Goodbye 2009

I've been wanting to do a little recap of 2009 but I haven't gotten the chance until now to just sit down and reflect. 2009 was a 365 day emotional roller coaster. I think this is the year where I've had the most transformation as an individual. I started the year as a student completely dependent on my parents and now I am moved out, employed, and financially on my own. Started the year with an unhealthy relationship that was based on lies and ended the year with a brand new one (and one I am more happy about). The whole year was one to remember, but there were definitely several momentous events this past year.


UCDC


Oh DC, you were so good to me. I really don't think I could have gone at a better time. The weather was perfect, it was the start of a brand new administration, and it was a momentous year for my internship. The 10 weeks I was there was not smooth sailing. While in DC, I made some mistakes that forced me to evaluate who I was as a person. Overall, I think I came out a better person. Interning at the US-Asia Institute really fostered my interest for the APIA community and just being emerged in DC made me more political aware. I lost some great friends while I was at DC, but I also gained some new friends and experiences. Oh, and I also learned cherry blossoms only bloom for two weeks out of the whole year, and thank God I was there to witness the incredibly beauty. DC I hope we will meet again one day.



Graduation

"Your college tuition not only goes toward getting a degree, but you also pays for the experiences you gain" - Mommy

She said that to me before my freshman year, and damn was she right. I always joke around saying I flushed $25,372 down the college toilet and pooped out a BS degree (no, not Bachelor's of Science, the other BS). Everyday I think "what am I going to do with a degree in Sociology and International Studies", but I gained so much more in my four years at UC Irvine. Outside of the classroom I've learned some important lessons and skills: 1. how to drinking ungodly amounts, 2. traveling is the best textbook of life, and 3. the only way to live is to be proactive. On the other hand, I really wish I was much more active at UCI and contributed more to the school, but it does no good dwelling on that now. I'm so grateful for taking the opportunity to "study" abroad; hands down it was the best experience of my life. I'll be honest, I don't remember much of the material I've learned in the classrooms, but what I did learn is to make the best of every situation.



Employment

I started 2009 as a college student scared shitless about my future, and I end 2009 as an employed adult still scared shitless about my future. In this economy, I am completely grateful to have found gotten hooked up with a job. I've had a lot of work experience in the past, but this 7-5 job has definitely got me feel old. As my parents pile more financial responsibilities onto me, I am slowly feeling the burden of being an adult. The beginning of 2009 I thought finding a job would make me feel secure both financially and about my future; however, I feel far from secure. I realized after entering the workforce there is the constant battle between what I really want to do and what is available right now. I enjoy working at ReputationDefender and being part of a fast growing start up, but I definitely know this is not the career path I want to pursue. I am definitely excited for what 2010 has in store and where I will be at the end of this year.


Lovers and Friends


I've lived in three different places this year: DC, SoCal, and now NorCal. In the mist of all this moving and transitioning I've meet some amazing people and have also drifted away from many others. It's inevitable, people will come and go out of your lives. I finally ended a relationship that was barely holding on by a thread, but now I have a new amazing boyfriend who allows me to be myself and makes me feel like a princess. To both old and new friends: thank you for all the times we've spent together whether it be our late night talks or engaging with me in some drunken debauchery dancing. I look forward to what is in store for 2010 and I hope you guys will be there to share with me in these memories.