2015, Thanks for the Memories.

Pudge the Cat

Well, it's exactly 11:59 PM here in Honolulu . . . only one minute 'till the new year.  To send off 2015 in an appropriate fashion, I decided to make one big wrap-up post to commemorate another year gone by.  This post includes favorite books, favorite memories, and pretty much anything random that pops into my head at this ungodly hour -- ha, ha!

Happy New Year everyone!  Here's to 2016.


So first off, I'm including a "Books Read in December" in here.  I would include an entire year's worth of books, but quite frankly, I just can't remember all that I read!

Books Read in December:

I feel like I'm missing a few, but I honestly can't remember.  I have a terrible memory.  (But I'll blame it on winter break.)

My Favorite Book of 2015:

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

It's difficult to put into words exactly why I loved this book as much as I did, but . . . it's simply glorious.  It'll probably remain an all-time favorite of mine for a long, long time.

Honorable Mention:

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Although this book had plenty of those sad, tear-jerking moments, it had bright and sunny ones, too.  I'll Give You The Sun made my heart oh-so happy.  A (very!) close second for my favorite book of the year.

Favorite Author of 2015:

Jandy Nelson

I read both of her books this year.  The Sky is Everywhere was my last read of 2015, and I love, love, loved it.

The Best Thing That Happened To Me:

Hiroshima Peace Scholarship

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Two juniors at my school are selected every year as "Hiroshima Peace Scholars" to travel abroad to Hiroshima in the summertime and promote peaceful relations -- all expenses paid for.  After submitting a thorough application, an essay, and a project proposal, I was selected as a finalist.  And after an interview with the scholarship committee . . . I was selected!  I feel extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to stand as a promoter of peace in my community and abroad.

From now until departure, my fellow Hiroshima Peace Scholar and I will be busy with trip preparations that include:

- Organizing a project to prepare a 1000 paper crane garland (a symbol of peace)

- Coordinating an anti-nuclear petition that will be sent to the United Nations

- Preparing a project that will be presented at a peace forum at Jogakuin High School

etc.

I'll be sure to share my experience online, here, on my blog.

Other Awesome Events:

Kauai

I was able to visit Kauai, the island where my grandfather grew up.  It wasn't a long trip, but I enjoyed hearing stories from his childhood and spending a few days with my grandparents, brother, and mother.  I documented my time while on the island, so if you're interested, check out these posts: Kauai Coconut Diaries Day 1, Kauai Coconut Diaries Day 2, and Kauai Coconut Diaries Day 3 (and a half).

The East Coast

I was also fortunate to go on a second trip this summer -- to the Northeast US mainland!  I visited family, looked at colleges, and went to lots and lots of bookshops.  Check out my bookshop shenanigans here: Travel Diaries: Seven Bookshops to Visit In (& around) Boston.

Co-blogging @ APCB with Rachel & Mishma!

I had only been blogging for a few months, but Rachel scoped me out and asked if I wanted to be a part of APCB!  Well . . . OF COURSE I DID, haha.  These two have been the absolute best co-bloggers -- ever.  They're always thanking me, so now I'd like to thank them, too.

THANK YOU RACHEL & MISHMA!

New Year's Resolutions:

- Posting more often.  Like, WAY more often.

I know I suck at this.  I'm working on it.  Promise.

- Reading AT LEAST 60 books.

I feel like I read about five books per month, so I should hit 60.

- WRITING.

I just really like writing and I always feel the need to write.  My problem?  IDEAS.  I just don't know what to write about.  And of course, there's that thing called free time I'm currently lacking.

- Scheduling posts . . .

This is probably the toughest one for me, to be completely honest.  Ha-ha.  I have no idea how all you expert blogger-people do it.

- Updating Instagram

Yes, I actually do have a bookstagram.  It's @yapeach. 

And lastly . . .

Thank You.

I started up this book blog back in April, so 2015 is special for me.  Just . . . thank you to everyone who's commented on my blog, followed, been a good friend, the whole works.  You've all made my first year blogging awesome and totally worth it.  So, again, thank you.

This photo of me was taken exactly one year ago on New Year's Eve.  It's crazy to think 2016 is already here.

P.S. Sorry for the extremely convoluted New Year's post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!!!

SENDING MY LOVE AND BEST WISHES.

xoxo,