Don’t Burn The Day

Welps, I did it. I survived Year 1: Shanghai, China. — Who woulda thunk??!! I’m still in disbelief!

First of all, it feels all sorts of weird now that I’m back in the States. All things immediately fell back to a normal routine, feeling as if I never left…. and while I show the fam some pics and videos, I find it hard to believe that I was actually out there, living it all up.

But anyway, so of course, I had been jotting some reflective notes for the past month only to lose my scribbles somewhere amidst my torturous packing episode(s) for my return. (Doh!) Ahhh well, I’ll try my best to recall and add now:

Reflective Ramblings (in no particular order):

1. In order to become extraordinary, you gotta be open to chance and unfamiliar circumstance, allow yourself outside the perimeters of all things ordinary; Only then will you realize… and actualize how extraordinary you are. I guarantee that you’ll surprise yourself.

2. To conscientiously leave everything that was familiar to me and all that I had built up for myself: family, friends, (fabulous, tee hee) NYC lifestyle, business network, career, etc. was one of the toughest, but oddly easiest decisions for me to have made. I owe it to timeliness; I was ready for my own personal change (and I don’t regret it at all especially with our current state of economics).

3. My patience level was tested this past year, more than ever in my life – even surpassing the heartless corporate world that I’ve put up with in the past. From getting through and by in daily life/language barrier/cultural differences and frustrations/working with children on the daily (takes A LOT of effort)— I had to dig REAL deep to increase my tolerance threshold!

4. With the above said, I’ve also become more of a sailor’ette with my vocabulary. (sh*t!, sigh)

5. I’ve always admired my parents to be amazingly bold and strong individuals, but now to get a taste of where they came from, the obstacles they endured and how they resiliently achieved their ultimate goal of providing “a better life” for their 13 children and respective generations down the line… truly makes them the most extraordinary individuals I know – hands down, absolutely NO contest! The lengths they’ve gone of sacrifice and determination is immeasurable, as has their adjustment to the western world. It’s remarkable to think of what life could be like today had my parents not been so obstinately courageous.

6. Now, my conversations with my parents on family history bring more vivid imagery; I’ve got tangibles to relate to and it’s a beautiful thing!

7. I encourage all to take time for their own “Roots” episode. It is critical for self-definition.

8. A bit to my surprise, my students made my eyes well up with tears as they held on strong and long as we hugged in my last moments of farewell. Such an incredibly rewarding feeling to know that I’ve made such a positive difference and influence!!

9. Hugs are a powerful tool. Use them right and tight.

10. Teaching is selfless, underrated and incredibly humanely rewarding.

11. I’ve learned to appreciate individuals, for just for that, their individuality. Yes, I got this back in the States as well… but living abroad, being on the look-out for expat friendships for a sense of the familiar, you’re bound to run into various cultural perspectives – some of which may connect and others, headbutt. But you listen, learn and grow with one another. I love cultural interchange. You learn so much from first-hand accounts.

12. The best conversationalists are those who LISTEN at the foremost.

13. Speaking with the locals has really made me feel privileged to be an American citizen. Ie. In order for them to travel out of the country they are required to submit a “deposit” to the government that is as many as 40 times their annual salary – to ensure that they’ll return. To hear of their envy of Americans due to our freedom to think, act, have an opinion and be able to voice it, choose, petition, vote, hope, dream, travel and be optimistic for change makes me feel so damn lucky. To know this and know fellow Americans who take these privileges for granted, disappoints me.

14. For once in my life, I can say I experienced a sense of solitude. Sure, I am grateful for the friends I have made while abroad and most certainly thankful that it didn’t take all too long. (I’ll have to thank my natural gift of gab for that.) I would never discount them, ever. We all bonded early and fast over our similar stances and predicaments. But as I’ve always remarked on before, there was always something that hovered over me – knowing that it was all a ticking time clock when it came to expat friendships. The lack of consistency always made for “something missing.” I missed my lifetime buds; those that knew me inside and out – no need for explanations. I thought of particular friends who would’ve enjoyed certain things at certain moments with me. However, whether for a few days, weeks, months or luckily those who were with me throughout the year, I am truly appreciative of all the amazing, adventurous, all-around good times spent and sound boards for rants and vents! I picked up a few BFF’s along the way and boy do we have some quality stories to tell our kids and grandkids one day…. I’m sure we’ll meet again with a few guaranteed chuckles on the side. Thank You!

15. Highlights include, but not limited to: Shanghai Summer ’08 (Purple Mountain Pool Parties, whoo!) Camel Trekking through the Gobi Desert, Being completely hypnotized by the blanket of stars in the Gobi to the point where I was confused with my own age (lol!), Amazing city of Saigon and eating authentic Vietnamese food, Elephant Riding and Snorkeling in Thailand, Peace & Love on Koh Lipe, Kissed by a Pink Dolphin in Singapore, Discovery Café in Melacca Malaysia, The Great Wall and all of its Greatness! (and zip-lining thru it), Guilin/Yangshuo Topography, Working the Rice Fields in Yanghshuo, River Rafting on Long Jing Rapids, outings in the ‘Hai…

16. Maintaining true friendships takes effort, but should never be a chore. Long-distance friendships take the necessary efforts to another level. Despite being removed from face-to-face, in the physical, interaction, I appreciate and know who my real friends are – those who took time to reach out thru the various modes of communication I had going. Especially the real-talk ones; the ones who took initiative; the ones who cared, reached out, filled me in on what was going on in their world, knew what I was thinking and feeling at all times, and always had the perfect words, as if rode with me all through the year.

17. Meeting people during travels is a wonderfully raw experience. Ya’ll know, with me, what you see is what you get no matter what environment I am in, but this isn’t always the case with the majority. However, globetrotters are more inclined to have this raw attitude. Their walls are down. I love it. Cut the bullshit and just be who you are.

18. Clicking with people from all over the world is awesome. Again, I don’t mean the ones who you say no more than 5 words to, and next thing you know, they want to add you on FB. Sorry folks, I’m selective…even with FB. I have “FB Purgatory.”

19. Value experience over materials.

20. I’ve never had so many ABC (American Born Chinese) friends in my life. Ya’ll are alright folks.

21. I have a newfound appreciation for Americans, particularly the ones that take themselves out of the ordinary. It’s always been refreshing to meet another fellow American out in the “Wild, Wild Far East.” Less to explain, on my part.

22. I’m proud and feel fortunate to be an American baby. (Thank you Grandma, Dad, Mom and sibs.) … I’m surprising myself with how patriotic I am sounding now…

23. Education is a life-long commitment.

24. It bothers me when I hear people say they need to “start” living. LIVE NOW. The CHOICE is YOURS.

25. Everyone’s got a lil’ EXTRAordinary in them, waiting to be set Free… it’s up to you to make use of the key…

.. don’t burn the day. .