End of 2024 Reflection
How is the year already coming to an end? They meant it when they said the days are long and the years are short. Didnt we literally just celebrate New Year? I think as I get older, the years are beginning to just fly by. The best we can do is enjoy every moment and opportunity we have here on Earth's surface.
I started off my year in Memphis Tennessee, I visited my boyfriend's family. I am really grateful that they invited me and I got to spend time with them. I haven't spent the holidays with my family in a very long time and this time with Xays family was very precious. We then came back to Oklahoma, just in time for my birthday which I spent with Xay, we spent some precious time together and I took time to just pose and reflect on the Goodness of God. It's interesting how close my birthday is to Christmas and New Year, I feel like I have a whole month where all I do is celebrate and when it's all done, I go into the year head-on until December comes around again.
Once the holidays were done it was back to school. I never reflected on my last semester of junior year because I needed more time to process it. That semester was extremely stressful, I was overwhelmed and just went through the days waiting for it to end. I got my worst grade ever in one of my classes, if you ever get to see my transcript, you will know which class this was, if not then just know that this class was tough, tooth and nail. It just kept getting worse and worse and I did all I could to make things better, I changed my approach multiple times, and I spoke to my professor multiple times but nothing gave. Towards the end of the semester, all I wanted was for it to be over so that I could move on. But here are the classes I took: Intermediate Accounting 2, Financial Modelling & Analysis, investments, Calculus 2, Economics of Discrimination, 9 Things about College and Money, and Career Readiness. A total of 18 credit hours. Now that am looking at the classes again, I see why this semester was challenging.
My favorite class was Economics of Discrimination. The class was very engaging, and the professor made the discussions super interesting, 9 things about College and Money was a very useful course. I took away a lot of financial lessons that I will carry with me throughout my life. Even though the class was completely online, I did a great job at managing to do all the work on time and would find myself listening to the lectures just out of my own personal interest. Intermediate accounting was the most challenging accounting class I have taken yet, but the fact that this was my last accounting class as an undergraduate gave me enough drive to pull through, I thought I was ready not to learn accounting again but I actually miss it a little, well, I miss it until I remember the assignments, then I tell myself, am good. Calculus 2 was good, I think math classes got easier through the years, well maybe they did get easier or I just had a great professor. Financial modeling was okay, and I was happy to take another Excel course, I can use all the Excel practice I can get but this course also gave me a run for my grade lol. Investments was the class I talked about earlier, man they say there is always that one course that makes you question your abilities, this one was the one that did. A week before my finals, I visited Shekinah in Indiana for her graduation. It was such a proud and inspiring moment to witness her journey and see her give her speech. I was speechless and so thankful to be there for that milestone.
Then summer came around, I worked on campus for the first 3 weeks then I was off to New York for one week for my internship training then was in Dallas for the rest of the summer for my internship. While I was in New York, I met Mengya, a very good friend I met at OU in freshman year. Thank you Mengya for showing me around New York and for keeping our friendship going, I had a great time. I also got to see Lydia after such a long time, it was a breathe of fresh air to speak to her and see her dressed in her beautiful smile. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have had an internship. I am thankful to all the people who helped me throughout my application process which was extremely stressful and just difficult to go through. I learned so much during the internship and had numerous opportunities to grow and become better prepared for the launch of my career. To top it off, I had the privilege of being part of an incredible internship class—a group that inspired me, challenged me, and made the experience unforgettable. Thank you all for being part of this transformative chapter of my life.
My friend Junita visited me in Dallas, and it was such a good time. Junita and I hadn’t seen each other since 2021 when we left Japan, so this was the first time we were meeting in the U.S. We talked about everything and nothing, I was so happy—it was one of those moments where the conversation was raw and unfiltered, filled with authenticity and vulnerability. I’m so grateful for our friendship, Junita. Thank you for traveling to see me. Your visit brought me so much joy and happiness.
Another highlight was living with Teddy over the summer. Teddy and I have been friends since freshman year, and though we always joked about being roommates, it never happened—until now. This summer gave us the chance to bond, have wonderful conversations, and share meals.
I lost my tech job suddenly—one day, I opened my email, and boom: my role had been dissolved. It caught me off guard, and I didn’t have enough time to secure another job before the semester started. I spent three weeks applying for a new campus job. One thing about not having a job for the first 3 weeks was I got to experience what college could have been if I never had to work. I had so much free time, am talking 4 day weekends lol but I needed a job.
Before I knew it I was back on Campus to start my senior year. This kind God, thus far he has brought me. Again the days are long and the years are short. I just came as a freshman and now am walking into my first class as a senior. I couldn't help but feel immense gratitude. Classes I took; World Economic Development, Environmental Economics, Advanced Corporate Finance, Commercial Banking, Organization and Management, Strategies for Success, Internship in Business Administration, a total of 21 credit hours. This was the busiest academic semester I have ever had and for some reason, it was also the least stressful of all my semesters. I couldn't wait to take World Economic Development, economic development is the reason I chose economics as my major and I waited until my senior year to take the course, I took it with one of the best Economics professors I have been taught by. The central focus of the class was Africa and South Asia and we dicussed all things development. I would go home after the class and continue thinking about the policies we had dicussed and I would rehearse speeches that I hope to one day present to world leaders. My passion for African economic development runs deep and I can only hope and pray that one day, my passion will meet the works of my hands. Environmental economics was a great course, the most case studies I have read came from this class and I took it alongside Martin and Nelly who I am thankful for because I looked forward to learning with them each class. Advanced Corporate Finance is by far the best Finance class I have taken, I mean the professor did such a phenomenal job, starting with how she organized the class, to how she explained the concepts and prepared us for all the exams.
My management class, I don’t know if I’m exaggerating this but it is by far the best class I’ve had at OU. It was everything leadership. Phenomenal professor, I mean, wonderful professor. I had the class once a week from 6 PM to 8:50 PM, close to three hours of class, and at the beginning of the semester, I wondered how I was going to manage to do this three-hour lecture. But the professor was very passionate and enthusiastic every class that time flew by. He was very inspiring and motivating, I felt sharpened as a leader. Almost all the students contributed to the class, it was amazing to hear everyone contribute. Not forgetting, big big big thanks to Julian, she was such a great classmate and she gave me rides to and from class every class day. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful classmate and I’m very very grateful for you.
As far as involvement on campus I doubled down on my club involvement but was very much involved in the JCPenney leadership program. I attended the women in the business conference and did a volunteer event, attended multiple sessions with different companies and listened to different speakers, and also had a wonderful workshop on financial literacy. The JCPenney leadership program has been transformative for me.
As far as friends go, this year was amazing. Peter and Teddy, we did an incredible job this semester catching up. Teddy and I had multiple lunches and great conversations. Our talks always felt like they were on the rooftop—deep, meaningful, and uplifting. Peter and I hung out a lot more this semester and we had a great time. I’m super, super grateful for these moments. And then there’s Terry, Terry goes out of his way to help us keep in touch and maintain our friendship. Terry, I’m so, so grateful for you. Thank you so much!
Sylvia continues to be an amazing friend and sister. Her sisterly love shines through. Of course, shoutout to my OG long-distance friends: Shekinah, Mayamiko, and Max, I’m so grateful for you guys. Thank you for listening to me, sharing in my jokes, and for all the conversations and laughter. You guys keep me going. Lauricenia and Junita, I’m super grateful for you ladies. Our Bible studies were yet again amazing—such meaningful times sharing God's word and talking about sisterhood.
I eventually started working as an Office Fellow with the JCPenney Leadership Program. Losing my IT job turned out to be a blessing in disguise because this new role has been incredible. The team is phenomenal—so understanding and supportive. I’ve also had the chance to interact with other Price College students daily, which has made me feel more involved and impactful.
This year, I worked on staying connected with my family. I sent texts, video-called, and did my best to share my life with them, even though I tend to hold back sometimes. I’m super thankful for my family.
A special thank you to my mentor, Lindsey. Lindsey, you’ve been a pillar of strength and wisdom for me. Thank you for your encouragement, understanding, and support through the ups and downs. You’ve truly changed my life in ways I can’t fully express.
And finally, to my love, Xavien—thank you for being there for me. Thank you for holding my hand, trusting me, and showing up every time I needed you. You’ve been my rock, my friend, and my partner. Thank you for the love we share, for introducing me to your family, and for all the memories we’ve created together. I’m so, so grateful for you.
Am in love with both chance and intention. Both of which filled 2024. I had so many opportunities to grow into the woman I am right now. I laughed, I cried, I danced, I sang and I felt the warmth of love. What I look forward to as I look ahead in 2025 is the continuance blend of chance and intention. To continue to dance through the rhythms of life. To embrace all that the Lord has planned for me. To feel the joys of every moment and to continue to grow into the woman I was created to be. I hope too to be more daring, less focused on fear of the unknown but filled with the audacity to become. To become me!
A big thank you to everyone who read through my blogs, I hope you learned something and I pray that all your hearts desires may be fulfilled this coming year.
As 2024 wraps up, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s blessings, His provision, and the gift of life. To everyone who made this year beautiful, thank you. Here’s to a wonderful and blessed 2025. May we all walk into the new year with hope, joy, and endless blessings.
Happy New Year! 🎉
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You are a blessing, and so much more Cara! Thank you for your love, your heart! I will always see life differently because of you❤️ Happy New Year 🥳 This one will be a blast, full of unbelievable testimony!
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