Travel Diaries: The Fault in My Fears
It felt like a dream. The islands of Coron in Palawan, Philippines-- I was in love with all of it-- and I wish I could go back right now.
Everything they say about wanderlust is true...the excitement, the fulfillment, the adrenaline rush, and finally the feeling you are left at the pit of your stomach when it all ends. I still can't describe the exact feeling I got when I knew my days were counting down to zero. All I remember is that moment I was on my 15-hour flight flying backward into the Eastern time zone and I was hit by the realization that this was it. There was no turning back. I'm stuck in this window seat with two snoring individuals and not a single tissue to wipe the snot flowing out of my nose. Yes, that's a lot of information that I'll get to in a second.
Upon arrival of Club Paradise in Coron, Palawan
It felt like a dream. The islands of Coron in Palawan, Philippines-- I was in love with all of it-- and I wish I could go back right now.
Everything they say about wanderlust is true...the excitement, the fulfillment, the adrenaline rush, and finally the feeling you are left at the pit of your stomach when it all ends. I still can't describe the exact feeling I got when I knew my days were counting down to zero. All I remember is that moment I was on my 15-hour flight flying backward into the Eastern time zone and I was hit by the realization that this was it. There was no turning back. I'm stuck in this window seat with two snoring individuals and not a single tissue to wipe the snot flowing out of my nose. Yes, that's a lot of information that I'll get to in a second.
I didn't feel like sleeping, and I saw nothing outside the plane except the faint grey clouds below me and the fading sunset sky. So I turned to the movie collection readily available a tap away. It was the latest batch of movies currently playing in theaters. I had already seen half of the list on my flight going to Asia, so I decided to watch the one movie I avoided tapping during that initial flight. I avoided watching The Fault in Our Stars because I knew what a sob fest I would become-- and I let that sob fest become me that very flight home. I let the waterworks devour my eyes and although I deeply wished to blow my nose, I couldn't bring myself to tap the man peacefully asleep next to me, and awaken him just so I could grab toilet paper to control my mucus. I think I was more embarrassed to have him see the emotional mess I was. Imagine waking up to a tap on the shoulder by a sobbing woman in her mid-twenties?? Scary. I knew that I wasn't just crying about the inevitable death in a beautifully flawed love story that was playing before me on a little screen. I was crying because this trip was over and I didn't know when I would be able to go back again!
Coron, Palwan
I realized this wasn't just any vacation. This was a journey that I wanted my soul to experience. This was an adventure of a lifetime. It began with a visit to see my Grandma in Taiwan, a trip to my roots. But, then my journey led me to the Philippines where my heart opened up to another side of the world that I've only read about in textbooks and seen photos of on travel blogs. For two decades I yearned to see another world through my own eyes...through my own vision. This was just the beginning because the flame inside me has been lit and I won't let it burn out here.
Coron, Palwan
It took me 23 years to finally see blue water for the first time. My first time was earlier this year when I visited Cartagena, Colombia, and boy does it thunderstorm when it finally starts to rain. Not only did I cross that blue water dream off my bucket list earlier this year, but I got to cross it off with an extra bold, red sharpie after this trip to the Philippines. These are the bluest most beautiful waters in the world...dare I say prettier than Cartagena. My eyes tear a little just reimagining that vision I had only a month and a half ago.
That's right. It has been over a month since I came back from the Philippines and all I can think about during these chillier New York days are warm, sunny skies, toes in the sand and the sight of infinite blue in the horizon. My appetite was satiated with high cholesterol dishes and the most sour drinks I can ever sip. My Vitamin-D deficient skin turned sun-kissed. My spirits were uplifted. And, of the 7,107 islands that make up the Philippines, I went to 7 islands during my 8-day trip.
All was uplifting and rewarding. Money was spent in all the right places and not a penny lost was regretted. This post took awhile to write because I couldn't bring myself to look at my photographs right away. I needed some time away from the memory because every sift through my album sprinkled a little salt in the wound. I think aside from my jetlag and inability to spring back to my New York routine immediately, I was also afraid that looking through my photos meant my love had ended and the dream was over. I was scared because I didn't know when I would be able to visit the Philippines again. There are so many places in this world that I want to eventually visit, but I am one person who can only explore one country at a time. I had let my fears get the best of me.
Just like that fear of watching The Fault in Our Stars because I did not want to cry a river, I was afraid that my wonderful memories of the Philippines would only ruin my less blue and warm reality. But, of course I knew deep down that it wasn't and isn't really over. I will travel again and I will fall in love as I do when I fall asleep...slowly, and then all at once.
If the sky was truly a reflection of the sea, then this explains it.
Here's the first entry of my trip to Asia. I'll be dreaming of this trip tonight. Back to the days I would eat, sleep, swim, and repeat.
Love,
Laura
For my full Philippines album, visit the page under the "Places" tab (click here), which I recommend, or scroll through the preview down below:
Travel More
Travel more was and is my 2014 New Year's Resolution.
The definition of Travel is as follows:
trav·el
verb
make a journey, typically of some length or abroad
I know that everyone says they want to travel more, but this year, I meant it. For many of you who know me, knew me, hardly know a single thing about me...here is the truth. I hardly traveled before the year 2014. And to prove this, here's the breakdown with NUMBERS! Numbers always help, right? Oh, and I'll throw in a map a little later on.
Prior to 2014, I had only been to two of seven continents: North America and Asia -- and I really shouldn't even count my birth country as a country I've been to in the world because I've lived here all my life. Within those continents, I've only been to three countries: The United States (where I was born), Taiwan (where my family is from), and Canada (the closest country I could easily cross a border and visit).
How many countries are in the world, you ask? 196. (Well-- sort of.)
When I typed into the search engine, "how many countries are in the world?" Google gave me an extended explanation, and said:
There are 196 countries in the world today. Taiwan is not considered an official country by many, which would bring the count down to 195 countries. Although Taiwan operates as an independent country, many countries (including the U.S.) do not officially recognize it as one.
Yes, I googled that number. (hover over the "googled that number")
Here. Let me show you a map of the world! Click to enlarge and see if you can spot Taiwan!
Free map from vectortemplates.com
HINT: THE MAP DOES NOT LIST TAIWAN NEXT TO THE ISLAND.
Well, clearly I am a little biased. So, 196 countries in this world it is-- Taiwan included. And that means THREE countries is how many I've been to...that is until this year.
Since January, I've been to 6 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
Two of those cities were in states that I have never been to: Georgia and Illinois.
In May, I visited one country outside the United States: Colombia
Which, by the way, is a brand new country that I added on to my traveled list, but also happens to be a country in South America, making this year the first time I visited a new continent, too!
To take this a little further, and since the year is not over yet, I'll be in the continent of Asia in ONE day! I will be in Taiwan, which IS A COUNTRY, for a little under a week and then flying to the Philippines for the first time, which I am absolutely excited to visit.
So, you see, I was not a well traveled person before the year 2014. I felt the need to explore a little more of what my country had to offer before I jumped overseas. I took a quick trip to Atlanta, Georgia in Januaray, starting the new year right with my resolution. Then, the rest was history and just flowed easily! I was booking weekend trips to major cities like Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. I basically squeezed a trip in to whatever long weekend I could take with company holidays. Work also allowed me to travel to Orlando, FL and Berkeley, CA. In May, I got to visit Cartagena, Colombia in South America for just a quick 5-day trip. And if we're looking into the future, tomorrow, I'll be in Asia visiting Taiwan and then off to the Philippines, a new country I am visiting for the first time.
Taken from my flight from NYC to Orlando, FL
NYC all lit up. Taken on my flight from NYC to Atlanta, GA
In all my life-- before I decided to make traveling happen-- I followed the rules of my parents, the rules of my teachers, and the rules of my work environment. But, when I stepped away from all of that on my personal time, I realized that there was (and is) a heck lot more room for me to humanize myself. We live our lives day to day, following a routine and a work flow. But, having a hobby, surrounding yourself with people and things your love, and loving yourself, is just as important-- for sanity sake. For me, ever since I expanded my vision and used my camera as a third set of eyes, I also expanded my vision of the world. Photography has led me to more places than I have ever been to in the past decade of my life. Photography has inspired me to travel more.
Yes, the world out there can seem big and scary, but beyond the bad, there is also good. There are good people and there is goodness in this world. Outside of the bustling city that is New York City, there is more that can be found. I'm not saying that I want to leave my life and live a completely new one. I just want to temporarily get away from my sheltered surroundings and make a journey, for some length, abroad.
I'm simply just saying that I want to travel more.
Love,
Laura Chang
Viva Northern California
It is a blessing to travel for work, but there is little to no time for exploration. Luckily, work led me to a few seconds of beauty in Northern California's Berkeley, Oakland and Moraga. From rose garden to sunset skies, Nature's fresh air was calling me every brisk morning.
And after a week in California, I had one Saturday to spare and go wherever I wanted to go...San Francisco. Check out what were in my visions down below:
The Berkeley Rose Garden
Sky House in Oakland, CA
Sky House in Oakland, CA
Sunset over the hills in Moraga, CA
My day trip to San Francisco allowed me to snap a lot more than the rest of the week. It was a serious amount of exploration via car. Luckily, I knew a local who gave me a VIP experience. She knew the ins and outs of San Francisco and when the bumper to bumper traffic appeared along the route towards the Golden Gate Bridge, she switched gears and headed towards Baker Beach where nothing but sand and bridge filled my camera lens.
Baker Beach in San Francisco
This foggy city brought little sunshine that day, but it did not damper my mood. Sometimes you need to live through the beauty found in simplicity. Flowers always bring me joy and I had a bouquet with me that day.
The Bay Bridge and flowers purchased from Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market
You can check out my full gallery of San Francisco under my "Places" page:
Make Life One Long "Windy" Weekend
The motto of the weekend: "Make Life one long Weekend."
Memorial Day Weekend was only 3 days long, but I seized the moment and flew to Chicago to explore a different city. If you can navigate New York City, then it is a piece of cake figuring out Chicago. It was meant to be though, because upon arrival were signs that read "Make Life one Long Weekend" and I knew that this was the right decision.
Sometimes in life, you just have to go with the flow and travel where the wind blows-- figuratively speaking. But, because it was my first time in the "Windy City," I had to visit the touristy parts including the Bean and Millennium Park, the Navy Pier and the Willis Tower. However, I didn't make it up to the top of the Willis Tower because of the 2 hour long wait. I honestly hate crowded areas and touristy activities, but it felt like everyone and their mothers were visiting Chicago. Of course that is to be expected when one decides to go Memorial Weekend when everyone else in the country is also off.
The Chicago River
Cloud Gate in Millennium Park
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
By nightfall, the city breeze cooled and I hopped on a boat down the Chicago River that introduced the beautiful architecture that filled the Chicago skyline. And, at the very end of the boat ride was a 15 minute firework show that kicked off the summer season.
The Chicago River
THE VIEW:
This was probably my favorite part of the entire weekend. The boat had the best view of the fireworks blasting off of the Navy Pier and all was tranquil on the river waters.
Fireworks shooting off from the Navy Pier
Smoke from the fireworks show traveling with the wind
THE FOOD:
AND what is Chicago without a little deep dish pizza?? Lou Malnati's Pizzeria does the job.
Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza
My pizza smiling back at me
The WONUT: when waffle wifey meets the donut dough
THE ART:
Walk anywhere from Oak Street Beach to buildings and storefronts, you'll see talented artwork.
Oak Street Beach
Street Art in West Town near Milwaukee Ave
And where there are trains and buses, you must travel away from the populated downtown area. I spent one afternoon going up north where I found West Town. It reminded me of hipster Williamsburg in Brooklyn, filled with coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and thrift shops...and oh, a RECORD STORE.
Reckless Records in West Town
"Clueless" candles!!! Where would you find these anywhere else in the world??
Chicago was perfect for a weekend getaway. There was a lot more I could have seen and done, but I'm extremely content with all that I was able to see. Staying in the downtown area of Chicago felt like walking around Midtown in Manhattan. It was safe, peaceful, filled with walkers like me and plentiful cabs.
Buckingham Fountain
For more photos, check out the entire gallery under the "PLACES" tab, or peruse through it down below:
A Feeling of Being Fully Alive
March 9, 2014: a highlight in my life.
You have to seize the moment. You have to take a chance. Is life not short enough? What is there to fear?
So, when life gives you the opportunity to jump out of a plane and skydive...would you do it?
I did.
I truly believe that whatever is meant to be, will always find its way and that there is a reason you meet certain people in your life. This weekend, I saw a friend that I haven't seen in almost 10 years. People move around and life goes on, but I guess with the help of social media & Facebook, they're never entirely off your radar. Never in a million years would I have expected to skydive with this person and our rekindled friendship shows that sometimes good hearts can still find each other...even after all these years.
It was a weekend filled with all five senses: sight, touch, taste, smell and oh...HEARING. Hearing the wind blow as you drop down from the sky and hearing my ears pop continuously as it readjusted to the pressure...hearing laughter and screaming. Skydiving was the feeling of being fully alive.
