Happy (belated) New Year everyone! And happy back to school for some of you. I decided to do a review of my life in the last decade to see how much (or how little) things have changed over ten years.
In 2000, I attended my last semester of elementary school in China (scarring Grade 3), got glasses, flew across the world, immigrated to Canada, started a new school not knowing any English, and got bullied in school for said lack of English skills.
In 2001, I made a five-minute speech in front of 500 people (take that, ESL), changed elementary schools, went on a camping retreat without parents for the first time, realized school was a piece of cake, watched Sailor Moon every single day at lunch, and used the self-check out aisle at a supermarket for the first time.
In 2002, I created a MSN account which I still use today, used Netzero dialup to get online, made my first website, changed two more schools, learned to ski (and was laughed at by the ski instructor for lack of ability), went to my first middle school dance and danced awkwardly with a boy with sufficient space between us, and hosted too many sleepover slumber parties to count.
In 2003, I prided myself on having the same bologna sandwich every day at lunch for three years running, got addicted to a gameboy for the first time, DISCOVERED HARRY POTTER, played in the park after school, went to church regularly, and visited Quebec.
In 2004, I moved across the country to the West Coast, lamented my school placements, took public transit for the first time by myself, went back to China, was addicted to Runescape, and shared a one bedroom flat with my parents.
In 2005, I started PreIB (changed schools, again), memorized half of Homer’s Odyssey, found out that hot overhead projectors had negative impacts on teachers, and may have moved to Richmond.
In 2006, PreIB merged into IB and life was taking its toll. I remember nothing from this period other than starting a job at McDonald’s at another at a Call Center, simultaneously.
In 2007, I discovered the wonders of fashion, toiled away for my extended essay, had a few more jobs, studied for SATs, applied for universities, became disillusioned with IB, and started a relationship.
In 2008, I passed IB, went back to China but came back before the Olympics, worked two jobs during the summer, cried too much, almost went to Berkeley, got contacts, had a crazy time at Frosh, blogged joyfully, and over-involved myself in extra-curriculars.
In 2009, I juggled jobs, academics, and extra-curriculars; my bank account hit $10 000 for the first time, but a few days later it was cut in half due to tuition, started a relationship, transferred to Cornell, embarked on whirlwind trips to NYC, Boston, Kingston, Toronto, and Syracuse, lived in dorms for the first time, did laundry for the first time (ha!), and came back to Vancouver and had the best winter holiday EVER … for the most part.
Hello new decade. I wonder what surprises you bring.
Sophomore year is moving along at a slow pace so far.