Memories Keeper: Year 2024 Recap (Part 1)

Time really flies. I think you notice it too. It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming 2024, and now here I am, already writing about it as part of my past. A lot has happened. Some are fun, some meaningful, and some I just don’t want to forget. So I thought I’d start this blog to keep track of my favorite moments, kind of like a digital diary.

By the way, it's me again @rufajane. As a memory keeper, I really loved keeping track of my adventures. So for this blog, I will be sharing Part 1 of my 2024 recap. Hope you enjoy taking a peek into my little world.

February 21, 2024 - Midweek Christian Meeting + MAPEH Edit

This day was pretty productive. I went to our Christian meeting (as usual), which always gives me peace and helps me feel closer to God. It’s like a break from everything else going on in life. So this one I snapped a picture with the intention of both keeping it as a memory and using it for my editing project in MAPEH.

After that, I spent some time editing photos for our MAPEH subject using the same picture I snapped. I remember fixing the lighting which wasn't easy of course, haha, playing with filters, and making sure they looked good. It felt nice to get both spiritual and school stuff done on the same day.

I spent a lot of time making sure each photo looked just right for the grades.😂 It was actually kind of relaxing to do something creative, especially after all the spiritual stuff from the meeting.

I was proud of myself because I got both my faith and schoolwork done in one day. It felt really good to balance both parts of my life like I was taking care of my spirit while also staying on top of my responsibilities.

Some of the pictures were a little too dark, so I brightened them up. I didn’t want them to look washed out or at least not too dark, so I carefully adjusted the brightness and contrast to bring out the details. I use a natural filter that would just enhance the photo without making it look over-edited because I don't want to look very dramatic haha. But honestly, I had this one classmate during 10th grade who was really good at editing and I was really amazed with his editing skills. For one photo, I played with the warmth to make it feel more natural, and for another, I cooled the tones down to give it a fine texture. It was amazing how much of a difference a few simple adjustments could make. Though it was simple it took effort to make it done.😁

April 22, 2024 - Chill Family's Day Out

This one is special because we didn’t go to a fancy resort or anything. Me and my family just went to the public beach to relax and hang out. Since it is a public beach, we never have to pay for entrance fee. All we did was bring food, like we were on a picnic, and just enjoyed the day.

Everyone enjoyed the moments because it was so calm. And what makes it special is that only me and my family are present so we have spent some time together even when we are all busy all the time. I took a video because I just wanted to.😝

"Dance with the waves, move with the sea. Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free." - Christy Ann Martine.

June 8, 2024 - Banyan Beach Resort in Tabogon

Now this day really felt like a vacation.

My mom and her co-teachers invited their families to join them on a trip to Tabogon's Banyan Beach Resort. I was honestly amazed when we arrived because I had no idea what the place was like. To be honest, I thought it was just another beach I had seen before, but it looked lovely, and the whole place had a very calm feeling. It was even more enjoyable because it wasn't crowded.

The natural spring added to the uniqueness of the location. I honestly thought that it was just a simple or plain beach I used to see in our place. The water was clean and deep, which was a challenge as I didn't know how to swim.🤣 When I put my feet in the water, it was really cold, but the kind of cold that felt good, especially given how hot it was that day. It felt incredibly refreshing and calming as if it relieved all of my stress.

After that, we gathered in one of the cottages for lunch. We also packed a large amount of food, including handmade dishes, snacks, drinks, and even a small dessert. I remember eating cupcakes and lechon baboy, hehe. It seemed like a large picnic on the beach. After dining, some of us returned to the spring to cool off, while others remained in the cottages, talking and joking. I enjoyed the experience at the time because it was calm but fun and full of positive feelings.

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he dares to lose sight of the shore." - André Gide

This quote hit me so hard when I look back. It is something that teaches me that no matter how fond you are of staying in your comfort zone, you still need to step out of it to discover new things. And yes that is very true it's because I have experienced it myself. It is a very nice thing I can say. At first, it’s a little scary to leave what you know, but it’s so worth it. There’s a lot you can learn and experience when you push yourself to try new things. Honestly, it’s one of the best things you can do, and now I really understand why it’s so important. It’s not always easy, but it’s a really nice feeling when you look back and see how far you’ve come because you dared to step out of that zone. Another quote I can associate with this experience is from Henry David Thoreau "All good things are wild and free."

June 9, 2024 - A Fun Sunday

This day was also special. I woke up feeling excited because it was Sunday, which meant I’d be attending our Christian meeting again. But what made it a little extra fun was that I got to wear a Korean-inspired outfit because I had no other choice. 😅 So I just match my hairstyle to my outfit without wearing Korean makeup because I'm not into makeup honestly haha.

When I arrived at the meeting, I was so happy to see my friends. There’s something about dressing up for spiritual things that makes the whole experience feel even more respectful and joyful. Honestly, a few compliments from friends didn’t hurt either it made me smile inside. 😌

After the meeting, the day didn’t end there. In the afternoon, me and my family went to visit the house of one of our fellow believers. It wasn’t a formal gathering or anything just a chill hangout. But it is indeed an enjoyable one. Their family welcomed us warmly, and it was really nice. Actually, they live just beside the sea though. It felt like a place where people could relax and just be themselves.

We merely had some snacks and cool drinks before dinner with the other believers who were also present. We discussed faith, life, and some funny stories that had everyone laughing. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be surrounded by people who share my faith and values. People who do not judge me and are always willing to greet me with open arms and hearts.

June 14, 2024 - Regional Convention

This day was honestly one of the biggest highlights of my 2024 so far.

We had our Regional Convention, a very special event in our faith that only happens once a year. It’s not just a regular meeting. It’s a big spiritual gathering where fellow believers from all over our circuit come together in one place to worship, learn, and strengthen our connection with God. And it’s not just us baptized ones either, some people are still learning about the truth, and it made me happy seeing them there too. Unlike our Circuit Assembly which was kinda similar though, this event (the regional convention) happens for a straight 3 days from Friday to Sunday.

The public talks were so powerful. One speaker talked about keeping our faith strong even during hard times, and it really hit home. I keep on nodding the whole time haha. It’s like every message was made just for me, even though there were thousands of people in the room. That’s how personal it felt.

We also sang together, which is always one of my favorite parts. Hearing all those voices singing in harmony is really inspiring. Singing with that many people who mean it from the heart is a different kind of experience. It’s not about being loud or perfect, it’s about worship from deep within.

Life is too fast and too precious to not live it fully. That is, at times, we get so busy searching for our truth in the reality of some other world, that we completely forget to make the most of this life we have right here. We get so busy looking that we stop seeing. - Unknown

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📝To Be Continued...

So yeah, that’s the first part of my 2024 haha Just writing all of this made me realize how much I’ve already experienced. Whether it was bonding with family, getting closer to God, or just enjoying little things, these memories are ones I want to keep forever.

Part 2 is coming soon, so stay see you next time guys.😊 Thanks for reading! 💖