has definitely rekindled my love and passion for art. I dont know why and I dont know how... but let's hope the creativity does not stop here. It doesn't explain EVERYTHING that has happened this year but showcases a  few snippets of it. I neeeeeed to take more videos this year. My poor computer with blow up from memory overload. Well.... A few little facts behind the scenes of the video:

• The aquarium seen in the video was at the long beach aquarium ( I love aquariums). go visit that place yourselves!
• The girl going into the airport check-in is my cousin Jessica. She left for korea to teach! Miss you jess!
• The cute little kiddies are my nieces and nephews! ( well... most of em. some are church/family friends)
• The beautiful elderly woman in the video (who was crying with the handkerchief) is my grandma. Those videos were taken during the burial/funeral of my Grandfather, and that was her last goodbye to him before they buried the casket. 
• We walked ( not drove) to the burial site.. In the humid philippine heat, IT WAS QUITE A FEAT. I just rhymed folks.
• The woman who blew out the cake is my mother ( celebrated her bday in the philippines). Unfortunately her dad didn't make it til her bday... but at least she was able to be with her whole family during her birthday.
• The day I found out my grandpa past away, my family and I quickly packed our things and left for the philippines the very NEXT DAY. Was intense. I was not really prepared for a trip to the Philippines, BUT it was worth it.
• The shooting of me painting AND the painting itself took about probably about 30-45 minutes in all. I did it in my backyard on the garage door. I had to do it fast because it was raining on and off that day. I was scared the rain would ruin my painting and mess up my camera. Soooo... I rushed like crazy and was so scared it would wash away all my work. LITERALLY. I also warned my parents NOT to open the garage door. That would have been a disaster. hahaha
• took the whooooole rest of the day, until 3 am, to edit and post this video.

I am going to make more videos... just out of the pure enjoyment of doing them. ALSO... I'm still working on my photography... not that great.. but here are a few from the philippines. Just random pictures ya'll can look at so you won't get TOTALLY bored of this post.

let's hope it doesn't take me 10 months for the next post.

2012, you have been wonderful.. 2013 should follow your lead.

- Rachel Marie