Summary for 2016

The image 1* of me writing a similar summary for 2015 is still vivid in my mind, but now it is already 2016! People always regret what they have done or what they have not done, especially during this special moment of reviewing/looking back at 2* the past. However, in the past year, I am proud that I have at least accomplished one resolution that I set at the beginning of 2015 - writing notebooks!

Here are two things I learned in 2015:
1. Time management is not about finishing the most urgent task, but saving (or putting aside) time for those not-so-urgent but important tasks, for example, learning languages, skills, reading books, and most importantly, saving a few hours for quality time 3* with your family.

2. In evaluating yourself, others' standards can be your reference, but they cannot steer your course 4*. I grew accustomed to comparing myself 5* with others, in terms of grades and other academic achievements. I usually won in the past. However, in 2015, I started my master's program and began to attend class with much more outstanding students. I turned out to be average. I cannot win in the competition of grades now! This taught me to focus on some other aspects that define a person or make a person special: character, personality, interests etc.. I don't know whether this is a good change, or whether I should work harder and harder to compete in terms of grades again. I have started to think about what defines a person since I fell behind in the race of exams.

There is another thing that occurred recently that I am happy about: my cousin started a new relaionship! After 3 years, she finally emerged from the trauma that her ex-boyfriend caused her: he had been two timing her. The only concern/ thing that gives her pause 6* is that her current boyfriend is 6 years younger than her! But anyway, she is happy. That is enough.

Wish you a good 2016!
Cramming for finals now.

Kailin

1* It is more common for English speakers to talk about an image in their mind, rather than a scene in their mind

2* Reviewing is very serious and formal, as in reviewing an assignment. Looking back seems more appropriate to me

3* Quality hour is a little awkward, Quality time is more frequently used, and is a set phrase

4* Steer is a verb, so it cannot be used alone as an object, it needs a noun after it

5* When we talk about making a comparison, we almost always say, 'comparing (something) with something else.'

6* "Something gives someone pause" is a phrase that means something causes a person to hesitate, but not necessarily because that thing is a bad thing. "Concern" on the other hand, is more appropriate if it is referring to a negative quality about a person that is causing your cousin to hesitate.

Good job!