Humans of MSJ: New Year’s Resolutions

by Staff Writers Lily Oh, Amanda Pang, and Brooke Zheng

With 2020 right around the corner, it is the perfect time to reflect on accomplishments of the past year and look forward
to what the next decade has in store. The Smoke Signal interviewed both staff and students at MSJ about their New Year’s
resolutions for the coming year and decade.

What are your New Year’s resolutions?

“My first resolution is to be more positive. I’m going to be honest here; Mission has created such a tense environment for the students, and I just want to spread my positivity to hopefully lighten everyone’s stress levels. My second resolution is to procrastinate less which I’m sure everyone can relate to. My third and final resolution is to eat healthier because I have found eating healthy improves not just my physical health, but my mental health too.” — Natasha Chang, 9 

“I want to dedicate myself to my swim team more, and also to being better at French. I’m striving to live a healthier lifestyle and to really dedicate myself to the sport so I can join the team next year.” — Ryan Rajaie, 10

What were your New Year’s resolutions last year and did you accomplish them?

“I think it was probably the same thing as this year, which was to work out three times a week. I did not do that — I was actually terrible with it and did not meet that goal at all. My other resolution was spending better time, not just more time with my kids. I think I was a little bit more successful with that. I’ve been trying to play more with my kids rather than just taking care of them.” — Science Teacher Una Park

“I didn’t have any last year admittedly . . . I’m always hoping that I can just keep improving my life, working on getting more sleep, working on just spending more time with people if I can. I feel like, at least over the last year, I have been able to do that.” — Counselor Celina Cesena

In general, how do you feel about what you have accomplished in the past decade?

“I have accomplished a lot in the past decade. In the past 10 years, I have had and raised three kids, which I think is a huge accomplishment. Everyone is alive, healthy, and hopefully happy. In addition, I have transitioned back into teaching while also keeping a decent balance of work and home. I have also maintained and grown my friendships and relationships. I believe I am wiser now than I was 10 years ago, and hence am thankful for the growth I have seen in the past 10 years.” — Science Teacher Una Park

“I feel like in some ways I’ve accomplished a lot, but in others I could still improve a lot more.” — Jainam Shah, 11

“I feel like I have accomplished a lot. A decade ago, I was a high school student in Fremont Unified School District. Since then, I have gone through college, I have had different jobs, and now I’m a counselor back in Fremont Unified School District. It feels that even though I have come back to the same place, I have gone through a lot.” — Counselor Celina Cesena

What are you hoping to accomplish in the next decade?

“For the new decade, I want to go to a decent college and find a decent job. Also, no matter what situation I find myself in, I wish to be happy. I want to find some lifelong friends to make some meaningful memories with.” — Natasha Chang, 9

“Realistically, I just want to go to a nice UC or CSU and graduate in chemical engineering or something. I’ve been contemplating climbing [Mount] Everest for a while now, so I want to be able to say that I did that in the next 10 years too. [I want to] really find myself, and accomplish that. I’m also hoping to pass Mr. Boegman’s class.” — Ryan Rajaie, 10

“I guess just getting through college and whatever career path I end up on … I want to have fun though, and not just work for the next 10 years and definitely travel, see new places, and learn new skills.” — Jainam Shah, 11

Photos by Staff Writers Lily Oh, Amanda Pang, and Brooke Zheng

Graphic by Riya Chopra