25 things that made my 2018

One of the creative skills I worked on this year was hand-lettering and drawing flowers. I've always loved quotes.

Inspired by Austin Kleon, I thought I would do my list too, but don't think I can get to 100. I am thankful to my iphone and the times that I remember to take photos, which act as memory cues. 

1. It was in January 2018 that we experienced the false missile scare. That's a weird way to start this list, but it was impactful (oh ha ha). As I recall it, I think it requires a longer post, but in short, it put life in perspective.

2. On a more cheerful note, I went to the Tango Marathon in Manila. Loved it, love tango! Wish there were more dance partners in my life.

3. According to my record of poems (for Instagram) in the beginning of the year, I was having creative intertia, and only by walking, taking photos, and writing haiku was I able to keep my juice going, even if it was just eking out.

4. Who I am is intertwined with what happens in the world. This issue has always affected me ever since there was a shooting in Guam when I was in high school. It happened at night and I wasn't there, but my schoolmates were. I wrote a letter to the editor about the need for gun control. So whenever there is a shooting, especially involving schools, I react strongly. After Sandy Hook, I thought, okay now something will be done, but no. So Parkland happens, and I am in mourning for it, and cheering for the student activists who vow that change will come.  

5. I have always been interested in calligraphy, but in 2018, I added hand lettering to my list of ways in which to be creative. Along with that was drawing flowers and leaves because it adds to the lettering projects.

6. In March, I went to Vietnam with my travel buddies (Sherry, Polli, Anne)! Which was never on my radar, but we took advantage of a sale and so glad for it. Highly recommend! Check out my Travel Journal.

7. I sang with the Guam Symphony Chorale. That was fun! 

8. Speaking of stuff I did, lots of life doesn't always get a photo, but they're important nonetheless: yoga, tango lessons, swimming at the beach on a regular basis with friends, walking, especially to Togcha with friends, volunteering at Island Girl Power and at the National Park (Pacific Historic Parks), writing group at IGP, hanging out with Madrid's kids, chats with friends. This was my life in Guam. And I loved it.

9. Organized a mini-reunion with high school classmates.

10. On the way back to Guam for summer activities, I had a long layover in Seoul. I did a day pass on an off-on bus tour, so I saw quite a bit and even though I rode a bus, I logged LOTS of steps on my iphone health app.

11. Spent 2 days in Honolulu with Jodi, my cousin. Among other things, we saw Konishiki at the Blue Note.

12. In Kona, went on a "jeep trip" (actually a nice tour van), to Kealapi'ali Hualalai with the Kona Historical Society. Saw Pualani Johnson perform a monologue of Isabella Bird. Very nice day.  And I did this. 

This also helps to give me a way to remember things.

13. I did a presentation on anchialine ponds for the Kona Historical Society's lecture series. Rekindled my memories of my passion for this ecosystem and recruited by my daughter to do it.

14. Had a mini family reunion for my mom's 88th birthday, though she's barely visible in this photo. Sister Shayne and her family came, as well as my brothers (all except 1). And of course, my Kona family.

15. Attended the Hawaii Songwriting Festival with Kenny Loggins as the featured artist. Speed-mentoring (12 minutes?) with Kenneth Makuakane and John Cruz.

16. Participated in the Pacific Historic Parks program with the National Park in Guam called Monologue at the Museum, a follow-up to the Day at the Museum program we did in fall of 2017. I was the playwright mentor and worked with 8 students for a week. This was an excellent program in which students researched and wrote monologues on historical figures who lived through the war. I hope it continues.

17. And then there was Japan. First did the Nakasendo Trail with Oku Japan, then spent time in Kyoto. Had a wonderful time in the homeland. More in my travel journal, soon to be updated.

18. When I returned from Japan, I had to spend the month of October, leaving my apartment. I did not renew my lease, so had to get rid of stuff - by sale (for cheap!), by giving away, or by mailing. My car and a trunkful of things not dealt with are still in Guam. I do intend to return, but I really don't know when. But sometime soon.

19. Had such a nice birthday with friends at Kitchen Lingo. This was one of the hardest parts about leaving Guam. I have a wonderful group of women friends, so super strong and supportive. I miss them a lot! These 8 are only a few of the friends I am blessed to have in my life.

20. On the way back to Kona, I stopped in Hawaii and able to connect with family there. Brothers and their families at Nico's and cousin Jodi at a crepe place in Kailua.

21. Back in Kona, I have been substitute teaching a lot. I have good days and bad, but for the most part, I am glad to have the opportunity to help out and make money at the same time.

22. I had made a resolution in 2018 to write plays again. When I got back to Kona, my daughter Dance started a group, because she now sees herself as a facilitator or playwrights, although she is a playwright herself. So a small group of us met at Aloha Theatre to write and talk about writing for the theatre. It was what I needed and ended up being motivated to write my first new play in gosh a LONG time. 

23. Made stuff: a wreath, Christmas cards, some hand-sewn little objects, some food.

24. Can't leave out that I am getting better on the ukulele, though that is something that I don't take pictures of. It is a process. 

There are so many more things that made 2018 memorable. I have lots of flower and sunset pictures, and many more haiku written for my Instagram feed. But this is a taste, meant to summarize the whole. How, in even fewer words, can I encapsulate it? I live a life of creativity, or concern, of caring, of connecting. 

25. Glad to be back in Kona for this - opportunities to hang out with Dance. And my friends and family here in Kona.