Goodbye 2008
What a year it's been. I've learned and grown so much this past year that I really don't know where to start. Looking back on my past entries, it's kind of sad that I've kept no more than 30 entries on perhaps the most exciting, fulfilling year of my life thus far. However, I am very thankful for the entries that I did keep. They're all very detailed and help me remember everything as if they've just happened yesterday.
It's been a very dramatic year to say the least. Not just with me individually but with world affairs. From the election to Olympics in Beijing, this year seems like a milestone in so many different ways.
For me personally, there were highs and lows and honestly, this has gotta be the more exciting year I've experienced. Maybe it's all the traveling. Maybe it was the boy. But there were definitely more highs than lows. I think my life before this year could best be described as mediocre, very stable, content and level, so there were no big rises and of course no big falls.
Now I know what it's like to fly sooo very high. The higher you get, the harder you fall right? Even then, I think the joy is all worth it. I don't regret anything I've done the past year and if I could do it all over again in the exact same way, I would. Without changing a thing.
I know that life will never be quite the same for me because of this year, and so with the new year, I want to make some resolutions. The next year will also be a transition for me. I will graduate in May, then spend two months in Spain (that's the plan), after that, I will start my job as an associate consultant with Clarkston consulting. My first real job, the first step I take into the world. A new life, a lot of unknowns.
I know I will be able to face anything after my experiences this year. So, even if life ahead might seem scary, rigid, I refuse to be just a cog in the machine. I want to be able to truly live my life. And I'd want to think that having a job doesn't limit that, but rather, adds to it.
I want to be able to face everyday with the same open-mindedness, spontaneity, joy and passion that surrounded me when I was abroad. I want to achieve my goal and get places with the same certainty I had when I recruited this semester. I want to remain positive, instead of sulking, trudging or simply dreaming, I know that I can do anything I put my heart and mind into. It's served me well so far, and I know as long as I believe, things will all fall into place.
I want to be a better daughter. This includes being more patient, spending more time with my family, doing more simple things for my parents. It's always easier said than done, but I will try my best.
I want to stay fit. Getting back to the same o lazy US lifestyle has been challenging. I really liked the way I felt when I was in Europe, I felt more energized because I was eating healthier and led a better lifestyle. I'm not letting myself go when I start working. Oh no... still gotta stay flllyyyy =)
I want to stay humble. I need to remember always, that I am very lucky and very blessed in so many ways. Sometimes, you need to put things in perspective just to see how much you have compared to others. Humility, compassion and grace, if only we all had a little bit more of each, life would be more delightful =)
I want to continue pursuing my hobbies, never giving up dreams, even if they seem crazy. I want to paint, I want to design, I want to sing, I want to dance, I want to cook, I want to design and play video games, I want to play more tennis. Etc....
I want to make those around me happy. But also remember to make myself happy once in awhile too =P
Last, but not least, I want next year to top this one. I want to experience more. In fact, I know I will and I know it'll be an even better year.
Love,
-Maria
It's been a very dramatic year to say the least. Not just with me individually but with world affairs. From the election to Olympics in Beijing, this year seems like a milestone in so many different ways.
For me personally, there were highs and lows and honestly, this has gotta be the more exciting year I've experienced. Maybe it's all the traveling. Maybe it was the boy. But there were definitely more highs than lows. I think my life before this year could best be described as mediocre, very stable, content and level, so there were no big rises and of course no big falls.
Now I know what it's like to fly sooo very high. The higher you get, the harder you fall right? Even then, I think the joy is all worth it. I don't regret anything I've done the past year and if I could do it all over again in the exact same way, I would. Without changing a thing.
I know that life will never be quite the same for me because of this year, and so with the new year, I want to make some resolutions. The next year will also be a transition for me. I will graduate in May, then spend two months in Spain (that's the plan), after that, I will start my job as an associate consultant with Clarkston consulting. My first real job, the first step I take into the world. A new life, a lot of unknowns.
I know I will be able to face anything after my experiences this year. So, even if life ahead might seem scary, rigid, I refuse to be just a cog in the machine. I want to be able to truly live my life. And I'd want to think that having a job doesn't limit that, but rather, adds to it.
I want to be able to face everyday with the same open-mindedness, spontaneity, joy and passion that surrounded me when I was abroad. I want to achieve my goal and get places with the same certainty I had when I recruited this semester. I want to remain positive, instead of sulking, trudging or simply dreaming, I know that I can do anything I put my heart and mind into. It's served me well so far, and I know as long as I believe, things will all fall into place.
I want to be a better daughter. This includes being more patient, spending more time with my family, doing more simple things for my parents. It's always easier said than done, but I will try my best.
I want to stay fit. Getting back to the same o lazy US lifestyle has been challenging. I really liked the way I felt when I was in Europe, I felt more energized because I was eating healthier and led a better lifestyle. I'm not letting myself go when I start working. Oh no... still gotta stay flllyyyy =)
I want to stay humble. I need to remember always, that I am very lucky and very blessed in so many ways. Sometimes, you need to put things in perspective just to see how much you have compared to others. Humility, compassion and grace, if only we all had a little bit more of each, life would be more delightful =)
I want to continue pursuing my hobbies, never giving up dreams, even if they seem crazy. I want to paint, I want to design, I want to sing, I want to dance, I want to cook, I want to design and play video games, I want to play more tennis. Etc....
I want to make those around me happy. But also remember to make myself happy once in awhile too =P
Last, but not least, I want next year to top this one. I want to experience more. In fact, I know I will and I know it'll be an even better year.
Love,
-Maria