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.
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.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!
DeleteThanks!!
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