Hey guys, it’s been a moment. I wish I could’ve written this post eight months ago when I began this journey, but I had no idea I’d be embarking on such a magical, healing adventure. When I left home — the good ol’ USA — it was from Kapalua, the Tournament of Champions, I ran into a player at the lobby bar and had an unexpectedly disturbing conversation that jolted me, like in seismic proportions. Luckily, I was getting ready to leave for the airport for my Mandarin immersion course in Taiwan, which turned out to be an even more of a blessing in disguise than I expected.

To have the privilege and opportunity to take a year away sounds and feels spoiled and selfish, and both are true. But I also consider it brave that having recognized I was in a bad place, a broken shell of my former self, I had the courage to change the path, move across the world, become literate in my parents’ native language, and backpack through some of the most beautiful “shithole” countries on the planet.

I tried so many times to write this update. I’m not sure why it’s been so hard. I think I’ve been scared to write publicly again. I’ve been tentative the past few years because I felt like I’ve lost my voice. I lost faith and trust in myself, but through a difficult, painful yet ultimately rewarding and beautiful journey, I’ve healed and I’m ready to kick some ass! (Not literally.)

Even though I’m not finished with this wonderful adventure filled with stories that will make you laugh cringe and perhaps cry, I feel whole again. I feel like, well, me.