2016
This is a live draft. I'm crafting it here as I go... If you're early, hello!
P/S: I'm only sending this page to about 30 people.
I started drafting this recap during my train ride between Rome and Florence.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Paris, France
Roma, Italia
Madrid, Spain
My dear friend, Jamie at SC/LA B-Ball
Firenze, Italia
9 Countries,
Spoke next to some really cool CEOs & philanthropists,
Saw Coldplay live @ Rose Bowl,
Doubled my list of clients & tripled revenue,
Transitioned from Canon to Sony (+ filmed a video on it),
Dined with people way out of my league, (+ saw the pope from afar)
Almost burned-out a few times,
2016 was a good.
For the 8th consecutive year, I started my year with the Rose Parade & Rose Bowl Game. It was pretty awesome to be on a scooter & hanging out with my Rotary friends.
www.tournamentofroses.com
2nd time at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Failed to land the client... but at least I got some new gadgets!
www.CES.tech
A picture I took back in 2014 was featured. This, in Sydney, was one of the most impactful days of my life.
157k raised to help fight against human trafficking. So proud of these kids! This was a very impactful event to me.
www.interact5170.org
Featured in the Rotarian magazine with Christa and Yvonne. This is us holding up our quotes in Seoul.
www.rotary.org
No caption needed.
So blessed to be given a voice.
This was Charlotte from Finland next to me as we addressed the world Rotaract leaders.
This should've been Candeavor's LA office. It didn't happen but hey, life is about some failures too, right?
Fighting on with my brothers @ USC's first of 8 consequtive victories.
P/S: USC in the Rose Bowl :)
Lucky to be surrounded by an awesome board + more
www.bigwestrotaract.org
First time celebrating my dad's birthday w/ him since 2008.
Mi familia building a home for a deserving family in Mexico. Giving back together <3
My sister was performing when we went to Mexico. Also, she's currently living in Europe.
As I was browsing through Facebook one night, I stumbled upon this video of a typical, insanely crowded, rush hour in Japan.
In a crowded Tokyo train, you'd be standing firmly up against 5 others with no room to scratch your itch. At each stop, some leave and more come; what is consistent is that you are left with little space to breath. The place is so tight that you don't even have to stand anymore - you can simply relax and lean onto everybody else. The train is moving right along.. and while you know which direction it is going, you're not sure if you can get off in time to hop on the next station.
I watched a few variations of the same video and quickly come to realize that this feels like my life at the moment... I am so grateful for the people I have surrounded myself with but I feel that I am no longer traveling in the direction I wanted.
After speaking at a conference in Madrid, I decided to take some time away - I needed to break the pattern and to think. Since I have always been fascinated by the legacy of the Medici family, I decided to spend some time in Florence, Italy. For a few days, it was just me, a notebook, my camera, and food. While I can't yet say what I am doing starting next year, the change will be significant.
The last few years have been unreal. I hope my next move will not disappoint. I am ready to take 3 steps back to take one giant leap forward in a few years. If you're interested, I'd be happy to share and get your feedback.
For many years, I've been able to say that I changed lives. This year, I can say that I saved a few. It's a chilling thought to know that what I do for fun (speaking & mentoring) have led to some of the most dramatic moments of my life.
To my family, friends, and mentors, THANK YOU.
www.MakePositivityLouder.org now links to my website. Hoping to do something fun with it soon!
Onward,
