AS WE wrap up our final month of the fall semester, it is a good time to reminisce on the past year. It is easy to get swept away into the mindless routines of life, so rarely do we take a step back and think about what we are thankful for. Join The Yonsei Annals members as we appreciate the things that have brought more joy to our lives. 

Jung So-jin (Reporter, Campus Reporting Div): My Fluffy Therapist

   From the moment I received admission to Yonsei University to moments when I needed a warm hug, my pet poodle Lulu has always been there with unconditional support. Not only is she the cutest dog on Earth (you can’t persuade me otherwise, sorry), but she also has the most effervescent personality. She’ll be the one waking me up every morning with happy barks and the one I snuggle with at night after a stressful day. I honestly don’t think I would trade her for the world! Lulu has been with me for over ten years since the fourth grade, and it’s sad watching her eyes get foggy as she ages. I’m trying my best to feed her the best food and make sure she lives the happiest, longest life possible.

Aamna Shehzad (Editor): Stress-relief Sewing

   This might be somewhat unorthodox, but one thing I’m thankful for this year is my hobby of embroidery and cross-stitching. I first started sewing when I was about ten and my mom introduced me to the craft; so, I guess I have her to thank. Back then, I did simple things like haphazardly sew ribbons onto my dolls’ dresses. I soon abandoned the hobby, but recently picked it up again due to the confines of COVID-19. I looked up videos on how to cross-stitch on YouTube and just imitated some examples from Pinterest for my first few tries. I’m still a novice though, and I mostly cross-stitch and embroider not as an artistic endeavor but because it is very therapeutic. Whenever I feel stressed and overwhelmed, I pull up a show on Netflix, take out my needles and threads, and start to sew and stitch away.

Iman Khairil (Producer, Contents Team): My Little Scene of Fall

   Sitting at my local coffee shop with a warm drink on hand, I see the beautiful fall scenery. Watching the leaves fall, I reflect on and reminisce about the past few months: there is hope for an end to the pandemic, I was able to receive my vaccine, and I see life coming back to normal little by little. Visiting this local coffee shop became part of my daily routine throughout this past year, giving me a sense of normalcy amidst overwhelming deadlines and academic schedules. A few regulars drop in, and you would think you are at someone's house, and not a place of business. Here, I was able to reflect on my past year. 2021 taught me to embrace the unanticipated and showed that I can rise above challenges to become an even stronger me in the year 2022.

Kim Suh-hyun (Editor, Photo Div): Sharing Food with Friends and Family 

   Even though spending time with friends and family alone is a great stress reliever, enjoying good food together is always a bonus. Especially on days like Christmas and birthdays, my sister and I like to make dishes from scratch for our whole family to enjoy together. For example, we once made a charcuterie board and mimosas for my birthday, and we were very excited to share it with our family. Surrounding myself with good food and people I care about makes me feel comfortable and grateful for being able to have this experience. Therefore, I am very thankful I have friends and family that I can share food with. 

Alizah Bolar (Editor): A Forever Home

   The last time I met my high school friends was in the summer of 2019. It was our final goodbye before we scattered off to college. I was one of the few people from my friend group to study abroad—and over the months, caught up in our busy, new lives, we gradually lost touch. So, when we finally had the chance to reunite, I was equal parts excited and scared. What if we had become so different that we would no longer want to be friends anymore? Thinking of horrible ways it could go, I almost bailed on our plan until I decided to have more faith in our six-year friendship and had the most memorable night out with them. Despite our time apart, nothing had changed between us. Even though my high school friends and I have grown so much since we first met, we still share a strong, special bond. They are the people I can never thank enough for always being an unwavering home return to, and I’m grateful to them for being reminded of this.

Kim Nayoon (Reporter, Culture Div): Taking a Fruitful Break

   Earlier this year, I decided to take a gap semester due to the drain of Zoom online semesters. So, as soon as summer started, I started applying to as many internships as I could, hoping to take a gap semester. Thankfully, three companies accepted me, and I explored a magazine editorial internship, a marketing agency internship, and a PR firm internship. I decided to stay in Edelman, the biggest international PR firm, learning about traditional public relations. At first, I had been a little anxious because the offer was from the company’s technology team. However, I was relieved when I heard this meant I had to do PR work for companies like Samsung electronics, HP, Xbox, and Spotify. It has been three months since and I can confidently say that taking a gap semester improved my mental and physical health. Although I did stop progress in school, I learned so much through being in a professional workplace.