GRATEFUL

Source: Hello Pretty 

FLIGHTS. ARE. BOOKED. Got my TN AN yesterday and finally finalised flights today! That amazing joy that beams within me is virtually unstoppable. Cannot stop smiling. To have that assurance that I have secured my spot on that flight that will take on to magical lands where life changing adventures await is beyond me. It's like all those hours researching and worrying has amounted to this peak of happiness knowing that it will happen.

But even greater than that, I'm so grateful and blessed to even dare to dream of embarking on this journey. Honestly, I'm ashamed that I don't express this enough but I'm endlessly grateful for my family and the support they've always shown me. Being raised in an Asian household, it's almost inevitable that my parents would be somewhat protective and strict (well, during adolescence more so than during my childhood really). Yet, now that I've entered my 20's, the biggest gain I've received during the transition from being a teenager to an adult is that freedom and space to explore who I am with the support and trust of my family. With decisions I make, whilst I don't always go into deep discussions with my parents to arrive at them, they are willing to support me and trust my decisions; trust that I'm smart enough to know what's right for me and that I'll be okay regardless. That trust and understanding has given the courage to conquer my own self doubts, and to just go with what I really want at the end of the day.

It's a shame that I don't always take it upon myself to truly reflect and realise how blessed I really am to have this magnificent support network, and how privileged I am. My parents have struggled and made sacrifices throughout their lives so my siblings and I are afforded the comfort and safety of living in Australia. To live in a land where travelling is never really an elusive dream that evades us but rather a goal that can be achieved if we simply worked hard and reached out. Even today, at the travel agency and just checking in with my mum that I was booking my flights and the fact that she had no hesitations or reservations still stuns me. Or even, my dad being totally fine with me going away overseas for 3 months astounds me. It makes me realise that even though I still live at home, and still act like a baby with my mum... they acknowledge that I'm an adult and responsible enough to live my own life. I don't know. That means a lot to me. Because even at times, I don't have that faith or belief in myself. I've never really struggled with my self confidence, but to know my place in life and that my decisions are the right ones... is tricky.

My family will always be a big part of me, they're my rock and my home will always be my sanctuary. I know that seeing the world will be amazing and wonderful, but I don't doubt that I will always miss home and the most important people (and dogs!) in my life. Luckily, they're just one call away or even one Skype chat away - I'm already excited at the prospect of video calling home and telling them of all the wonderful things I experience and being able to tell them I miss them like crazy. I'm a homebody like that... but there is a whole world out there I'm waiting to see.  However, I know I will be welcomed home to hugs and wagging tails; I will come home with a heart that loves my home even more than I already do and I will come home with a piece of the world to show my family.