—Story Time—

Summer 2024

08/19/2024 San Mateo, CA

Upon arriving in California, I quickly felt the stark contrasts between the East and West Coasts. The transition wasn’t easy—I found myself without a permanent place to live, drifting between Airbnbs and motels while frantically searching for housing. Without a car, even the simplest commute to work became a daily hurdle. I juggled a demanding schedule, often working overtime, in a role that felt entirely disconnected from my field of study. I wasn’t just adjusting to a new coast; I was adjusting to an unfamiliar profession.

Amidst the grind, my health took a toll, and my spirits began to sink. Only I truly knew the weight of the challenges I was carrying. Fortunately, my family and friends offered steady support, encouraging me through each setback. Yet, I knew that to make it through, I’d have to chart my own path. Slowly, step by step, I began to carve out a sense of resilience and direction in this new chapter.

05/26/2024 DC

After trip to Europe, I stopped briefly in New York before heading back to DC. But within just a day, I was off again. I flew out to California, crashing at my uncle's place to hunt for a job. Battling anxiety and worsening rhinitis, I found an unlikely remedy in a bottle of whiskey that, miraculously, soothed my symptoms for a while. Soon after, I headed down to LA for a party, where I scored an internal referral for a job. The initial interview went smoothly, and I was soon scheduled for a final round. But by then, I’d already booked a flight back to China. So, I planned to enter from Hong Kong before my final interview and dive into my new role.

I took the chance to explore Hong Kong, indulging in a much-needed food trip and savoring dishes I hadn’t had in ages. I reunited with a college roommate. Leaving Hong Kong, I made my way home, deciding to spend a night in Hunan. After three years away from China, Hunan and Xinjiang felt more captivating than ever, especially for their incredible, distinct cuisines. Hunan’s flavors, paired with rice, left me constantly wanting more.

The usual hassle greeted me upon my return: my phone number was inactive, and, to top it off, my ID had expired, leaving me unable to get a new SIM card. Back home, I immediately reconnected with friends and family and even made a quick day trip to Beijing to gather information for my grad school applications. After three weeks of quality family time, I received a callback and flew back to Los Angeles. But things took an unexpected turn. The CEO, who was supposed to interview me, was on a business trip. So, I returned to Washington early to pack for my move. Once back, however, silence from the company ensued—no response to my emails or calls. My excitement turned to anxiety and, soon, frustration. More bad news followed, compounding my worries, leaving me at a loss.

One day, I went for a run, seeking some clarity. Encounters with deer on my Maryland runs were frequent, but this time I greeted them and carried on. During sit-ups, an earthworm nearly wriggled onto me, followed by a small, furry bug that looked like a creature straight out of a Miyazaki film. Shortly after, I saw a second one—a flying bug with spindly legs—which I reluctantly killed. Living in a basement where I couldn’t even stand upright was wearing on me, and the environment felt oppressive. That night, I spotted a third bug flying around the room and, in my irritation, swatted it down, causing a loud thud. Suddenly, a mouse fell from the ceiling, and we shared a startled, embarrassed look. It scurried under the cabinet, though I knew it wasn’t alone, judging by the sounds of others scurrying above me. Sleeping there became impossible; I booked a ticket to Orlando, desperate for a change.

Before leaving, I arranged a rental back in Washington. I spent a week in Orlando, seeking a reset, and returned to DC, diving back into job hunting. After three anxious, unfruitful months, I unexpectedly landed a job just as I was planning a trip to Korea. I canceled my flight without hesitation, packed my bags, and prepared for the next chapter in California.

Spring 2024

02/20/2024—02/24/2024 Iceland

This journey had been a dream of mine for five long years, but I never imagined it would become a reality. It all began when a friend and I reconnected after I had moved away from college. We discussed traveling to Iceland, Norway, or Sweden, but Iceland resonated the most with us. And so, four of us embarked on this long-anticipated adventure.

For me, the trip started in Germany, where I flew in with a German visa, while my friend, studying in the UK, would head directly to Iceland. We had planned to meet within an hour of each other. However, as luck would have it, Lufthansa canceled my ticket with no warning. Stranded in Germany, I scrambled to find another flight and ended up on a detour through Denmark, missing our planned hot spring adventure in Iceland. But every cloud has a silver lining—I got to explore Denmark, and during my flight, I met a couple who had traveled to Iceland many times. They shared their stories, and as they opened the plane window, I saw the Northern Lights for the first time—a mesmerizing glimpse of what was to come.

Arriving in Reykjavik late at night, the city felt quiet, almost mystical. The next morning, before dawn, I met my travel companions at the hotel for a two-day tour around the peninsula. To my surprise, I was greeted by the sound of Chinese all around me—familiar in an unexpected place. The tour guide spoke, but my heart was elsewhere, glued to the scenery outside. At first, it was pitch black, but slowly the sky brightened as sunrise painted the landscape. It was like seeing Iceland for the first time, despite having imagined it so many times. I breathed in the crisp air, captured photos, and soaked up the beauty around me. But we had more to see.

The next stop was a church I had only seen in books—a colorful one, standing between the black cliffs and a windswept town. The contrast between the dark cliffs and sacred, colorful buildings was striking. The landscape felt otherworldly, almost like stepping into a painting. My instincts took over as I spotted photographers on the mountainside. I rushed up, despite the snow, slipping and scrambling to reach the perfect viewpoint. When I did, I was stunned. The sun illuminated the crashing waves, and the black cliffs stood as a barrier to the sea’s power. The whole town lay beneath the church, tranquil, as if frozen in time. Behind me, a cemetery, its white gravestones stark against the snow, made me reflect on life, death, and the timelessness of nature.

As the day continued, we visited Iceland’s iconic sights—the ponies, the black sand beaches, and the frozen icebergs glistening like diamonds under the pale sun. In the evening, our tour guide took us deep into the ice fields, blasting music as we drove across the snowy terrain. Inside an ice cave, the translucent blue ice shimmered, and the dripping water echoed in the silence. It felt like being in a sapphire cathedral, an awe-inspiring reminder of nature’s quiet grandeur.

That night, after a hearty dinner, I collapsed into bed, unaware that my friends had gone out to chase the aurora, only to return empty-handed. The next morning, we woke early, and as the bus stopped for a break, we were met with one of the most breathtaking sights—an enormous moon hanging over a bridge, framed by the pink and purple hues of the rising sun. Every ice crystal on the beach sparkled in the light. It was a magical moment, and while I didn’t have my camera with me, the scene is forever etched in my memory.

Over the following days, we wandered waterfalls, stood under the misty spray, played on the black sand beaches, and marveled at the raw beauty surrounding us. After our two-day tour ended, we embarked on a self-drive adventure to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. On narrow roads blanketed with snow, we nearly had a collision, a stark reminder of how unpredictable and wild Iceland can be. Still, every close call seemed to bring new discoveries—like a gas station that one of my favorite bloggers had photographed, or the joy of a snowball fight with friends, which turned into one of the happiest moments of the trip.

The landscape continued to surprise us. Straw-hat Mountain, draped in snow, looked like something out of a fairytale. When we accidentally wandered into private property while taking pictures, we were quickly ushered away—proof that Icelanders prefer their solitude over the curiosity of tourists. But even those awkward moments added to the richness of the trip. Each stop along the way felt like a dream come true, as if we were daydreamers living out a movie script.

Back in Reykjavik, the adventure came full circle. We spent our final hours strolling the small town, buying souvenirs, eating local seafood, and playing with the freely roaming cats. Yet, the most anticipated moment was still ahead of us—the Northern Lights. As we stood by the lighthouse, the sky erupted in shades of green, swirling and dancing above us. It was the perfect end to our journey, a fitting response to five years of dreaming.

Every step of this journey felt serendipitous, as if the universe had aligned to make it all just right. From canceled flights to missed photos, to unforgettable sights and lifelong memories, this trip was everything I had hoped for—and more.

02/18/2024—Berlin

The main theme of my trip to Berlin seemed to be black. The country still felt immersed in the lingering effects of the war. I was surprised by how prevalent alcohol was—there seemed to be more people holding bottles of wine on the subway than drinking water. Even on Google Maps, convenience stores displayed images of alcohol. When I arrived at my hotel, I asked if there was any free water. The response I got was, "We have a bar, and you're welcome to drink anytime."

To add to the surprises, my flight was canceled by Lufthansa at the last minute. Eventually, I found out I had been rebooked onto an SAS flight by Lufthansa. In terms of fashion, everyone in Berlin seemed to favor black leather jackets or coats. Unlike the varied and elegant styles I saw in Britain, Germany’s fashion leaned heavily toward a sleek, cool, all-black look, which felt modern and tech-driven.

The contrast between the lively indoor scenes and the almost desolate outdoor spaces was striking. I was also pleasantly surprised by the sight of kittens near the Berlin Wall. While exploring vintage shops, I found it hard to resist the clothes, but I forgot to prepare the tax refund form, which I only learned about once I got to the airport—a small regret from the trip. I also heard that Munich might be even more fun, which makes me curious for the future.

02/15/2024-02/18/20224—London

I had been preparing for this trip to London for a long time, but when the moment came, it still felt sudden. I often hesitated, unsure if the timing was right, but I had applied for a UK visa well ago before this trp trip. My original plan was to get a 10-year visa so I could visit the UK whenever I wanted. However, during the application process, I realized that the UK visa fees were much higher than those of other countries I'd visited, and the prices fluctuated. There were three types of visas to choose from, with the 10-year visa costing nearly $3,000. In the end, I opted for a six-month visa, but I didn’t embark on the trip until the visa was about to expire.

When I arrived at customs, the officer asked me many questions, and the one that stuck with me was, "Why are you coming when your visa is about to expire?" I answered that it was to connect with my next journey, though it didn’t sound very convincing. However, with my responses to other questions and the fact that I had visas from other countries, they eventually let me through.

The journey started with a bit of a hiccup. I was supposed to take the express and then transfer to the subway to reach the London Bridge Hotel. However, I got on the wrong train after following the directions. My destination was King’s Circle, but after getting off the express line, I ended up at Paddington Station, which reminded me of the movie "Paddington Bear." It wasn’t quite like the film, but it was packed with people. I felt like a character in a Wong Kar-wai movie, surrounded by crowds, but there was no time to enjoy the atmosphere as I dragged my heavy luggage around.

My ticket wouldn’t let me through the gate, but a kind inspector let me pass and pointed me in the right direction. The biggest challenge was that I didn’t have a UK SIM card, so my phone was useless, like a brick. I had to rely on asking people for directions, but understanding the British subway system was tricky. Despite following the signs and boarding the right train, I couldn't reach my destination. The first train only went one stop before returning to the platform I started from, and both platforms looked identical. Completely lost, I decided to hail a taxi, but the cabs didn’t stop when I waved. After a brief coffee break, I took an Uber and finally reached the hotel, only to find that I couldn’t check in until 3 o'clock. Exhausted and disappointed, I connected to the hotel’s Wi-Fi and checked my route to buy a SIM card.

As I walked to buy the SIM card, I unknowingly crossed London Bridge, which lifted my spirits. I visited a brunch spot called Drury, recommended by a friend. It was popular and looked amazing, but the two dishes I ordered weren’t to my taste. After resting and showering back at the hotel, I met up with my friend. We originally planned to have breakfast together, but we ended up having dinner instead—Korean fried chicken, which was delicious! We ate a lot and then walked along the Thames to the London Eye.

The next day, I woke up early and explored all the famous landmarks along the Thames, including London Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and the Shakespeare Theatre. Eventually, I found myself back at the London Eye. I fell in love with London’s Soho district—compared to New York, it was much more vibrant, and the lively atmosphere made me linger. I walked everywhere, and by the end of the day, my feet were completely worn out.

In the afternoon, I visited the British Museum, which was overwhelming in its scale. Every exhibit seemed priceless, and I was particularly struck by the Chinese artifacts, which left me in awe but also saddened by their history. I kept circling back to look at them, reluctant to leave.

I also took a trip to the White Cliffs, a place I had long dreamed of visiting, but the weather didn’t cooperate. It started raining as soon as I arrived, and the visibility was so poor that I couldn’t see more than five meters ahead. The wind was strong, making it hard to move forward, and I ended up walking down the cliff before turning back. At one point, I almost fell and got scratched by thorns while looking for a path down the cliffs. Meanwhile, the cows nearby didn’t seem to care, continuing to graze calmly. After returning to the base, I stopped at a cafe before heading back to the hotel.

01/27/2024—State College to DC

Ms. Christy and Mr. Marchelo missed my graduation ceremony, but they gave me an amazing surprise. They suddenly showed up at my doorstep with their two lovely dogs, Simba and Martha, after two days of driving in their RV. We quickly reconnected and decided to embark on a spontaneous road trip. Our journey took us all the way to Whiteface Mountain for some skiing. Originally, we had planned to visit Maine to witness the most beautiful sunrise, but due to the weather, we changed course and headed to Boston, eventually passing through Connecticut.

One of the moments I'll never forget is having Simba sleep on my chest at night. Taking a shower at Loves was also a surprisingly clean and comfortable experience. Driving an RV came with its own challenges.

In the end, they dropped me off in DC, and they continued their journey back to Orlando. After this unexpected adventure, I moved, marking a big change in my life post-graduation. I stored my belongings at Public Storage and, for the time being, stayed at my old high school residence. Leaving behind a place filled with so much love and kindness was difficult, and I felt a deep sense of nostalgia. But with that, I officially stepped into the next phase of my life.