Resolutions

Admittedly, I'm a little late to the '2013 recap slash resolution blog post' party this year, but better late than never, eh! 

2013 was a funny old year, with plenty of ups, downs & everything in between. It was the year that I turned seventeen and started learning how to drive (and consequently realised just how bad I really am at driving). In 2013, I also completed my AS levels, which in itself was one of the most stressful few weeks of my life. Coming out of a couple of my Maths exams in tears was definitely not a good start. However, upon reflection, my exams did actually go a bit better than I thought - I came out with 4 As at the end of it! It was the year of a wonderful summer, during which I was a bridesmaid at my aunty's wedding and spent a lovely few days in Oxford. It was also the year that I travelled to London with some of my closest friends and saw some amazing musicians at Summer Stampede. I went to Thorpe Park for the first time and was able to satisfy the (unexpected) adrenaline junkie in me, which was soooo much fun. I saw all of my extended family over the summer too, which was really lovely. I also embarked on the difficult, stressful journey that is applying to university, which I didn't feel ready for at all! I got offers from LSE, UCL and Bristol, which was amazing -- but also experienced some disappointment from being rejected from Oxford. And though I'm in danger of sounding very cheesy right now, I definitely think that there was a very important lesson in there somewhere -- that rejection is okay and it is something that you have to learn to move on from. I enjoyed many incredible times with family and friends - both old and new. All in all though, it was a really fantastic year and I feel very fortunate for all the fond memories that I have.

So there is my little recap of 2013! Now, I suppose 'tis the season to make resolutions and try to stick to them. Though of course they tend to be forgotten about rather early into the new year, but we can always kid ourselves, right?

Anyway, here is what I plan to try and do in 2014:

Work harder - at friendships, at school and at bettering myself. Laugh more. Do more reckless, spontaneous things. Try my best. Act my age - (i.e. stop wasting my life away acting more serious and grown-up than my almost-18-years-of-age warrant). Write more. Draw more. Make use of that Moleskine book that sits untouched in my bag. Never stop trying to be a better person. Try new things. Be healthier, drink more water, exercise more (repeat & fade)... Learn to deal with criticism and failure and rejection. Smile more. Make an effort. Take more photos and continue to document my life on a more regular basis. Be less judgmental. Be more willing to step out of my comfort zone. Grow in confidence. Grow as a person. Grow. Be myself. Be happy. Be.

2014 is going to be a pretty important year for me. I'll be turning 18 in January, finishing compulsory education for good in May, completing the most important exams of my life thus far this summer, hopefully going to Taiwan with my family and most importantly... Starting university! So the above resolutions will be particularly important this year!


^^^ Obligatory 'Asian' selfie wearing my mum's Christmas jumper. ^^^



^^^ My friend's beautiful Christmas tree! ^^^

John Lennon in the background says "HEY. HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

In other news, I'm now back at school and *trying* to work hard for my upcoming mock exams next week. It's been lovely to catch up with friends over the past few days, though I really had forgotten how tiring school was. Definitely catching up on my sleep this weekend. Also, birthday plans are now in the works & I can't wait to celebrate with my friends in a few weeks time! Can't believe that I turn 18 in a mere few days - I don't feel nearly old enough!

Hope you're all well and enjoying January!

Chloe. X