And just like that, 2022 is at a close. I just wanted to take a quick moment to reflect on the year and all that happened.
- My grandma got sick. Late April, I woke up to a text message saying she was in the hospital. I checked her MyChart and my heart fell to my feet when I saw that she was diagnosed with myocardial infarction (heart attack). She was stable, thankfully. But in the same admission, we also learned she had gastric cancer that extended into her small intestine. I’d grown resentful of her PCP who I believed failed to identify that her cluster of symptoms was quite worrisome, and also resentful of myself for not catching them earlier. It’s been a long journey and to make a long story short, I know she won’t have many years on this Earth. We’re just focused on enjoying the little moments while they’re here. High points include getting her care transferred to Dana-Farber, where her surgeon was able to perform a less invasive surgery despite being unable to remove her cancer, being able to celebrate Christmas with her, all the times she is able to go to the Casino even while on treatment, tolerating her treatment fairly well, and knowing she was able to ring in the new year with my entire family. It was a nightmare hearing her diagnosis with her for the first time. And I could safely say a third of my honeymoon was spent coordinating her care, hospital admission, and discharge with home-TPN. But at least we have the resources to care for her here, and at least we have some time.
- I graduated with my doctorate. Anyone close to me at this time knew how grueling my DNP project was. I hated where I worked and the management I worked with. I felt like working with certain personalities was truly like pulling teeth. Being able to get an end degree with both of my parents, then-fiance, and baby cousins to celebrate was honestly a blessing. No frills and no celebration since my grandma was ill. Just knowing I did it.
- I got my dream job and passed my boards. For months, I anxiously awaited the application cycle for the NP fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center to open up. I knew that position was made for me immediately after reading the description. It was a tough interview process, but I learned I got the position in March. I listened to the voicemail announcing that I got it on the drive home and cried to Ian out of happiness. My knees felt weak, and for months I put my head down and studied to make sure I pass my NP boards. When I finally passed, I Facetimed my mom and she cried. We were both so relieved, and my entire family was so happy I finally did it.
- I quit my job and went on a three-week honeymoon. I stopped working so that Ian and I could take some time to travel. Seeing as to how the fellowship was a year long and quite intense, I knew we wouldn’t have time to travel. I flew business class for the first time. I met up with some of my family in Vietnam. I immersed myself in my culture again and learned to fall in love with it more seeing Ian fall in love with it. I explored a new country, Italy, and went back to one of my favorite places on Earth: Switzerland. It made me remember how much I love traveling and how I want to get back to doing it whenever the opportunity presents itself.
- We got married – three times. We had a civil ceremony in June and a Vietnamese wedding in August. The wedding was the same week my grandma was in the hospital for surgery. I knew my family was resilient, but that week truly showed me resilience that I have never known. I knew my family was strong, but the strength we had to find within ourselves individually and as a family will always blow my mind away. I’ll never take the effort they put into that week for granted, and it’s one of my most bittersweet moments with my family to date. In November, we had our dream wedding. We got everything we wanted – from riding in the party bus with our bridal party, a small, intimate ceremony, alone time to process the moment, amazing food, and literally all of our loved ones in one space. Tayvia and Jack participated driving our ring down the aisle and overall, I think people had a fun time. It was simple and perfect, and everything I grew to want in a wedding.
- We moved to Texas. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d end up in Texas. There are lots of misconceptions about Houston. Yes, there are cowboys and rodeos, but it’s also so much more than I imagined. There’s culture. I would argue the food is better than LA. It’s a great middle-ground between LA and Worcester. There’s a massive Vietnamese community. People are (mostly) genuinely nice. It’s really taken us by surprise and I’m excited to see where it takes us this next year.
- I made new friends and kept my old ones. This year was all about redefining what friendship looks like to me. I’m not someone who hangs out with people every week, and I think that’s just the introvert in me. My friendships can look more like a phone call or Facetime session once in a while, a meme, or a text. And then occasional meet-ups that genuinely mean the world to me. My bachelorette party was one of the nicest weekends I had, even if it came during the chaos of road-tripping to Houston with one of my closest friends and my little cousin. Two of my closest friends from work, my best friend, one of my hometown friends, and a new friend I made in LA just the previous year were there. Katelynn also came with me. She and Jacky helped me pack up my entire apartment, kept me company driving for four days, and helped me move into my new home. It reminded me of my 2019 road trip when David drove cross-country with me to LA and the excitement I felt pulling up to my new apartment. Since I’ve been in Houston, I’ve found really solid friendships in my cohort. I’m 100% convinced we’re the best cohort because we love each other’s company, we round each other out, and they’re honestly some of the nicest people I have ever met. Even my mom wished they were at my wedding 2 months after I had just met them.
- I managed my family stress better. Family is the only thing I don’t truly have a handle on. It’s hard for me to compartmentalize my family’s health when they’re ill, which really stressed me out this year. I tried therapy and it helped somewhat. I think that, combined with age, helped me handle the situations we found ourselves in better overall. But it’s still a work in progress and I’m proud of myself for being there for them as much as I can, even if I’m hundreds of miles away.
I didn’t do as much creative stuff as I wanted to. I realize now I keep making excuses for it and there really is no good time to start a new project. My goal for the next year is to incorporate more creativity into my daily routine, better myself as a nurse practitioner, and literally just enjoy it. I have trouble being present and taking things slow, but since the wedding, I will say it’s gotten a bit easier. I’m excited to unplug more and tune into myself. I’m anticipating traveling again with Ian. And I’m hoping I get to see the people I love at some point and to make some friends on my own.
To 2023.