a walk

This was taken on a hike in February this year during Chinese New Year. After a couple days in the house for the holiday, we were all a little bit ready to combust with too many dumplings and sweets. We needed something to keep us going for the rest of the madness that is Chinese New Year (read: more food), so on a little hike we went.

It was none too eventful; just an hour walk taking in the views. Credits to mama for the photo.

At twenty-two

At twenty-two,..

(a list)

..I am crushing mint and making cocktails for myself and the family at 4pm on the weekends.

..I take approximately 26 minutes to get ready in the morning for work.

..my all time favorite teenage romance books are once again finding themselves a home in a pile next to my bed. 

..Sundays are for giving up alcohol forever. 

..I'm still the youngest person in the room most of the time. 

..age doesn't seem all that relevant anymore.

..I do it because I want to.

.."being the bigger person" is a daily mantra.

..my poker face is improving immensely. 

..5pm doesn't come fast enough. 

..double shot espressos are a necessity.

..it seems harder to find music that I enjoy listening to (??).

..I'm wishing I can just stay twenty-two. 

A dream.

On the night of the 18th January, a dream.

We're in his car, going somewhere.

I don't wonder how I got there.

But there I am. I'm on his right hand side, he's driving. That familiar feeling.

The space between us. I'm comfortable, but cars, as usual, make me dizzy, but only just faintly.

We're in a conversation, talking about something interesting. Back and forth, just like always. Nodding, jabbing, laughing. The way he'll take his eyes off the road if just for a second to look at me, to contradict me, to agree with me, his eyes telling a story. A smile playing on his lips.

Then, his hand grabs for mine, out of habit or intentionally. Something so perfect and sacred in the act.

Somewhere in my mind or body, I know there was a time when it wasn't like this. Something did happen, something heartbreaking. My subconscious is aware of this moment, it's tickling my brain to suggest these moments aren't real.

And yet. I'm so comfortable, sitting there, with his fingers intertwined with mine. The conversation goes on. It's perfect, that feeling, with him there, just the little space separating us, hands touching.

Suddenly I'm succumbing to the dizziness, I want to sleep. But no, my subconscious wants to ask a question. A tiny question, a whisper of a clarification. Barely an intrusion.

My lips don't form the words, yet the question is out there now, floating between us. Our minds suddenly telepathic.

Was he waiting for this question? The inevitable words?

He answers, as if lightly, like I know already. Yes, there are others, he says. Suddenly my subconscious rears its ugly head and bile forms in my throat. I start to sweat and I know this feeling. I recognize its punch and jarring sensation.

I now know it's happening all over again, the experience of the worst thing that happened to me. The worst thing that happens to us all.

The surprise attack. It happens as your heart is on your sleeve, all over your walls, handed over, completely, mercilessly.

It will always be home.

My heart breaks a little each and every time I have to leave Taipei. I am always so excited to go, but at the end of the trip, I'm almost always in tears. The exciting city life, the beautiful nature side, the good food, family, language, and down to the familiar little sounds I hear as I'm walking along the streets brings me so much joy and comfort. My other home cities are amazing, but none compare to Taipei. It's the place I was born, where my roots lead to, and my heart knows that no matter how many other places I will live in!

The sun is out bright and early. And hot. 

Whether we were shopping or running errands, people we met would comment on how tan we were. You see, most people in Taiwan like to stay away from the sun and retain a "whiter", paler skin tone. So basically, we kind of stuck out. 

There were absolutely stunning skies day and night, and all the hours in between. The clouds are just gorgeous and the sunset makes such pretty colors. 

We do a lot of walking and I love it. Although the heat was pretty strong, I always prefer walking. I can appreciate and see so much more of the city that way and of course, we had to walk off whatever food we just ate ;)

More pictures to be shared in the next few days. We had such a fun 10 days back in our home city with family. Now for a busy couple of days before it's back to my other life in Orange County. It really feels like a different life right now. Certainly after 8 months of being away on the other side of the world. 

Taipei!

I'm in Taipei for a precious amount of time and I'm soaking up it every moment of it. It's incredibly hot here like you wouldn't believe but being surrounded by family, in my home city, and eating familiar yummy food is really the best. Here are some photos from my trip so far... Via my iPhone: 

Man, I love this city! I really don't want my time here to end... Because when it does, so does summer and I don't know if I'm ready to face that reality yet. I mean, is anyone ever ready to say goodbye to summer?! I'm not the only one right? :) 

Nevertheless, I'm living in the moment and I really can't wait to experience what comes next! 

xo 

P.s.: I'm using the Blogger app on the iPhone to do this post! 

{Rome, Italy}

One of those is this really happening-am-i-dreaming kind of trips. I won't forget this place for the rest of my life. Everything was just a little larger than life - the buildings, the statues, the churches - and I just stood there trying to take it all in. The whole time I was thinking, I made it. I'm really in Rome. 

Not pictured here: late night roaming on the streets, getting lost, our poor bruised feet, stumbling upon the impressionable (understatement) Pantheon, endless gorgeous fountains, mastering maps, and just almost meeting the pope ;)

We took Rome by storm, to say the least. 

Ronda.

On one my last weekends in Spain, I was lucky enough to visit Ronda. It had been on my list to visit since the very beginning but I just never found an open weekend to go! But oh my gosh am I glad I did. Located in Andalusia, just west of Málaga, it really is a precious city. It was often visited by Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles and they wrote many stories of their time there. They wrote of its beauty and bull-fighting traditions.

Sunshine all day. Lush green views all around. 

Ronda has such a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. There are so many pathways and corners to explore within town and the nature side. 

I wanted to set myself against the railing and stare at this view all day. 

Views of the town. I could easily get lost in the streets and admire the houses and their balconies and window sills. 

El Puente Nuevo, spanning the canyon, is the famous feature of Ronda. How grand does that look! I was awestruck. 

Me, looking down from the bridge. The wind was so strong and my hair got all crazy. 

As always, there are castle-looking things everywhere I visit in Spain ;) 

"Never go on trips with anyone you do not love" - Ernest Hemingway 

I'll be back to Ronda someday! It is completely one of the most gorgeous places I've been to. We had such a delicious lunch as well in one of the local restaurants. The more I think about it, my last weeks in Spain were the dreamiest.

And I have all these people I love and to thank for it. I feel so incredibly thankful. Anyway, if you get a chance, you must go to Ronda. 

xo