Musings in the Dark: 2014: It's A Wrap!!!

1/01/2015

2014: It's A Wrap!!!

I've been blogging for five years.  Noob reminded me of this recently and I had to take a step back and reflect.  Five years ago, I was an undiagnosed mess of turmoil, grief and rage.

Two years ago, I was sitting in my Atlanta home, infuriated with the lack of progress I was making towards completing my degree.  I didn’t have a job and was battling a bout of tendonitis in my right hand after spending six weeks entering numeric data into Excel.  I’d actively taken steps to move abroad but nothing was panning out and I was unbelievably frustrated.  I was unhappy, unhealthy, lonely, and I felt like everything was against me.

Fast forward to now.  I live in Shanghai; a city of 26 million people.  My educational pursuits are now directly related to professional development.  I have a job that I love, and the absolute freedom to do whatever the hell I want.  I don't think I've ever been as happy or as content as I am right now. Sometimes I can’t believe it; that I really am back in my little house and dreaming about being an expat instead of actually being an expat.


It’s not a dream.  I’ve said this before.  Who dreams of moving to the People’s Republic of China, a communist nation that is still in many ways a third-world country?  “Not I,” said the cat.  But I’m a believer and I’ve learned to trust the path God has put me on, even when I can’t see it and don’t understand it.  Living in Shanghai has been an absolute wonder; an unfathomed delight of new and marvelous experiences.

Look at this city.  What's not to love?
...aka Suva Oriana
2014 in a nutshell:  I have learned to live without a car and lost 30 pounds.  I have learned how to shop for days as opposed to weeks.  I have discovered the absolute magnificent delight of having custom-made clothes and shoes for the low.  I have fully embraced what Westerners consider “alternative medicine,” and lest we forget, The Rebirth of Slick.  I stay thankful for Trey.  Still see his snarky ass every week and will continue to do so until I have to leave.  Hell, I want to take him with me.

All in all, an exceptional year.  I expect more of the same with 2015.  I know without a doubt that it will hold a new adventure with my name plastered all over it. I love living in Asia.  I love the freedom and near-complete anonymity I have, which allows me to do anything and everything I please.  It’s as comforting and as secure as a warm blanket.

Life is too short to have an unstamped passport.  I encourage all Dilettantes who are in the position to do so, to spend a year or two as an expat.  Go when you want and wherever you want, just go. 

I read this on a basket at a restaurant:  “YOLOGONOW.”

Good advice.  Do it. 


3 comments:

  1. This post came right on time! Today is my birthday and this was so what I needed to read while sitting in my bed reflecting. Plus you have always had some profound stuff to say at the end/beginning of the year. Best wishes for a prosperous New Year.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting. Please be sure to leave a name; I like to know who I am talking to.