wherever you go shine bright

a final picture with the guys from SGV before we said our farewells!

Just a quick update: Continuing the eating and shopping in SoCal, enjoying my time with friends, both old and new. Today's activities included church, a big Italian family-style meal, chilling at Starbucks, shopping for camping gear, extreme farting, a (second) viewing of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, and more eating. All in all, it's been a wonderful day as I am reminded of the many blessings that are showered upon me. Blessed with an ever-growing community and the Spirit that goes before me preparing a place for me.

and may you be a light unto the darkness.

-e.

i love traveling but i feel empty without my guitar or piano. sad but true.

California

I've been in California since Saturday evening and it's already been a wonderful time, as always. I was able to meet up with old friends from the San Gabriel Valley Vietnamese Alliance Church (including Youtube star Ms. Cathy Nguyen!), and reunite with my aunt and bond over Hong Kong style dishes and conversations, just to name a few. Of course, I've been eating a lot since the moment I got here.


I spent my entire day with my lovely besties Thi and Tran in Anaheim and the evening in LA. I'm so worn out from the day that I can't even remember everything that happened let alone type up a proper story. We did get to see Sierra Nobel and Laura Schwartz perform at Barroot and they were both amazing artists! I'm a new fan. Anyway, I need to sleep.

-e.

this is my heart

T-minus 2 days to leaving for the West Coast. Currently in the process of packing and my room is a trivial mess!

I'm leaving on a jet plane

About to embark on another incredible journey. I'd say it's already begun as the actuality of leaving has become a mass reality. I suppose here is the place where I'll post all the obscenities, absurdities, and obsessions of my travels. I'll try to keep is it as entertaining and upbeat as possible.

Oh, and for those of you who don't know, I'm leaving the roots in the Amish Country for life in the Orient. This bird is leaving the nest and flying out to China to study Mandarin Chinese and finish the International Studies degree. But before that I'll be spending some much needed time on the West coast in the Golden state. Even in California I've got my secret spot to pray, meditate, and spend some time in solitude before heading out on this crazy adventure.

I'm anticipating this time to be unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Despite the international traveling I've done on my own in the past (road tripping Greece, and living in Vietnam, while conducting my own anthropological research on the K'Ho tribe in 2010, teaching English to middle school students in Hong Kong before spending some time exploring Cambodia in the summer of 2011...) I reckon this year abroad will be filled with many obstacles, challenges, but most of all, many blessings.

That said, I'm pretty stoked. I'm extremely grateful for all the prayers and support from family and friends. It is not without sadness that I leave but I know G has got some pretty BIG things in store that none of us could conjure up ourselves. I guess it's more excitement now than anything.

So, may the Spirit bless you with a kiss that is like a breath of life.

-e.