it's been a while...

where have i been in this big world

in this week’s newsletter: joyful updates, treasured memories, and tired bodies all wrapped up in a warm embrace for our ‘asia trip 2023’ adventure

dear penpals -

it’s been quiet around here and a while since i’ve last popped into your inboxes. i hope this newsletter update finds you well!

despite my first instinct to apologize for being missing in action, another part of me is gifting myself with the freedom to allow for the pace of life to be as it is and not over-commit to things. but now i find myself rested and excited to write again - so hello!

so where have i been in this big world while taking a break from newsletter writing and video making? … i’ve been taking some pretty big and brave steps to travel the world for the first time.

---

back in the summer of 2022, before i officially left to japan, three friends and i were jokingly talking about how much fun it would be if we made a trip to asia to visit each other’s home countries. at this point of the timeline, borders to certain countries were still closed to non-citizens, hotel quarantines were still in effect, and travel restrictions were heavily enforced. despite our desire to travel, this trip was all wishful thinking and nothing was really set in place to actually happen.

i left for japan, began building my life here in kamikatsu, while they kept building theirs in canada. but we managed to keep the sparks of this plan alive and kept each other posted of travel availabilities every now and then.

… and then borders started opening. quarantine restrictions were lifted. and what was a distant, wishful dream started becoming more and more closer to reality.

the plan was to travel for a total of two-three weeks with each person staggering their times, according to their schedule, within three countries: japan, taiwan, and philippines. and since we wanted to visit each other’s home countries, each person was more-or-less responsible in planning and guiding the others, since language, knowledge, and ease of navigating would be familiar for the “host” (more on that experience later…!).

---

we started our adventures in japan, where we split the group into team city / team countryside, until we met up for the first time as a group of 4 in the bustling city of 大阪 [ō·sa·ka].

… then hopped on a plane and landed in taiwan, with the only goal of consuming our body weight in street food and soup dumplings.

… then found ourselves in the philippines to experience many “firsts” of adventures, island hopping tours, filipino foods, and of course… jolibee!

---

for many reasons, too long to write in this little newsletter, i never traveled in my early 20’s. the time where you’re at an age to go on adventures, explore the world, discover yourself, have your “eat, pray, love” moment, i never had / wanted that for myself.

i am an anxious traveler (and even more anxious flyer), airports were scary (airplanes were scarier), i preferred returning to familiar places than exploring new ones, i travel with family because they knew how to travel with me, and never, never traveled with friends.

so for those in my life, they knew how big of a step this trip was for me. it’s not everyday i feel a pull and desire to explore the world without the familiar comforts i’m used to. and i’m thankful for the way they supported me, by not over-hyping this big decision but by silently cheering me on. knowing that the feeling and acceptance that i am brave. i am capable. i am ready. needs to come from within (and to help with packing… my goodness, i need a course on how not to overpack).

and i’m thankful for the friends i traveled with. who recognized the importance of all the planning that comes before you step on the plane, to communicate expectations and boundaries, to check-in on each other, and allow room for mistakes to be learned. it was a joy to have traveled with all of you!

traveling is still scary for me, but it also feels empowering. and i’m learning and allowing myself to feel the mixture of both those things and look to find the balance in holding space for both. so i’m excited to take you on my trip in the upcoming newsletters to share with you the highs, the lows, and the growing points from each adventure i had.

for those who are learning to step out of your comfort zones a little more each day, you’ve got this, but if it takes a little more time - that’s okay. i’ll be here, on this side of the internet, forever cheering you on.

---