If my life were in narrative:

I click on Academic History with a heart full of trepidation, my moist and slightly shaking hand moving the cursor onto the link that will, in part, decide my future.

I stare at the little rows of letters, eyes moving past the indescriminate paragraphs until they hit numbers.

I see them: the four numbers that state my performance. They burn into my mind as I absorb, tentatively at first and then more solidly.

So, basically my first quarter concludes. I’m back in Fremont now, enjoying the easy comfort of home and relaxing in the company of my friends and Calvin, and yet I still find vivid memories of UCSD filling my brain.

What’s there to say? I’ve matured, definitely. I’ve created new links to new people, and strengthened my bonds with others. I learned that college is exactly as you make of it, no more, no less, and I’ve tasted disappointment. Yes, the academic part of college is far more difficult than what I faced in high school and I’ve definitely worked harder than I ever had there, but still, it’s odd to look at a GPA and just accept that all those late nights studying resulted in, well, that.

That is not to say, of course, that my grades were bad. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and I know now how to study effectively in college. I’ve learned a lot. But more importantly, I feel like I’ve outgrown a shell and tasted what I will come to be when I graduate from UCSD.

To my suitemates:

Jessica&Erin: One I’d never met, and the other I barely knew: you guys are the best. I’m so happy that I got to be roommates with you guys, and I love how different we are. I’m especially grateful for our similar senses of humor, and ability to adapt to impossibly late sleeping hours, and of course, all the “No judgement” moments. You guys have made living with people a lot easier than I expected it to be :)

Yumi: My Chem/”work out”/awesome buddy. I’m so, so, so happy that we wound up in the same late chem class together. I don’t know what I would have done without you! I can’t wait to get to know you even better, and of course teach you how to massage people, and angst over our classes, and blah and blah and blah. To more pho and sushi, please!

Valerie: Six times today. Just thought you should know. Also, will get you that Vibrating Ring for you to try out when Gavin visits again.

Kathleen: Oh my chaste fellow-Shanghaineser. I hope you enjoy your visit to China and COME BACK TO TUMBLR. Prease.

Katie: We’re meeting up for more secks and Scoops and froyo. ‘Nuff said.

Rana: Miss Beyonce Booty, I’m glad you roped all of us into STITCH :) I wanted you to know that I’m almost done with my second scarf, and learned to a double stitch on vacay. I’m excited to reveal this all to you when we get back!

Megan(&Nick Jonas), Joyce, Tiffany, and Laura: I don’t know you guys that well yet, but I hope to get to know you guys more when I come back from break! You guys are all super sweet and I’m so glad that you’re all in my suite.

All in all, a fantastic first quarter. More goodness to come, I’m sure.