Hi, Family! – Fund for Education Abroad

Salutations, FEA!

I know I know. I’m so sorry! It’s been too long since I last blogged. I’m really sorry. I’ve come up with a new plan to be regular about my blogging, so let’s see how it goes.

It’s a bit sad because I feel like everything is becoming too routine. I feel jealous because it seems that everyone else is having such an amazing, adventure-filled time studying abroad, and I have the same routine. Every day I go to class, handle some business, go to 85 (a REALLY EPIK) coffee shop near my university to study and do homework, come home and sleep. Then, I get up the next day and do it all over again. When I think about it like that, it’s the worst! But, when I think of all of the blessings in people that I have received, it’s really awesome! I have a group of friends that have become family and who help me from missing home too much. My homesickness has gotten better. I still miss being with my family and friends, especially knowing this weekend all of my friends are getting together for a religious convention. But, I’m having a good time. I’m learning things about myself that I like and don’t like. I’m learning what it means to take some time alone, what it means to learn to love yourself, what it means to be balanced. Life isn’t always one roller coaster ride of excitement. I should be happy that I’m here living my dream. This is literally my dream. I’m living in Taiwan, studying Chinese, and I just might be improving. I’m living in a place where I stick out even more than usual. I haven’t had as many racist encounters as people would have me believe I would encounter.

I keep receiving messages to “Enjoy your journey,” “Be happy,” and I fully intend to do just that. I want to enjoy the precious moments that I have here because it may be a while before I’m back. My life and self are both being enriched in a way that couldn’t have happened back home. Thank you for making this happen for me. Despite the times where I’m suddenly sad or mad or just can’t deal with people, I’m doing something I never would’ve believed I could do. I flew across the world by myself. I live alone, facing all my fears of loneliness, even embracing being alone. I know how to use public transportation, and I rarely get lost! Now that, my friends, is a MIRACLE! Huh. Just talking about these things….I might be becoming an amazing individual. I’ll keep working on it. I’ve learned that I really hate saying goodbye, and that, even more so, time isn’t the main factor that determines how much you love a person or when that person becomes precious to you. I’ve made some really EPIK friends for life, and we won’t always be in each others’ immediate lives. They’ve left Taiwan and went home or to the destination of the next chapters of their lives. When we meet again, we’ll pick up where we left off.

My classes? Well, they are getting better. I feel like I just want to explore my city and new country as opposed to being in the classroom. But, I’m not the kind of person who can skip class without feelings of guilt. I don’t even miss class when I’m sick, and I think I’m getting sick. But, it’s that time of year. However, I’m changing my attitude. I’m going to enjoy every minute of every class, and I’m going to do better. It’s not to say that I’m doing bad, but I’m not enjoying all of my classes as much. But, positivity is the key. I will love all of my classes, and I’m going to pour my heart into my studies even more.

Oh! And I should say, the dream keeps getting better. I had the opportunity to meet a lovely person. He’s deaf, and he’s really awesome. I’m starting to pick up a few signs. Slowly but surely, I will keep working on learning Taiwanese Sign Language! He’s really awesome, and just visiting him brings me so much joy. When he tells us stories or just whatever is going on, it’s crazy because it’s filled with so much emotion and expression. Always a good time!

Well, that’s about it for my adventures. But, this weekend I’ll get to karaoke! So, I’ll be sure to take some pics! But I won’t torture you with videos and my terrible singing lol.

Here are a few pictures from my few adventures, and one picture in general that is giving me some good motivation.

Juli