I’M FINALLY BACK! SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED BETWEEN NOW & MY LAST POST. ONE HIGHLIGHT BEING THAT I MOVED TO ANOTHER CITY. I WAS FINALLY OFFERED A POSITION THAT I WANTED, THAT NEVER HAPPENS. THE PREVIOUS CITY THAT I LIVED IN HAD BEAUTIFUL SCENERY & IS THE BEST VACATION SPOT. PEOPLE WONDER WHY I LEFT IF, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND CHILL. WELL, THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIVING & VACATION. I WAS ALSO ISOLATED FROM EVERYONE I KNEW.
I KNEW THAT I WASN’T GOING TO RENEW MY CONTRACT WITH MY PREVIOUS POSITION. I HAVE A PLAN, I CAN ONLY MOVE FORWARD, NO TIME FOR BEING STUCK OR COMFORTABLY SATISFIED. I KNOW I’M GOING UP…

FAST FORWARD, IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO MOVE. FOR A FEW WEEKS, I’VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE 2 TOWNS. THEN WHEN IT CAME TO LITERALLY MOVING MY BELONGINGS, I WAS ALL ALONE….AS I EXPECTED. I RECEIVED ADVICE ABOUT MOVING BUT NO ONE REALLY HELPED ME LIKE THEY SAID THEY WOULD. I WAS JUST BEING WATCHED AS I WENT UP AND DOWN 4 FLOORS GETTING MY BELONGINGS, AND TAKING THEM TO THE TRAIN STATION TO BE SHIPPED. I WAS RELIEVED WHEN A NEW COLLEAGUE DECIDED SHE WILL PICK UP MY SHIPPED ITEMS FOR ME, AND HELP ME MOVE IN. THAT WAS ANOTHER SIGN THAT I WAS MOVING FORWARD TO ACHIEVING MY DREAMS. I DON’T KNOW ANYONE THAT’S A HUGE FAN OF DOING THE MOVING PROCESS. BUT IF YOU LIVE ABROAD, AND PLAN ON MOVING TO ANOTHER CITY, BE PREPARED TO DO IT ALONE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE AN AMBIVERT INFJ LIKE ME. IT’S ALL WORTH IT THOUGH.

It was Easter Break of 2009, when I was at JFK Airport feeling beyond excited that I’m finally going to the homeland that is Africa, South Africa to be exact. I don’t think anyone was as excited as me (except the other black students that went). The flight was super long, but I love airplanes, for some odd reason. I guess it’s because it’s a huge part of travel life. 

I wanted to make this post last month, so that it would be even more special. This past April marked my 10 year anniversary of going to South Africa. This wasn’t just an ordinary trip, this was my first time out of the country, and my first time on an airplane. I was super excited, not a bit anxious. I was already envisioning myself being there during our prior monthly meetings. I was with my family smiling/laughing, singing and dancing.
During this trip, I learned so much about myself. I didn’t let anyone get in the way of this experience. South Africa has such an impact on me, that I was able to return six years later. Both trips were incredible in their own way and I’m excited to tell everyone about it. Let’s go to South Africa.

The next morning, my friends and I decided to hang out before I left to go home (my Taiwan home). We walked around town and had good conversation. The friends that I made here in Taiwan mostly live very far from me, only one lives in my town. Sometimes, it sucks but, if I had to choose between having a social life and living close to the beach, I’d choose living close to the beach. We have technology to keep in touch. 
To rewind a little bit: On my way to Taipei, to go to the States, I stopped at my favorite vegan restaurant. It’s a great place, and the owner is very friendly. On my way to the airport, I realized that I left something important at the restaraunt, two bracelets which were a gift from my mother. Any gift from my mother is important to me. I contacted the owner and informed him of this news. He knew I was going to the US for two weeks. He said I can pick them up when I get back, and I did just that.
My friends knew that I had to get something before I had to leave. They always ride with me to the train station when I visit. As usual, I was in a rush to get my bracelets then get on the next train or else, I would’ve been stuck in Taipei. I ran a couple blocks to go to the restaurant, got my bracelets, and eventually met up with my friends on the same train in less than 10 minutes. It was hilarious how we met. Apparently when I returned to the station, they saw me but I couldn’t see them. They also had my suitcase. As my lost self wanders in the Taipei subway station, they call me and tell me to get on the train, so I get on, thinking they would take thae next train, but I go to the other car and there they are. One friend was mad that I did all that I did just for two bracelets, but they’re from my mom. I should’ve been more responsible. I just made it on time for my train, to go home (my Taiwan home). 

I’ve been living abroad for 8 months now. This was the best decision I’ve ever made. I felt that, if I turned down this opportunity, it would’ve never came again, plus, I was ready to go forward with my life. I’ve been doing very well, finally blossoming. I also love my new environment and quickly adjusted to the cultural differences. 
The only conflict about living overseas is, being away from family. I have a wonderful family, that loves me unconditionally, and I’m forever grateful for them. For me, it’s important that I love and embrace them now, while we still have each other, but sometimes it seems impossible because of the distance. I was finally able to go home for a couple of weeks, I needed to physically be in their company, and take a break. 
I flew from Taipei to Tokyo to New York, then drove to Jersey. I felt relieved being home because I know I was missed, and they worry about me being far. I didn’t do anything productive except go out with friends and family, and I was jet lagged the entire time I was there. But, when I arrived back in Taiwan, I wasn’t jet lagged at all. CRAZY! 
I was unable to see my ENTIRE family, but that’s one pro for technology. I’m glad I went home, but I’m also glad that I made this big move….

I never had any specific plans for my 21st birthday. I assumed that I’d just have an intimate birthday dinner. But that changed when I was finally given the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica. 🇨🇷 Going there was on my bucket list (not that I ever had one), it seemed like a paradise to me.


The time came to leave, at 3am, to Dulles International Airport in D.C. It was the only straight flight I could get, it was my first time flying alone. I was afraid that my Spanish wasn’t where it was supposed to be, but I was having full blown, Spanish conversations with my host family, I impressed myself. I was in San Jose for a month, I’d be there on my 21st birthday.

I usually don’t go out at home, I’m an outgoing introvert. But when I travel, it’s a different story. On the weekends, I went out. One weekend we went to the movies (we saw The Fast and the Furious 6), then Isla Tortuga, then Playa Tamarindo. I already knew we were going somewhere for my birthday weekend. We decided to take a trip to Puerto Viejo in the province of Limón (on the Caribbean coast). The Caribbean coast is a completely different vibe from the Pacific coast. It’s a Bob Marley music kind of day, everyday. Before arriving in Limón, we were informed on how dangerous it was. Well, the ancestors were surely our body guards because, we felt perfectly safe.

We took a bus to the town and arrived at the hostel. The good vibes and the locals just give you a slap of love, and zero worries. We checked into the Walaba hostel (I love hostels), then we went to the beach which was right across the street. It was quiet, and picturesque, that’s a great way to describe the beaches in Costa Rica. We later went to local restaurants, and even the grocery store. As we hung out with the locals, and walked through town, I was thinking: “These people are living the life, and they don’t even know it.” We were treated as if we belonged there, which amazed me. Because Limón is on the Caribbean coast, the population mostly consist of people from the islands (Jamaica, Barbados etc.), that’s why Limón is so great. I really can’t describe this experience into words, you’ll have to experience it yourself to see what I’m talking about.

Instead of getting wasted for your 21st birthday (or any birthday), just travel.

This year, many friends and family of mine went to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. It was the top subject of my Instagram and Snapchat timelines. There even was a huge Mardi Gras influence in my homestate. 

Seeing their Mardi Gras experiences has brought back great times during my summer stay in New Orleans. New Orleans is one of the trips where I was completely immersed in my environment. I visited other towns in Louisiana, went on airboats, and visited the legendary Whitney Plantation (one of the best experiences in my life). One word to describe New Orleans is FIRE. The energy and joy of the people is contagious. 

Other than visiting the Whitney Plantation, what I enjoyed about New Orleans were the festivals. They were all huge events. Every single festival I attended was FIRE! My favorite festival was the Zydeco festival. Prior to going to New Orleans, I only heard of Zydeco music and dance through a colleague. People would describe Zydeco dancing as similar to salsa, but it’s a folk dance that “corresponds to Zydeco music”, which is a mix of R&B, blues, Afro Caribbean and all genres basically. (To me, Zydeco dance is a mix of salsa and Chicago steppin, I have to do more research).

I was so in my element dancing Zydeco. I never danced Zydeco in my life, but I love to dance, so I picked it up quickly. I’m always told that I’m a great dancer, and I’m fun to dance with (that’s the extroverted side of me). There are times when I feel awkward in dancing involving partners. But people just kept grabbing me wanting to dance with me, and I quickly became the center of attention. Of course, the bands were amazing. My favorite performance was the one man who sang a Zydeco version of Beyonce’s Me, Myself and I. That had me in my feelings. Many people don’t know but, dancing is my extroverted way of expressing myself, and I fully did that at this festival. This experience made me think that, we need to make bands the norm again, and leave this autotune bullsh*t alone. We need to Save the Arts, and keep it raw.

In the small, Christian high school that I attended, we had the option of going on a “missions trip” during Easter break. These trips began my sophomore year. That year, we had the choice of going to England, South Africa or Washington D.C. Based on my interview, I was chosen to go to D.C. The next year, I went to South Africa, which was one hell of an experience for a 16 year old, young, black female. For my senior year, I was chosen to go to the Apache Reservation in Arizona. We would help build homes (and a shed) for local families, and interact with the schoolchildren after school. This is the second trip of mine, (South Africa being the first) that I consider the most interesting and eye opening.

It was a small group of us, ten students, and two chaperones, which was a married couple (their son joined as well). I was the only senior, which was fine with me, we were a really great group, we got along very well. This was my first time going to western part of the U.S, so I was very excited to go. We all fell in love with the “desert” vibe as soon as we landed. Before going to the reservation to begin our service, we stayed with a local family to go sightseeing for a few days. They were a married couple with 14 children (for all the technical people, some were adopted, some were not). Their house was so huge, we called it the 8th wonder of the world. One of the first places that we went to visit was the Grand Canyon. It was a worthy, five hour drive. It was early April, I was surprised on how cold it was. I can see why the Grand Canyon is considered a wonder of the world. I was on “Cloud 9”. The next day, we went to the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson. I’m not a big fan of zoos, but this one was really nice, and it was such a positive environment.

It was finally time to go to the reservation site. We actually stayed with the local “ministry” in the town of Globe, close to the Apache Reservation. It was this trip that I realized, the real reason that I went on these “missions trips” in the first place. I went to these missions trips every year because, I simply love to travel. I didn’t really care about the “missions” part. I never agreed with forcing a belief, or opinion on others, especially after this specific trip. During our welcome meeting with one of the directors, we did an excercise, that focused on how we would someone and tell them the “Good News”. All I have to say is, that specific excercise made me second guess if I wanted to continue to do Missions. Then I got older, and learned more about myself, and the root of missions, and I realized that I was a fool.

The first day we drove through the Apache Reservation. It was heartbreaking. During our preparation, we were constantly told “It’s like you’re no longer in America”. It wasn’t the America that we knew, it was the original America, the way it’s supposed to be, minus the issues of alcoholism, violence and poverty, which stems from the beast called White Supremacy. We saw a dead horse in the mini farm, and a mother killed her five year old child a few months before. We built homes every morning, and interacted with the children in the afternoon. I remember the children being so sweet, I had so much fun playing basketball with them. Not many black people visit Native American Reservations, out of the 12 people in our group, six of us were black, including one of the chaperones. It seemed to me that the children were more open with us, than the other students in the group, it was actually touching. It’s beyond sad how the First Nations are completely forgotten in their own land. They shouldn’t be suffering from alcoholism, violence and poverty. And who are we to try to continue to force them to conform to this society not built for them….or us? I continuously thought, “White Supremacy is a Beast” during this entire trip. I enjoyed seeing the people happy with their new homes, and the kids being kids despite the trauma that they go through everyday. I enjoyed learning about the First Nations, and I continue to enjoy it. However, this trip was just a continuation of my journey of self.

Sending love and good vibes to the First Nations!

As a black woman with darkskin growing up in the US, it was easy for me to hate myself as a child. I noticed at an early age that the darker your skin was, the uglier you are. I’ve been called all kinds of disgusting names by classmates and even family members. I remember a boy rubbing my skin saying my chocolate skin won’t come off, and one of my younger cousins standing in my face joking about my complexion because she had nothing else to do. I was always judged by my complexion by strangers and guess what? I will still be judged by my complexion by strangers. Unfortunately, that’s life for black people worldwide.

To fast forward a little bit, when I began traveling, people began to see my beauty for what it really is. The crazy thing is that in some cases, my skin wasn’t a fetish. Trust me, I can tell if someone only has a fetish or not. When I traveled to South Africa, I was given the name Buhle, meaning beautiful in Zulu, and currently in Taiwan, the first word that comes to mind about me is, “Piaoliang” meaning pretty. Don’t get me wrong, there are still times when I’m stared at, and in this world, black people suffer the most, but they see my confidence, and they stop messing with me.

The older I become, and the more that I learn about myself, I continue to love and appreciate myself for who I am. Now that I actually live overseas, and meet people from all over the world, I can’t believe that there was ever a time that I hated myself. I’m a proud black woman from Jersey. I’m thankful for my passion for traveling, my upbringing, family, friends, and my beautiful, authentic self.

And next lifetime, I better be black again……

The Grammy’s were on this week. I never watched the Grammy’s because: I never knew when they were airing, and I never been a fan of award shows. Also, awards shows aren’t worth watching, especially now. I remember one year when Ellen Degeneres hosted the Grammy’s. I went to school the next morning to hear everyone talking about it. One classmate asked me if I saw it, I said my usual, no. Then I asked her in return, and she disgustingly answered: “It was hosted by a lesbian, why would I watch it?” “Well Damn B*tch!” I thought. I wasn’t surprised by her response, I attended a tiny, conservative Christian school, trust me, they had issues.