Paris 2019

“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring”-David Bowie

Back in Europe! I am currently in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The past months on the road have been absolutely amazing - crazy, honestly I have no words. Running from one city to another, catching trains and waking up in new country almost everyday. Figuring out my way, accommodations, food, where’s the best cafe in town, etc. You know the city you never heard before and suddenly there you are, completely amazed and in awe how life turns most of your dreams come true. Way way much better than all the plans you had for yourself. Here I am sitting in a bar, just casually writing only few steps away from King’s Landing ( if you love Game of Thrones, you know ) and tons of tourists. It’s crazy crowded here, meanwhile my mind still trying to process what kind of life is this, what had happened in the past 12 months, 4 years, 10 years.

I started my Euro trip this time in Berlin then Paris, Rennes, Poilley ( a good friend of mine also took me to pretty little towns around Bretagne and Normandie like Saint Malo, Avranches, Saint James, Pontaubault ), then I continued my journey to Vienna, Austria. From there I took train to Bratislava, Slovakia then Budapest, Hungary. I fell in love with Budapest soo much I decided to stay longer and take my time to explore the city. After Budapest, I visited Zagreb and Split, Croatia also a day trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia.

When my best friend who lives in London found out I was going back to Europe, she decided to join me IN PARIS so we both can celebrate how far we’ve come. You know it’s funny few years ago we were supposed to go to Bangkok to celebrate my birthday but she couldn’t find her passport so I had to go alone. Later on after Bangkok trip, we had a dream to reunite again in Paris; Eiffel tower, coffee and long conversations. They say be careful of what you wish for, well…after haven’t seen each other for maybe 3 years, it felt so good to see my girl again. We’ve been best friends for over 10 years. Ricil, my other 4 girls and I have grown and been through so many things together since our first day at uni. From random karaoke nights to Bali trip. From dance rehearsal to live in the same apartment together. Messy breakups, move on and fall in love again. We lost some things but we also gained lots of things. Through the years we went through a loooong phase of metamorphosis. Still work in progress, learning everyday, we support and celebrate each other.

Just like some special women out there I am truly honored to know, Ricil taught me couple of big things in life. Watching her grow up from college days until today have been both amazing and inspiring. Especially the past few years - when she won a scholarship to study in China after that she moved to London - she proved not only to herself but also so many people including myself that with faith and hard work, you can move any mountain. You can go to places you’ve always wanted to visit, be the person you want to be, live the kind of life you always dreamed of. No dream is too big and no dreamer is too small. Even if you don’t know where to begin, how to get there, you’re not sure what you really want, but as long as you keep trying, you keep moving even if it’s just one tiny baby step, stay curious and positive, open minded to try or learn new things...you’ll surprise yourself of how far you can go. Sure, at the beginning you’d experience so many failures and rejections. Lost, then you feel like giving up, it happens to all of us...but the moment you decide to keep going, no matter how hard, how slow the progress..you will eventually get there. Not so many people know my best friend would go above and beyond to try everything. Those sleepless nights she spent learning and working finally lead her to the place she always wanted to go. She grew stronger, wiser, better than before. Her faith and hard work paid off and I believe this is just the beginning for more better and bigger things coming on her way. Being with her ( and my other four girls ) even just for a short time always feel like the safest place on earth. Home. Comfort zone. Support system.

And also thank you my sweet angel Julia for showing us around Paris, for taking us to dinner and house party. I’ve been on the road for soooo long but one thing that never fails to amaze me: no matter where I go, I always meet the right people...and those right people are the biggest treasure.