Traversing Transitions

I love this article from Relevant. How timely!

It's been three days since arriving with my mom in Toronto and nothing could have prepared me for these everyday experiences. Let's try to recap:

1. I love Craigslist
From finding a place to live in HK from Craigslist to getting ALL my bedroom furniture, kitchen ware and random items (1 year old from IKEA!) from a student leaving Toronto for $100 (GOD LOVES ME!)...I can write a testimonial for Craigslist. There's so much trust to sell/buy/rent online and I was so happy when I met my landlord and Daisy (the student I bought things from), I could have hugged them in person (I almost did, my mom ended up doing so).

2. You can't change the world until you've seen it
I read the Lonely Planet guide for Toronto and I've even visited Toronto a few times, but nothing is like three days of walking and driving in the big big city. Nothing beats being here, period from the bums on the street to the crazy university to the artsy lofts. Comparison of Chinatowns for my master's project? Homelessness?

3. I have the best friends
From setting up my Macbook to hanging out with me to packing my suitcases (literally refolding the clothes I folded already), I have the best friends a girl could ever have, here, there and everywhere. It's like God's little angels everywhere so that I always have a friend in any city. A shoulder to cry on, a car to ride in, someone to share my love for ramen. Friends=family. Where would I be without you?! Lost and hungry. With more places, it is easier and harder to say goodbye because you know that some goodbyes are goodbyes. I will always long for Coquitlam as home and I desire to go back (I wanted to cry the moment I stepped off the plane), and I'm looking forward to the day God will lead me back 'home'. For the moment, here's to living 22 in a big big city.

4. Family, family, family
I've spent so much time with my mom that I am almost jealous for the rest of my family. I don't think I've ever spent so much time with my mom (the 24/7) since being in her tummy. Talking to my mom about family and seeing my relatives in Toronto (some that I didn't know existed, some I never met until now at the cemetery) I am revisiting many stereotypes and misconceptions I've held since a child. Family is pretty messy, but fascinating and foundational. Some people wait until their mid life to explore their past, I'm glad I am doing this now as I am building the foundations for the rest of my life. I don't want to keep believing in the wrong things. Maybe I have grown up some as well, but I realize I have been too harsh on my parents as well. They did/do their best and I wouldn't be the same without their genes and upbringing. The 'family' triumph card I've held for some time, and it's time to let go, let go, let go. The uncles have helped me move and get everything ready...so much so that we even had time to go sightseeing! What a blessing and how unexpected - I was prepared to run around like a chicken with my head cut off, and here I am eating ramen and touring the city.

PS - Being an older cousin is also a new and strange experience for me because I am used to being the little sister.

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Toronto will be cold and it is rather ugly (no natural beauties to help it...eeks what will I do?!) and I don't know what this collaborative program with social planning and community development (what a mouthful!) will bring, but here I am: Be present where you are called.