It's been almost a year now since I started my journey from San Francisco to Brazil, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Philly and back home to Tempe again. And subsequently, it has been about a year on for this blog as well. I therefore, offer a toast in this self-congratulatory, if not nostalgic, manner.
It might be odd to reflect on a year in the midst of one, but when are not? A few memorable moments in the past year:
- Enjoying a sunny day and cool night in the red wood forests an hour outside SF, listening to local bands
- Riding with my head out the side of the trolley across Rio's favelas as the rain begins
- Arriving in HCMC, wearing rolled-up Penn sweats because the humidity is too much
- Going knee deep in the terraced rice paddies of Sapa
- Partying the night away in Philly, shouting and chanting in celebration
- Teaching my sister how to drive, and pretending not to care if she kills me
- Hanging out by the pool with old friends and wasting time well
- Hiking Camelback Hill for the umpteenth time, but never getting tired of it
- Wandering the beaches of San Diego, watching fireworks light the sky
And a million other moments. Luckily, I have been blessed with friends and family who love me, an aptitude and determination to do well in life, and the ability to enjoy doing so.
Every time I come home, I am reminded of how much I miss it. While I am away, I must admit, I am not one to become nostalgic. I can be content in most situations. But there is an energy, a familiarity with old friends and family found nowhere else. I hope to be able to keep such ties strong as the swift current of life carries me forward. I can only express my sincerest gratitude to all those who have and continue to share in my journey and I am honored to be a part of yours.
So a year on, and where do we go from here? I do not know. The future will always be a mystery, and the past will have always been spent. What I have learned, is this: Life is like a pitcher of beer. Best enjoyed with those you love. Who are you drinking with tonight?
