So, we finally reached the end of my 2025 recap. I promise that it won’t be this long for 2026, and might even challenge myself to keep it under 1000 words. Without further ado, these were my 2025 highlights.

Last Christmas

Last December, I made a list of things that I wanted to write about in 2025. Looking back at the list I wrote, I only wrote 20% of what I aimed to write, but I’m still satisfied with what I managed to put out there. One thing is true: I sacrificed writing this year to focus on other things. Am I happy to do that? No. Do I need to do it to get other things that are at the moment more important? Yes. Besides, the list is still on my phone, and I will continue to work on it in 2026. 

The way I Self-care

Articles that I really enjoyed writing: all of them. No, but really, there was one in particular that I was really proud of, mostly because I did a little research to back up a few of my arguments (no, I didn’t cite them according to APA). Yes, it’s ‘Rosario Tijeras: A Feminist Heroin or Another Object for the Male Gaze?’ followed by ‘The Kids Aren’t Alright’. The most popular article without a doubt was ‘Mi no por Baha cu Vakantie’, but I wouldn’t say it was among my favorites; at the time, it was something I needed to do.

Writing is my way of taking care of myself and expressing my feelings. I will definitely continue to do so in 2026. It really leaves me wondering, though. People clicked fast on an article with a negative headline, as if they are only interested in your stories when you are in despair. No wonder so many news outlets create these crazy headlines for clicks.  

Me voy Para Medellín

I will never get tired of visiting Medellin. So, this year my husband and I visited again. I was mostly excited about the food, and it did not disappoint (except for the all-you-can-eat sushi, which I hoped would feel like eating at SUMO when I lived in Rotterdam, but no). This time we did a lot of walking (till my feet hurt). I heavily underestimated the Piedra de Penol, and I felt like I wasn’t going to make it, but once you start climbing, there is no turning back (that’s what she said, ha). We visited El Centro (hueco), which at first terrified me a bit, but there were some places I really wanted to visit, and they happened to be there. My husband was annoyed about leaving because I went a little overboard at one of the stores, and we still had a museum to visit.

Un día Normal

What I was truly looking forward to was Super Concierto Feria de Las Flores. I saw Juan Luis Guerra and Juanes live for the first time, and got to sing “La Paga” and “Fotografía”. Saw Blessd and Fuerza Regida too, but I wasn’t that excited for them, and since I’m a 30+ senior, I didn’t stay for Nelson Velasquez (as much as I wanted to sing “Nunca Nieges Que te Amo” and “Recuerdame”), because I was paranoid about going back to our room and I was getting sleepy. 

Tourist Trap

It’s my third time visiting the city. Medellín is being reshaped at record speed by overtourism, gentrification, and the displacement of locals to keep up with the rising cost of living. It’s the same lovely city I first laid eyes on in 2019, but since then, it’s been changing. I wouldn’t say they’re losing their charm, but like Aruba, they’re selling their soul, and losing their authenticity in the process. For example, in 2019, we were told different times that we shouldn’t mention his” name, because he left only pain behind, which nobody wants to remember. I don’t know what changed, but now his souvenirs are all over the city. He’s being glamorized and romanticized for tourists’ sake. It’s sad, but it’s not just tourists, though. It’s also digital nomads (with their privileges), allocating somewhere where they can conveniently stretch their buck, while screwing the locals. Anyway, I don’t know if I will go back in 2026. I might want to go somewhere with less exploitation. What can you recommend, or should I just stay home?

Dream a Little Dream

Concerts that I would have wanted to go to this year was any Dua Lipa concert (the girl was singing songs of each country she visited in their language), the almost 8 hour long J Balvin  concert in Medellin, 15 year old Jammita is never going to forgive me for not taking her to see Mr. Vegas, and of course Bad Bunny in PR. But hey, at least I got to listen to Bandilama’s live set of Batata cu Sauce di Pinda during the Aruba Art Fair in September.

Coming Home

You, peeps, know I’ve been blogging for almost three years and plan to keep writing. I want to publish a book one day. The title’s ready, but it needs more research than my other projects. For now, it’s a surprise; only my closest people know about it. I’m not usually secretive, but some dreams shouldn’t be shared widely. Some people have contagious negative energy. Can’t believe I admitted I believe in bad juju. I plan to take my time with this project, even though time isn’t on my side (DtMF slowly starts playing in my head).

Let’s Talk Consent

On the other hand, I started another project on a topic that I’m so passionate about. Perhaps you’ve seen a video or two. Around spring break, I believe it hit me as an epiphany, and I decided to name my new baby Consentimento Puro. At first, I only wanted to use pop culture to talk about consent, but it’s a shame to leave it at that. I started seeing all the possibilities and decided to get out of my comfort zone. You best believe that this project will not be a hobby; just give me time. I also take this time to thank all those who have been showing me support in all my endeavors. I really appreciate each and every one of you. 

Nobody Said it was Easy

So, the main reason I didn’t write as much this year is that I started a pre-master’s. It happened spontaneously, too, because it definitely wasn’t in my 2025 plans. The opportunity arrived, and I took it, but I knew that it would be a lot of work and that I would have to make some sacrifices. It’s just like dad said, time goes by so quickly. The first semester is almost over. 

My Brainrot

Besides watching funny cat-and-dog reels on Insta, two of my favorite influencers from Aruba are definitely Dimitri Angela and Giliean Hoek. Yup, they are both so funny and made a lot of people laugh this year. Favorite pages were definitely Know Your Caribbean (helping all of Caribbean people find our roots) and Margarita Lila Rosa (a wonderful and inspiring educator). 

A Rollercoaster

Not going to lie, this year has its Nothing-Beats-a-Jet2-holiday moments, but overall it’s been good. Professionally, I’ve had my challenges, and I’ve even hoped a few times that my colleagues would tell me I’m doing a terrible job so that would be my cue to quit, but they have been telling me the opposite (at least to my face). Am I the only one who wishes that I’d studied something boring like accountancy sometimes? My biggest blessing after my family is always the family that I got to choose. I’m super grateful for my friends and pole sisters. They have definitely made my life suck less.

The biggest aha or oh-oh moment this year has been realizing that everything is political. That explains a lot. In 2026, that is definitely something I will be working on, because I’ve been a horrible politician. It’s just not in my nature, but I can be a good actress when I want to. For now, let’s turn the lights off, baby (yeah, yeah, memes have kept us all alive this year).