It's a new year_Best of 2018

Konica 100

I know it's super duper late but here are some of the best things of my 2018 (in no particular order)
#1_ Graduated high school
I hate my high school. That reason is enough to put this on the list. I loved the kids and the education I was receiving but the high school itself is the problem. I felt trapped. I felt as if I was taken for granted so thanks god it ended
#2_ Philadelphia
I did have a really hard time in Philly but I wasn't because of the city. I think the root of the problems were myself and my family, not the city. I don't blame the city for the grey days. I love the city. It was big enough for me to discover new things but it was small enough for me to feel included. I love Clark's Park Farmer's market. I love Mariposa co op and their marble rye bagel. I love center city. I love the people and how they were treating me. It's a shame to leave but I would definitely comeback if I had the chance to.
#3_10 hours in New York
I had to go to New York to run some errands which ended up being pointless but New York wasn't. It didn't go beyond my expectations nor left such an impact on me. But it was an experience that I'd like to have. I was disappointed at the very moment I was there but when I came back and think about it again, New York was doing its job just right. I saw snow for the first time in New York. Now that was an experience, isn't it? I love beyond sushi. They served me the best vegan truffle sushi I could ever had and their cashew peanut soba noodles were amazing as well. I had my very first cinnamon roll, vegan or not, in New York. Last but not least, I would like to honorably mention New York Bagels because it puts every other bagel I've ever had to shame.
#4_ Seal Beach
There was a time I got very motivated to go somewhere and take some good ass photos. So I planned a trip to Seal Beach. The bus ride was 1.5 hr long but it was worth it. The refreshing air, the sunshine, the birds and the atmosphere were all a part of a pleasant experience.

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#5_ Coming back
Hey it was nice to come back to Vietnam. It has been a while. I love going to yoga every morning with my mom. I love hanging out with my friends every week. I love how everything here is so easily accessible. But the weather tho...
#6_ Best photo of the year
I took this the last day I was in Magnolia's library. It was technically December of 2017 but let's make it count because I didn't  write a best of 2017 post.  I love how the sun shines and glows in this photo. I gives me a sense of longing to the time there. I had a great time at Magnolia.

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If that doesn't count then this photo would be my best photo of 2018. You wonder why? Well I think the photo speaks for itself

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#7_ Best book of the year

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I didn't read as many books in 2018 as I did in 2017 but one that really stands out for me is "Night" by Elie Wiesel. It's a book about WW2. I don't usually read books about wars. I find "wars" to be a rather less appealing topic to read. I blame that to Vietnam's education *wink*. But "Night" broke my prejudice. It was haunting. It was fascinating. It was painful. What I like the most is rather than promoting or highlighting a political idea, "Night" emphasizes on humanity and the philosophy behind it. It delivers the war with full emotions but skimmed through the forceful and almost dictating politics.
#8_ Best album of the year
Drum rolls for "VOICE" by Onew
I'm a sucker for ballads and jazz so "VOICE" hits home for me. Blue is a powerful ballad that breaks and makes me at the same time. But my favorite song in the album is "Timepiece". I can hear my heart shatters every time I listen to it.My second favorite is "Your Scent". I listened to it a lot on the last week I was in Philly. Now whenever I listen to "Your Scent" again, my mind is filled with memories from the evening walk in the cold and the grey sky.
I love Onew's voice so much. It has such a unique sense of warmth and sadness. Please give the album a listen if you have time.
Not a song in "VOICE" but Jonghyun's "Before our Spring" and SHINee's "Sunny Side" are also two of my most listened songs.
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That is it for 2018. Now let's start a new chapter, shall we?