IRELAND-A shot at poetry

These are some poems I wrote about my trip to Ireland, written on barf bags on the plane ride back home. I'm no poet, but here's a stab in the dark anyway!

AIRPORTS

How do I spend so much time in such bizarre places

and never speak of it? 

I used to drive down by the river and park by the landing strips alone

to sit on the hood of my car, watching the planes come and go.

At peace-to know that we can go explore, yet come home to welcoming arms

and people we love are only a flight away. 

Now, with my belt clipped in

I don't want to look out these oval windows anymore

I am filled with bittersweetness 

and uncertainty. 

Beautiful moments only exist within my heart and photographs

and home is only wherever I land next.

It's not easy to say goodbye when no one knows

what the future holds. 

But. 

The best part is when I'm waiting for my luggage

knowing the person I love 

is on the other side of the gate

eagerly waiting to kiss all the distance away.

DUBLIN

I've always known, (or so I thought)

whether I could fall in love with a city or not

at first breath I take, and first glances I see.

Could be smitten in seconds, and swear to never leave. 

Dublin was not such a place, with it's frosty dampness and gritty cement streets. 

Oh, and that exasperating Irish accent! 

But like an acquired taste, I couldn't stop listening

and wandering around 

until it settled into my dreams, 

until it flirted with possibilities

until I wanted to call it home…could it be? 

There the fiddlers cheer up gray street corners

hot tea and warm biscuits await beside cafe windows

the country opens up to oceans, beaches, mountains and castles

so beautiful it can make this city girl cry. 

And there is a blue-eyed Irish boy waiting

there for me. 

So pour me another pint,

since all of life is just a long journey

and I'll pack my bags to see what there is to see. 

Surely there's an awful lot more for me! 

 At the top of the Sugarloaf

 Downtown Cork City!

 Coast on the way to Kinsale

 Dropping by a lil' beerfest. Red Rebel is the best! 

 Take me there-the Blarney castle <3

Life as a Past-Expat…On Returning HOME.

This one is for my friends I've met overseas whom have recently returned home, and the ones about to return home.

When you go to a new country, you allow yourself time to explore and settle into the culture and city. It's okay to stumble around and get lost, not know anyone or not know where to go to have fun. Culture shock is expected and braced for: what will the people be like? What are popular pastimes? How can I fit in?

What I've learned coming back to Portland is this: that particular grace period doesn't really exist when returning home. You should kinda automatically fit in. The life you lived abroad is foreign and irrelevant now…it's the only excuse you have for not knowing about the most famous waffle stand in town! I felt like Rip Van Wrinkle, and even that's an odd reference. Yes, I felt odd and a bit awkward. Still do sometimes.

For many expats returning home, reverse culture-shock comes as a surprise. It's hard to imagine your hometown feeling unfamiliar. And honestly at times, it's harder to adjust to living back home. I think one reason is that you come back with expectations and ideas of what life will be like, whereas when moving away, you prepare an open mind. I was lucky in that coming back to the States, I first lived in San Francisco for a few months and it was a good balance of familiarity and the unknown. I could still smile at strangers and say "Hi I'm new!" Moving back to Portland was the next step, and I found it harder to feel 'normal'. It seems like I missed out on so much, yet at the same time-nothing at all, really.

Job searching is especially interesting as a returning expat. I literally did not know where to start. With my job experience mostly irrelevant in the States (who would I teach English to?!) it was time to start from the bottom up. In Portland I applied for everything, from retail management to sales, HR and customer service (I had learned the hard way that non-profit work would have to wait). However as I reconstructed my resume and underwent multiple interviews, it became increasingly apparent to me that the skills I gained from living in different countries were very valuable in the workplace.
Flexibility, adaptability, risk-taking, overcoming challenges, assertiveness, creative problem solving, teamwork and resilience were a few. I have very solid examples to show for all of those. I didn't know it at the time, but it turns out that one of the most important life skills for our generation is getting back up after repeated failures, and refusing to give up. Work knowledge needed to fill a role can be learned, and what better person to learn it than someone who has learned completely new ways of living? I got my first job offer 3 days after arriving back home but turned it down for a better fit, and multiple opportunities have sprung up since. I am now officially hired at a very exciting and innovative company which I will announce in a different post :)

It was definitely NOT easy. I just made it out to sound that way maybe. I'm thankful I had lots of support from friends and strangers alike, encouraging me to be brave and optimistic. It's quite scary actually, and I feel very young but old at the same time. DETERMINATION was the word of my every-day. (Okay I admit some days were really overwhelming and uncertain and I cried a lot! I'm human!)

So to all my overseas friends who are returning home soon, don't you dare start to despair. You are a gem-don't limit yourself. We have way more interesting stories to tell at our interviews, so don't be shy about it. We have gone down a path very few our age have, so don't be ashamed of your lack in relevant job skills. Our LIFE skills are more relevant than you might realize.

Also, prepare a three sentence answer to the question: "Oh so you were living in ___. What was it like?" Cause after five minutes of you struggling to sum up your experiences, people's eyes glaze over. Don't be offended. I just (literally, NOW) came up with mine:
"It was amazing because I met so many great friends from all over the world. I learned how to speak Mandarin and Spanish, also loved my job teaching kindergarten at an international schools. I got to travel a lot and met my boyfriend and I'm excited for what's next!"

Be patient with your surroundings, we're the ones who've changed. 

Portland-A beautiful place to clear my mind.

I have been writing less and less lately. I blame it on moving back to the States, back to where I came from, where, to me, life just isn't exotic and fascinating. Where taking public transport isn't an adventure. Food is normal food that everyone has heard of-burgers and pasta and sushi. I feel like my power to bring in new ideas, write about exciting places, and inspire people to travel…has been depleted. Maybe I feel this stronger than I did in San Francisco because I was new to that glorious sunny city. But things changed, and as of three days ago I now live in Portland, Oregon! I am living among you now (that is, if you live in Portland). Maybe you saw me at the Clackamas mall earlier today, wandering through Macy's looking for a Wells Fargo ATM (there isn't one btw).

As a native, I am happy to be back since summer of 2010. I have started my life from scratch in multiple cities around the world, and now I get to do the same thing even in my own hometown. I have mixed feelings about it, but the mostly just BLEEHHHH. It's not Portland, it's the starting over part. My family moved away two years ago to follow life-long dreams of doing charity work overseas (see where I get it from?!) leaving me with no where to return 'home'. I thank God (and Facebook!) for all the strong friendships I've miraculously maintained, because without their sincere and supportive welcome, this place would feel just as foreign as any. One thing I never feel when I'm back in Portland is LONELY, and that is enough for me to love being back.

Here, I get the sense that I've lived life backwards somehow. People have careers they seem to enjoy, own cars they've paid off, bought houses, gotten married, had kids, built homes and travel when they can. Does it make you want to kick me in the face if I admit I envy them?!? I don't care-that is just how I've been feeling lately. And I'm entitled to feelings!

Thing is, traveling and moving around all the time loses it's….charm, whatever. I used to be so excited to find a new flat, buy furniture and decor, then beam in my own space. I would love walking out on the street and listening to new languages and getting lost on transit systems, getting a new phone and the challenge and satisfaction of landing a new job. For some people it's a huge life event; to move to a new city-but I've done it before and since then I've done it again. And again. And again and now it's not fun anymore. You only love the road when you're not missin' home. If you're anyone close to my age range (twenty-sixxxxxxxxxx soon yo) your Newsfeed and Instagram are probably exploding with baby photos and engagement rings. I'm happy for my friends, I truly am. I just wonder if I'll ever get there too.

So I'm back in Portland, and I just want to be a normal person. Sorry if I am distant for the next few weeks, my mind is on autopilot (get job, get flat, get car, get phone, etc.) until I am settled. I'm determined to earn back the kind of life I once loved here. I want to work hard. I want to play with my best friends. I want to snowboard. I want to spend quality time with my little brother. I want to drive. I want to have all the nice beers I can drink. A lot has happened recently- and I just need some time, whether it be a few months or few years, to feel like I belong somewhere and to live a stable life again. My soul needs a place to rest for a while, and to have a beautiful place to clear my mind. That's all.

PS. I AM actively job seeking! If you know of any opportunities get in touch with me :) Actually, get in touch with me anyway! I want to catch up with all my dearest friends! 

San Francisco-Biking to Sausalito

Leave it to the boyfriend to come back into my everyday life and fill it with outdoor adventures. Yeah, I attempted a small hike on Mt. Tamalpais my second weekend here, but it was pretty much a fail due to freezing rain and fog. I grew pretty content staying within the city, chillin at multiple cafes, sippin' on delicious brews (yes, I really really really love GOOD beer-okay?), lunch dating with girlfriends at trendy spots around town, and admittedly-being this comfortable is making me squishy. Last weekend the sun came out and the man was eager, and so I put on the Northface and Nikes and outside we went!

After a very romantic and delectable seafood dinner at The Mission Street Oyster Bar (I super recommend this place!!) the night before, we headed out late Saturday morning to the Creamery for coffee and then rented bikes when we reached The Bike Hut. $25 each bike for the whole day! We thought it would be a good idea to get bikes at the end of the Embarcadero but next time I would rent from the Fisherman's Wharf end because there was a ridiculous amount of foot traffic to dodge passing Pier 39. 

We dropped by Ghirardelli Square, the famous SF chocolate factory for a free sample (seasalt carmel all month it seems!) and continued biking towards the Golden Gate Bridge. It was easy to follow the bike paths, they were clearly marked and when they broke off we just followed other bikers. It was flat all the way until we reached the Golden Gate viewpoint, after we passed the Marina. Beautiful, sorority/fraternity alums really do live and thrive on the outside park gyms out there. We followed the signs to go over the Golden Gate Bridge (free for bikes, yay!) and it was so cold and windy!!! I was focused on going at pace with the other cyclists without getting blown away so much that I didn't really take time to soak in the views. I saw the suicide help phone booths though!

Crossing the bridge lead us to Sausalito, a charming little coastal town brimming with other tourists and cyclists for the weekend. I thought the place was, eeeeh. Just one walking street loaded with cafes and gift shops. We were so hungry, the boyfriend and I sat down at the first decent looking cafe (Sausalito Bakery and Cafe), that I will not be returning to-but I'll save my comments for Yelp. We caught the 3pm ferry back over the Fisherman's Wharf on a packed boat but made it back in time to return our bikes. 

This trip was definitely about enjoying the views and fresh air cycling over, not so much the weather or place where we ended. Still, a wonderful day spent and exercise for the day, check!

"Life is a journey, not a destination." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you, 2013

It really doesn't feel like that long ago since I wrote "Thank you, 2012". 2013 was full of challenges and big changes. I traveled a lot, volunteered in Honduras and finally I've left Taiwan. (Moved back to the United States of America, hello!) I've learned that we're better off letting go of things we cannot control, and that happiness is always an option if we so choose it. All in all, I had another extraordinary year as an ordinary girl. Here are some remarkable moments of my 2013:

Climbing Mount Jade (玉山): Excellent first hike of the year! Took us 3 days and 2 nights to make it to the peak of this 3,952 m mountain, the tallest in SE Asia. We went with a guided group with old friends and new friends. It was really cold and on the final day we started hiking in pitch darkness around 2am, but the view left us in awe.

Chinese New Years in Thailand: The most packed vacation ever. We hit Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Ko Tao, Krabi and got back to Bangkok in ten days! The weather, food and sights were amazing. We did it the backpacker way...definitely an experience.

Team Max 2013: I would say that most of my best friends in Taiwan were my fellow teammates. We started practice again in January and continued on pretty much all year because we just love the sport and company. Some of the best Saturday mornings I've spent in 2013 were just on a dragon boat, in bikinis, in the Bitan river, working on our tans and making plans for the day after showers. We didn't take home first place this year, but it's okay. Thank you Team Max, our orange days will keep us bonded for life!

Exploring Ireland: While meeting his family, I spent a lot of days adventuring on my own in Ireland! One my favorite moments was getting on the train and spending the day in Galway. It's weird how sometimes you grow fonder of a city when you're seeing it on your own. Lovely people, and the only proper place to have a Guinness.

Biking Hwy 11 (From north to south coast of Taiwan!): Probably one of the most physically demanding things I've ever done. Our bodies are amazing machines once we break though the mental barrier. Confession: It was so hard I cried a few times along the highways. I would never have made it without my partner in crime! Really glad we did this together, now I can look forward to never doing such a crazy bike journey again!! :D

Training with the Celts: The other sports team I had loads of craic with were this lovable Gaelic team whom I launched my professional Gaelic career with last year. I wish I could have stayed in Taiwan long enough to compete in the Asian GAA games once more, but just being a part of the team up to that point meant a lot to me (and hopefully to them!! haha) There were so many good days spent playing on that scorching Baling field, countless juice smoothies and pints at the Brass Monkey after. Only the finest!

Golden Graduation: Oh, this was so bittersweet. It was finally time for me to bid farewell and good luck to the students I've practically raised for the past two years. I am proud of them for learning so much and growing up so quickly. Also, it was the end of my teaching career for as far as I know. Until I go back to school, which I'm not sure I'll be aiming for, my Teacher Kalong title has come to rest.

Volunteering in Honduras: After my kindergarteners at Golden graduated, I spent the rest of the year in remote El Porvenir, Honduras as a volunteer teacher. I played games, taught silly songs, brushed teeth, and hugged the kiddos a lot. I learned how to cook and read books and take naps on the hammock. I adapted to making lesson plans and teaching a whole term with practically no curriculum or materials. For four months, I lived my life very differently from all I knew before, but I found peace within it. There were good days and there were bad days, but it was an experience I won't regret. Even if I forget all the Spanish I learned, I won't forget the faces and love I had for all my little (and older) friends in El Porvenir!

Being reunited with my man: This happens a lot, which means we get separated a lot, which means we have rights to celebrate when we are together!! Whether it's been me waiting ecstatically for him at the Taoyuan airport to welcome him come home from a work trip, or him flying down to Central America via the tiniest planes, or being mushed together at the Dublin airport arrival gates, there's nothing better than returning to his side. I kinda hate being apart, but we're like celebrities that way, hurmph.

Cheers to another exciting year!!

GUATEMALA

Last week, it was time to bid El Porvenir farewell. Finally, it was time for me to put away my frumpy khaki volunteering shorts and pick up a camera. I headed to Guatemala, the neighboring country known for it's vibrant culture and coffee! It felt good to end my journey by starting off on a new one as a tourist/backpacker. I met up with friends in Guatemala City, then stayed in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. I was prepared to hit it up solo, but to my delight the boyfriend managed to join me for a few days! Here are some highlights of my trip:

 The cuisine was fantastic and always made fresh, where ever we went and whatever we ordered! There was no shortage of highly recommended restaurants and cafes, we never left disappointed! (above: We discovered Rincon Tipico-$5 a plate-hole in the wall!)

 We hiked an active volcano, Pacaya. Tours leave in the morning and in the afternoon, we went in the morning at 6am! 2 hours away by shuttle, $10 included everything but the marshmellows.

 It was like walking on the moon! Great views, but didn't get close enough to the top to see lava. 

The shopping! GAH! So many quality handicrafts were being sold at every corner. Bracelets, hammocks, bags, ughhhh I had to control myself from buying things I wouldn't normally use or wear once I settle back into the city...

 The buildings in Antigua. It was easy to spend entire days just walking around the city to marvel at their gloriousness. Guides hang out at Central Park to offer walking tours, but I preferred to stumble around getting lost. 

 Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America, surrounded by volcanoes it's also one of the most beautiful lakes as well! 3.5-4 hours by shuttle (easily booked at any travel agency-I recommend Atitrans for professionalism and honest prices) it's best to spend a night. Warning-it's not a smooth journey! 

 Villages are scattered around the take, clustered around docks. We stayed in San Pedro, and spent a day in Panachel before heading back. It costs about $3 to get from dock to dock. 

 Making chocolate at the Choco Museum. 2 hour classes, great history lesson w/ Pablo, 3 hot chocolates, take home chocolate you make (70% available!) $24 so worth it! 

There's so much more to do in Antigua-taking Spanish classes being one of the most popular options for people with more time! I loved my time here, and in the future I plan to return to a Spanish-speaking country solely for the purpose to learn the language properly. Until then, hasta luego! 

Why I'm Thankful

It's turkey day again! This will be my fourth Thanksgiving overseas, celebrating with the family and friends I've met along the journey. This year, dinner will be with our team of volunteers who come from all over the world-so I was doing some explaining last night on what Thanksgiving is for those who didn't grow up with it...and what happened after the First Thanksgiving. There's a story with some dark history! It's best just to focus on the meaning behind the holiday-a time to give thanks for what we have-and to eat ourselves into a food coma.

My life is full to the brim with blessings. Here are are some things I am especially thankful to the Lord for this year: 

1. My health. I can't really say I risk my life doing dangerous things on a daily basis, but I have done a lot of sports and travel without any injuries. Especially living in Central America, I'm so grateful for not contracting Dengue or yellow fever, for how many insects feast on me daily. I'm thankful for a strong, healthy body because it's the only one I'll have for the rest of my life! 

2. My friends. They light up my world, and remind me who I am when I'm lost. I thank God for bringing all sorts of amazing characters into my life, and I'm thankful for the internet for keeping us connected despite the constant changing distances between us.

3. My passports and citizenships. Many people don't realize how hard it is to travel for people living in countries with complicated visa applications/procedures. In Honduras (and many, many other countries), it is extremely difficult to even visit the United States because the government needs to make sure they will eventually return, and not become illegal residents. Only a tiny percentage of the population can pass the background check in order to apply for a visa. Think about how easy it is for us (US citizens). We just buy a plane ticket online, show up at the airport, and take off. I'm pretty positive I can go anywhere in the world-because for countries where US citizens aren't allowed, BOOM I've got my HK passport ready baby! With the traveling I've done and still want to do, it's something I've grown to really appreciate.

4. My family. Sure, they're not really around, but they're the ones who raised me to be independent enough to figure things out on my own and I am thankful for that. They are the ones that encourage me into going anywhere and doing anything, really-well maybe not encourage, but they've never held me back. They know what I'm made of, cause they're made of it too. The strong-willed Wongs. 

5. My man. My favorite person in the world, and the one I want to share everything with. Words can't explain how thankful I am to have him in my life. To be loved is nothing, to love someone is something, but to be loved by the one you love is everything. <3