Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tying Up Some Loose Ends On A Good Note!


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?  




Saturday, May 15, 2010

I'm Back Home

I've been avoiding writing, fearing that once pen touches paper, all my fears will take over and emotion will consume me. I've been home 2 days now, and it's actually the weirdest feeling in the world....I feel like I'm not here, like I'm in a dream world, and that soon enough I will wake up and be in my 3x3 room with kookaburras screaming up a storm. I cried for 2 days straight before I left, so I think I'm all cried out now, yet, have no idea how to express this uncertainty that is within me.

My last couple days in Sydney were so nice- I saw a lot of people and got to say my goodbyes, and I got to go to the House of Worship for the last time on my own, where I, expectedly, balled my eyes out. I miss the people, but I think in the long run, I'll miss the environment the most- an environment that fosters growth, that is infused with a strong sense of love and unity and service. To have the House of Worship there for whenever I needed a place to gather my thoughts, let my emotions run wild, or just to get some peace, it was invaluable.

On the plane, I sat next to a guy who just lives down the road from the Temple. I tried to talk about my service, but found that speaking in past tense was just too hard for me, and I couldn't properly talk if I was going to break down in tears each time! I told him straight out to just ignore me if I was crying in my little corner hahaha. I tried to distract myself with sleep and some lame movies...but it didn't work, some hard, silent crying came through the cracks.

It's going to be an interesting transition to say the least.....

Sunday, May 9, 2010

The Countdown Has Begun...4 Days

...That's so weird to write.

You've gotta understand that in some ways I feel like I've just started my service here! I've been integrated into this community, I've built relationships with people, gotten involved in various activities...and I'm leaving?! Ughhhhh. Bitter sweet to the MAX.

I go through periods of just sobbing my little heart out, and periods of feeling very detached and content (or just no emotion)- it's not as extreme as it sounds, and I think I've been able to balance it better than I have been able to in the past. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I cannot predict what I will feel a certain day, and which emotions will decide to manifest themselves that day.

I had a goodbye party (so weird to have one for myself!)- It was at the beach on a nice warm, sunny day, and people just dropped in and out, and so I got to see many people before I leave. It was really nice. I had my junior youth group today- they took own initiative and planned a mini-going away for me. It was so sweet! Completed with poppers, lollies (candy), balloons and everything! I was/am so touched. I'm going to miss those radiant souls.

Will try to post another...post...before I leave. If not...See you on the other side of the world! PEACE! SEE YA!


Sunday, May 2, 2010

A Blessing of A Year

To put it in the simplest of terms, this year has been a true blessing, a gift, something that will probably never happen again. Each time I reflect back on how the year has been and the things I've experienced....I can't help but start to cry. To be able to do the things I've don, and meet the people I've met, and learn what I have learned...nothing can replace that, and I truly do see the tests that I have had as a gift, because without them, I wouldn't have been able to grow, and I wouldn't have learned to fully rely on the spiritual (God). Believe me when I said some tests were testing my patience with God and with life- some tests I thought would never end; but with patience, prayer, detachment and inner joy, I was able to over come that- it's one of my proudest learning.

My test now is to be content with the path I'm about to trod, to be detached from my emotions of sadness, and to learn to have that faith and trust that everything will be ok and that opportunities will arise, doors will open, and my life will continue to unfold as it should.

Did I tell you about my "go hard or go home" plan? Basically, my roommate and I have been living by that motto the last couple of weeks. Anything opportunity that comes out of the ordinary, we grab it and run full speed with it. My sense of "is this practical?" has completely gone out the door. Forget that! I'm living it up best I can!....

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Where's Ailene? In the Opera House!

Tonight I was blessed to have the opportunity to see a ballet IN the Opera House!! I was so excited. First off, I love ballet. Second, I love Sydney. Third, who am I kidding?! I'm still a tourist.

One of my housemates' parents are visiting and treated me to the show, which was really nice- we were in the 2nd main hall, all the way at the back, but were able to see everything on stage. It was more of a modern ballet ("The Silver Rose") but still very enjoyable :)

At one point, during intermission, we went out to a balcony where you could look out into the harbour and see the bridge smack-dab in front of you- while looking at the immense beauty that architecture can create, I think to myself, "...where is the Opera House? It's usually right across...oooooh"- the penny finally drops. DUH. I'm IN the Opera House! How sick is that?! hahahahahaha

This year was a blessing. I'm going to milk my last couple of weeks to the fullest.