Hi 27, winning in life | Stephanie's November 2025

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Lifestyle, Lows, Lessons

Heads up this post will be quite the journey, as I reflect back I still can’t believe the amount of events that happened this month. I quite literally feel so full in life every single day. 

I started off the month with the most eventful work week ever, I had to play a key role in planning and executing our annual customer conference, followed by our annual team offsite immediately. I will say I was feeling quite nervous, stressed, and quite literally running around everywhere from early mornings to long nights during this work week. Because of my new-ish role, I ended up spending a larger role and time than ever at this event, and I must say no matter how often I do it - it is quite intimidating to meet a ton of people at once and make small talk with them. I always surprise myself at how I make small talk with these much older adults (I know I’m an adult too) for days on back to back lol. Despite all the busy back-to-back of this week, social overload, and taking my intro-extro verted ness social battery to the next level. This week also helped me feel like I belong in my new role, both externally with customers and internally with stakeholders. Tbh taking on this role made me feel a bit out of place and wonder why the transition happened to me (I still wonder on some days), but this event and seeing customers and stakeholders see me as their point person, made me feel more at home and comfortable in my own skin that I have what it takes to succeed in this role. As with these work conferences and offsites, it’s always mixed with a ton of socials after the professional - so I ended up spending late nights with my colleagues and once again I’m not surprised but am very thankful to have gotten to bond with my coworkers on a deeper level. One night, one of my colleagues was talking about her upcoming wedding, while another was asking her how do you know when you’re ready for it, while another was talking about his marriage - this led to a whole deep chat about romantic relationships. It’s quite fitting because while I spent a week in SJ for work, the person I’m seeing actually ended up getting hired at the same company that I work for (different teams) and is assigned to the SJ office - so I ended up sharing my hotel room with him that week to make it easier for his commute and for us to spend more time together. I think this is a good transition to romantic life section of my recap now..!

Romantic relationship wise, I am still seeing the person I’ve been writing about in previous entries. While we spent a whole work week together in SJ, because I’ve been so busy from morning to night, honestly we barely got to see each other. However with that being said, seeing each other before bed and when we wake up in the morning was a good learning experience and showed me how comfortable I am and enjoy his presence. Because we were already in SJ, on the last day - he wanted to book a night in Santa Cruz and relive our first roadtrip to monterey and carmel. Unfortunately, I was short on time because my family wanted me home to celebrate my birthday early, but it was nice to spend time with him in Santa Cruz and revisit some familiar places from our roadtrip and create new memories. One of which will forever remain a core memory on 11/8/25 - it is wild to say that we are now … officially official and that I have a boyfriend. It still feels uncomfortable saying it and I must say it was uncomfortable typing that just now LOL. i’ve been independent for so long and gone on many dates where the right connection just wasn’t there - but meeting and getting to know this person slowly over time, has really shown me while I can do things alone, life is much more fun with him. I think I myself didn’t know the extent of how much I enjoy spending time with him and our relationship until we had our first actual ‘fight/argument’ and that instead of walking away and being avoidant, I wanted to reach and understanding and stay together. I won’t go too much into our argument here, but it was definitely a learning lesson this month as well - on how to work and talk through things together as a team. Arguments and all, Id still like to express my heartfelt grattitude for him here - from making sure I am always fed, making it a mission to revamp my workspace, thoughtful gifts, old school letters and picture collages, and our endless talks full of laughter that bring out my inner child. I can’t wait for more mems together:)

Friendships wise, I truly hit the jackpot. Birthdays can be bittersweet as it can also be a reminder of aging and loneliness, but each year I continue to be so full. This year, I decided to host a birthday dinner + activity with my close circle - a night filled with food, laughter, vibes and music. (charm bracelet activity to come next time). While Chris Lake should be the highlight, honestly I could care less about the rave itself, but the time to vibe out with my girlies. Seeing so many people show up for me made me feel extra special. What made my heart even warmer was seeing my girlies I met from different phase of life, all connect and have a good time together (tibetian chants and welcoming rituals, my melody cups, and tons of dangerously sweet flavored soju and wine). The amount of messages I received afterwards about how they enjoyed meeting each other was the highlight on top of it all. Growing up, I’ve always been a floater and while it has its perks to be able to have friends from different groups and aspects in life - when I was younger it did feel lonely to not have one set core group - when I did try to bring people together in younger years they did feel out of place of not knowing the people attending, so now at this point in life as I am seeing everyone come together and connect made me feel so so full. In lieu of the topic of friendships, I must give an extra shoutout to Jin and Tammie. Jin, for always traveling to SF and making it here on my special day and for her extra time from helping me decorate the house and photos to helping me navigate a difficult conversation. Tammie and Jin, for taking my favorite hot pilates class, to taking time to get to know Herman.

Family wise, I got to visit Oahu Hawaii with my family. We had already celebrated my birthday early at home, however being able to travel with my family on my birthday made this year even more memorable. It’s been quite some time since my family got to take a flight somewhere and truly travel, with the house and all - I wanted to make sure my family still got to experience the world despite owning a house. Honestly it felt like the odds were against me and that this trip wouldn’t happen - so for it to have happened is still a surprise and that I continue to be grateful for that time together. It did come with a low I won’t get too deep on is that seeing my Dad not able to do the things he once did when he visited Hawaii in the past - and my parents’ stamina not quite as it used to be at our previous trips, really showed me how my parents are aging as I am aging. Because of that, I want to make sure with the time we do have together, I want to make the most out of it before my parents get too old to spend it with us. This trip also got me all nostalgic of my trip with Jin in 2021 (scroll back to the blog post!) the fun Jin and I had, the memories of our first post-grad trip and hawaii post-covid fun, revisiting some of my favorite places, how things have changed in hawaii and in life, and how far we've come since then.

My highlight of this trip is a mix of symbolic meanings. From making my first Louis Vuitton purchase in store (I felt outta place lol) a symbol of treating my mom to what she deserves, and also a symbol to myself - to treat myself when I’m treating others. From taking my father on this trip, a life long traveler - that even with the house and all, it doesn’t mean that we stop traveling and that I want to continue exploring the world together. From my sister, who unfortunately got laid off - who still was willing to make this trip happen and help pitch in where she could, for our family. All of this abstracted ness aside, I would say our favorite family memory would probably be the luau dinner buffet + show. It was definitely modernized because it was in Waikiki, but it was so nice seeing everyone enjoy the show and full with good food. I’m glad we didn’t cheap out and made the Luau happen as well!

After such an eventful month week by week, I ended the last week with a much needed pause pause on Thanksgiving. Doing my favorite workout Pilates, dimsum with Herman, and then a jolibee thanksgiving with my cozy family of four (+ shopping weekend haha). I had so many blessings each week this month, it felt like Thanksgiving on repeat. Every week was a celebration filled with good food and company!

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My pick of the month: Birthday Reflection Questions

I started this tradition last year - where I told myself I’ll ask  myself these same 3 questions and answer it each year. So here’s 2024: 

How do you feel about this Birthday?

• I feel extra loved, I know I’m loved every day but my birthday continues to be a reminder of how much I am loved from everyone in my life. I feel so lucky to be able to receive the love I have from my family, friends, and partner. I sometimes feel undeserving of them all, I know how hard it is to even have one person that’s truly there for you - and I feel a surge of emotions from the surplus that I have. I definitely feel thankful for the privilege with my career and owning a house, but the people in my life are truly the opportunity of a lifetime.

How do you feel about aging and people knowing your age?

• Honestly I don’t feel too much about it. It’s crazy to say I am deep into my late 20s now at 27, but I don’t feel ashamed or scared. Perhaps this will change when I am closer to my 30s. At this point in life, I feel like I can tackle anything with my community by my side. I don’t feel the need to chase after timelines and if anything, I wish time can slow down for me to spend more time with my loved ones. 

What surprised you most over the past 12 months? 

• My partner - first official boyfriend at the age of 26, I know that everyone is at a different timeline but as a late bloomer here in this area - it’s surreal that this was the year I found someone I truly connect with in the most serendipitous way

• My family and mental health - love is truly boundless, and that our parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, are aging as we are - a reminder to hug them a little tighter and to enjoy the limited time we have together even more

• My career - a voluntold transition to a newish role, while I am not sure if it is aligned with my dreams, I know it will bring a lot of learnings 

• Myself - the amount of multitasking in work and life, taking my driving skills to the next level, learning to let go, learning to love and be loved by a partner

I have so much to be thankful for each year and this year is no different. Thank you for my life chances in career (build one and having lifelong mentors such as Marcy who was not only there for me during my new transition but also remembers my birthday each year), for my life chances in friendship (a community of loving girlbosses), and my life chances in family (our humble beginnings yet still giving me the best in life). 

And that’s a wrap of November! I wish for everyone here to experience the same fullness in life and love that I have the privilege to. 

Chat soon in Jan 2026 (2026 omg). Until then, sending lots of warmth and a happy holiday season! 

Best,

— Stephanie