Yet another birthday spent elsewhere in the world but my own country. 22 years, 15 countries, 40 something cities - it's been an amazing journey full of ups and downs, of tears in laughter and sorrows, of love and friendships and heartbreaks. How did I even get to where I am today?
I thought about my birthday in Chicago last year when i Finally turned 21 and officially became (more of) an adult (in whatever sense). My life afterwards did take a turn to another direction I must say, in the way I think, I act, and how I treat others. I thought it was some turning point in my life actually, because I've changed so much the last year. Indeed, 2014 was a year full of events. I guess this is where December birthday comes in pretty handy since I have something to reflect on (because as you can tell, I love to reflect on stuff -- more specifically, my life). But anyway, while my 21st birthday was phenomenal, this year, my 22nd birthday, I don't even know how to describe it. So many things have gone so wrong in Paris before, during and even after my birthday, that I didn't know how to react to my entire experience in Paris thus far. But, when I think about it now, I wouldn't have wanted to turn 22 anywhere else in the world. Yeah, I thought Paris was the perfect place for me to turn 22.
All these mishaps and unfortunate events that have happened here, they truly act like a hard slap on my face about gruesome realities that could happen to anyone. I'm actually surprised I haven't cried even once after all of these. Maybe it's because I know I have no power over the matters, or that I've been toughened up by Paris. Another thing is also that, I have friends that are taking care of me, so I'm not exactly alone trying to deal with things. My friends, they are truly the silver lining in this dark clouds that have been hovering throughout my stay in Paris. If you guys are reading this, thank you guys so much and I love and appreciate you so much with all my heart!!!! :)
For the past year, I've moved 3 times: back to Cincinnati, then Boston, and then Paris; then traveled to >5 countries, all within a year. For the past year, I've realized that my passion is not architecture (I do love it though; I'm just not passionate enough, and that's why I'm taking a year off from school after graduation in May -- wait, I'm also graduating in May whut. ?!?! I DONT WANNA BECOME AN ADULT). For the past year, I've learnt how to better deal with different types of people (though I must say it's kinda sad I'm losing patience and faith on certain matters when it comes to friendships/relationships -- however, to those that have been true to me, I would do anything to keep my relationships with them). For the past year, I've also taken time to play guitar more, sing more, draw more, talked to my parents more, explored things more, eaten more, (slept less), met more people, became crazier, acted more spontaneously, kept in touch with people more, kept my promises and carried them out more.
For the past year, my transition from 21 to 22 has been a roller coaster.
For the past year, I've moved 3 times: back to Cincinnati, then Boston, and then Paris; then traveled to >5 countries, all within a year. For the past year, I've realized that my passion is not architecture (I do love it though; I'm just not passionate enough, and that's why I'm taking a year off from school after graduation in May -- wait, I'm also graduating in May whut. ?!?! I DONT WANNA BECOME AN ADULT). For the past year, I've learnt how to better deal with different types of people (though I must say it's kinda sad I'm losing patience and faith on certain matters when it comes to friendships/relationships -- however, to those that have been true to me, I would do anything to keep my relationships with them). For the past year, I've also taken time to play guitar more, sing more, draw more, talked to my parents more, explored things more, eaten more, (slept less), met more people, became crazier, acted more spontaneously, kept in touch with people more, kept my promises and carried them out more.
For the past year, my transition from 21 to 22 has been a roller coaster.
I'm really not exaggerating things or anything. But I wish you knew how my thoughts and actions have been for the past year, you would know how crazy my life has become just within one year. Don't worry I didn't do anything outrageous (or did I...) -- I just know that compared to my life last year, mine this year is a completely different story.
This is why being Paris for my birthday was a pinch on my face that says hey yo anh, this is not a dream, your life sucks for some times now but suck it up, grow up and make the most out of it. Ok maybe it's a punch and not really a pinch. But point is, believe it or not, being in Paris isn't some fancy, fairy tale, happy ending, glorious story that you think my life is about. I've gone through the sh*ttiest moments in Paris, ones that are so bad that I had to pause and think, what the hell am I doing here? But again, I wouldn't have picked another place to spend my birthday. Paris was the opportunity that allows me to do my travels in Europe. Paris was my dream-come-true, the city that I had wished to live in at some point of my life. Paris is a point of my life that I will never forget even in 50 year's time.
So I'm 22. Now what?
I don't know.
We will see what the transition to 23 will be like. Hopefully it will be a good one :)
Vietnam in half a month and then 'Murica for the last semester of architecture undergraduate!
Til' next time
Bisous,
Anh
This is why being Paris for my birthday was a pinch on my face that says hey yo anh, this is not a dream, your life sucks for some times now but suck it up, grow up and make the most out of it. Ok maybe it's a punch and not really a pinch. But point is, believe it or not, being in Paris isn't some fancy, fairy tale, happy ending, glorious story that you think my life is about. I've gone through the sh*ttiest moments in Paris, ones that are so bad that I had to pause and think, what the hell am I doing here? But again, I wouldn't have picked another place to spend my birthday. Paris was the opportunity that allows me to do my travels in Europe. Paris was my dream-come-true, the city that I had wished to live in at some point of my life. Paris is a point of my life that I will never forget even in 50 year's time.
So I'm 22. Now what?
I don't know.
We will see what the transition to 23 will be like. Hopefully it will be a good one :)
Vietnam in half a month and then 'Murica for the last semester of architecture undergraduate!
Til' next time
Bisous,
Anh