It hasn't escaped me that I've been writing less and less every year since starting this blog in 2013. During the first three years I was writing hundreds of posts every year, and from 2016 onward it's decreased to the double digits. This year's number is the lowest ever. There are a few reasons for this, one of them being that when I started this blog I was still in college: had just turned 20, was up to more things then, and so had more to write about. Another reason is that since graduating I've tried to focus my writing on book reviews, J-drama reviews, and my travels. I'm not sure that my life or personality are interesting enough in themselves to sustain writing about them all the time (and again, I have a lot less going on now), so I don't write about personal things or random thoughts/opinions as much as I used to because—Who cares? Who needs to know? But I still love writing, this blog is still special to me and is still very much "my thing", and I come here when I can. Most of 2018 has kind of worn me down so motivating myself has been difficult, but I'm in a much better place at the moment.
Well. Today is the 1st of September, which is the unofficial beginning of autumn in many people's minds here (but I still maintain that summer isn't officially over for another 3 weeks; y'all spend all year pining for summer and then when it's here you rush to make it more fleeting than it needs to be!). Since I barely wrote anything this summer, I thought to post a life update just so whoever's reading this knows that I'm still here, I'm still alive, I'm still writing. So here goes:
- I started a podcast! Got the idea for it in May and launched it on Juneteenth (June 19th). It's called Young, Gifted and Abroad and in each episode I interview a different person of color about their study abroad experiences. Hence, "Perspectives on studying abroad from past and present students of color". We'll be at 12 episodes come this Tuesday! I initially started it because I was bored and frustrated and wanted to feel like I was still capable of doing things, and now working on it every week keeps me going. Plus all my guests have been lovely! Listen to the podcast here: younggiftedandabroad.com
- My cousin (also the very first guest on the podcast) got married in July, and I was called at the last minute by another cousin to sing in the wedding. I had about four hours to learn the song ("You and I" by O'Bryan), but that actually worked to my advantage because I didn't have enough time to think myself out of it. It was so much fun! I hadn't performed since 2016, and it's been sort of a passive goal of mine to try performing again in 2018. And I did! Haven't performed again since then, but hey, I've still got four months left to put myself out there this year.
- As of early August, I am now in between jobs. It's really for the best though. I felt like it was time to move on, and even though things are kind of uncertain right now, I feel more hopeful and at greater peace than I have in a really long time. Since I put in my notice in July, I've been surrounded by immense love, calm, assurance, and relief (joy, even?) coming from such delightfully random and not-so-random directions, so I honestly do feel like I made the right decision. Just praying that the Lord will hold my hand and that nothing that's for me will pass me by.
- I just came back from spending 10 days in the Bay Area visiting a friend. She kept saying this year that I could come her way if I needed a break, so I took her up on it. It was more of a suburban vacation than a high-flying adventure, but I still had a wonderful time and learned some much-needed lessons. Check the photos out here: All dogs are BAYbies
Here's to better, whatever that comes to mean.
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