23 Things

2020 is not the year we expected.

From wildfires to a global pandemic. No one could have predicted the scale of how bad things can get.

2020 is a wake up call.

It has given me time to reflect on myself — my journey, my everyday motivation, and my future aspirations.

Turning 23 today is just another day out of the year. But, it’s a day that reminds me to appreciate how far I’ve come in 23 years of life.

That’s why on this day, I want to share a compilation of 23 things — from my most cherished moments to notable achievements to present aspirations:

Moments

🏡 Evenings at my Irvine apartment with my closest friends — buying concert tickets spontaneously at 3AM, playing rage cage, seasonal house dinners, and more.

💃🏾 Going to temple every night with my parents during Navratri for garba and dandiya, a traditional community dance, during my childhood.

⛩ Traveling to Japan and falling in love with the mouth-watering food, breath-taking sights, and even the efficient transportation system.

🏆 Having a “security” entourage escort me to the stage as I received my Distinguished President award at CNH Circle K District Convention.

🍗 Waiting 2+ hours for Howling Rays, the best fried chicken I’ve ever had, with amazing company that makes the wait bearable each time.

🏐 Yelling, laughing, and having fun while playing co-ed intramural volleyball alongside my team, Boneless who bore through my raspy voice and went on to qualify for A-Bracket.

🎫 Attending Coachella twice — watching Queen Bey put on the most spectacular show in the world, getting lit with YG, and enjoying the music around me thoroughly with great people.

🏃🏽‍♀️ Running track under the sweltering heat in high school where I fought shin splints, thrived under the adrenaline rush, and developed my athletic form for the first time.

🎡 Disneyland trips to yo-ho on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, eat delicious food (churros, dole whip, lobster nachos, etc.), and enjoy my time away from college stress on the happiest place on earth.

🎮 Playing video games on the PS2 (Ratchet & Clank, Kingdom Hearts, Crash) back in the 2000s with my brother and like a cool kid getting all the skill points, treasures, and side objectives for true 100% completion.

🚗 Late night drives (Seaside, Sonic, Norms, etc.) and sporadic food runs during undergrad where many of my friendships strengthened.

Achievements

📍 Flew to Seattle for Microsoft’s onsite interview for their PM internship that showed me a glimpse to my possible future.

✅ Completed my term as Circle K president which is by far the most stressful, cathartic, and rewarding experiences in my life.

🎓 Graduated with a double major in Computer Science and Business Information Management from UC Irvine.

🌉 Moved to the Bay Area to work for Tesla Motors and adapted to working in a fast-paced environment to build my career.

👩🏽‍💼 Spoke on my first online career panel amidst stellar, high-achieving professionals.

✍🏽 Picked up writing as a way to share my experiences via various social media outlets to normalize taboo topics and break stereotypes.

Aspirations

👩🏽‍💻 Become a Product Manager and work on meaningful products for people.

💰 Pay off my student debt and strengthen my savings to support my family.

🖌 Find my lettering niche and open an Etsy shop that sparks joy for people.

✈️ Embark on a solo international traveling trip to challenge my comfort zone.

🏊🏽‍♀️ Learn how to finally swim, so I can make the most of my travel when visiting islands.

💫 Continue to re-invent and grow as I face new challenges and gain new experiences, in order to find my place and voice in society.