hey river! I've been meaning to start writing on here for some time now and inspired by the many 2025 recaps both on social media I thought it'd be the perfect chance to reflect on the past year and what it brought me.
Like every new year I'm left feeling super ecstatic for what the new year will bring but I'm always shocked by how fast the year had passed by. I think f0r me 2025 especially felt like a blur. Everything feels so cloudy and jumbled that I wonder if I took the time to really soak in the memories as they happened and whether or not I was really living in the present.
January
january was full of change but the type of change that made your heart race with anticipation and not crippling anxiety. I was reading more, I started dating my boyfriend and landed my first internship with a Toronto brand I had been following for the past few years. I was learning so much and felt as if everything was being thrown at me at once. It was a great start to the year.
February
I don't remember much from february besides how unbearably cold the weather was. I was enjoying my internship, working on my magazine with my friend and focusing (I think) on school. Oh! And we also adopted our second dog named uno <3
March
march was such a busy month, I was preparing for the launch of my magazines second issue "Young, Vibrant and Lost." My friend Nat and I had to plan a campaign shoot, finalize the layout, event plan the launch and figure out the social media marketing as well. Though it was super busy and stressful it all paid off in the end and the launch event, which was at the end of the month was one of the most fulfilling nights ever. And I'm so thankful for everyone who came and showed support
April
Finally got to take a break. The weather started getting better and I could finally step outside without a puffer on. Drank ALOT of strawberry matchas. finishing up the winter semester and kept freelancing.
May
summer was finally here!!! Was outside a lot, tried modelling for the first time, executed one of my favourite photoshoots I've done and was contemplating cutting my hair short
June
so much happened in june, my magazine hosted our first bring-your-own-tee screen printing event at Kensington, and I directed a video, entitled, "Sun-kissed" for my internship with my lovely, talented friends
When nick and jack told me they wanted me to direct a video for them I was extremely nervous and honestly didn't know what to do that could live up to their existing work. While brainstorming I definitely had a lot of ideas but none I actually wanted to execute. But at whatever point I realized that the video didn't need to be complicated or elaborate, I just needed to create something that best reflected my tastes and what I gravitate towards. One of the main pillars when I create is love. I love reading about love and seeing others in love. I specifically wanted to represent an interracial couple and thankfully my two friends Matthew and Jada were willing to act in it!
July
I got a pixie cut!!!!! best decision of my life not even joking. Started researching for my first zine, I finished my internship, was doing some interviews for the magazine and wearing flip flops all day everyday, I love the summer.
August
went on a trip with my boyfriend to the beach, where I had the best ice cream ever! was doing some freelancing, eating good food, going to parks and soaking in the sunlight.
I big accomplishment for me was releasing my first zine entitled, "The Philippines and the Ongoing Fight Against U.S. Imperialism." I am super proud with how it came out, the research and writing I did, to the design and layout. Thank you to some print studio for printing the zine for me. I was even more pleased with the support from my friends and people on social media, I am soso grateful the zine lives in the homes and lives of others.
the last and final highlight of august was the opportunity to speak at an event with Nat on our magazine, Lost Kid Magazine. the event was hosted by our lovely friend Christine and it focused on cultural institutions within Toronto. We got to lead a discussion with Kazeem Kuteyi, founder of New Systems, regarding print, starting a magazine and the creative scene in the city. It was such a night to remember and the conversations and panelists were passionate and enlightening.
September
september means school is starting.... I entered my (hopefully) last year of uni. honestly despite mentally preparing myself for school and holding myself accountable to "locking in" I did end up going out a lot. There was a two-day event with Birkenstocks I did which included painting our shoes and a photowalk + free birks! And I started crocheting more which I'm really happy about!
October
october was such a fun month! my magazine hosted another super fun event called Archive swap. it encouraged trade and barter with other physical media items and included a poetry workshop as well! My heart is filled with joy and gratitude with how well the event went and to everyone who showed up! I love my community <3
My friends started doing monthly dinner hosted by Cyril and Christine. Me and rom brought sushi bake and apple turnover!
And for halloween me and my boyfriend dressed up as nana and ren!!!
November
November is my birthday month and I turned 21! For my intentions this month I wanted to slow down and pause. To focus on myself and celebrate my life so far. Me and my mom went to Montreal for the weekend and I had so much fun. We went to a jazz club and I visited a lot of book stores and cafes. Picked up a few magazines and wrote a bunch of journal entries and letters reflecting on this time of my life. That sentiment carried on throughout the month and it felt slow yet intentional.
My boyfriend also took me to this Palestinian restaurant called Louf where I has the best steak and lamb! I honestly think about it every so often.
I also finished the book Babel on the train back to Toronto and I'm so glad I read it! I understand the hype and I loved the world building. I thought it did well to reveal the exploitation of resources and labour of the radicalized and oppressed class by the ruling class who are completely dependent on this system and that without it, society as they know it would collapse entirely.
December
last month of the year wooo! similarly to November I wanted to slow down, the year was coming to a close and I wanted reserve time to allow my brain to rest. I ate a lot of Thai food this month and crocheted a lot to prepare for Christmas gifts! Despite the cold I did end up going out a lot, I feel as if Toronto is never lacking in events. I finished the semester early this month which allowed me to focus on a new project.
I've always wanted to create a calendar for myself, though designed 12 months felt like too much of a daunting task. Then I thought it'd be a fun idea if I asked 12 of my graphic design friends if they'd want to design a month each and they were all down! I was honestly super nervous since I knew it was a busy time and wasn't sure how'd others would feel about the idea. Regardless I'm soso happy with how it came out. To the designs by the extremely talented designers, the photos and video promo shoot and the rollout as a whole, people were receiving it very well! I wanted it to be a fun project to end off the year and it was!
I held the pop-up at one of my favourite cafes in the city Carbonic cafe and we even sold out! I'm so thankful to everyone who bought a calendar and who showed support as well! I definitely want to keep doing the 12 months, 12 designers project each year!
And for the holidays I got to spend Christmas and NYE surrounded by friends and family. The other day I watched Marty Supreme with friend on 70mm and it was beautiful, I mean the cinematography to the colours, costume design, set design and the writing was so funny. I loved Marty Supreme however I do understand that it's meant to be a cautionary tale of the male egoist, however male audiences (generalizing) will view him more as an ideal and figure to aspire to for his determination and persistence, rather than recognizing his obvious flaws.
Anyways I genuinely can't believe it's 2026 but I excited nonetheless I feel like this years gonna be great for all of us! I hope you all enjoyed the holidays and happy new year!!