Live Inspired

secretgiant:

I’m inspired.

Preach.

(via kjamesr)

Home. Promise I will update on my last few days in GZ soon, but until then…enjoy this little gem.

Newest addition to family - my beautiful niece, Tiffany. Welcome to the world, pretty girl!!

Inspired by Love (Self-Love)

One of my good friends from high school came out today, and I can’t express how proud I am of him. He posted an honest, heartfelt note for his entire network of Facebook friends describing his coming-out experience over the past year, and I found his words completely inspiring. I wanted to share several excerpts with you:

…After experience and careful thought, I began to piece things back together. I learned that I had to live my life based on the core of my soul, and not be guided to goals set by those around me. For me personally, I couldn’t let others determine how to judge myself, I had to love myself for who I am, not what they wanted me to be. I had to take risks and make mistakes to live my life. I felt alive. I began to see color where before there was only gray. It was exciting and new.”

The things that I have taken most from this journey are these:

• Love is universal; 
• Do not let anything or anyone burden how you truly feel on the inside and instead relish compassion; your life is yours and only yours to live, therefore live it accordingly; 
• Expectations and ideas never capture reality, so be cautious to pass any judgment; 
• Experience can be a great teacher, and sometimes if you never try then you’ll never know. 
• You may know these things, but do you believe in them?

Inspired by his brave decision, wise words and his newfound love for who he truly is. 

Cheers to being true to your heart and to loving yourself (because that is JUST as important as loving others!).  

Bungee Jumping @Baiyun Shan - Guangzhou, PRC

It’s weird…

…when you live in a foreign city long enough to notice old billboards replaced with new ones, shopping displays being changed out and other subtle differences on your morning commute to work.

Definitely not a tourist anymore.

Taxi Rides

I love taxi rides in Guangzhou. Somto and I haven’t taken them much this summer, mainly so we can save money taking the metro. But because of how exhausted we’ve been after these last few weeks of on-the-go traveling (I swear I have permanent under eye circles), we’ve resorted to calling cabs after late night meals or drinks. 

Despite being a less eco-friendly and cost-saving option, the taxi rides I’ve taken this week have been a great time for reflection of my summer here. We’re usually so tired after our long work day that the entire ride is filled with silence. I used to hate this sort of silence - you know, those awkward car rides where you feel like you have to fill up every minute with meaningless chatter. But lately, I’ve grown to really appreciate what this calm quietness can offer me. 

But even more than the silence, I love the views of the city - something we never have the opportunity to enjoy when we’re riding the subway. No matter what city I’m in, the bright lights and sky-high buildings always amaze me. With this new appreciation, I don’t think I’ll ever look at downtown L.A. the same.