2024 Recap

12/31/24

January

Song: Slow Burn - Infinity Song

I started my second semester of freshman year and entered a logo design contest, where I placed second. My area got hit with an arctic blast, and we had a great freeze! I was a little shocked when I got back due to the lack of events on campus, but I didn't let it get the best of me. My favorite memory from January is looking out the windows of the building where my Cal II recitation was held on quiet mornings.

February

Song: Eye of a Needle - The Art of Noise

I celebrated my birthday with some strawberry cheesecake and attended a hackathon. My team didn't place, but I had fun talking with my members. I gave chocolates to a friend on Valentine's Day, which also shared its date with Ash Wednesday. I also went on a date w/ someone. I reached a 400-day streak on Duolingo! I also volunteered to help with an event designed for stem-interested youth this month. My favorite memory from February was eating my slice of strawberry cheesecake.

March

Song: Apple Trees - Ozma

I experienced Spring Break for the first time in college. During this time I also watched Robot Dreams, which is a brilliant movie. I also participated in Super Tuesday, so that was the first time I voted. I was elected senator for the student org I'm a part of and attended the Spring Fair, which had a bunch of typical fair rides. I also participated in a Holi celebration with my friend. I also watched the second-to-last episode of Murder Drones. I also received a mentor at this time. Getting color powder smeared all over me was fun, and it's my favorite memory from March.

April

Song: Laura - Brian Bennett

Had three tests all on the same day. I spoke with my mentor for the first time. I enjoyed my first formal event and had to shop for a dress. Went on a date again, but with another person. We enjoyed some good ice cream, and my relationship with him has rocked my world this year. Ooh, also I got to witness the (partial in my area) eclipse. My favorite memory is walking home from the formal event with the guy I mentioned.

May

I returned home from college and passed my exams, after a rough moveout due to having too much stuff. Finished watching the Big O (great show, btw). My sister and I made Lego roses for my mother on Mother's Day. I visited my old math teacher from high school and discussed college life. I also started my Engineering Statistics class at the end of the month. My favorite memory, funnily enough, is singing an Easter song in a beautiful church in the throes of Spring lol.

Song: Cardiac Arrest - Madness

June

I continued my course (and finished it) and bought a few things that are now wardrobe staples. I also accepted a higher role in my organization. I watched Top Gun with my dad and my sister and enjoyed the warm fuzzy quality of its picture. Things got quite romantic with the leadership guy. I put together a newsletter template for the student org I work for, which I still use. I got a bad haircut, lol. I also downloaded an emulator and now have Tomodachi Life on my computer. I also ate a lot of popsicles around this time. My favorite memory from June is watching Top Gun.

Song: Sweat - Oingo Boingo

July

Downloaded and enjoyed ZZZ. I'm also sure I watched Kaiju No. 8 around this time (again, good anime). I also enjoyed watermelon and some other midsummer goodies and visited my extended family. Speaking of, I helped celebrate my grandmother's birthday. My family shopped for a car for me, and by the end of the month, I was driving one home. My favorite memory from July is driving home in my new car blasting my Takanaka CD.

Song: Los Pollos Hermanos (Hemmi Edit) - Knucks 

August

Song: Monkey Moves - Nelward

I helped install seats in the local stadium one last time. I suddenly returned to campus and moved into my new apartment after my mom called. I watched the final episode of Murder Drones, which was a little sad since it had been releasing episodes since my junior year of high school. To my surprise, I was told I was going to assume one of the highest roles in the student org. I attended a cookout with my friend. My favorite memory from August was watching Murder Drones conclude.

September

Song: Donny Don Flip - Efan & Mavros

Classes went smoothly (mostly). I failed my digital logic circuits exam and had to look for new housing. I also enjoyed participating in my student org's leadership retreat. I got soaked at a football game due to extremely rainy weather. My family came to visit me, and I had the best blueberry cheesecake ever. I also attended my college's career fair. My favorite memory from September was probably that cheesecake and how the stadium lights looked in the rain.

October

Song: I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams - Weezer

I went out with my friends for dinner and had an amazing time just eating and chatting. I did barre to fund breast cancer research and drank boba with the group. I also went home for a short break and enjoyed being in the warmth of my own home and space. I met up with my team to enjoy some time in a local pumpkin patch. Also, I went to a study night where one of our leaders accidentally ordered too many pizzas, so I got to take a few home. My friends and I went to a Halloween party, but it was mid. I dressed up as a butterfly for Halloween. My favorite memory from October is the time my friends went out for dinner. (Being home is a close second)

November

Song: I Should Be Allowed to Think - They Might Be Giants

Dealt with another round of exams. I went to my very first conference. (Only a few women went :() However, I enjoyed my time at the women's engagement we were able to finally get off the ground. I also participated in my first Friendsgiving and made my own treat, though it looked like crap (literally lol). During the break, I enjoyed laying on my back in the comfort of my own home watching a football game that went into 7 overtimes while eating pizza and chips with onion dip. I also went shopping during the break for business casual clothes and went to a mall I hadn't visited since 2019. I ate some good food this month (pancakes from the women's engagement and salmon from the conference). My favorite memory from November was enjoying the football game in my own home.

December

Song: HITO Mania - Haraguchi Sasuke

Completed my finals and passed my classes, even though for a second I thought I didn't. Watched my sister's last winter choir concert. I watched Christmas Vacation, which was an interesting and funny movie. I did some last-minute Christmas shopping and took probably my favorite Christmas pajama picture. I opened presents on Christmas Day and ended up getting a mini football helmet as a present! I'm now assuming more responsibility for my leadership role. I also built an Xbox 360 out of Mega Blocks, which is probably my favorite memory from this month.

Some Reflection

What was an unexpected joy this past year?

An unexpected joy from 2024 was probably the car I was gifted, and also probably ZZZ lol. I knew both these things were coming in the back of my mind, but they still surprised me nonetheless. I'm super grateful for my car and hope to continue to take care of it. I also hope to continue to play more ZZZ without getting too sucked into it. Oh, and passing a class I thought I failed! That's probably the most fitting one, lol.

Pick three words to describe this past year.

Here's how I would describe 2024: Variable, lucid, and green (yes, really lol).

What is one habit or routine you’d like to start in 2025? 

One habit I would like to start in 2025 is practicing three code problems each week. I gotta get that bag!

What is one way you can be kinder to yourself in 2025? 

One way I'm thinking of being kinder is by recognizing and reframing negative self-talk. Also, taking care of myself both physically (especially my diet) and mentally (more meditation). That's two (or three) but who cares lol

General Thoughts and Rambles:

Compared to 2023, 2024 was not as great. That's not to say that it was bad, though. The ups and downs of 2024 were felt more strongly compared to past years. It was also apparent during this year that things were and are still changing: we had quite the warm fall, my relationship with my family is changing, and I am getting further into my studies and making more of my own decisions. There are some things to look forward to in 2025: I'm going to have spent two decades alive, and some new shows and other stuff will be coming out. There are also some goals that I didn't meet, especially not getting a job. I hope to get one in 2025 (for real this time). One thing I haven't mentioned yet is my sudden disappearance, which I will get to in another blog post. Also, I think it's cool that 2025 is divisible by 25. 25 is considered a pretty important/"perfect" number, so I'm curious if it will bring something special. We'll just have to see. Here's to 2025!