2009 in Retrospect

Almost 356.24 days ago, a humble Asian senior at New York University was sitting at home, wasting away because he was failing out of life. After spending over $2000 on medical school applications, countless hours (not days, hours!) on MCAT studying, and praying to God (or the Gods of Olympus as you prefer) above, he had received exactly one interview, no acceptances, and a bunch of rejections. Said Asian man shook his head and wondered what was wrong with him and more importantly, how he would deal with his academic incompetence in the future.

2009 has been a year of many changes for your humble blog writer. I've moved across the country, attended two graduate school orientations, blew a bunch of money on food, discovered how deep of a depression I can withstand (for now), had flings with two or three women (none of which amounted to anything), drove over a thousand miles for a chick, wore my Slytherin tie as a showpiece, and discovered that I look better with short hair. Along the way, some of the people I've met (not in order) are:

1) a hyperactive but adorable cockatiel with a prima donna temperament and a constant need for attention,
2) a quirky art student with incredibly large anxiety problems with a horrible case of yellow fever,
3) an alcohol-loving professor with his own strange cocktail concoction ('the Goldburg'),
4) a classroom full of female would-be wanna-be teachers with some far more attractive than others,
5) a bunch of Magic: The Gathering playing folk including a thrifty, shifty-eyed, but good hearted kid with a gift for imitation,
6) an Oregonite who makes crappy jokes, cooks with spam, and is considerate, thoughtful, and a much better person than I,
7) SoCal natives who claim one stands 'in line' as opposed to the proper 'on line' terminology,
8) a kid who speaks Russian but isn't Russian and who gets less ass than his girlfriend,
9) LaRanger.

Wild ride, huh.

And in the meantime, I've learned a few crucial things about the world. The highlights, in my true, sarcastic, and bitterly witty voice, are as follows (with parentheses for easy comprehension!):

1) Medical school is for the dedicated. I'm not dedicated. (Everything has a price. Dedication is always at the cost of one's individualism.)
2) If you're really desperate, there's nearly always graduate school. (Desperation often shows you the way; just not the way you expect. But one must have faith even in the darkest times to see.)
3) I can move around if I have to, but my heart will always be in New York. (You can never escape where you come from, or who you are; it should empower you instead.)
4) Innovation is creativity applied, born with humor and invention by necessity. (New things are born from combinations of old things, paying homage to their past and looking towards a novel future.)
5) Relationships are fragile things, just like people. Never trust them. (Always be aware of the delicacy of the human spirit. It is easy to see in others, but one must also see it in oneself.)
6) I can and will do stupid things for someone I love, including drive 1000 miles north only to get rejected. (The desire of reciprocity can blind us to reality and cause us pain, but can also inspire the most remarkable of actions, the most beautiful of changes.)
7) Gas is expensive. (Never be afraid of finding out something. Never be afraid to pay the cost for knowing whether you are right, or wrong.)
8) Less words, more content. (People want specific things in their lives. Understanding the wants of others is to understand them.)
9) Failure is the price of trying, not necessarily its only outcome. (Make of failure as you will. Sometimes, it is prudent to fail; you have succeeded in learning regardless.)

Succinct. I should write cards.

I do believe it is New Years tradition to thank people who have supported me throughout the years, but beforehand, I would like to present New Years resolution (another classic!). Let's see how long I can actually follows these for, shall we?

1) Learn to use neurolinguistics effectively.
2) Beat Mass Effect 2 with Tali in my team.
3) Finally complete a Harvest Moon game.
4) Take professional development seriously.
5) Learn to love. Ha!
6) Learn to deal with my emotions in constructive ways to other people.
7) Play 'Defying Gravity' on piano properly.
8) Write more frequently.
9) Continue to grow and develop, never ceasing for the sky.

And now, acknowledgements for 2009!

1) My INTP buddy for being there in spirit.
2) My INFP roommate for the micromesh blanket of amazing (please cheer up!)
3) Mom and dad.
4) Ryan, for being a good go-to buddy when I'm crying about work.
5) A dear new friend of mine; who roomed with my high school crush, le Korean small and hyperactive.
6) Bambi, for making me realize how far I'll go for someone.
7) The short girl from Sichuan China who almost won a singing competition; I love your voice!
8) All of my NYC buddies. <3
9) Whatever this mysterious force that allows me to continually exist. And hasn't yet tried to kill me yet.

Peace out, 2009. You'll be missed. Well, maybe not; but it's the thought that counts, right?

Today is New Year's Eve, with the new year in just 9 minutes. I need all the energy I can get to face the dawn, so therefore, I am lazy.

Cheers.