Somebody recently asked me what the happiest moment in my life was. I paused, not knowing how exactly to answer.

You see, it'€™s not that I do not have many happy moments to choose from '€“ thankfully, I do.

In this year alone, I had plenty '€“ such as when I joined an acapella group and performed a song solo in front of an audience.

If you'€™re thinking that my experience was anything like that seen on Glee, you'€™d be wrong.

It was better! Unlike the series, my experience was all music and no drama '€“ just lots of love.

Considering that my musical abilities are average at best, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and it was absolutely worth it.

This year was also one of travel for me, taking me to places both near (Belitung) and far (San Francisco) from home.

Belitung has always been on my bucket list of places to visit in Indonesia, as I absolutely love Andrea Hirata'€™s Laskar Pelangi [Rainbow Warriors] series.

This summer, I managed to go on a short trip there with my little brother and Belitung did not disappoint.

If you think you'€™ve seen blue seas and blue skies before, Belitung will redefine what that means for you.

The beaches were pure white and our days there were spent exploring unoccupied islands and perusing Andrea Hirata'€™s Museum of Words. It was pure happiness.

San Francisco is a place probably better known to most, with the city'€™s famous landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Pier 39.

I was happier perusing some of San Francisco'€™s relatively unknown streets, exploring cafes and Mexican taquerias while taking in all the art the walls of the city had to offer through the countless graffiti murals that decorated the city.

I am thankful that 2015 was a good year, filled with moments that might be numbered among the happiest in my life.

But I had a hard time answering the question above exactly because I do not want to
define the happiest moment in my life.

Once I do, I will have set a standard for what happiness looks like.

It is important for us to remember not to do so, because then how will we open our minds and eyes to whatever better things might await us in the future?

Let'€™s then keep looking forward, whether our days be good or bad.

Our best days are still ahead!

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The writer is a student at Barnard College, Columbia University, and author of Bright Eyes.