Dear 2023,
Wow, what a year it has been. It’s been a year of highs and lows, wins and losses, but we made it at last.
Ironically enough, the word I would use to describe 2023 would be “connection” and “happiness.” I say ironic, because there were multiple times I cried because I felt lonely without a stable friend group I felt part of. Despite all of that, when I looked back on all the photos I had taken throughout the year, I felt like I made friendships that would serve me a purpose, whether to give me joy, happiness or help me grow. I rekindled friendships that I thought I’d lost, and turned realised that others were not the ones for me. I’m especially grateful for Kevin, for being there for me as my boyfriend and best friend through it all. We faced a lot of hardship and backlash, but we were accepted as the inevitable and supported by our favourite fans (Diluk and Rionah, I’m looking at you!) But most importantly, I healed parts of myself that I didn’t realise were broken, with help and support from other people.
SCHOOL
This definitely wasn’t my peak year of school. I went in with an open mindset about all my subjects except for maths, which I was determined to pass. I manifested every lesson that I would pass my maths test, which I did with 83%! It was one of my highest accomplishments of my schooling year. Some of my other schooling accomplishments were getting 18/20 for english extension 1, and getting full marks for my software assessment task 2, even after completing changing the assessment to work in my favour – aka, I created an entirely different game.
I definitely struggled with my other subjects, especially biology, economics and software theory (towards the end of the year.) I dropped biology as soon as possible, but this left a massive C on my report card for year 11, which is a major ick. However, I hope to work harder and bring my marks up for the rest of my courses.
As much as I wanted to achieve ducks for Year 11, it was a stretch for me and I didn’t deserve it anyway. I hope to improve in the following year as an official Year 12 student.
I’ve already completed my first HSC assessment task for Year 12, which is absolutely crazy! I have approximately 3 terms left of school, and then it’s HSC time- I can’t believe that my high school journey is slowly coming to an end, but I hope to make the most of it this coming year!
PERSONAL LIFE
I achieved a lot in my personal life too! My highlights include:
- Starting a relationship with Kevin Kurniawan
- Getting my brown belt in Jujitsu! I’ve been doing Jujitsu since I was in Year 7, and it honestly has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever done. This was my first official belt where I had to really work hard and the one time my inner voice kinda got to me. But getting the belt was so worth it!!
- Completing the Max Potential program with my amazing mentor Kate! My personal expression film was also chosen to be presented at the Final Celebration assembly, and I was asked to do a speech as well! Through this program, I was also able to do work experience with Liesl Tesch…
- Work experience with Liesl Tesch! I travelled down to NSW Parliament for a day to shadow Liesl, and it was an amazing experience meeting other ministers and experiencing what it would be like to be a politician.
- Playing louder in SWE! With help from my max potential mentor and my new sax teacher Naomi, I started playing louder and more confidently in SWE. I even performed a solo – the “This is Me” solo from The Greatest Showman.
- Being taught by a new sax teacher, Naomi. I realised how much I hated playing, and I told her I wanted to become more confident in my playing, but more importantly: play for fun. I was sick and tired of being forced to practice, and being commented on by my family for not practicing, and I wanted to have more fun with it. We even started experimenting with new genres, like jazz, which I actually really enjoyed. She’s pushing me to try out improvisation too, and I think this will really help with my confidence and playing ability.
2023 wasn’t perfect, but it was exactly what I needed in order to get on the path I want to be on. I hope that 2024 brings much more joy, happiness and most of all growth and independence!
Love, Lian
01 January 2024
