Embracing Taiwan,

Now that Shantel has spruced up an enchanting blog on her life in the golden lands of San Francisco, where table clothes come in checkers, sceneries come in perfection and fries come in cheese, it is time for me to write one up on Taiwan, where the land comes in.... people. Yes, people.

See the things that enchanted me most in my home country were not the smoky mountains, glorious food or prices where you feel like you have to add a zero at the end to make it seem like they're not pulling your leg, but of the people. And no, not that they were the most joyful, blessed or fortunate people I have ever seen; the broken are still despairing and the poor are still desperate, but that they were just. so. interesting. Truly like walking stories. They made me want to sniff their hair, steal their diaries and listen to their journey. It's like they've seen the world, the good and the bad, but they just kept going. Kept selling their food, kept cleaning that yellow duckie, and kept praising God. They don't hide what they're going through, and don't act indifferent. They are real. 

Here's a summary in photos, but next time, I think I'm going to take less photos of food and more of the people. 

And then, after all that, it's back to school. Hurrah. 

California Girl

Airports. This place holds different significance for everyone, whether it be the excited first-time-on-a-plane travelers with nervous butterflies in their stomachs or the tired people making their way back to their loved ones, their homes. For me, I just want to see the world. Other people's worlds. So many times, we get so caught up in our own lives, complications and afflictions that we forget that there's a whole world out there, waiting for us to find. There are things to be discovered, places to be seen and experiences to be felt and I just feel like it's a shame if we don't try and live it out. Sometimes, it's difficult to leave our loved ones, but someone told me time apart is good - it reminds you to appreciate the person when they're next to you.

Time of my life spent in America. I mean, how could I not? Breathtaking winter morning air, rows and rows of houses decorated with Christmas lights, stunning variety of guilty pleasures *ahem* fast food *ahem*, cute college boys, typical American high school parties, wishlists turning into reality (for a cheap price too), and Netflix. I miss Netflix the most. Here's a precious portion of my trip in pictures.

The famous Fisherman's Wharf of San Francisco

 Pier 39 boardwalk (looks like a dream, doesn't it?)

 Cable cars of San Francisco, the last manually operated cable car systems running from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, making it one of San Fran's most symbolic icons.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Life accomplishment: walk across The Golden Gate Bridge - check!

The mesmerising view of the city of San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge

The breathtaking Saints Peter and Paul church! 

Fun fact: Marilyn Monroe took her wedding pictures outside this church. True story.

 San Francisco Cannery, fun fun fun

 Cute cafes EVERYWHERE.

The streets of San Jose at Santana Row, it makes me want to frolic in a field of daisies. I mean look at those red and white tablecloths. What?

Burgers and stuff, cause you know, we're in America.

Good stuff.

 Meet the cousin Albert, he's hella swag

 ANIMAL STYLE FRIES. It's like all the good things in life altogether

IN-N-OUT burgers. Trumps Hungry Jacks or whatever sad excuse of fast food Australia has. Trumps all. In-n-out trumps all.

A picture of me drowning in the result of a crazy shopping spree in Union Square and Gilroy.

Though these pictures really don't do it justice, it's been an unforgettable trip. Above all, knowing there are bigger things out there than my afflictions gives me a reason to push through the waves and keep my head above the waters. I'm thankful that I'm alive and get to breathe winter morning air in California, that I get to wake up next to my family and I'm thankful to have a beautiful saviour who loves me and blesses me with everything that I have.

PS. I bought 5 mega packets of Hershey's and Reese's peanut butter cups. They say sharing is caring, but I'm taking a break from that, at least until I finish the chocolate.