It has certainly been a fast paced and interesting
week. I have the immense pleasure to
report that I am writing this on the plane from Hong Kong to Jakarta. Hong Kong
was simply amazing. I have never been so thrust into a city that was so busy
with life moving at such a fast pace as Hong Kong. It has instantly become one
of the most interesting cities I have been fortunate set foot in and will
definitely be added to the highly prestigious CL favourite cities list. I cannot help but assume I will be travelling
back there soon to explore it in proper fashion.
I find myself
constantly being caught in moments of intense excitement and childhood wonder
as I move about this new place. Everything is new, and everything holds a new
opportunity to reflect on what a fantastic opportunity that I am embarking
on. I am blessed to have such an
experience. I am also blessed to have
just had an unannounced glass of apple juice brought to me by the flight
attendant mid sentence, it is perhaps the best I have ever had. I guess that is a good reminder to stop and
smell the roses occasionally. There will
be without a doubt a full senses overload upon arriving to my new
pseudo-permanent home. New sights,
sounds, friends, as well as different, weather, food and surely uncomfortable
bowel movements. But in all this newness and uncertainty I will need to remind
myself to take time to reflect and give thanks; for plane tickets, new friends,
and apple juice.
Perhaps it is the whirlwind of the last week, but I feel
completely unprepared for any of what I am experiencing. Driving across the country with my dad and
brother was amazing, seeing my mom and extended family was even more wonderful. I arrived back home at 3:00am the day of my
departure for Hong Kong and it has yet to ‘hit me’ that I have left. With a constant list of things to do and time
passing by faster than I could check items off, I barely have time to process
it all. So in this moment of relative
reflectiveness I want to thank everyone who helped make this adventure
possible, and those who always support me. From California to Chicago, Lawrence
to Lubjavik, everyone inbetween and beyond - thanks. Especially Mom, Dad, and
Erik for allowing me to be strange and completely impractical, yet always
giving me the nod to follow my heart.
So with only 3 hours left until Indonesia, I’ll Breathe
deep, take a snooze, and make a mental note to stop and enjoy the apple juice
once in a while.
