Seeing the World

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Headlights

I think I wrote this post back in 2014 or 2015--and I still remember this event pretty clearly. It was one of those pivotal points that totally changed my perspective on life.

Peace. Love. Happiness.

-TR

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A couple months ago, my boyfriend, 2 of my friends, and I were on our way to get some coney dogs. (For those who don't know, the coney dog is native to the wonderful state of Michigan--basically, it's a hot dog with chili, onions, and mustard--sans mustard for me though!) One of my friends had recently arrived from the Philippines (he had been there for college) a couple months prior and the other one was on vacation visiting from the Philippines. We were having a good time chatting and catching up during the drive. I was driving on the freeway and noticed that the car in front of me swerved. Next thing I know, there are headlights shining brightly directly in my line of vision. The lights were getting closer and closer. There were no hazard lights blinking. There was no horn sending out a warning. There was no sign of the vehicle trying to stop or get out of the way. As time is making its way through the hour glass, my fight or flight instincts kick in. Somehow, someway I fought to fly. I grasped the steering wheel and made a hard swerve to the right and then another swerve to the left to straighten out into the next lane. Luckily there were no cars directly to the side of me and there was a lot of distance between the next car behind me. I successfully avoided what could have been a horrible accident. My boyfriend was in the front seat. My two friends in the backseat...I found out after the swerving that they were not wearing their seat belts. It slipped my mind to remind them earlier because my brain is programmed to put my seat belt on once I get in the vehicle. In the Philippines, seat belts aren't worn by A LOT of people. Some vehicles may not even have them. They quickly put their seat belts on after the incident. We made it safely to the restaurant and got our coney dogs. The three of them were doing most of the talking, while I sat there staring into space still in disbelief of what had just happened out on the road and thinking of what could have happened. After we were done eating, we got back in the car, made sure everyone was belted, and then went back home. After my friends left, I sat on the couch with my boyfriend...and started crying. Crying because I was scared. Crying because I was thankful. Crying because I had many emotions and thoughts going through my mind.

During this time, I was going through a stressful time at work because I had just started in a new department. Work was challenging and I had to continuously remind myself to be patient. I felt like I wasn't doing enough, even though my co-workers told me all the time that I was actually doing a good job. I just put a lot of pressure on myself--I think I always have. However, after that night of swerving, things changed. I gained a new perspective. While work is important and I do my best at it, I realized that there are more important things in life--such as the people in it. The stressful feelings that I had due to work seemed to melt away because I felt (and still do) lucky to be alive and unscathed. Who knows what could've happened if I didn't swerve as much as I did or when I did. I spent a lot of time thinking about the what ifs. But my boyfriend pointed out an important fact for me to concentrate on--and that fact is that all the people who were in that car that night were not hurt. I can really only thank God for that one. #Jesustakethewheel.

Tonight on my way home, I saw bright headlights yet again. Someone was going the wrong way on a one way. This time, however, I wasn't on the freeway so the speed of the car was much slower and the person flashed the car's lights to ensure that I saw the car so that I could switch lanes. The headlights reminded me of that night of getting coney dogs. They reminded me of how lucky and blessed I am to be where I am today. They reminded me of how thankful I am to God for giving me the people He has placed in my life. They reminded me of how much I love my family and friends. They reminded me of how grateful I am to have my boyfriend by my side.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Traveling

Seems as though I've taken quite the hiatus from this Blog 😬 But I'm here! 😀

I got a spark of inspiration yesterday and wrote a poem (polished it up today). I think this will resonate with my traveling friends out there. Hope you all are doing well!

Peace. Love. Happiness.

--TR

Traveling

Written by: TR

I miss traveling

Sure, I've travelled domestically

And I love it

It's just different

International traveling

Last minute packing

Double, triple checking that I have my passport

Chargers - check

Phone - check

Credit card - check

If I forget something, I'll buy it when I get there

Itineraries

Tickets

Taking my shoes off because I don't have TSA precheck

Chewing a piece of gum

Popping in my ears

That unsettling feeling of turbulence

That sense of relief when the wheels touch the ground

Watching the conveyor belt go 'round and 'round

Baggage claim anticipation

I haven't been in another continent in over 2 years

I haven't even been in another country for over 1 year

This isn't normal

This can't be the new normal

Patience, young grasshopper

One day I'll be able to fly farther

One day I'll be able to get that Tuscan wine

One day I'll be able to attempt to speak Tagalog in its native land

One day I'll be able to get that Paradise dӧner pizza

Until then

I'll keep dreaming

I'll keep praying

For that day

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Six Months Ago

10.15.14

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but it kind of makes sense...

For the past couple days I have been in a bit of a funk. A good deal of the funk might very well have to do a lot with the continual adjustment to my new job and to my new grad school chapter of my life...Or maybe RCS is deciding to show up once again.

Six months ago today, I returned to my home state after an amazing trip to the Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, and California. And I want to go back. I really want to go back. However, a lot has happened in the six months I've been back--both ups and downs--and overall, I'm very happy in life. :) Since returning, I've started a full-time job, started a relationship with an amazing boyfriend, and started graduate school.

In other news, I just booked a plane ticket this morning, which I suppose is quite fitting for this six month anniversary of sorts, to visit one of my best friends in a different state, While plane tickets were on the brain, I searched for plane tickets to the Philippines and Germany--you know, just for kicks. You have no idea (or maybe you do) how tempting it was/is to just book those kinds of flights...just sayin'.

I don't know if my wanderlusting is me wanting to get away from the stress of life right now or if it's RCS or if it's something else or if it's a combination of factors. I do know, however, that I don't want to sit still. I want to explore. I want to travel. I just want to go.

Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Be Strong.

It takes a lot to be strong. Whether it's strong physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc. Sometimes being strong sucks...but you have to be that way in order to continue forward in life. This trip and all my other traveling experiences have taught me to be strong. They also taught me that I'm stronger than I think I am.

This trip forced me to be stronger. At times it seemed like I was alone on the journey since none of my closest friends or family members were around, so I had to dig up strength and trudge on. Being strong doesn't mean that you're not allowed to break down. Sometimes you need that emotional release. And guess what--that is totally okay. Sometimes it may feel like you're being fake when you put on a smile and say everything is a-okay when in reality you just want to cry...but I think that is completely normal. Our "weakest" times are often what make us stronger.

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I wrote the above paragraphs back in the day and saved it as a draft. A couple months later, I find myself in my home country, but unfortunately going through a very similar experience due to 2 separate events that happened this week. Just yesterday, I wrote a note to a colleague expressing my appreciation for her support. Part of what I wrote was this: Moments like today make one put things into perspective & definitely make one realize that now is the time to cherish the people around them & live life to the fullest.

I heard this song as I was driving home from work yesterday, and I thought it was very timely and topical...

Here's to having faith--not fear.
Here's to hoping that everything will be alright.
Here's to my support network.
And here's to Bob...I may not have known you for too long, but thank you for being my mentor. RIP.

Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Missing It, Wanderlusting, and Can't Sit Still

Well, I've been back from my Pacific Ocean trip for a couple months now. And yes, I miss it. I still have the urge to travel, to be somewhere else, and to not settle down for too long. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being able to see my family and friends at home, but there's just something about the traveling life that I love--being forced to get out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and try new things. Yes, this can all be done from my home country/state/city, but for whatever reason, there's more excitement to it all when I'm abroad. I'm sure at least some people are tired of hearing me talk about my trip...but it's become a part of who I am. I promise I've trimmed down my stories...especially when I can tell that people are losing interest (yes, I can tell and yes, it's totally okay haha). If you want to hear them, just ask. When people ask me things like "how was your trip?" or "what was your favorite part of the trip?" I feel like those are very big questions...ones that could take me hours to answer (if you want the whole answer) or ones that would have multiple responses.

I have my next worldly adventure in my sights...but it won't be happening for another year and a half (which is okay because I almost cleaned out my bank accounts--totally worth it though!--so I need some time to save up again haha).

Thought I'd take a little while to come up with a list of (some) stuff that I miss:
1. The girls I tutored
2. My family
3. Filipino food
4. Wearing flip flops every day, everywhere
5. Making new friends from all over the world
6. Hiking
7. Beaches--Matarangi sand
8. Exploring the unknown
9. Spontaneity
10. Carefree and stressfree...well, kind of
11. Clean air
12. Mountains
13. Adventure
14. Teaching and sharing
15. Being the only American
16. Feeling tall
17. Noticing cultural differences
18. Adapting
19. Walking/public transportation
20. Visiting family/friends
21. Tours
22. Getting tan
23. Inexpensive (but really good) massages
24. Packing up my backpack and living out of it for a couple days or a week (or more) at a time

...yep, I think I'm ready for another trip! :P

Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Sing It, Mr. Marley

When I was in New Zealand, I took a 9-day bus tour of the South Island, and this was our theme song. We'd usually hear it at least once per day, and it signaled various things:

1. A new day.

2. A new city.

3. A new adventure.

4. A new chance for me to reflect on Ziggy Marley's words.

"Life has come a long way since yesterday, I say / And it's not the same old thing over again, I say..."

By the time I got to New Zealand and joined the tour, life had certainly come a long way--literally and figuratively. I switched time zones, and time fast forwarded five hours. Also, I had just spent nearly three months in the Philippines--and after all the wonderful experiences I had over there, my life certainly changed (for the better, of course).

Marley most definitely sings a lot of truth, and I think this is a song that many people can use as their life motto--a song they can strive to live by.

Oh yeah, and it's one heck of a catchy song! :)

Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Back Home

Hi everyone!

Well, I've been home for almost a week, and in some aspects it is really nice to be home! :) However, part of me wishes I was still on my Pacific adventure. I miss the people that I met, as well as the nomadic lifestyle. If you read my blog a while back, you may have seen my post regarding reverse culture shock when I came back from Germany. It's a nasty little bugger, and once again it is present...hopefully it won't stick around too long this time!

Since coming home, I read a great book called How to Survive Reverse Culture Shock by Elena Nebreda. I definitely relate to some of the expat stories in the book and found myself agreeing with a lot of it. I encourage you to read it--especially if you've been abroad for a while and are returning home. I don't usually enjoy reading, but I got through the book pretty quick!

Also, here's a video by Elena that explains a little bit about RCS. She has a couple more videos on her YouTube channel relating to the topic.

Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR