Welp, it’s the end of another summer and it went by in the blink of an eye, as usuaaaal. Now we’re at the time of year when everyone’s smiling and hugging each other asking, “How was your summer??” and “I like your haircut!!!”

My summer can be summed up in three words:

Work hard anyways.

This summer was the first time I worked 8-5, Monday to Friday. 40 hours a week. I commuted an hour to work and an hour back home every weekday. It was exhausing. Work hard anyways. I learned a ton at my internship/job – lots about project management and communication. I’m so fortunate to have landed this job with a superb, energetic supervisor and a friendly office!

However, it was a challenge to get used to working all day every day. I learned a lot about myself and how I function with that much work. I also learned how to take care of my back and feet when you’re sitting in front of a computer for that long every day. Work hard anyways.

Another big thing that happened this summer was organizing “Staging Hapa.” This, as you might be able to tell, is a huuuuuge project for me. It means a ton to me – the story and reaching my peers at SCU. It also means a lot to me that my friends who have supported me thus far have stuck with me. I’m so grateful that these dear friends are working on something so meaningful to me! I couldn’t do it without their support ❤ I have a lot of faith in this project, but you never know what type of wrenches might get thrown into the mix. Work hard anyways.

I learned so much about myself in a variety of ways this summer – one of them also being controlling how I act and react. In case you didn’t know, not everyone is going to agree with you. Some people are going to suck and give you a hard time. Work hard anyways. And sometimes, even the people you care about the most will disagree with you. They won’t understand you and you won’t understand them. Work hard anyways.

When it was tough – work hard anyways. When no one else really seemed to understand – work hard anyways. When I got FOMO – work hard anyways. When I know anything I do may just fail – work hard anyways. When I really don’t want to do anything but mope – work hard anyways.

It was definitely a summer of growth. Annnd as I grew and learned, I also did a handful of superfun things: went to PRIDE, watched Book of Mormon, went kayaking, watched Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies, turned 21, rode a cable car, ate ice cream, watched Phantom of Opera, and went to the beach.

I’ve been waiting for weeks for senior year to finally start. Now that it’s finally on my door step…work hard anyways.