Over the past few years, I have tried my best to reserve time to read for fun. I have read a series of books from different genres. One day, I took a nature walk around my neighborhood and noticed a mathematical pattern in a pine cone. I look closely and notice how the pine cone pattern resembles a pineapple pattern. I went to my public library and borrowed The Beauty of Numbers in Nature: Mathematical Patterns and Principles from the Natural World by Ian Stewart. Each chapter in The Beauty of Numbers in Nature analyzes a different type of patterning system and its mathematical underpinnings. The first chapter talked about the individual uniqueness of snowflakes. The book speaks about how each snowflake is unique when they fall from the sky, as another snowflake that falls from the sky is different from the previous one. The question is, how does the mixture of air, gravity, and other natural components can create a unique pattern. With this question in mind, I could not help but notice different natural patterns surrounding me, like a sunflower. Sunflower is amazing; the seeds within a sunflower follow the Fibonacci sequence (2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144...). The individual seeds form spiral arms, curving to the right and the left. However, the number of spirals to the left is not equal to those spiraling to the right. I encourage anyone to use a magnifying glass when seeing a sunflower zoom in and out. What I truly enjoy about the books is the highlight of the connection of the mathematical nature patterns to human-made patterns. Reading this book allows me to become more curious when looking at leaves, threes, zebras, fruits, the cornea of my eyes, and the universe.

Some of the things that are on my bucket list are, Going on a family camping trip to a National Park in Oregon or Washington. Return to school this fall!! Travel the world!! Take a wilderness first aid class. Go sky diving at an epic location! Overcoming being scared of heights. Read more books than the last year before. Go on walks with my mother. Try a new activity. Try to do one hike per month. Watch Korean Dramas with my mother. Learn a new language. Cook healthy recipes and drink less coffee. Write a scientific paper and get published. What I have accomplished so far: Starting January of this year, my mother and I have gone on numeral walks. Early in February, I became part of an organization, and I had the opportunity to attend an aerial tour on a small craft. I can happily say that I am not scared of heights anymore. Since the year started, I have read four books, and I am excited to pick up my next book on Wednesday. I've made healthy recipes, from smoothies to salads and other recipes. Today marks my 2nd-month caffeine-free. I am currently learning Frech, and it has been fun. I have a new activity that I love very much and is to dance to Korean music. In March, I will be taking a wilderness first aid class. This month I received my acceptance to attend graduate school; I am beyond excited to return to school this fall 2022.