Another chapter

This week I begin another new chapter of my life. The past sixteen-ish months have passed by so quickly and my head has been so full of thoughts and feelings that it's going to take some time before I have everything thought out and "filed away". I was hoping to have this all sorted before moving on but will I ever? I feel like time is moving so fast that I can barely keep up and all I can do is do what I can and remind myself to pause and soak for a moment before moving on to the next thing.

But yes it's been an interesting and fun life thus far and it's been almost entertaining to look back and see what plans panned out and what plans did not, windows and doors eventually leading the way for something even better.

Which almost makes me a bit disappointed that I'm back so soon, getting ready to work again and that on the outside I might appear to be the same as I was five years ago, living and working in the same city that I grew up in and have spent almost my entire life. I feel like a brat that I complain about living in such a great place, having the friends and family and connections to make it all possible and comfortable as can be. But I'm not the same. And I think what I'm actually worried about is taking it for granted and letting potential all go to waste...and that I'll eventually become lazy and complacent and give up on trying to improve and be the best I can be. To understand what potential really is and go for that.

I feel sad that my year abroad is over but I do look back and smile. That chance to start fresh, make new friends and discover new thoughts and feelings while watching sunrises and sunsets from another part of the world. The friends I made there are friends I'll have for life and I feel so blessed to have had the past year to be: free.

And now? I truly believe that my birth city is a great place and for now my place is here. Whether that means two years or ten years or forever, I'll decide that with time and when that time comes. I think I'll just know.

But in any case, I AM looking forward to my new job. To meeting new people, learning new things and to eventually that designation that I've studied so many hours for. Whoooo progress :)

Sunrise the morning we reached the Percy Islands in Queensland.

Whoa: A really quick reflection

The past few months have totally flown by. I'm amazed at how much has happened, yet on the outside I might still appear the same. But I know I've changed. I know I've grown.

It's going to take me a long while to sort through all the great memories I have, some captured in photos! I've photogrid-ed a few to at least put in some markers so that I can hopefully move on without feeling "behind".

The first month back: It's pretty slow when you don't work, but I've been keeping myself busy. During this first month back I also celebrated my 29th birthday, with the help of some great friends and family and some delicious treats.

 Asia Travels 2014: Just amazing. Not much else I can say right now in such a quick summary but hopefully I'll get it sorted out later, once I get this job situation figured out so that it no longer occupies so much of my energies.

Aaaand Sydney. How I still miss my Sydney. It's Australian National Dragonboat Championships this week/weekend and I'm not in the boat :( It makes me sad but I'm happy to have had the opportunity to experience everything that I did and to have met the great people that made it all worthwhile.

Okay. I can do this yeah?

And so the journey continues

writing from the sydney airport, on my phone, boarding a flight to manila shortly and my phone seems to not be cooperating, so shall be a short post.

the past year has been amazing. last night was my farewell party with many

 goodbyes. this morning was especially hard as i said see ya to maya and geghis after they dropped me off at the airport, as they are among those that i became especially close with and i will miss them like family. it is emotional to think of all the people who opened up teir lives to me and let me in. 

while i did indeed come to sydney to try something new, i did not expext to make so many wonderful friends.

well, just about to board, as my adventure continues.