It feels weird. Almost dream-like, the excitement, yet the surrealness of me leaving a place I comfortably call home. My last month living in China. Maybe if I say it more often, it’ll feel more real.
I remember so vividly the first day I landed in Hohhot, my first day of work, meeting Leena, moving to Chengdu, and everything in between.
I always wondered what this day would look like – the day I return to the States and call it my permanent home once again. It’s a lot to process, but I know I’ll get there with time.
All I can do at this moment is to be present and to capture the present in stillness. That will be my superpower and way of cooping the little time I have left.
When I think of China and the life I lived here, I think of how wholesome my early to mid-20s were. So much growth, pain, happiness, gratitude, smiles, loneliness, and resilience. I cultivated myself here and gradually saw myself become the most authentic I’ve ever been.
To honor these years of life, here’s a compilation of images dedicated to each of my years living in China. They’ll remain deeply and lovingly engrained in my memory and heart.
2018
Year 1. Where it all began.
2019
The year that started the hardest, but became the year I was reminded of how healing God’s timing and power is.
2020
Covid year, and the year I was stuck back in the US after going away for vacation during Lunar New Year.
2021
After a year away from China, I was thankful to have returned. Life was different and it took me some time to readjust, but I was grateful to have another chance and fulfill my aspirations.
2022
My Jordan year. It was a year of movement and empowering love, gratitude, and healing.
To life and all the unknown wonders it brings, you constantly amaze me and remind me how powerful and healing time is in discovering who I’m becoming. And to transitions in life that take longer to accept, this is a reminder to myself and you that it’ll be okay. You will be okay, and you will continue to prosper regardless of where you are.
China – you’ll forever be my home away from home.
As always, here’s to living boundlessly in faith, travel, and life.
