At the beginning of this year, I faced my last full-time semester of university. The semester took me through a rollercoaster of emotions as I grappled with the end of my identity as a student. Who would I be now? How would I fill my time? What was life really about if not getting good … Continue reading An Adventure in Alaska
Category: Travel
Orchid Island/ Lanyu – May, 2023
My experiences with flying fish, local festivals, environmental sampling, and visiting all the schools on Orchid Island!
Can Corals Carry On?
Below is a creative essay I wrote, inspired by my scuba diving experiences, discussing the fate of coral reefs in our changing world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goJiDk7vqUY The sun hid behind grey, menacing clouds; rain was coming, though I could tell, not for a while. A cool, fast breeze whirled past me, and I lurched back and forth … Continue reading Can Corals Carry On?
Travel is not necessarily the *best* way to get out of your comfort zone
September 2023 “We’ve landed in Vancouver, it’s 8:33 am on the local time zone and 16 degrees Celsius,” the pilot announced over the intercom. I peered out the window, looking at the grey tarmac and flashing lights around the plane. I had yearned for this moment for weeks, and now that it was here, … Continue reading Travel is not necessarily the *best* way to get out of your comfort zone
Waterfall Trekking and Working Too Hard
Waterfall Trekking and Working Too Hard I’m back! After a long blog hiatus, we are back. Still in Taiwan and thriving more than ever. In May and June, I was working full time in my internship, but I was also taking 6 courses online for my degree in Guelph. After a while I really … Continue reading Waterfall Trekking and Working Too Hard
Scuba Diving
Recently I was able to get certified in PADI Open Water Diving – and my experience was like nothing I’ve ever done before! Here’s my retelling of it for anyone who’s curious. Also, check out my Youtube video of Diving at Orchid Island. The sun hid behind grey, menacing clouds; rain was coming, though I … Continue reading Scuba Diving
Back on the Streets of Taiwan
I’m back! After three long years, I’m back in Taiwan. It almost feels like a different life, as if instead of following the passage of time forward, I stepped out of my Canadian life and sideways into a Taiwanese one. The adventures began with a 12-hour layover in Turkey, during which I had originally … Continue reading Back on the Streets of Taiwan
10 Memorable Days in Taiwan
Recently I sat down to write about my Top 10 memories of this year. Most of them were from Taiwan, as life has really calmed down a lot since I returned due to Covid (crazy to have so much free time! I'm getting really good at the Ocarina). Suddenly the memories started flowing out of … Continue reading 10 Memorable Days in Taiwan
Healthcare in Taiwan
A particularly dramatic retelling of my experience in the Taiwanese healthcare system, accompanied by my thoughts. Sweat dripped down my forehead. The hum from the car engine grated on my ears, and even the brightness of the day pained me. When I closed my eyes, I could feel every bump in the road shaking my … Continue reading Healthcare in Taiwan
2nd Place in Mandarin Speech Competition!
https://youtu.be/wsiOY9mD-a0 In June, all the Inbound exchange students gathered in Hsinchu for a Chinese Speech Competition. I prepared for two weeks beforehand and won 2nd place (2nd only to Callie of course!! I have her to thank for it as she really helped me learn a lot of Chinese during those hours we spent in … Continue reading 2nd Place in Mandarin Speech Competition!
Serena Around the World 