Dear 2024 Jhun,
Hey there!
So it's been a routine of ours to include the song that is currently playing while writing this.
And that song is...
Christmas Tree by V
I don't know why but this song never fails to make me feel all bubbly inside.
Anyways, let's move on.
So my dear, year older self, I hope you finally found the purpose that you were looking for. I'm so so curious. Did the plan for deployment for the emergency response to Gaza push through? Were you a part of it? I wish you were. and if you did, please just make it home safe because you still have stories to tell.
If it didn't push through, how did you spend your year then? I hope you still touch lives and make someone's day a little better. Never forget to be good no matter what evil life throws at you. But keep on fighting for what is right because whatever you do, it makes a difference. You may feel hopeless at times, but keep on holding on. Tomorrow will always be better, even if it takes a hundred tomorrows before it does. Tomorrow is gonna be better - never forget that.
Tell me your stories. Share the places that you've visited - I hope it's a lot.
P.S. Just a nagging thought that crept out of the back of my mind -
Keep yourself open to possibilities, whatever those possibilities may be. Life happens when you keep yourself open. (It even sounds like a song lyric - not sure if it actually is. Haha!)
2023 Jhun
*****
Dear 2023 Jhun,
Hello back!
What do I tell you? hahaha! Well...I'm currently on hiatus after our stint with MSF. It's been fun and enlightening and I've learned a lot. Sad to say but the deployment did not push thru. I guess it wasn't meant for me...yet. Who knows, maybe sometime in the future? For now, I've decided to go back to my previous work with the elderly by the start of the coming year, but not for good. It's just to have work while taking a course for foreign language so that I can finally apply for a job abroad. I know it wasn't in my plans before. But somehow, during this year, I've realized that if I want to do the things that I really want to do, I have to step out of my comfort zone, and I guess it means me literally setting foot outside the Philippines. It's exciting yet frightening at the same time. Maybe this is just me taking your advise of keeping myself open to possibilities. Who knows? I might not get hired or I might not finish the course for whatever reason, but at least I can say that I took the chance and tried my best. At least there'll be no regrets or too much what ifs.
What did I do this year? Aside from focusing on work, I've also made new friends (and I also got to experience attending a real town fiesta in Tondo. It was so much fun, but I got drained afterwards because it was sensory overload for me). Sadly, I didn't get to go on long vacation but at least I got to see some of my favorite artists live. Last March, I went to Wanderland Festival where I finally got to see Novo Amor and Jack Johnson live! I swear I couldn't help my scream when Novo Amor played Opaline as his first song. And Jack Johnson, he ended day 1 so perfectly by playing all of my favorite tracks of his. By the 2nd day, I already have a sore throat because of my screaming/singing the day before. It was an awesome experience because I also got to discover other great artists. Then, I got a ticket for Bruno Major as birthday present from my sister and we watched him perform last September. Honestly, I was literally crying for the most part, especially when he played the surprise song, Tapestry.
One thing I noticed this year, most of the time I spent on vacation was with my family. It's like we always go out of town for birthdays and other family celebrations. And I'm glad we did. Because I realized that in case my plans to apply for work abroad next year will push thru, I might not get to spend as much time with them as I wanted to.
Anyway, we'll see what tomorrow will bring.
2024 Jhun
*****
Dear 2025 Jhun,
Hey girl!
Based on my previous letter, pressure's on you. Hahaha!
So, how's 2025 been to you? I'm curious to know where you are. Anyway, I wasn't planning on including the song that's currently playing because it's so, so sad. loml by Taylor Swift. I was like seriously, Taylor? Of all the songs, it had to bet this one. Now I'm getting sad while typing this. rawr. Anyway, let's get back to your story.
So again. how was 2025? Anything new about you? What did you finally choose to do? Let me remind you that during this time, you are still unsure about your plans. I know you already took the steps, but you're still watching out for other opportunities that may get in your path. Honestly, 2025 is the year that I don't know what to expect will happen. And suddenly Clarity by Zedd plays. You making fun of me universe? Damn, I do really need clarity. I wish you finally found it. Hehe.
Anyway, I don't have anything else to say other than I hope you had a good year. I can't wait for the stories that you will share. Keep your head up girl, you can do this. Fighting!
P.S. Tejano Blue by Cigarettes After Sex played. Whatever it means.:)
2024 Jhun
Letter from 2023 Me to 2024 Me
Dear 2024 Rhio,
Hey!
How are you? I hope you are happy where you are right now and I hope you are feeling and doing better than your best. 😊
I don't know exactly what to say but perhaps, anything new? Stories to tell? New adventures you did? Places you went to? Things you did for the first time? Did you fall in love? Or at least feel more and live more than we did? Or did we continued going with the flow?
Whatever we do this year, I hope you do it for you and Him. I hope you find your purpose and what it is that you really wanted to with your life. But, no pressure okay? I want us to live our life to the fullest and with the best that we can. I really pray that we achieve our goals, whether big or small, and that whatever choices we make this year... will be steps towards what and where we're meant to be, eventually.
We are not closing doors to anything, but God knows our hearts more than we can ever understand it. The word "ready" is currently in our minds as I write this... but I can't seem to place it in a cohesive and coherent sentence. So whatever it is, and I hope and pray that it is good... that God more than prepared us to be "ready" for it.
So, cheers to 2024 🍷🍷🍷and to all the beautiful possibilities it brings!!! I wish and pray that God and the Universe continue to bless us, our families, friends, and loved ones with good health always. And that this 2024 brings us sunshine especially on dark days, love, good fortune, prosperity, abundance, success in our endeavors, joy, and happiness, in all our days and in all ways!!! God is with us and will be in every step of our way, always guiding us to do the next right thing, and most importantly, to protect and keep us safe from harm and all things bad and evil. May God also continue to bless with everything we need and surprise us with the desires of our hearts. And may the fates continue to be on our side. 😊🙏
I love you!!!!
And to ask you again...
- what would you do if you can do anything at the moment? -
Peace, love, light and happiness,
2023 Rhio
:) ☀ ♥
-------------------
Letter from 2024 Me to 2023 Me
Dear 2023 Rhio,
Hey there!
Guess what?! This year has been an amazing one for us!
Let's begin with attending a 2-week online course on International Law by the ICC The Hague and the SC. Then, witnessing a celebration of love and bonding time with your ALS besties. After that, our much awaited event which is watching our Mareng T. Swizzle in Singapore with Ate C and exploring the place after that. Also, birthday salubong for T with K and Ate C. Then, attending the PLP event in Boracay. Then, going home to the province for the Holy Week to spend it with family and bond with them by going to Mararison Island. What a jampacked first quarter we have indeed! Good thing though, the coming months were calmer and a balm to our introvert energy. A chance for us to recharge, recuperate and fall back to our usual routine. Hahaha! Just to have some sense of normalcy. Hahaha!
And.. finally! After two years, if I'm not mistaken, of enduring and praying, a prayer of ours were finally answered! We were validated. And with that THANK YOU SO MUCH LORD!!! 🙏💖But, after a week of this kind of bliss.. a challenge came which somehow shaken me a bit because I never thought such would happen. But we pushed through despite and thanking God for the people sending my way to help me.. it was resolved. Also, a very closed friend lost his dad which made me flew to her and with our other friends, comforted her.
With our age and time, we again flew back to La Manille witness another celebration of love and to bond with our FEU-LS besties. Then, flew to La Manille again to have a belated celebration with Yang and finally to have a mini staycation and photoshoot with Yang, Ate C and Karenade, my constants, sisters, and platonic soulmates.
After almost a decade, KaRhiAdventures is back and we went back to Japan, our fave destination so far, and this time to Fukuoka.. which is by far the most chill place we went to and with the 30k steps a day. What a feat! Also, enjoyed the christmas markets we passed by. Hahaha! Funny thing is that it was in March when Karenade told me that she booked a ticket to Fukuoka and invited me.. and after a few months of contemplation 😝 I told her that I'm coming with her. Hahaha! Which by the way, was our motivation for us to persevere to resolve the pending cases.
This year of course, we focused on our health as well. We finally checked for a dermatologist for the skintags on our neck area and enrolled ourselves in a gym with our work bestie Fiscal V... even if what I usually do is just be on the treadmill for an hour. Which really helped us be mobile and sweating out all those toxins and stresses away, and a time for us to do some chitchat. Hahaha! And finally shedding some weight, thanks to that drink we discovered, which made us feel lighter and our hormones somehow balanced. Hihihi.
Let's not forget that "chance encounter" we have in October. Meeting someone during our MCLE and have conversation with him and realizing "small world" because he knew some of law school besties. I must admit, it got me some bit of "kilig" till we got back in our office. Hahaha! But then again, it's just a "chance encounter" but quite an unforgettable one indeed. Hahaha! 😉😜
Just a month ago, a court decision made us really frustrated and bad. The said decision was in our thoughts for quite a while... thinking what went wrong and thinking how we should do better next time. It even somehow made us incapable, thinking I should just shift career right there and then. Sure, losses happen but it was one loss that somehow crushed my heart and mind. Which made me pray hard that all will be well for the clients who were affected. It somehow made me consider a career path as one of my options sometime in the future. Somehow, after a few weeks, court decisions were promulgated which made us happy for the clients especially the victims. And I pray that through said court decisions, that justice was indeed served. 🙏
Then, of course, my external hard drive where I saved all my office work, decided to just gave up, without any extra back up on my part. 😭 I tried to resuscitate it, hoping to at least have some of my files back. But so far, for now, it won't work. So, until now, I'm still grieving about it and thinking how to go back from the start with all my office files. Which made me realize that this sort of "ending" of my hard drive could mean.. a catalyst for that much needed start for... perhaps, a new chapter for my career.
And who would forget that this year, we were into C-drama well particularly, ELOD and EL, then delving ourselves to fanfictions of our beloved characters DH and FJ and rooting in real life for GWG and DR to be a real couple and eventually get married and have a family like BinJin? Hahahaha!
And what's a year without a wedding in December? Hahaha! I don't know why but somehow these past years... I've been attending a wedding in December. And it was an unforgettable one as one of the CBs finally get married to the love of her life in Tagaytay, which was very chilly at night. It was also a first for us CBs to finally be out and bond in another place than the province. Of course, we experienced being a "tita" again as one of our CBs got birth and another one is expecting.
And right now, as I write back to you.. my weird feels acted up.
Anyhoo, pardon with this way of writing back to you. It seemed like a lot of things happened this year, for us! Both good and bad.
And all I could muster right now is a big fat THANK YOU LORD!!! for all the blessings this year! All these is because of YOU!
We love you, Lord!!
Thank you!
And HUGSSSSSS to you 2023 Rhio!!! I'm excited for us!!!
Peace, love, light, and happiness,
2024 Rhio
--------------------------
Letter to 2025 Me from 2024 Me
Dear 2025 Rhio,
Hello there!
Somehow, I find myself lost for words. But perhaps, a "how are you?" would be a good start.
I hope and pray that you are doing and feeling better than your best, these days. 😊
So, any stories to tell? What are you up to lately? Any adventures? Any new places you went to? Tried something new? Have you met someone? I can't wait for you to write me back and tell me all about it. 😉
My dear, I hope and pray that whatever we decide and do, will be all for the best, guided by His loving hands. Take the lessons with you as well as the fond memories to help you get through as you go along your journey. May you find the courage to begin whatever it is you chose to do, and the fortitude and perseverance to continue on your chosen journey. And, that good fortune will always meet you and the fates will always be on your side. But, most importantly, in everything you do, pray to Him, for He will surely know what is best for you.😊
So, cheers to 2025 🍷🍷🍷 and all the awesome and beautiful possibilities it will bring!!! I wish and pray for good health and safety for us, our family, friends, and loved ones! May there always be abundance of blessings, divine protection, financial prosperity, discernment, faith, hope, love, joy, good fortune, success in your endeavors, and happiness, in all your days, in all ways! Know that God is always there for us in every step of our way, guiding us to do the next right thing, and most importantly, to protect and keep us safe from harm and in all things bad and evil. May God also continue to bless us with everything we need and surprise us with the desires of our hearts. And may the fates continue to be on our side. 😊🙏
I know that the words from this letter of ours is mostly borrowed from our 2023 self, but I cannot help it, for despite feeling loss for words, that these things we wish, hope and pray for, we will still be needing for what's ahead. I know that we can make it through, no matter what.
I love you!!!!
And to ask you again...
- what would you do if you can do anything at the moment? -
Peace, love, light and happiness,
2024 Rhio
:) ☀ ♥
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