2014 was a year full of memories. More than any other year has brought, I believe. (Though, that’s how it should be, isn’t it?)
I finished off my studies at the University of Illinois, graduated, gained post-education employment, visited Canada (twice!), had some good friends get married, and just made the most of life with friends and family.
To spare writing about it all twice, the captions cover the details to the photos I have that encapsulate moments of 2014.
Thank you to all the wonderful people that made 2014 what it was. 2015 has some big shoes to fill, but here goes nothing…
Audrey Javier and Michael Zhang, front left and right, surprise Denise Castañeda in celebration of her 23rd birthday in Champaign, Ill. on Jan. 30, 2014. 
A photo of the popular "Daryl's Special Brownies" sold by the University of Illinois Graphic Design Class of 2014 Feb. 3, 2014 to raise money for their Portfolio Review. 
Daryl Quitalig (yellow shirt) and his friends (that could attend) take a group photo before a celebratory 23rd- birthday dinner at Ko Fusion on Feb. 15, 2014. 
Illinois' Rayvonte Rice (24) dunks the ball during the game against Michigan at State Farm Center on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. 
Lisa Vuong, left, takes a photograph with Daryl Quitalig and Becca Lu during her 20th birthday party on March 14, 2014. The trio sparked their friendship through "Vertical Studio," Illinois' graphic design classroom setup in the fall semester paring up students from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, as opposed to separation. 
Detail shot from Lisa Vuong's birthday celebration. CMYK-themed, naturally. 
Graphic design students pose at Brothers Bar & Grill during the Spring 2014 Barcrawl. 
Portrait of University of Illinois Graphic Design Class of 2014 after their Portfolio Review in the Portfolio Annex at the Chicago Portfolio School in Chicago, Ill. on Friday, April 11, 2014. 
Eddie Diaz-Muñoz kicks he ball while playing kickball after class in the grass next to the Art+Design Building in Champaign, Ill. on May 6, 2014. 
Selfie during the end-of-the-year GD BBQ. 
At the Graphic Design Seniors End-of-the-Year BBQ in Champaign, Ill. on May 8, 2014. 
Selfie with then-Visiting Assistant Professor Brian Wiley during the end-of-year/pre-graduation celebrations at Murphy's Pub on May 8, 2014. 
Group photo diving into the pool during a weekend getaway to Morton, Illinois on May 11, 2014. 
Daryl Quitalig vs. Evan Jarzynski prepare to arm wrestle during the weekend getaway to Morton, Illinois on May 11, 2014. 
With the Burritt Christmas decorations still up, we took advantage to take a group photo. 
Selfie with Erin Nickels, May 15, 2014. I finally had the chance to visit her at Valparaiso University where she completed her studies in the nursing program. 
Selfie with some of my family (my generation). Rudy Perez is the other graduate in the photo and It was wonderful to have Rudy study at Illinois, We had many great memories down there. With Rudy and I being the first in the closer area of our families to graduate college, It's crazy seeing all the younger ones grow up, soon to graduate or attend college themselves. 
Daryl Quitalig receives his diploma(-holder) from Assistant Professor Matt Peterson during the Art + Design Convocation Ceremony on May 18, 2014. (photo by Dennis Quitalig) 
Most of my Graphic Design at the University of Illinois Class of 2014 peers trying to take a group photo into the sun after Convocation. (photo by Dennis Quitalig) 
Photo of a photo of the Art + Design Class of 2014 taken on the last week of classes. (I can't remember who took this, specifically - let me know and I'll credit you - but it was for the College of Art+Design) 
A handful of my friends (those still on campus and available) and I had a quick photo session with Alma on May 21, 2014 to spare the wait in lines. 
Selfie with Denise Castañeda and Audrey Javier in the Altgeld Bell Tower on May 21, 2014. Crossed this off of our bucket lists. 
Chimesmaster Sue Wood playing those tunes. 
Selfie with Monique Marchwiany, Michael Zhang, Vanessa Burritt, and Alma on a night out on the campus on May 22, 2014. 
About to cross into Canada for the first time in my life, May 27, 2014. 
View of Toronto, Ontario, May 27, 2014. 
View of the CN Tower and Toronto, Ontario, May 27, 2014. 
I saw Niagara Falls for the first time on May 28, 2014. (photo by Michael Zhang) 
Seeing One World Trade Center in New York City May 29, 2014. 
Seeing the New York City at night from across the Hudson River on May 29, 2014. 
Final photos after moving out of Champaign residence after five years. 
Final photos after moving out of Champaign residence after five years. 
Photographed USTA Nationals for the fourth time. This year's location was Louisville, Ky. 
While photographing Nationals, I got to meet John Konstantaras' (TNTPix head photog) long-time buddy, Jose More. 
I also finally met (in-person) USTA Judge Marcy Makino, after years of intimidation of judges, and a full year of only chatting via facebook with her. 
On June 29, 2014, I helped out Pathum Karunaratne on a video shoot he had for a weapons training facility. One perk of the day was firing weapons for the first time. (note, the rifle was sighted for a longer distance which I didn't take into account, thus, my precision sans accuracy). 
Kids and their technology. Richelle shares her screen with Joseph as Rikka (left) plays a game on her phone before Mchenry's fireworks show on July 5, 2014. 
I was really glad of how this image turned out this year. 
Daryl Quitalig - For Shaw Media
Amelia Anderson, Crystal Lake Central alumna currently playing for Indiana, left, spikes a ball set by Abby Gilleland, Marian Central alumna currently playing for Ohio, right, during a BIP Adidas Midwest U-22 Team practice Sunday, July 6, 2014, in preparation for the upcoming 2014 European Global Challenge in Croatia. This was one of my first images published in the Northwest Herald. 
I remember when she was a young kid, and this summer, I took Jessica's senior portrait in Chicago, Ill. on Thursday, July 10, 2014. We got lucky with the weather that day. 
On Aug. 7, 2014, the McHenry kids in my family had a hotdog eating contest. Kyle won the belt and I'll save you the video of the competition. 
Group photo of the hot dog eating contestants. 
This year, my friend Kyle Roby proposed to his lovely (then) girlfriend. This made way for a bachelor party (my first) where one of the events of the weekend was an afternoon at Arlington Racetrack on Aug. 9, 2014. 
With my post-education employment, and thousands of dollars needed for repairs to the family Highlander, she was traded-in for a Toyota Camry on Sept. 13, 2014. We had her for about 13 years/110k miles. 
My first car purchase, a black 2014.5 Toyota Camry SE. 
Kyle and Mandi Roby's first dance as a married couple, Sept. 19, 2014. 
I went back to Canada, this time with my parents to celebrate a cousin's wedding. I was able to take them to Niagara Falls, as they haven't seen it until then themselves, Sept. 26, 2014. Michael Cunanan (pictured) and his family hosted us for the weekend. (photo by Maricris Quitalig) 
Also on this return trip, I was able to see and take a photo of Toronto at night. Seen here on Sept. 26, 2014. 
Madelaine Quitalig Cunanan and Brian Lalisan have their first dance at their reception on Sept. 27, 2014. 
Also on this return trip, saw and photographed Niagara Falls in the night. Here seen on Sept. 28, 2014. 
Oct. 25, 2014, I visited Champaign for the first time as an alum. Stacie Sansone and Kelly Pisanko (pictured) were my hosts and we took a late-fall trip to Curtis Orchard for some apple picking. 
My high school friends and I are a great group of people. Despite having very separate college paths, we can still have large gatherings with one another, such as this first Friendsgiving hosted by Matt Brophy, Adam Mennella, and Michael Herriges at their Chicago apartment. 
Thanksgiving 2014 at the Sacramento's on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. 
At Matt and Alex's "Ugly Sweater Party" in Lakemoor, Ill. on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. 
Christmas 2014 party at the Talusan's on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014. Many thanks to the Talusans for hosting another wonderful Christmas party! 
I finished off the year celebrating with two of my closest friends, Erin Nickels and Paige Friedlund. I'm a lucky man having these awesome, beautiful women in my life!