110) Dec 28, 2017 - Jan 7, 2018

My most memorable New Year's was this year.

Long story (kind of) short.

Most importantly, I reconnected with old friends. Also, I connected with a new friend. Furthermore, I stayed at their homes.

I was in the Los Angeles area from December 28, 2017 - January 7, 2018.

(I had an "unplanned" itinerary. I like it that way. No rush in the schedule. Relax, and enjoy.)

Thursday, December 28, 2017:

• ​From the Bay Area, my good friend and I arrived at 7:15pm in Sherman Oaks, California. (About a 6-hour road trip.)
• Played free pickup basketball at LA Fitness (using a good friend's membership card).

​Friday, December 29, 2017:

• Helped good friends move out of their apartment in Sherman Oaks.
• Introduced to a healthy acai bowl. (Tastes really good.)
• At the apartment, we watched a Cotton Bowl football game between the USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes. (They were supporting their alma mater, Trojans. Buckeyes beat them 24-7. I witnessed their emotional reactions.)
• Played free pickup basketball at LA Fitness.

​Saturday, December 30, 2017 (1st tiring night):

• Posted Craiglist ads on their sectional couch, rug, coffee tables (or table stands), shoe rack, and 2 kitchen chairs with padded seats. I listed them as free. Yes, they were taken. (If you need anything free, keep an eye on the "last minute" movers on Craiglist.)
• Played free pickup basketball at LA Fitness.
• Later that night, I chilled with the hardcore partygoer friends at Santa Monica.

Sunday, December 31, 2017 (Back-to-back tiring night):

• ​Farewell, Sherman Oaks apartment. (Before they left their apartment, I took pictures of them on their balcony. Surprisingly, it was their longest time to stay on this balcony. Then, they invited me to be on their pictures. 15 minutes have flown by.)
• At 4pm, I watched an NBA live game between the Charlotte Hornets at the Los Angeles Clippers. (Courtesy from my good friend. His dad is a season ticket holder of the Clippers. 8 rows away from the court's sideline.)
• From 9pm until 12:30am, I saw John Mayer and Dave Chappelle live at the Forum in Inglewood. (An amazing experience.)
• After the show, I stayed at a good friend's apartment in Pasadena. (He was concerned about where I will stay.)
• Realized this good, partygoer friend from Pasadena, "Works hard, and goes out (in bars, clubs, and etc.) hard."

January 1-7, 2018 (Recovery days):

• My good friend picked me up from Pasadena, California.
• I stayed with him at his cousin's place in Highland Park.
• I knew of his cousin from my elementary school. She is two grades above us. Every year, she excelled with honors. She was always student president. I told her, "You knew it all. I was super shy and quiet. I never talked because I had a very low-self esteem." Then, I asked her, "Who would have thought I would be here meeting you?"
• ​​Introduced to a breakfast burrito at Lucky Boy in Pasadena. (Best breakfast burrito I ever had, excluding the bacon. I cannot handle its saltiness anymore.)
• Went on four incredible hikes: Runyon Canyon Trail, Ferndell Trail (to Griffith Observatory), Brush Canyon Trail (to Hollywood Sign), and Eaton Canyon Trail.
• The best vegan donuts I ever had goes to Donut Friend in Highland Park.
• Sugarfish is the best sushi I ever had.
• Reunited with (another) good friend, before we head back to the Bay. Slowly walked Zuma beach together. Then, we visited Pepperdine University together. Drove around Malibu, while we took turns choosing one song at a time. We ate at a great doughnut spot. Parted way when we dropped him off at Woodland Hills.
• Before we head to the Bay, he group texted us, "Drive slow/safely, homies. It was great seeing you guys! You both aren't just friends with which I share things in common; you're both really good guys who have my back on important things in life."

​All in all, relationships come unexpectedly.

​This new year's story would not have happened, if it was not for my good friend.

​My high school self thought I would never be good friends with him in the future. (Again, relationships come unexpectedly.)

Thank you, good friend.​