- [ ] Not only did I switch from Chid Life to Developmental Psychology, but as we all know, I ended up deferring my acceptance.
2.) Keep tabs on UCLA Happenings and attend more events – it’s my senior year!
- [~] While I did not really keep tabs, I did attend more events and ended my year with an event in Royce Hall.
3.) Have two more successful quarters for CEC and leave behind a positive legacy
- [X] It depends on what you define as “positive legacy”, but personally, I gave CEC my all and looking back, I’m proud of what I accomplished.
4.) Learn how to play “Stop This Train” on guitar
- [~] I took some steps towards this goal. I enrolled in guitar lessons and have learned a few songs including “Stay” by Rihanna.
5.) Take advantage of megabus’s $1 offer and take a semi-spontaneous trip to San Francisco
- [X] I did ride the Megabus, but to Vegas, not SF. It was definitely not spontaneous, not did it cost me a mere $1. More like that + 40 more smackaroos. And to be honest, it wasn’t as great as I was hoping it would be. (*Sidenote: But I DID take a spontaneous trip to Davis via the Amtrak and while it wasn’t cheap, it was an amazing trip with one of my best friends*)
6.) Take a trip to Las Vegas, post-21
- [X] Yessir and it was quite an experience.
7.) Exercise at least twice a week and slowly expand that to every day
- [~] This didn’t really kick in until the latter half of the year, but better late than never!
8.) Follow a healthier eating regimen – take multiple trips to Ralphs and be conscious of all foods
- [~] Still working on this, but I have definitely made changes in the houeshold. Now to get my mother to use brown rice instead of white.
9.) As always, go to at least one concert
- [X] Not only did I go to multiple concerts, but I attended the CONCERT of concerts – Coachella. Check and mate.
10.) Attempt to do better in school – whether this means, procrastinate less, prioritize/focus more, or simply, thrive in new setting
- [ ] I’m still working on this. Study smart, procrastinate less, concentration endurance – tips are welcome!
11.) Write consistently in this blog, every day, for the entire year
- [ ] Oh, I wrote this with the intention of having a separate 2013 blog that represented blogging for 365 days. But by Day 22 I realized that I didn’t have the time, nor that interesting of a life, to fulfill this.
12.) Finally close that “7-year” chapter and do what I need to do to move on.
- [X] Done and done.
13.) Never lose faith. Everything happens for a reason, so keep powering through.
- [X] Losing faith in life is like losing the will to live. With everything thrown at me this year, I think I’ve managed to say afloat, no?
6/13 done properly. 4/13 done so so. And 3 that were just not completed – but I wouldn’t count them as failures. 2013 will always be significant to me as this was the year I graduated UCLA and came out as a recipient of a Bachelor’s Degree.
This time last year, I was trying to rebuild an image that had been demolished by certain events. I wanted to keep moving forward despite all the signs telling me to slow down. This year, I’m hoping to discover myself and really focus on my emotional, physical, and psychological well-being, while keeping in mind of my friends and family who have been with me through thick and thin. Here’s to hoping that 2014 not only brings me one step closer to an acceptance to medical school, but an awareness of who I am .
One key lesson for the year:
Value yourself. The more you elevate your self-worth, the more you will attract what you desire.

Happy New Year,
A.
- “This Is The New Year” – A Great Big World