Another year down in the books! As I reflect a bit upon the year, try to decide what to write, and realize I don’t quite have my website best designed for a really long post, I remember that I mainly do these Year(s) in Review for myself, as a quick look back at my year through the photos I’ve made, and not as much as an in-depth breakdown of the year. Eventually, I’ll get back into slightly more consistent posting for each event after they happen. Until then, I will at least give a small insight into what I’ve thought about, looking back at 2018:
(admittedly, I had a pretty decent writeup already going, but I’m not a writer-type and I really do want to keep this err-ing on the shorter side, so I deleted that all, and re-wrote it to the gist of what I wanted to reflect on.)
After reflecting on 2018, this has really hit me: the people in your life truly affect you. (“Obviously, Daryl” is what you’re thinking. Right? Hear me out a little.) As I’ve said in previous years, for those of you newer in my life and to my site, I deeply believe in “everything happens for a reason” and that every moment, every decision you make has effects down the line.
At the core of it, life is all about humans interacting with other humans. People will come and go. Some will have a minor affect and be short-term realizations. The deeper cuts will have rather major affects. The beauty of it is this can happen even with the most simple of interactions. 2018 gave me some of these, which brought (at the time) simple choices, but those ended up being rather major changes in this life of mine. 2009-Daryl would have never guessed what 2019-Daryl is doing/has planned, 그런데 여한이 없다. I have no regrets. You may never know what affect you have in another’s life, but it’s quite possible your imapact may be greater than anticipated or envisioned.
I don’t think I do this enough, but I truly thank every one of you that made 2018 what it was. It, of course, had its ups and downs (cliché, yes), but every moment of it, every experience, brought up a lesson to learn or a memory to be had. I’m glad to have y’all around me! Cheers to 2019!
Jeein Kim smiles while I visit her at work at Handsome Bakery in Schaumburg, Ill., Jan. 6, 2018. 
Vanessa Burritt poses for a photo while enjoying coffee at Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicago, Ill., Jan.13, 2018. 
Ariana is on jack stands as she prepares for a new suspension installation, Jan. 20, 2018. This was my first major modification I did on a vehicle and a very rewarding self-installation! 
Outtake before pausing a remote camera while it continuously captured us playing hockey during Man Weekend Episode VI: Return of the Snow Marg, Minocqua, Wisc., Jan. 26, 2018. 
Dewey Johnson miscalculates a sledding pass and squares up on a tree during Man Weekend Episode VI: Return of the Snow Marg, Minocqua, Wisc., Jan. 26, 2018. 
My first time target shooting at a shooting range, Arbor Vitae, Wisc., Jan. 27, 2018. (Photo by Matt Brophy/Daryl Quitalig) 
Johnsburg guard Zach Toussaint (14) shoots the ball in the fourth quarter of an IHSA Class 3A Boys Basketball Regional Final at Marengo High School, Marengo, Ill., March 2, 2018. Johnsburg won, 64-52. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Johnsburg forward Mason Sobiesk (10) celebrates with the IHSA Class 3A Boys Basketball Regional Final plaque after defeating Richmond-Burton 64-52 at Marengo High School, Marengo, Ill., March 2, 2018. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Group photo with the family, when we visited Jeremy Sacramento at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, March 10, 2018. 
Kai Xi Wang's Toyota 86, Ariana, Alex Cartegena's Scion FR-S, and Yuki Igi's Subaru BRZ photoshoot in the Buffalo Grove, IL area March 18, 2018. 
2017/Kouki Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ Chi-town 86 members lined up for a group photo at the Chitown Subarus: The Big Meet in Addison, Ill., April 28, 2018. 
Me half-donning my Maui attire at the 2018 Season Opener in Chicago, Ill., May 6, 2018. With the long hair and having dressed up as Maui for Halloween 2017, I acquired the nickname of Maui. 
Chi-town 86 members after the 2018 Season Opener in Chicago, Ill., May 6, 2018. 
Kai Xi Wang took this portrait of me as the last photo with my long hair. May 9, 2018, I went to Salon Yangmi in Glenview, Ill., to cut my hair after 2.33 years of officially growing out. I was able to donate 13" to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. 
Graduate Jenna Ward, 17, of Crystal Lake, sits on the ground on her phone amidst a sea of fellow graduates before the Crystal Lake Central Class of 2018 Commencement, May 19, 2018 in Crystal Lake, Ill. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
The newly graduated Crystal Lake Central Class of 2018 walks out of the Fieldhouse after the Commencement Ceremony, May 19, 2018 in Crystal Lake, Ill. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Huntley's AJ Henkle (2) celebrates with a gesture after a double in the third inning of the IHSA class 4A sectional final baseball game against Barrington at Peterson Park, McHenry, Ill., June 2, 2018. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Huntley piles up on pitcher Nick Laxner (24, bottom-right) after winning the IHSA class 4A sectional final baseball game, 7-1, against Barrington at Peterson Park, McHenry, Ill.,June 2, 2018. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Ariana at sunrise near the beach in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fla., June 17, 2018. 
Ariana before taking a pass at the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, N.C., June 6, 2018, 
Ariana before a Coffee Haus meet in Schaumburg, Ill., July 2, 2018. 
Kai Xi Wang's Toyota 86 and Ariana photoshoot during a Fourth of July Koukout at Buffalo Grove, Ill., July 4, 2018. 
Chansey Brandon and Decker Ouansey at Coffee Haus in Schaumburg, Ill., July 11, 2018. 
Nathaniel Sajo poses with me at Coffee Haus in Schaumburg, Ill., July 11, 2018. (photo by Kurdi/Daryl Quitalig) 
Kyle James celebrates with his award at the Hope For The Day Barbecruise at Hickory Creek Preserve in Mokena, Ill., July 15, 2018. 
Alicia Bae sits on her BMW S1000RR while chatting at Coffee Haus in Schaumburg, Ill., July 25, 2018. 
Ken Hoffmeyer assists in trying to open up Issac Guerra's car, after the keys were accidentally locked inside, during a Dawgs Meet at Busse Woods Forest Preserve in Elk Grove Village, Ill., July 28, 2018. 
Ariana, Kai Xi Wang's Toyota 86, and Ben Quiaoit's Toyota 86 photoshoot in Buffalo Grove, Ill., July 30, 2018. 
A summer's sunset is able to be seen after a major rainstorm at Coffee Haus in Schaumburg, Ill., Aug. 1, 2018. 
Lewis Cafaro jokingly demonstrates squeegee-ing technique after a rainstorm at Coffee Haus in Schaumburg, Ill., Aug. 1, 2018. 
Post-dinner selfie with Kathi Kerkove in Libertyville, Ill., Aug. 2, 2018. 
Ken Hoffmeyer poses for a portrait on his Subaru WRX STi as he eats dinner in Elk Grove Village, Ill., Aug. 3, 2018. 
Katie Kowall poses with her foil-ed desk after returning to work after a short vacation, Aug. 7, 2018. 
I sit on David Kusper's newly acquired motorcycle at Coffee Haus in Schaumburg, Ill., Aug. 8, 2018. (photo by Ben Quiaoit/Daryl Quitalig) 
Ken Hoffmeyer (left) and Alicia Bae paint Alicia & KP's new place Aug. 18, 2018. 
Group selfie at a pool day at Erin and Michael's apartment, Aug. 25, 2018. 
Cary-Grove receiver Quinn Priester (12) in the third quarter of the football game at Crystal Lake Central High School, Crystal Lake, Ill., Aug. 31, 2018. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Crystal Lake Central linebacker Thomas Keene (19) intercepts a pass intended for Crystal Lake South wide receiver Mert Imeroski (6) in the first quarter of the football game at Crystal Lake South High School, Crystal Lake, Ill., Sept. 7, 2018. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Crystal Lake South offensive lineman Trevor Keegan (58) celebrates a sack on Huntley quarterback Christopher Raffin (2) in the third quarter of the football game at Crystal Lake South High School, Crystal Lake, Ill., Sept. 21, 2018. Crystal Lake South won on Homecoming, 48-7. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Dundee-Crown wide receiver Jordan Hairston (24) makes a catch in the first quarter of the football game at Cary-Grove High School, Cary, Ill., Sept. 22, 2018. Cary-Grove won on Homecoming, 55-15. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Dundee-Crown wide receiver Jordan Hairston (24) catches a pass in the first quarter of the football game at Dundee-Crown High School, Carpentersville, Ill.,Sept. 28, 2018. Dundee-Crown won on Homecoming, 22-20. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Dundee-Crown running back Ricky Ibarra (21) fights for extra yards on a run in the first quarter of the football game at Dundee-Crown High School, Carpentersville, Ill., Sept. 28, 2018. Dundee-Crown won on Homecoming, 22-20. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Richmond-Burton receiver Nicholas Legnaioli (35) catches a pass in the second quarter of the football game at Woodstock High School, Woodstock, Ill.,Oct. 5, 2018. With 11:25 remaining in the third quarter, the game was called with Richmond-Burton winning, 35-3. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Richmond-Burton defensive linemen Kyle Curran (72) and Nicholas Ross (66) sack Woodstock quarterback Michael Purkey (7) in the second quarter of the football game at Woodstock High School, Woodstock, Ill.,Oct. 5, 2018. With 11:25 remaining in the third quarter, the game was called with Richmond-Burton winning, 35-3. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Dundee-Crown senior Adam Swanson celebrates just before finishing the boys race during the Fox Valley Conference Cross Country Meet at Hampshire High School, Hampshire, Ill., Oct. 13, 2018. Swanson finished in first place with a time of 15:41.9. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
For Halloween 2018, I dressed up as the Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, seen in his 90s photograph that's widely circulated the internet. 
Audrey Javier (bottom left) was in town for a weekend, so us old friends from college all got together and had lunch at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! in Chicago, Ill., Nov. 11, 2018. 
Remy Mortell is seen dining amongst his father's friends during Friendsgiving V hosted at the Mortell residence in McHenry, Ill., Nov. 17, 2018. 
Group photo at Friendsgiving V hosted at the Mortell residence in McHenry, Ill., Nov. 17, 2018. 
Dec. 15, 2018, I tackled making my own homemade kimchi, and my extra self of course had to take advantage of my label maker. 
Dec. 21, 2018, I gave Jeein Kim a Christmas gift, and unknowingly to me, she had a gift for me in return: the scarf I'm wearing here. So after dessert at Handsome Bakery in Schaumburg, Ill., she took this photo of me (since I thought I looked nice that day, and her scarf made my outfit too!). 
Conducted by Russ Henning, an applied french horn instructor at McHenry County College, the Woodstock Festival Brass Ensemble performs during the Woodstock Holiday Brass Concert at Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, Ill., Dec. 22, 2018. (Daryl Quitalig/Shaw Media) 
Non-participants proclaim Jeremy Sacramento and Hannah Talusan winners of the gingerbread house construction contest at the Family Christmas Party 2018 at the Sacramento's on Dec. 24, 2018. 
Finger hearts group photo with the kids at the Family Christmas Party 2018 at the Sacramento's on Dec. 24, 2018.