Hawaii

Best spring break I can ever ask for.

Europe

Studying abroad has so far shed some light into me. This is a kind of experience that I would want some time in my life. There probably won't be any other chances when I can do something like this. I am currently staying at a university in southern England and using my free weekends to travel across Europe. It's an opportunity that I have to seize. Because when will I ever do this again? Definitely not until a long time if ever.

While being here on my own, I've also learned some lessons about independence. My transfer to a university back in California did nothing for my independence. I still went home to mommy and daddy and ate what they cooked and mooched off them like I did when I was 8. Mom and dad did the grocery shopping, there was always rice in the house. Now when I get back I find that I am screwed for lunch and dinner. I don't have anything in my fridge and I don't know the first thing about cooking! While at the supermarket, I found myself reenacting my mother's shopping habits. I was looking at items and was picking over the price. "This is 5 pence cheaper, I have to get this." Or "One carton for £1.60 or 2 for £2? Do I really need that much orange juice?" I got the cheapest dried spaghetti I found and attempted to make some. I had accidentally bought something called tomato puree instead of tomato sauce so it came out a disaster. So this is what it's like to be domestic!

This is also the longest I have been away from my family for the first time in my 22 years. I spent one month in Hong Kong and was terribly homesick by the second week. It's a little better here in England. I certainly miss home and I can't wait to get back to my family and friends, but this is also something I have to experience. My parents are encouraging me to have fun, my friends are telling me to have a great time, so I will. I'm going to make the best of it while I can, so I can say that I've (almost) traveled the world. England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, and Germany. That's a good amount that I can put in my journal.

I've always thought that I would never "backpack" because it sounded too risky, complicated and even dangerous. But I did my first backpacking in Dublin and it wasn't bad at all! I got lost a couple of times but I wasn't at all afraid. I kept thinking that it was the part of the experience, and it just made me enjoy it even more. I probably looked like an idiot every time someone tells me I've gone the wrong way. It's okay, because I'll find the way. I'll see the world, see what it has to offer and maybe make friends with it along the way.

I'm having the time of my life! I may be in debt for the next couple of years but I don't care! I know I won't ever regret this.

Hiking