10 Years in Review

Credit: Ana Hard

With 2020 just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to sift through 700 blog posts and see how far I've come. It was humbling, hilarious and heartwarming, and I don't think you guys are ready for this... but HERE WE GO!

2010

• I was 15 years old, just entered high school and got a part-time job.
• I bought a new bike and was always searching for a new park in my neighbourhood.
• When my side bangs got longer, I decided to get middle bangs?! 
• I received my first charm bracelet and was into silly bandz, friendship bracelets and watermelon toenails.
• I visited African Lion Safari, the Science Centre and Medieval Times for the first time. 
• I tried rock climbing for the first time.
• I celebrated my blog's first birthday.
• My little cousin, Eli, was born.
• I killed my first plant by overwatering it.
• I was really into hanging my digital camera off of a tree branch and taking photos with the timer.

2011

• I took a five months hiatus at the beginning of the year and lost almost 30 pounds.
• My sister graduated from university.
• I landed my first co-op position with a grade one class.
• I owned my first pair of TOMS, moccasins and a Blackberry Curve.
• I got a cartilage piercing on my right ear and a second lobe piercing without my parents knowing.
• I tried calligraphy, ziplining, Starbucks, macarons and tie-dying for the first time.
• I went to my first circus.
• I replaced my desktop computer and was really into taking photos with my webcam.
• I biked and baked rainbow cakes often.

2012

• I turned 17 years old, removed my braces and started experimenting with mascara.
• I made a Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram account.
• I went to my first concert.
• I got my first DSLR camera, first iPhone, a Michael Kors bag, and a Canada Goose jacket.
• I visited my brother-in-law's home.
• I was into taking outfit of the day pictures.
• I started my seashells collection.
• I appeared on MuchMusic on my birthday.
• My first fishie passed away.
• I grew closer to my little cousins, Ethan and Eli.
• I let my brother-in-law do my makeup.
• I was into taking photos in front of this teal fence with my Gorillapod and usually avoided eye contact with the camera. 

2013

• I celebrated my 18th birthday with my siblings.
• I finally graduated from high school and was in my first year of university.
• I bought my first LV bag, pair of white converses, gold watch, white dress shirt, and Macbook.
• I started experimenting with liquid eyeliner.
• I went to OVO fest and saw the Weeknd and Marina & the Diamonds in concert.
• I dyed my hair for the first time and got over 30 mosquito bites.
• I had the chance to teach a kindergarten class.
• I went to my senior prom and formed a close group of friends called, Fab 5.
• I was really into taking pictures of flowers and baking for my friends.
• My sister bought her first car.
• I got my first Polaroid camera and was obsessed with bokeh photos.

2014

• I turned 19 years old, got my G1 and landed a job at the CN Tower.
• My grandma passed away.
• My sister got engaged.
• I went on my first date with Daniel.
• I saw Beyonce and Jay-Z in concert.
• I got really into yoga and developed my macaron addiction.
• I bought my dream camera, photographed my first event and engagement shoot.
• I decided to become a pescatarian.
• I got employee of the month.
• I went to the Christmas Market for the first time with Daniel.

2015

• I celebrated my 20th birthday and got my G2.
• I visited the AGO, Niagara Falls, Science Centre, Centre Island, and Scarborough Bluffs.
• My school went on strike.
• I quit my job at the CN Tower.
• I saw Miguel and the Weeknd in concert.
• I changed my blog domain name from cindynguyen.ca.
• I went glamping for the first time.
• I taught a grade six class and realized teaching wasn't for me.
• I was really into Snapchat.
• I decided to be boobies with Daniel for Halloween.
• I celebrated my one year anniversary with Daniel.
• My cousin, Linh, moved here from Vietnam. 
• I took my sister's engagement photos with Daniel.

2016

• My sister got married.
• I went to Mexico, Montreal and VELD for the first time.
• I visited Ripley's Aquarium, Aga Khan, Casa Loma, ROM, Allan Gardens and Dundas Peak.
• I celebrated my 21st birthday at Drake's restaurant, Fring's.
• I tried stinky tofu for the first time.
• I saw Majid Jordan perform. 
• My cousin, Jennifer, got married.
• I went on a helicopter ride.
• I threw Daniel a surprise birthday party.
• I designed my first ugly Christmas sweater.
• I celebrated my two year anniversary with Daniel.

2017

• I turned 22 years old and became an aunt.
• I was in my final year of university and did two internships, one being with TTC.
• I visited Punta Cana and Vancouver.
• I visited the zoo, apple farm, Belfountain Conservation area and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple.
• I was into chokers, off-the-shoulder tops and charcoal ice cream.
• I celebrated my three year anniversary with Daniel.

2018

• I turned 23 years old and got my full driver's license.
• I visited Iceland and New York.
• I finished my bachelor's degree, while my school was on strike and landed a full-time job.
• I did the CN Tower stair climb and Pursuit OCR.
• I was into Instagram installations, like the Happy Place, Egg House and Infinity Mirrors.
• I watched my niece turn one year old.
• I celebrated my four year anniversary with Daniel.

2019

• I celebrated my 24th birthday and visited Disneyland for the first time.
• I watched my niece turn two years old.
• I was part of a bridal party and saw Alpha and Dillon get married.
• I reunited with my grade eight friends.
• I witnessed the Raptors win their first championship.
• I checked out the lavender farm, butter tart festival and Sky Zone. 
• I developed a bubble tea and checkers addiction.
• I finally got my three wisdom teeth removed.
• I went fishing, tried omakase, played with an air soft gun, had Japanese pancakes and went kayaking for the first time.
• I bought my blog template for the first time.
• I photographed a proposal for the first time and saw Andrea and Wes get married.
• I created my first lottery bouquet. 
• I treated myself to my first pair of Gucci loafers, Common Projects sneakers and Mejuri earrings.
• I celebrated my five year anniversary with Daniel.

In summary, I changed my blog url and template several times, captured snippets of my life in 2000gb worth of photos, fixed my teeth, bangs and eyebrows, got rid of more than half my closet, overindulged in macarons and bubble tea, upgraded my camera game, laughed so much and so often, religiously applied sunscreen, lost count of how many times I've tripped over my own feet, cried every now and then, but most importantly, learned that it's all about the small habits. It was how I talked to myself, who I surrounded myself with and what I spent my time on that really changed my life.

And with that being said, THANK YOU for following along, whether it's been the last 10 minutes, 10 months or 10 years. I trust that this new decade will be the best one yet, and I can't wait to share more with you guys!!! See you all in 2020. :)