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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

On Junior Year

They say junior year is the hardest year of high school, and based on my experience from the past year, I'd have to agree. I also think, however, that it was the best year. Junior year was a rollercoaster in every way possible, and I thought it would be fun to reflect on a few of the aspects that had the biggest influence on my junior year. Also I chose some of my fave pictures from this year to break up the text!

Academics
School was hard this year. My classes challenged me, which was good, and I found that I was capable of a lot more than I thought. I took Calculus this year, and I really struggled first semester, not just with the material, but with learning in my teacher's teaching style as well. I honestly gave up towards the end of the semester, and I didn't have a ton of motivation. I really wanted a fresh start second semester, so I put everything from first semester behind me and worked my butt off and ended up getting a solid A second semester, which made me really happy! To be honest, there were other academic successes and failures, but this made the biggest impact on me, and it's what I'm the most proud of.

 selfie with the principal is a must. 

Extra- Curriculars
This year, I was able to cut down on some extraneous activities, and focus on things that really mattered to me. One thing I regret doing is quitting piano, but hopefully I’ll be able to get back to it, even recreationally, this summer and throughout next year, because it’s definitely a stress-reliever. Personally, I feel like I grew a lot as a leader this year- I learned how to charm people, how to work with others even if you don’t necessarily have the best relationship, and how to balance a workload. Hopefully I’ll be able to continue this next year- super excited for this! I have also been loving working at my lab in San Francisco! I actually really like the train commute, because there’s no Wifi, so I can write or read without distractions from the internet. It’s been amazing to meet so many inspiring people at the lab, and to see how I’m starting to understand more and more of what is going on. I remember going into a meeting on my first day and wondering what the heck I was getting myself into. I still have those moments, but they’re much less frequent.


Friends
I firmly believe that the people who stick with you when times are tough, or when things are stressful, are the ones who will stick with you for life. I feel like the friends I made and kept through this year, are definitely diamonds in the rough, because they are all such sweet, caring people. I can call them when I’m worried about something, and they’ll just drop everything and talk me through it. They know when I have important things coming up, and always ask me how it’s going. It’s not ever awkward around any of them, and we never run out of things to say or do, and I just love that feeling. Also, this is a little on the lighter side, but you know you’re best friends with someone when instead of smiling at them in the hallway you make the ugliest face possible no matter what the people around you might think.

Family
My mom always says that there is no one who loves and supports me more than my family, and I agree completely. Yes, some times there is tension at home- but let’s be real- my parents are business owners, and on top of all the stuff that’s going on at home, they’re responsible for the livelihood of almost 200 people in the US and overseas, so there are bound to be some stressful days. I might not say it enough, but I love my family, and all of our quirky traditions. They have been so supportive this year, whether that means making me cups upon cups of tea when I’m studying at midnight, or always willing to drive me somewhere, they’re the best.
clearly my junior year fashion sense revolved around comfort.
Blog
It may sound silly, but this blog is a big part of my life. I’m a social creature, so just journaling and writing my thoughts down for myself isn’t necessarily enough for me. I like the fact that I have my own little slice of the Internet to write whatever I please. I like that there is one thing in my life that I can do on my own terms- nothing is for credit, has to have a certain number of words, or has to be in a certain format. It’s all up to me, and I like it that way. I know that my ability to articulate myself has increased immensely because of the this blog and what I’ve written here, and I treasure that ability as I start the college application process.

So, that’s it. Another year in the books. I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who made my junior year so very special, and here’s to hoping senior year is even better!

Xo, Hima

Sidenote: I’m waiting for the train right now and I’m SO distracted by all the people walking by. Maybe this whole no wifi thing doesn’t really help if I’m just looking at people’s outfits.

52 comments:

  1. junior year was my hardest year for sure! sounds like you are doing great!

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  2. I'm glad to hear about one year old journey! Wishing you luck for this coming year! I've just completed my high school and now I'm waiting for my college :)

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  3. Junior year was my hardest year as well! In comparison senior year was a breeze! But it seems like you've been doing an excellent job keeping in touch with all other non-academic aspects of your life. x

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  4. It sounds like your year was amazing, even if it was difficult at points. You should be SO PROUD of yourself for sticking through calculus! That's very admirable :]

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  5. This is so awesome...and girl, its not weird to say this blog is a big part of your life -- just like any hobby, it also defines you and your interests! Own that ;) I loved this post. Good job pulling that A in Calculus... math is NOT my strong suit! ;)

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  6. I'm so glad it's over. Thank you Helene!

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  7. Thank you Aree! I'm so glad to have you back!

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  8. Hopefully senior year will be easier! :) Thank you for stopping by!

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  9. Thank you Marla! It was hard, but I'm glad I didn't quit!

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  10. Thank you Kayla! I totally agree- hobbies define us, and if I want to spend an afternoon learning how to understand something blog-related that's totally fine :)

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  11. yay himaglobin! I don't think you just learned how to charm people this year though.. you were always charming ;) and congrats on sailing the mathboat!

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  12. It sounds like you had a great junior year1 That was one of my favs, but it was my hardest academic year1 Hope you have a relaxing summer and even better senior year!

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  13. Sounds like you had a great year girl!!!! Make sure you take the time to enjoy senior year, because it just flys by!

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  14. It was great, but I'm sure glad it's over! Here's to a summer full of fun!

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  15. Thanks for the advice Ash! :) It's a little scary to think it's the last year of everything I've ever known, but so exciting to think of the adventure that lies ahead!

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  16. Sounds like you had a wicked year! Make sure and take some time before the madness of senior year starts and enjoy it all :-)

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  17. it's so great to have your days remembered...and blogging is the perfect way to keep a virtual scrap book!

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  18. This was so sweet! I enjoyed reading it!

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  19. I think you can def pick piano back up! I haven't touched a piano in YEARS and i'm starting to do it again. :) it's tough finding good friends.. and when you do.. they really are like diamonds in the rough.

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  20. i think its great you're blogging while you're in school - i really wish i had started there, in hindsight!

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  21. Journaling is such a great way to focus in on your life and what you want!

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  22. Blogging is a great way to be able to document your life! I wish I would have journaled more when I was your age! And I can't tell you how many of my students (I'm a high school teacher... GASP) talk about junior year being brutal. It really is. You did it! Senior year will be a breeze :)

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  23. I love how much you love blogging - and like everyone else - I wish I had started blogging sooner - you'll have a blast looking back at all of this later!

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  24. Wish I had started blogging sooner! Love that you're doing what you love!

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  25. Sounds like you had a wonderful Year! Senior year is going to be a blast for you, I can feel it!

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  26. So excited for you and your future! You seem like a very fantastic young lady!

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  27. I think I enjoyed all the times i was in school even for 3rd to 5th grade lol. Good luck with senior year

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  28. Sounds like a pretty great year, yay for only one more! :) I don't really remember much of high school lol

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  29. So exciting that you only have one year left!

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  30. I loved junior year. But senior year will be the BEST!

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  31. A blog is definitely a social life! Yay for being a senior! :)

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  32. That's the best metaphor I've heard- a virtual scrap book! Thank you Ruthy!

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  33. That is GREAT to hear! I play every once in a while with my brother (he plays violin and we just spend afternoons figuring out duets), but I'd like to get back to it full time. Especially now in the summer when I have time. And I completely agree!

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  34. I agree! i think the fact that it's a public blog adds a social element to it that I really love!

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  35. I agree 100%, but it's really good to hear that senior year isn't as bad. I hope you're enjoying some of your time off!

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  36. That's really sweet! :) I hope I will!

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  37. Thank you Kristine! It's so great to have everything written out, like a virtual scrap book!

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  38. That makes me so happy! Thank you Kara!

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  39. There are definitely parts of school that I'd rather skip over, but I enjoy it overall! Thank you!

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  40. Haha thank you Raewyn! Hey, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and your strength is being the coolest warrior queen ever!

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  41. After a while, everything is a blur! I barely remember middle school!

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  42. That's what everyone says, and I couldn't be more excited!

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  43. hahaa, ah! You're so sweet!! thank you so much!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment! You probably just made my day :) I do my best to reply to every single one, even if it takes a little while. Make sure you're not a no-reply blogger so we don't get deprived of a wonderful conversation!
xo, Hima