EXTENSION OF XFFNY

toasting triumphs, bearing tribulations

[currently: transit back to nyc]

We like to treat each calendar year as a way to tie up and file away a chapter of our lives. As I get older, I find myself putting less and less weight on the significance of these time marks. If anything, I almost dread them—another year has flown by… with so much yet to do.

Still, the marker offers a nice pause: the opportunity to see the year more honestly and reflect with intent. To place gratitude where it deserves, take accountability where it’s owed, and highlight memories that may not otherwise be revisited.

It is easy to punish yourself for what didn’t happen. Those pains stand out much more than the wins that quietly integrated into the norms of one.

So as the internet gets flooded with reflection turned into a trend—a bandwagon I happy to jump on—here’s my 2025 wrapped:

Before the lists, here’s immediate thoughts that comes to mind.

2025 was a year of constant volatility and uncertainty. I hit the lowest lows of my life, but also found my way back to joy and to myself.

“To live with intent and find joy and meaning in every little thing.” My mom grew up saying some version of this  for as long as I can remember. This year, I was truly able to practice what was more of an idea before.

I started the year at home, helping out with the family business. Now at the biggest shareholder company in my industry—except funny enough, also trying to pivot. I finally let go a 4.5 year relationship and am still re-teaching myself the respect and love I am worth. I’m closing out the year with friendships I never anticipated, friendships that have endured, and more memories than I expected to hold with real fondness.

This was truly a year of planting seed. Harvest is yet to come

Triumphs

Career and Personal Development
  • Worked a F/W ’25 Market Week for Altuzarra
  • Coordinated and produced multiple galas and conferences for nonprofits
    • United Way, Zeta Live, The Authors Guild, to name a few
  • PR job at Tudor Watch under Rolex 
  • Began vibe coding + learning more about AI
    • 3 projects/MVPs!
    • Ignorance Debt tracker, Resume Formatter, Token Converter
  • The Pivot…in the works
    • maybe next piece, but for now let’s just say,,, stealth as a hint
  • Made this website!
  • Got back into reading
Relationships
  • Family
    • visited home 8 times ❤
  • Ended 4.5 year relationship
Sports and Physical
  • Ski/Snowboard count: 3 trips
  • Dance: avg 1-2 classes a month
  • Walk 10k steps/day 3+ months straight 
  • Started getting back in badminton
  • Trapeze class [finally]
  • First hot yoga class
  • Injuries: MCL
Relationships
  • Family
    • visited home 8 times
    • travelled to Europe together
  • Ended 4.5 year relationship
  • Gained and reconnected with so many amazing people
Miscellaneous
  • Moved 3 times..THREE
  • Live in not so superb condition I’ve ever for 3 months (but 3 digit rent in nyc is wild) BUT best company!
  • Didn’t wear sneakers for second half year (with 2/3 exceptions for sports)
  • Locked in on Beli (2026 will go crazy)
  • Grad Photographer
    • 4 shoots for friends
  • Model for Muji twice (<3 Heein)
  • Got 2nd piercings
Travels
  • Home x8
  • Madrid
  • UK, Paris, Strausbourg avec parents
    • Witnessed the Champion League craziness
  • Boston x2
  • Chicago
    • Fire food. Wow.
Fond Memories
  • Philadelphia Orchestra: Joe Hisashi
  • Pier day with Amy
  • Got a PC
  • Finally tried DCP: 4 hour wait
  • F1 Premiere: saw Tom Brady + most F1 drivers
  • Rolex Events:
    • Attending NYFF: Adam Sandler, George Clooney, Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, etc.
      • House of Dynamite 8.5/10
      • Jay Kelly 6/10
    • Ryder Cup
    • Ding Tai Fung with team

Tribulations

To Leave In 2025
  • Newborn cat allergy 
  • Too many visits to mission …
    • Met/grabbed food w group and tenz so that was cool!
  • Developing tinnitus from concussion
  • Hospital/UC visits
    • 5 non routine visits
  • Work, Social, Life balance
    • overcompensated in every single aspect during different portions of the year
    • 119 days of social commitments within 150 days accounted for
To Work On
  • Better sleep schedule: consistent 6+ hours
  • To take ballet classes
  • More consistent dance classes
  • Better prioritization
    • daily actions, interpersonal
  • Patience + controlling anxiety
  • Financial Literacy
To Maintain
  • Optimistic outlook
  • Discipline
  • Acting with intent
  • Frequent + consistent communication with family

2026 is my 本命年 [zodiac year]. In Chinese culture, the year of your animal is often a “threshold year”, symbolizing a key stage in life where hurdles may come ones way. With that in mind, I truly look forward to what life throws my way. 


Good luck to everyone—let’s make ourselves proud.

songs listened to while writing:

  • is this the end: Nato Kitch
  • LES PASSANTES: BLOWSOM
  • Why?: T-Chenxi
  • woodpecker: Nato Kitch
  • Foulard rouge: E!ve
  • Dial Drunk: Noah Kahan, Post Malone
  • 董小姐：宋冬野
  • Good Goodbye: HWASA

à la prochaine,

xffny

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