Best Moments of 2017

2017 was a year filled with unforgettable moments that I wouldn’t change for anything in the world! I swear every year just keeps getting better and better. This year’s moments has been a year of accomplishments, downfalls, family time, love, self-improvement, and more! The following moments are the ones that has stood out to me the most and the ones that I will remember forever.

Feb. 9, 2017: The Greatest Snow-Day in NYC

This day stood out because it was such a fun-filled day! I remember it being the snowiest snow day and school was even cancelled. Of course, my roommates and I had to bundle up, head to Central Park and take some shots. It was absolute freezing but it was sooo fun to tumble in the snow. Unfortunately, Chloe did take a tumble and fell lol. All in all, it was an amazing day and I felt like a little kid again!

March 2017: Alex and I’s First Road Trip

It has always been a bucket list item of mine to take a road-trip and I can finally check it off this year! Alex and I went to California during our spring break to see his family and to take a 3-4 day road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Not a far trip, but still a trip! It was so fun to plan all the activities we were going to do, wake up early to start our day and to try out delicious food. It brought me back to when we were studying abroad in Italy and how we would travel throughout Europe together. I can still vividly remember the 10 hours we spent in the car listening to podcasts, music and just talking nonstop. It was one of the best moments of 2017. Read about the full trip here!

March 22, 2017: Welcome to lil’ thoughts with jen

Perhaps one of the top 5 best moments of 2017 would be starting my personal blog. Actually, I started back in January of 2017, but it took me 3 months to set everything up, took pics and to swallow my fears and actually click the button to publish. It has been one of my greatest accomplishments and something I devote 120% into whenever I could. It has already been such a fun journey meeting new people, sharing my lil’ thoughts and receiving so much support. Thanks to all the people who have told me I could and have helped me along this path!

April 2, 2017: I Turned 21!

2017 was the year I finally turned 21! I am not much of a drinker anyways, but it’s kinda one of those moments that you just want to come. It’s a relief to be able to go into any place without worrying about the 21+ restriction! I wrote about the day in a previous blog post (here), but to recap, it was an awesome night! I was surrounded with my favorite people and we ate tons of yummy food and drank lots (not my choice!).

April–Easter Weekend 2017: Home Bound!

Everyone around me knows how I am always craving to go home and spend time with my family. This year, Alex and I decided to take a trip back upstate to spend Easter weekend with the fam! It was such a fun weekend filled with delicious food (as always) and family-time. I also wrote a blog post about that weekend (here). No matter how long I get to stay home, I still miss it right when I leave. The moments I have with my family are the best of 2017!

April 23, 2017: Celebrating 2 Years Together

Alex and I celebrated our two years this April and it was amazing! He took me out to a Florentine restaurant to re-create our abroad dates and to bring back memories of where we met. We even tried to order everything that we would have ordered if we were in Italy. Alex has always had a knack for creating the best moments in my life and for that, I’m super thankful. It was the best two years that I could ever as for–love you babes!

April 30, 2017: Hotpot Galore

It is extremely difficult to coordinate a meal with a large group of friends and that’s why this particular moment is so special to me. The majority of us met while studying abroad in Florence and it’s the best feeling to reconnect when in the city. That night was filled with yummy food (hotpot is a personal fav) and great conversation. With all of our different schedules, this doesn’t happen often!

May 2017: Jody + UCLA

Jody, my younger sister, decided to attend UCLA this year and I couldn’t have been more proud of her. She’s the most dedicated, hard-working and non-procrastinator person I know. The true definition of a go-getter. She has always wanted to live in California (because she hates cold weather) and to see her live out her dream has been wonderful. UCLA was her calling! May was also her birthday month as she turned 18 (here). After coming home from her first semester of college, we can already tell she absolutely loves it there!

June 2017: New Apartment, New Home

Alex and I moved into a new apartment this summer and in a whole new part of the city! It was a memorable moment as every move is. We found a place that’s near everything we could have ever wanted from Central Park, Columbus Circle, all the Broadway shows, Time Square to great restaurants! Being in a new part of town definitely has made us adventure out of our comfort zone a little to explore more areas and places.

June 10, 2017: Chainsmokers Concert

I went to an amazing Chainsmokers concert with Alex and my greatest motivator friend, Sundy. I think I remember it so well because of the company rather than the actual performance. So so so important to have the best of people around you in your life. From the hour long train ride to the long bathroom waits, every part of it was amazing!

June 11, 2017: Reconnecting With An Old Mate

You know those friendships that just diminish into thin air and no one thinks about it until one day, you get a text asking to hang out again? Well, this was one of those situations. From bad mistakes and choices in the past, we didn’t speak for years and after reconnecting, it felt as if nothing has changed at all. Chance, if you’re reading this: thanks for coming back into my life. He came to visit me for a weekend as I showed him my stomping ground and we devoured all the food we could. This weekend stands out to me because it has shown me how much we have all grown from the high schools days. I cannot wait to see how much we continue to grow! Read about the weekend here!

June 16, 2017: My First Western Wedding

I have attended a couple of traditional Chinese-style weddings when I was younger, but this year was the first time I attended a Western styled one! Mimi (Alex’s cousin) and the love of her life tied the knot in the most magical way possible, and I was so honored to be part of their special day.  I was literally swooning over everything…from her gorgeous dress to the food. I was a kid in a candy store!

July 4th Weekend, 2017: Hello Jersey!

Alex and I spent July 4th weekend in New Jersey with Mimi, Dre (her husband), Chase (their precious doggy) and their friends. It was such a fun-filled weekend and one that definitely is for the books. I even learned to kayak for the first time!! It was absolutely terrifying, but it was so fun after I got the hang of it. And the sunsets there were just amazing. The weekend was filled with great food, company and adventures!!

July 16, 2017: Parents’ 22nd Anniversary

My loving parents celebrated their 22nd year together this summer with the help of my siblings. Their love and support for each other is one that is resiliently unwavering. It has been amazing to witness such love and to use it as guidance to know what love actually means. They are my ultimate #relationshipgoals!

August 8th, 2017: Wine & Dine

I am definitely someone who loves to stay at home than go out…so whenever there’s a chance, Alex and I invite people over. This day was super fun and filled with wine and delicious food that mostly Alex prepared. Carter and Sundy are probably the nicest people you will ever meet–their positivity and motivation just radiates out of them. Whenever I am with them, I swear I just get into the best of moods!

August 2017: Best Friend Meets NYC + First Yankees Game

My bestest best friend from home, Chubs, finally came to see in me in the city after my constant nagging (and begging). And it was a weekend full of fun, laughter and reminiscing. I’ve always wanted her to come do yoga with me in Bryant Park (it’s free!) and she has always wanted to see another Yankees game. It was so fun to be able to do what we wanted to do without any stress. The baseball game was fun -after she explained to me everything – and it felt like old times of hanging out. Chubs: thank you for taking time to come see me! She is my rock and anchor. When you find a genuine friend who loves you endlessly no matter the distance or events, hold on tight.

September 2017: Family Time

This has definitely been the year of family times! Before heading back to start my senior year of college, I spent two weeks at home hanging out with the family and fattening up with their food. Alex ended up coming to see us during the last week and we both had an amazing time. It was also my last time seeing Jody before she headed to UCLA until Christmas time so we made the best of every moment!

September 5, 2017: Last First Day of Undergrad

How crazy is that we are already seniors in college? I still remember back to the first day of college in Florence, Italy (back in 2014) and meeting everyone for the first time. Time flies when you’re having fun!! The past 3 years of college has set us up for the last and it has been a rollercoaster. I have written several blog posts on this semester and looking back, I have grown so much. Maybe that’s why it stands out to be so much. Read the other blog posts here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

September 6, 2017: HBD Jason!

My little brother (who’s not really that little), turned 17 this year and entered his last year of high school!! I wrote a dedicated post to him here! His birthday stood out so much to me this year because I never imagined him to grow up so fast. Definitely the baby of the family and I still want it to stay that way! Life goes by way too fast for my liking and I get reminded of it every time I look at him.

October 2017: Working with my First Brand

October was the month that a brand and I agreed to work together!  They sent me some wonderful items to try and I was so happy to finally have my work recognized.Read about it here! It was for sure a milestone in my blogging timeline and definitely something I will never forget!

October 23, 2017: Celebrating 2.5 Years

2.5 years is a long time and we celebrated as we always do with our half year anniversaries: eating at a Brazilian steakhouse! Alex surprised me with a new location this time and it was delish! The hours we spent eating and talking are the moments that I always look forward to amongst the chaos of school and life. It was another day that I felt extremely loved and special!

November 17, 2017: Alex Turns 22

Alex turned 22 in November and we celebrated by visiting Peter Luger. Alex had the best time eating there. For those who don’t know, Alex is someone who loves to appreciate the quality of food, so you can bet this place was his “candy store”.  We both recommend giving this place a try–the food is that good!

November 23, 2017: Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving this year was a bittersweet day; Alex and I were able to go home to spend it with my family but we were missing Jody. It was so weird to spend a holiday together without an essential piece of us. It was still a fun-filled weekend and we made the best out of the situation. Moments like these stick in my mind because it goes to show how quickly we are all growing up and how hard it is to get together.

December 9, 2017: First Snow of the Season

I woke up that day to the chilliest air and found out it was snowing outside!! The first snowfall of the season and I had to get in it (read about it here). Alex wasn’t too keen on getting out into the cold, but snow and cold weather has always been a secret fav of mine! We ended the day with hot cocoa and snuggling on the couch…which is probs everyones favorite!

December 25, 2017: Christmas Day

I was soooo excited to come home for Christmas! It’s definitely my favorite time of the year since it means finishing with school and seeing my entire family. I also haven’t seen Jody in five-ever and to have the entire family back in one place was my wish come true! It was a day filled to the brim with love and family-time!

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These were my absolute favorite moments of 2017. I know I personally have developed so much this year, with the focus on removing anything toxic from my life. I focused on more positive thinking, surrounded myself with inspirational people and developed achievable goals. The years keep getting better and better as I get older and I can’t wait to see what 2018 holds for me. I would love to hear about your favorite 2017 moments! And tune back Wednesday for my goals for the upcoming year!

until my next lil’ thought then!

jen ❣️