Mia is a hardworking student at a high school in Taipei, but she has been feeling sluggish and unhappy for weeks. One morning, the weatherman on the news announces that spring will bring changeable weather this week, with temperatures dropping to ten degrees centigrade overnight. The forecast reminds Mia that she needs to take better care of herself before the upcoming exams arrive.
Mia soon realizes that she has become addicted to sitting on the sofa and ordering takeout every night. Her mother encourages her to visit the greengrocer at the nearby market to pick up fresh vegetables and fruits. "Home-cooked meals can be just as yummy as restaurant food," her mother promises. That evening, Mia helps prepare a colorful salad and is surprised by how much she enjoys it.
At school, Mia tries hard to get along with her classmates instead of keeping to herself. During English class, the teacher runs a dictation exercise while a student volunteer tracks the time with a stopwatch. When a quiet new girl cannot find her pencil sharpener, Mia passes hers over with a warm smile, and that small gesture begins a wonderful friendship.
The following weekend, Mia and her new friend Lily visit a glasshouse at the city botanical garden. They are amazed to discover that certain tropical plants hibernate during the colder months and only begin to flower when temperatures rise again. Lily, who has a bold fashion sense, arrives in a bright yellow miniskirt and cheerfully picks up a seashell from a display shelf to show Mia.
That evening, Mia contacts her cousin Kevin in Ottawa through a videophone. Kevin has just placed first in his school's science fair, and Mia cannot contain her excitement. "Hooray!" she calls out, followed by a heartfelt congratulation that makes Kevin laugh out loud. In terms of keeping family ties strong, Mia believes that seeing someone's face on screen is far more meaningful than simply sending a text message.
Mia is now on a diet as well, swapping greasy snacks for lighter, more nutritious options. She once spent an entire week eating nothing but gruel in an attempt to lose weight quickly, but that extreme approach left her too weak to focus in class. These days, she understands that balance is the key. Before her afternoon lessons begin, she stops by the washroom to wash her face and refresh herself. When the salesgirl at the cafeteria counter offers her a sugary energy drink, Mia politely shakes her head and picks up a bottle of plain water instead.
By the time the final exams are over, Mia feels like a completely different person. She has learned that the small daily habits that she keeps up consistently are the ones that eventually transform her life. In terms of personal growth, no grade on any test could ever measure how much she has gained this school year. Mia smiles to herself and wonders what other positive changes she will make in the months ahead.