My Year: Reviewed
Chinese New Year has come and gone again.
Maybe it was because we made dumplings from scratch again this year, or because the New Year Gala really got to me, or because it was the first year I handed out red envelopes, but something about this Lunar New Year has left me in the mood to reminisce.
So, allow me to take you along as I reflect upon my past year, month-by-month.
January is dedicated to Emily, Krista, and Jaykub.
I hope you all have people in your life who make you feel at HOME(room). You three consistently inspire me with your endless creativity and passion. I can't wait to read your pieces this month. Thank you for allowing me to bare my soul to y’all, it’s your constant support during the writing process that keeps me going. I’m glad I got to be with you three in Homeroom this past January.
February is dedicated to my mom.
I hope you all have someone in your life who will give you advice at any time about anything. Thank you for teaching me the importance of being able to laugh at yourself when things go awry. I think this past year, I’ve fully learned just how right you are about everything. There is no one else I’d rather figure out Hawaii’s public transport system with, how to best store 40 donuts that were bought spontaneously, or how bad of an idea it is to hike up a steep mountain in 90-degree weather with. Thank you for going to Hawaii on a whim with me this past February.
March is dedicated to my dad.
I hope you all have someone in your life who pushes you to be the best version of yourself. Thank you for always dragging me on nightly walks and for making me drink those after-dinner smoothies (potions). I appreciate you always being there for me and for making me laugh whenever I’m taking life too seriously. While you might not be able to help me with my STEM classes, I’m grateful that you care enough to always try. I’m glad we’re continuing the birthday lottery ticket tradition every March.
April is dedicated to Jolene, Clarissa, and Bella.
I hope you all have people in your life who get you through those weed-out classes. Thank you for being my favorite study buddies and for always being down to hole up in Pop Health because we procrastinated on our assignments. Thank you for exploring the cafes of Seattle with me as we try to find JUST ONE PLACE that has outlets and isn't crowded. I’m glad we sat next to each other this past April.
May is dedicated to Adi.
I hope you all have a best friend in your life as wonderful as her, someone you can grow old with. Thank you for flying back to Washington to surprise me for my birthday and for curing me of my Spring Quarter Slump. Thank you for booking us a night at that hotel — with the best cantaloupe I’ve ever had, the coolest ten-year-old swimmer ever, and the queen-sized bed that swallowed us whole. You are my for-lifer and the best part of my ten-year plan. I can't wait to move to London with you. Thank you for the best birthday I’ve ever had this past May.
June is dedicated to Swaraj and Galina.
I hope you all have people in your life who would wander every aisle of a grocery store with you. You two are my favorite adventure buddies, and whenever I'm with y'all time doesn't feel real. Who else would agree to swim with me on a whim, even though they haven't swam in four years? Thank you both for embodying the "if you like it, I love it" energy. You two are the funniest people I've ever met and I would do anything for you guys. Thanks for going to the pool and running at Watershed with me this past June.
July is Pranathi, Mackenzie, Rachel, and Arianna.
I hope you all have people in your life that you've been friends with since middle school. I still can't believe that we've known each other for twelve years, you guys have truly seen me at my very worst, and I genuinely owe all my character development to y’all. No matter where life takes us, I know that we'll be friends forever.I’m grateful we were all finally together in Redmond this past July.
August is dedicated to Alex and Angelina.
I hope you have people in your life who have your back in any situation. Thank you for taking me to all the hole-in-the-wall spots in Seattle and for sharing all the new recipes y'all try out. Your dinner parties are by far the best I've ever been to and you guys are just so effortlessly cool. I appreciate you both for always being there for me. Thank you for adventuring with me all throughout the Eastside this past August.
September is dedicated to Stuart.
I hope you have a sibling who would do anything with you. Thank you for always offering to cook and bake with me. Thank you for also killing all the spiders that somehow wander into our bathroom that I’m too afraid to even look at. Even if you weren't my brother, I'd still find you to be the coolest person I know. I'd come to support you at any swim meet, any time. I still can’t believe you officially became a high schooler this past September, I can’t wait to see what you accomplish this next year.
October is dedicated to Vicky and Cameron.
I hope you have people in your life who give you hope for the future. You guys are my favorite seniors, and I'd gladly take y’all on a tour of UW again, anytime. I can't wait to see you thrive in the CS program, and make it your own. I know you both will change the world, so don't be afraid to fall in love with it while you're at it. You guys will soon learn that it’s not lame to care about things, if anything this quality is what makes you cooler. I’m excited to see you both grow into yourselves and achieve everything that you dreamed of. Thank you for visiting me this past October, I love you guys.
November is Vasil and Sarah.
I hope you all have people in your life who teach you how to find the joy in simply being alive. You both are definitely golden retrievers and I admire the endless optimism you guys possess. Thank you both for always encouraging me to commit to the bit. Frankly, I am always in awe of how you both continuously are able to out-silly me. The world is definitely a brighter place with the two of you in it. Thank you both for being the best dinner buddies I could’ve asked for this past November.
December is dedicated to Sherwin, Sania, Jaiden, and John.
I hope you all have people in your life who inspire you with their desire to make the world a better place. I can't wait to go to Brewster with y'all and teach middle schoolers rocket science. There's no one else I'd rather create last-minute lesson plans or miraculously durable terrariums with. Surely we are the best STEM ASB team ever … I’m thankful Sherwin told me to apply to the program this school year, you guys made this winter quarter the best one yet.
I give this past year five stars (out of five), not because it was perfect, but because I am in love with this world and the people in it. And, to rate this year as anything less than five would be a direct disservice to all those who have changed my life.
After all, who I am now is a direct culmination of everyone who I’ve ever loved and everyone who has ever loved me.
Thank you for everything: I honestly don’t think I would’ve made it through this past year without all of you.
My dear reader, cherish your five-star people and don’t take them for granted. I hope that you have the privilege of keeping them close forever.
May your love for them and their love for you carry you far into this next year.
Happy New Year, and I’ll see you again soon <3,
Emily
