Unless you’ve been getting glammed up for New Year’s Eve, you’ve probably noticed that #2015BestNine is trending on Instagram today! But, what exactly is the story behind this hashtag being used by over 1,400,000 Instragram users? 2015 Best Nine is an app that allows Instagram users to enter their username, then 2015 Best Nine will generate a collage of the user’s nine most liked photos of 2015. 2015 Best Nine gives users the option to save the photo and share it on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This app has become a worldwide trend, with celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian West, and Beyoncé joining in on it.
In honor of the new app, here are my best nine moments of 2015 in chronological order:
1. Joining the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS)
In 2015, I discovered how important my faith was to me and wanted to make a difference in the Catholic community. In the spring, I received an invitation from my friend Erin to become a student leader for FOCUS, and joining was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Joining FOCUS has allowed me to grow in my faith as well as gain a supportive and loving group of friends that will be by my side as I continue along that journey. Today, I lead an all-girl Bible study on The Feminine Genius and am so proud of how far the girls and I in my Bible study have come.
2. Becoming Vice President of Membership and Chapter Relations for Virginia Phi Beta Lambda
I’ve been super involved in Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) since I was in 9th grade and I owe it to this organization for teaching me how to navigate the business world. In April, I was inducted as the VP of Membership and Chapter Relations for Virginia PBL. At the FBLA-PBL National Fall Leadership Conference, Virginia PBL was awarded “State Recruitment of Chapters” for recruiting the most new chapters. For a small state, we’ve got great FBLA-PBL pride!
3. Changing my major
Life is full of surprises, and changing both my major was one heck of a surprise for me. I entered George Mason University the Fall 2013 semester thinking that I would major in accounting, but did that sure change. After a couple semesters and an internship in accounting, I realized that it wasn’t for me. However, I had done some marketing for various student organizations and internships and realized that marketing was my calling. After a semester of officially being declared marketing major, I couldn’t be happier that I switched. Could I have stayed in accounting? Probably. But, I wouldn’t be doing what I love. As the saying goes: Do what you love and love what you do.
4. Experiencing unconditional love through medical diagnoses
In 2015, I was still having trouble facing the reality of being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. On top of that, I was diagnosed with ADHD in the spring. Fast-forward to October and I went from having a cold to flu-like symptoms to pneumonia to an ear infection during midterms. Needless to say, I’ve been in and out of the hospital this year. These medical diagnoses have been some of the toughest battles with myself, feeling invalid and hopeless at times, but I couldn’t have made it through it all without the unconditional love and support from my family and friends.
5. Bringing home a new puppy
Don’t get me wrong, I was glad to have found out that I didn’t want to major in accounting and that I had ADHD, but it was a pretty stressful time for me. I met up with my brother after the semester was over and he brought his newly adopted puppy. I can’t tell you what exactly it was, but cuddling that puppy in my arms and bringing her around her new home of Old Town Manassas temporarily made me forget all the stress going on in my life. She was first shy when my brother got her, but as she became familiar with us, she became more playful and active. Unfortunately, we had to put her down in November, but every time I was with her, I was reminded that there is so much to look forward to in life to be stuck on what’s happened in the past.
6. Interning for a state senate campaign
With a lot of members of my dad’s side of the family being in the Philippine government, I’ve always had an interest in politics. I was able to gain hands-on experience in marketing and advocate for a great candidate while interning for this state senate campaign. Although I realized that marketing for political campaigns wasn’t for me, I’m still so grateful to have had this experience. Sometimes, you won’t know until you try.
7. Becoming a writer for Her Campus George Mason
My friend Deanna sent me a link to a Her Campus article during the spring semester of this year. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on reading the online magazine. In the summer, I saw there were openings for writers for Her Campus George Mason, so I took a chance and applied, and here I am now! Her Campus has given me the tools to navigate my campus and the field of marketing, as well as the opportunity to express my love for writing.
8. Seeing Pope Francis in DC
Catholic or not, you’ve got to admit that Pope Francis is a pretty cool dude. He’s so cool that I took the last train on the orange line the night before his arrival so that I could camp outside security to get a good spot to see him. I bonded with my friends in Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM), met a lot of the new freshmen in CCM, found out what it was like to sleep on the sidewalks and grass of DC, ate some good pizza, and was in the presence of the man who is the successor of St. Peter and chief pastor of the entire Catholic Church.
9. Being accepted to go on a spring break mission trip to Peru
After seeing Pope Francis, I realized my call to go on a mission trip and immediately applied to go on a spring break trip with FOCUS Missions. Three weeks ago, I was interviewed for a mission trip to Peru. I was a little nervous for my interview, but a week later, I received an email from FOCUS Missions saying that I was accepted on the spring break trip to Peru! Words cannot describe how delighted I am to be able to go on this trip and serve my brothers and sisters in Peru.
In 2015, I learned so much about myself. It had its ups and downs, but I made it through and became a better version of myself. With that said, I’m excited to see what the New Year has in store. Bring it on 2016!
Don’t forget to head to http://2015bestnine.com/ and get your 2015 best nine on Instagram!
Photo Credit: http://www.freechristmaswallpapers.net/showpic.php?pic=images/wallpapers…