Hours Slide and Days Go By...

Never before have I got this kind of feeling, that everyday is full of brand new experiences and intriguing adventures, purely unexpected and full of suspense.

Still vividly present in my mind's eye is a picture I dreamt about the first night spent in Kaohsiung: All the five of us exchange students are stomping like sulky kids, suffering from some nameless homesickness in this "vaguely different" cultural environment. We suddenly become landlubbers at sea, distracted and confused as the sense of belonging diminishes. Who are we? What are we doing here? Shall we mingle as freely as possible or step back with a perfect sense of propriety? It seems the key to answering those questions is all about the strength of self-control yet none of us manages to get the whole picture.

Totally at a loss until recently... My newly met Taiwanese friend Ya-Chu invited me to a sleep-over in her house for a couple of nights and I was more than happy to be her lodger——if only you knew how great and generous that girl is, not to mention she is also adorable and cute. Lady Luck was definitely smiling upon me and therefore I owe substantial gratitude toward her timely favor! I am now way more relieved and assured than I was in those beginning days, for genuine friendship does count in my case. "Have no idea what to do when there is some spare time? Relax! Here comes Ya-Chu, an angel with shining wings..." I have to admit each time we hang out together I feel like a million dollars deposited in a safe bank, with handsome interest and solid security. I find myself free of want, because she fulfills whatever I could possibly have in mind. Sometimes when I reflect upon myself I cannot help wondering whether I am also to her satisfaction, and whether I am worthy enough of all her kindness... Love between a sweet couple is always deemed selfless but somehow I find friendship has the same magical appeal when the vibe is right. I am totally swept off my feet by this girl with her impassionate personality. Thanks Ya-Chu, and any guy who deserves your love must be the luckiest man under the sun!

And of course another person I have to bring up here is Eyan Wiggy, who hit the jackpot when deciding on Ya-Chu as his host for couch surfing(A free, Internet-based, international hospitality-exchange service network, providing members around the world to coordinate contacts and home accommodation with each other). He is an English gentleman full of fun, typically reserved at the same time. The most amazing highlight of his life probably should be the fact that he is incredibly cosmopolitan, a well-experienced global trotter. During the past 11 years, he has already set foot on the shores of 52 countries (the number is still mounting), which undoubtedly makes him a legendary hero. In all honesty, Eyan is not the type of guy who is ready to steal the limelight and easy to spot among a mass of people, but still he is nothing but special. Uniqueness and bravery are all he has got in the first-aid kit. Throughout our conversations, he remained so sure about himself and all my efforts to dampen his pride ended in vain. Curiously, I asked him where his firm confidence came from. Eyan blew my mind by answering that he had never admired other people's lives or imagined himself to be someone else. He enjoys being himself and believes what he is up to right now is the most meaningful thing in his best interest. To him, later on I assume, that travelling itself is rewarding enough. He is completely into his everyday experiences——people who he meets along the trips, breath-taking sceneries, unfadable hopes, tempting joys... He keeps extracting the best that life can offer from the world unknown, which in the eyes of many looks dangerous and scary. Only the very first person to try the tomato knows exactly how delicious it tastes, because his/her feeling is unprecedented, hence unbeaten. Likewise, vanguards from any field enjoy to themselves the exclusive happiness of crying out “Voila!” while copycats only get to claim the leftover.

So, better choose the road less travelled…

More often than not, we are trapped in the spiral of self-doubt and frightened of our own dreams. We are dying to be somebody but forever hesitating to take the first step from the pathetic identity of nobody. Despair and helplessness keep smoldering inside of us. In the end, we can't help feeling frustrated and disappointed. Then self-confidence is draining until it is completely gone.

It is human nature for one to attempt to predict his or her fate, consciously or subconsciously, no matter how lame a fortune teller he or she actually is. Some people consequently fall victim to their self-spun miserable illusion. The truth is, however, you will never know if you never try.

Being young and naive, we wishfully hold there are infinite tomorrows, awaiting us to waste and squander. Everything that matters hugely is being taken for granted. Few of us ever make plans, and those who do have schedules never bother to follow them thoroughly. I have in my life heard too many people complaining about their crumbling dreams and shattered faith. "If I knew then what I know now...I should have done..." Well, my dear friends, the cruelty of reality determines there is no leeway or turning back when the die is already cast.

Be a dreamer and fill your dreams with feasible plans instead of starry eyed fantasies. If you are tired of the current life style and find yourself stuck in a rut, do not dilly dally and step out of the comfort zone for a change. Work on your sensitivity and never allow numbness to get the upper hand, for the wealth of the mind is the only true wealth —— the single piece of belonging that nobody else can ever take away from you. One precious lesson I learned from Eyan is, it takes real courage to break the inertia of ease and to achieve something big. Faint hearts do not only lose fair ladies but eventually, everything.

In some way, everyone in the world is a traveller with different focuses and destinations. No matter what transfer stations we are passing by, the ability to maintain direction savvy is decisive among all the indispensable skills. Once you are sure about the person you desire to turn into, please hurry to meet him or her. Meanwhile, cherish and relish the moment, cause tomorrow never comes.

It was my greatest pleasure getting to know both of you, Ya-Chu and Eyan. And I think my dream tonight and many nights after won't be haunted by nightmares anymore...

Attention, Taiwan! Sarah is stretching out her arms to give you a warm and big hug!!