I can’t believe we’re at the end of another year. It feels like I was just preparing to enter my last semester of university and stressing over what post grad life would be.
Yet, here we are, back at the end of the year and the end of a decade! Looking back on 2019, I can definitely say that this year was a monumental one. I’ve experienced so many new things for the first time, which included many ups and downs. I’ve said this to a few people before but I feel like 2019 brought some of my highest highs and lowest lows.
Something that really resonated with me that I heard from a podcast or a video is that you go through your life in increments of 2 years. Where the first year is one where you try new things, and experience everything and essentially push yourself to go out of your comfort zone. Then the second year is where you slow down and revel in the strides you took in the first year and simply enjoy where you are now. After hearing this idea about how your life moves, I can definitely say that it’s applied to the last few years of my life. 2019 for me was one of the “first years” where I pushed the envelope and tried new things and I’m excited to see what these things will fuel in 2020.
This year, I experienced my last semester of undergrad and my last time living with my wonderful roommates. All those memories of studying and cooking and simply enjoying each other’s company will always be something I cherish deeply in my heart. This last semester of school definitely wasn’t my easiest but it was one of my most enjoyable. I think with many people’s last semester in school, the realization that this will soon be all over hits them a little too late, and they end up having to rush many ‘last’ university experiences. For me, I was lucky enough to experience a lot of my first and last classic ‘Western’ experiences, including drinking dollar beers at Jack’s and enjoying the last few potlucks I would have with my friends.
After I was done classes, I dashed off to Vancouver for a mini grad trip with one of my best friends. It was the first trip I’ve ever gone on with friends that wasn’t supervised or preplanned so it was up to us to determine how we wanted to spend our time in Vancouver. I think I fell in love with the city and nature, while we were there. Vancouver, I’ll be back for you, I promise.
Once I returned from Vancouver, I spent two week at home, living in a state of messiness since I hadn’t unpacked after moving home from school, and I still had to unpack from Vancouver and pack for my next trip. A month-long trip to Asia with my family consisted of lots of eating, sweating and walking! Whenever I get the chance to return to Asia to see extended family and to learn more about my culture, it brings me so much joy and really makes me more interested in my family and culture. Travelling with family always makes me a little frustrated but appreciative for them. At the last leg of my trip, I was able to spend some time with one of my best friends in Korea while she was there on exchange. I was able to enjoy the nightlife and become introduced to K-pop which was an incredibly eye-opening experience.
Upon returning from Asia, I started a full-time job at an organization that was a direct reflection of one part of me. I’m so grateful for my experience to re-immerse myself into the arts and the non-profit world. I learned so much in this job and was able to connect with so many incredible individuals while working at this organization. It also ignited my passion for the arts again and remind me of what I truly value in my life.
While that job was wonderful, it was unfortunately a contract position which left me unemployed after September. However, it let me go on an impromptu vacation with my mom that her company offered her. I got to spend four sunny days in Cancun, Mexico and got to enjoy drinking, eating and laying out with my mom. During this vacation, I really let myself relax for the first time in a long time and because I knew that once I returned, I would be thrown back into the real world that held many responsibilities for me.
Then I got started at my current job, at a start up social media marketing agency! My first full-time position in a completely new environment compared to my previous workplaces. It still amazes me today that I’m surrounded by an incredible team and I have the ability to create such amazing work with them. With moving offices and lots of change in December, I’m excited to see what we have in store for 2020!
Lastly, I wanted to reflect back on the relationships I’ve had with the people in my life. I’m so glad to have experienced everything that I did with all the people I encountered in 2019. Although it wasn’t always the easiest, I’m certain that they’ve all happened in order to bring to light something about myself that I didn’t know before. Sometimes the hardest decisions are the ones that will have the most effect on you and it takes a lot of thinking and pondering to determine what is truly important to you and what you value in your life before you can make those decisions. And maybe even after you’ve made the decision, you may question yourself. But trust me, please stick to your gut and your values and it will all pan out. It always works out. I’m incredibly grateful for the people I have in my life and I know that the people I have in my life are those that I truly cherish and value.
This was a long reflection but I’m glad that I was able to recap all the amazing things that 2019 brought me! Now it’s time to build upon all these amazing experiences and push myself further. Happy new year and new decade, loves.
