It’s that time of the year to sit down, look back, and reflect on all the things happened in the past 12 months. To begin with, 2019 definitely has been one the biggest years full of surprises, dreams come true, challenges, ups and downs. This year I’ve witnessed so many dreams came true, met beautiful people even celebrated my 30th birthday for a year, but what I love best about 2019 I got a chance to learn, unlearn, and relearn so many things about life just like first grader.

I started 2019 in Los Angeles with a grateful heart, excitement, no expectations or even resolutions but only two simple wishes: perfect health and strength. For whatever happens this year, I hope I’d stay healthy and always have the strength to go through any problems or challenges. I hiked the Hollywood hills on the first day of 2019 to catch the first sunset of the year. I sat at the top of the hills with few other people watching Los Angeles slowly turn pink. There’s something so magical about watching the sunset. A reminder that every sunset is an opportunity to reset. With every ending comes a new beginning. I feel so humbled thinking about people and places I visited before, wonderful experience, and an extraordinary life I never thought I could have in my life.

This year I am so glad I took a lot of risks. What is life even without taking risks, right? Life took me to LA - Vietnam - Cambodia - Sumba - Bhutan - Bali - Berlin - Paris - Rennes - Poilley - Vienna - Bratislava - Budapest - Zagreb - Ljubljana - Split - Dubrovnik - Milan - Lake Como - Bellagio - Florence - Siena - Rome - Seville - Granada - Madrid - Lisboa - Sintra - Porto - Madrid - NYC - Lima - Paracas - Huacachina - Nazca - Arequipa - Puno - Cusco - Hanoi - Sapa - Bangkok - Singapore…… then Myanmar for New Year.

I found a bit of myself in every city I’ve visited. It’s true what they say, travel makes you humble. It’s not always about Eiffel Tower, Times Square, or Duomo di Milano, but the people you meet along the journey. Pole instructors who taught me new pole tricks, random strangers who helped me navigate my way around new city, good friends who offer nothing but love, support, and inspiration. It never fails to amaze me how you can find home and comfort even in a strange place surrounded by people from different backgrounds. And the moment you take a leap of faith, trust the process, life would unfold itself in the most amazing way.

Life is always full of surprises and miracles happen every day. Every single second. The amount of love and kindness I’ve received in more than 70 cities truly blow my mind and warm my heart. From trekking Colca Canyon for two days, writing my book, dealing with rejections, to producing and hosting my podcast Flirty & Fabulous available on all streaming platforms. 7 episodes and more to come! Just like this blog and other personal projects I’ve created, I just want to explore, learn, and have fun. Reminds me of younger Gyscha who spent hours recording her demo in her room then she’d walk to the post office and send them to TV and radio stations. Thinking one day she’d land her dream show!
Every day I choose to start over, to trust life, to create, to show up to my dreams, to read, to write, to practice pole dance, to take pictures, to knock the doors, to give love, to live, to be grateful and be better than yesterday. I choose to hop on a plane and do what I truly love…travel, photography, meet people, celebrate life.

This year few things fell apart but looking back it was just a little hiccup. They probably meant nothing compared to bigger problems that some people out there currently dealing with at the moment. I learned you can be vulnerable but also powerful at the same time. I never thought I’d say this but I am proud of how far I’ve come. Ten years on the road living the dreams…it’s definitely been a long, crazy journey but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have been blessed with a life full of magnificent, fabulous, and amazing experiences. I am thankful for those who opened up the doors for me, give me a stage to shine and room to grow. I wouldn’t be where I am today without YOU. Also grateful for closed doors, delays, failures, perfect health, just the fact I always have more than enough. Enough food, enough strength, more than enough love.

We’ve lived. We’ve learned. We’ve survived all our bad days. And we’re still here, growing.

What’s next for 2020? To be honest, I have no idea. I’m just gonna let life surprise me as usual. Taking it one day at a time. I get the feeling 2020 is just gonna be another huge year full of love, surprises, progress, and huge opportunities for all of us. Good things can come and happen so easy!

So, as we’re about to say goodbye to 2019 and welcome 2020 with arms wide open and excitement, I hope you had a great year and even more excited to start a new chapter, write a new story and make the most of 2020.

Happy New Year everyone…

Love,

G

2019 RECAP