2016,

Well, you have sure been quite a rollercoaster of a year. It was a year of finding out who my true friends are, and what or who will stay with me throughout the big landmarks in my life. You also flew by in the blink of an eye, which has made me feel many mixed emotions.

From January to May, I was finishing up my senior year of high school. I never thought that day would come, since I had been at the same school and with the same classmates for more almost half of my life. People were anxiously waiting to hear what colleges they got into, constantly talking about senior spring break plans, stressing about final grades, trying to find a site for senior project, but most importantly people were cherishing the moments that we knew were gonna be our last "hoorahs" as a class. We all knew that high school was coming to an end - I mean we were practically counting down the days until graduation, but it still felt as if it was something in the distant future that would never be real. Then it was graduation day, and it still didn't sink in that I was never going back until after hugging everyone goodbye, shaking teachers hands, and driving out of my high school parking lot one last time thinking that there is no longer a reason for me to pull into this school ever again. This was a strange feeling because I knew that I was no longer "obligated" to spend time with my high school friends and fellow classmates, so the next few months and years will be the true test of who my truest friends are.

FromJune to August, I was trying to have a fun summer, because I knew that this was one of the last summers where friends would be available and close by, and not working jobs or internships in different places. Graduation parties were in full swing, so I still got to see classmates that I felt I hadn't said a proper goodbye to on graduation day. But then the parties stopped and the college stress began. Some people were leaving for college earlier than others, and some people got their roommates while others still were anxiously waiting. Looking back, I wish I had spent more of my time that summer living in the present moment instead of living in constant anticipation for my first semester. But it still was a summer I will never forget, with many ups and downs.

From September to December, it was my first semester of college...and it was quite the dramatic change from my life in high school. I was living in a different state for the first time, and I was thrown into the deep end when it came to making new friends, living on my own, and managing my workload and my social life. My first semester of college was the best memory of my life so far, and it was everything I had hoped for. Every week was eventful with so many iconic memories formed - but nothing ever came easy. There were many challenges that I thought I would never have to experience, and many times where I felt like giving up. But I realize that these feelings are a part of growing up, and I am lucky to have met some of the most amazing people at college who all feel the same way and who can all help each other through it.

So, 2016, I guess very soon this will be goodbye. You have taught me to appreciate my family and friends, to never be afraid to try new things, and always believe in myself because believe it or not, things DO work out in the end even if it doesn't seem so at the time. Although you will be greatly missed, I cannot thank you enough for giving me some preparation on how to jump into 2017 with both feet and ready to make the next year even better.