It's funny whenever I show this picture to my family and friends. I'd ask them to take a guess at what kind of place it is. Some said it looked like a palace, while the others thought it was a museum.

I had the same first impression when I first saw it. We were in a park and were eventually led to this stunning architectural structure. While it appears to be of historical significance, it is actually just a school building.

Even Australia's hospitals looked more like malls to me at first glance. Their police stations were also more modern-looking and sleek compared to what I was used to in the Philippines.

This photo looks the most aesthetic compared to the others in my Australia album. I felt that it perfectly captured the beauty of the place even when I was using a phone camera with poor quality. Each time I see this picture, it takes me back to my Australia trip and reminds me of their stunning architecture. 

Here's a not-so-fun fact about me: I like seeing animals, but I am also quite scared of them. It didn't help that our family only had limited time with pets — the first being birds, who all gradually went outside and didn't come back; and the second was a puppy, which our parents immediately gave away.

I believe the only time I can be with dogs is when I'm with my friends, who I deem true pet lovers. One time, a friend visited our house with her puppy named Anya. While I was still distanced and hesitant at first, I eventually warmed up to Anya and even touched her head. The experience made me want to have a puppy of my own someday.

The reason I included this photo is because I miraculously captured Anya (and my friend) clearly with my phone despite my shaky hands. To me, this photo could be a reminder that I was able to work on my nervousness around animals and that I could share a fuzzy connection with them.

2024 was a rollercoaster year for me.

I was fresh off my 20th birthday when my mom suddenly got hospitalized. My mom had been bugging me to accompany her to the hospital for weeks because she wanted to get her leg checked. When I finally made myself available, I was unprepared for the news that her leg discomfort could be a symptom of a stroke. To let you know, I've always been frightened of sicknesses and death, and I had to quickly get over my fears to assure her that everything would be fine. Thank God, it wasn't a stroke, but we still needed to monitor her condition closely.

Her hospitalization made me realize that life is fragile and unpredictable and that it's important to cherish every moment with our loved ones.

To cap off the year, our family decided to visit Boracay for the first time. It was as if we were given an opportunity to create lasting memories and appreciate the beauty of life together. It also seemed to be the perfect time, as December marked our parents' wedding anniversary.

During our second day of vacation, we were able to witness a beautiful sunset by the beach. I was often told that the Boracay sunset was spectacular, and it truly was. It reminded me of Kristen Butler's quote on sunsets, that they are proof of beautiful endings. "No matter what happens, every day can end beautifully."

I see this photo as a striking reminder — that more than the joy of finally visiting Boracay, I'm grateful we had the chance to see such a meaningful scenery that symbolized the beauty of life. And I pray that our family can celebrate more special moments like this in the future.