The Best Decision I Ever Made

I just realized it's been almost 10 years (okay, 9 years) since I last updated this blog. Apparently, I got distracted by graduating, earning my master's degree, starting my career, paying bills, adopting my dog Mochi, buying my first house, and figuring out how to be an adult.

Recently, I found myself scrolling through old photos from my study abroad semester in Australia, and I couldn't believe how much time has passed. It still feels like yesterday that I was living in Surfers Paradise, taking weekend trips across Australia, and somehow convincing myself that skydiving in Byron Bay was a good idea.

Looking back, I packed a lot into those four months. Australia, Bali, New Zealand, countless flights, road trips, hostels, beaches, wildlife encounters, and enough memories to last a lifetime.

What surprises me most isn't how much I remember. It's how clearly I remember it.

I still remember my first day in Surfers Paradise, seeing the Twelve Apostles for the first time after years of dreaming about it, celebrating my 21st birthday in New Zealand, learning to surf, and spending way too much time at the beach. I also remember thinking four months felt like forever. Looking back now, it went by in the blink of an eye.

The funny thing is that when I was 21, I thought the trip was about seeing Australia. Nearly 10 years later, I realize it was also about gaining confidence, becoming more independent, and proving to myself that I could figure things out on my own.

Australia, Bali, and New Zealand are still some of my favorite places I've ever visited, and I hope to make it back one day. Until then, I'm grateful I documented so much of the experience because these posts brought back memories I hadn't thought about in years.

To everyone who followed along back then, thanks for coming along for the ride.

P.S. If you're still here after all these years, thanks for following along. And if you're new, welcome! Better late than never.