It’s been two years to the day since my year of service in
Sydney, Australia, and it occurred to me how I should end this blog on a more
positive, upbeat, optimistic note!
My last post was just a couple days after I got back home to
California, and from the sounds of it, was obviously going through a withdrawal
period. So I didn’t want my blog of my amazing growth experience to end on with
that post. So here’s to tying up some loose ends.
Just to be clearer than clear, my year of service was
amazing. I learned so much about myself, my faith, and gained a better vision
of what I want to be like and what I would like to achieve while on this earth.
Yes, coming home was difficult, but I don’t think I did enough to make my
transition less difficult. One needs to understand that I came home to no set
plans- no school to go to, no job to start, no path of service in place. It
felt like I was starting from “square one” and that is never a welcomed
feeling, especially for me. So my first word of advice to anyone in this type
of situation is to make sure you have something
in place for when you return, as you will adjust quicker to a new rhythm of
life. Obviously, allow some time for settling back at home, meeting up with friends,
getting over jetlag, but have something to work towards! This will put all your
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy into something worthwhile. I got
a bit too caught up in my own “I’m not in Australia anymore” emotions and it
hindered me from taking that next step in a timely matter.
Recognize your emotions, your sadness or happiness,
acknowledge your fear and uneasiness, and rejoice in the amazing adventure
you’ve had, and then ACT. Taking action, the next step, has always been a challenge
for me, but reflecting back when I first got home, I should’ve known better –
to pick up and act and not wallow. Learn
from my reflections.
My year in Sydney definitely a time of self-discovery as
well as a solidification of what I already believed, in regards to my faith as
well as to myself. I always think of my experiences there fondly, even the
challenges, some of which are still being dealt with today. I made amazing
friends, soul sisters that I will always be connected to in a way that is impossible
with others, and even though we’re spread across the world, that bond can’t be
severed. Everyone is on such a great path- couple of them are married or
getting married, others have moved and started work, others are in school
broadening their horizons. I’m so excited to see where all their paths go!
I’m currently a student at the University of Southern
California, a prestigious private university that I’m honored and in awe of
that I’m apart of. I’m studying East Asian Languages and Cultures, an emphasis on
China and Mandarin Chinese, and I utterly love every moment of it - getting
back in touch with my roots, my culture, and my language. It’s finding myself,
developing myself in a new and different way. In terms of goals for the future,
I’m figuring it out as I go! Apparently that is my motto now. I gotta learn to
embraces it ;) I have learned that at the core of whatever I decide to do, I
want to be of service, I want to feel I’m helping someone achieve something,
which in turn helps me feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose. That’s been an
invaluable learning.
All in all, it’s been a great 2 years since. Life has
changed in a variety of ways, but my time abroad grounded me, made me
confident, made me see that an unknown adventure can bring about incredible
learnings and growth and joy.
Now there’s a happy ending! Don’t we all love those?
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