Here is a comprehensive list of every singe blog post I’ve ever written. Happy Reading!
Big Girl Job
Today, I put on a suit and a pair of power heels and started what I hope to be my first career job. It’s a strange feeling to embark upon a career. Sounds so serious. Last night, I actually was somewhat nervous about it. For the first time in my…
First Taste of Corporate Grind
Today at lunch, despite the rain, I walked out of my office to grab a bite of something to eat. I told myself I wouldn’t bring my lunch back to eat in front of my computer. I needed a break from those Excel spreadsheet. I sat in this small all-in-one…
Stop and Look at the Churches
I love old cities. Before moving to New York, London was my favorite city. So much history. And the architecture! They sure don’t make buildings like the way they used to anymore. New York is a baby city in comparison, but there are still some gorgeous buildings around. On my…
New York Summer
I’ve heard a lot about the epicness of New York summer. This past weekend was a nice prelude to a great summer. The weather has been a perfect 70 degree. A corporate job so far has given me nice free weekends. Free time that I can now filled with plenty…
2012 Peace Corps Annual Gathering
Over the weekend, I met the Peace Corps volunteer on this 1964 issue cover of National Geographic. She was with the first group of volunteers to Ecuador, and one of many remarkable Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) that I met at the 2012 Peace Corps Annual Gathering. The event was hosted by the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), an independent non-profit organization that works closely with the Peace Corps…
Live Every day as if You Are Moving Away
Live every day as if you are moving away. I dislike the common saying of “Live everyday as if it were your last.” Why so morbid? Moving away forces the same level of appreciation on the present, and less all-or-nothing. I always find that I truly appreciate any place that…
Letter from Village
It’s rare these days to receive a hand written letter. Once in a blue moon, I will receive a postcard from a friend traveling. But a legitimate hand-written letter? I haven’t received one of those in a long long while. But today, I received one. It was written in French,…
Hints from Life
Today was one of those days where inspiration was flowing in the air. Hints of positivity were everywhere, letting me know that all will be okay. In a time of transition, faced with the great unknown, one of these days is precious. I had a wonderful time catching up with…
Shanghai Calling
I haven’t been this excited, yet simultaneously anxious about anything since I decided to join the Peace Corps. This is the story on how I decided to move to Shanghai on the day that I moved to Washington, DC. A little over a month ago, I decided to move to…
Finding Meaning
“Chelsea Clinton Exited Wall Street to Seek Career with Meaning”, this Bloomberg headline shared by a friend on Facebook caught my attention this morning. My friends commented on the piece as inspiring. This is not the first story of someone that left Corporate America behind to find “meaning”. This is the…
Snail Mail & Roots
I am back in my parents’ house, a place where I spent my adolescent years. This place is as close to home as it gets for me. A part of being a globetrotter is you move, a lot. I am going on my 14th move in 8 years. Luckily, my…
Final Countdown: 2008 & Now
Yesterday was my 10-day countdown until this next journey begins. People have been asking me how I am feeling, and if I am ready. I don’t really know if there is any way to truly be ready for this – moving to a country that you have never visited and…
Saint Charles Charm
It’s a lovely fall day here in St. Charles, a town where I spent my adolescent years. St. Charles is the first capitol of Missouri, and its “downtown” has preserved its historic charm from the 1700’s. I’ve never really appreciated this town. Coming from Taichung, the third largest city in…
Polyglot in Action
Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. – Steve Jobs The dots, they are connecting in my life. When I decided to move to Shanghai a little over…
Inhale. Exhale. It’s Not Like I’m Moving to Africa Again…
Remember all that zen I had a few days ago? Well, they completely dissipated this morning when I opened my eyes. A stream of thoughts crossed my mind as I gained consciousness, “o.m.g. this is my last day at home.” “o.m.g. I have so much to do still.” “O.M.G. WHY…