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Well, we’ve made it to the end of the blog series! As you read this, I will be spending my last weekend in Taiwan exploring Taipei, probably in a tea shop or climbing a mountain somewhere. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to head home, begin anew, and start the next chapter of my life. But I’d also be lying if I told you that I wasn’t upset about leaving behind Taiwan, a place I call home.
The emotions and the thoughts that have raced through my head during the last two and a half years mirror a lot of what I felt in university, especially towards the end of my journey in Taichung. I have hinted–a lot–during the blog posts of my feelings about Taiwan and my choice, but I do believe I am ready. If you stay too long in a place you feel you are not comfortable in, you will find yourself growing weary and discouraged. And I feel that as much as I love Taiwan, I am ready to close this chapter and look ahead to the next.
To all that I leave behind in Taiwan, I will truly miss you. Deeply and honestly, everything and everyone who made this list has impacted me in the most amazing ways possible:
- To my friends, who opened up my horizons and shared so many wonderful memories with me that I will be able to recount for years to come: thank you for joining me in Taiwan, and for many more fantastic memories to come. I can’t wait for the future when I return to visit.
- To my coworkers, who helped me from the beginning and continued till the very end. Thank you for showing me the power of teachers, education, and assisting me to become a great teacher. I will miss your guidance and seeing you on a day to day basis.
- To my students, I will miss you more than you know. I’m lucky to have had the chance to be your teacher and get to know you all as deeply as I did these last two and a half years. I’m proud of you, and always will be. I hope you continue to work towards all your dreams, no matter how outlandish they ever may become to you.
- To the various places I went: I will be back, and I know I will always be in deep awe of the beauty of Taiwan, no matter how many countries I travel to in the future. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
- To my scooter, Diamond, who I parted with for good: thank you for being my vehicle to explore and see parts of Taichung I would have probably not seen otherwise. Also, I will miss our Lizzie McGuire moments, without a doubt. You were the best $600 investment ever.
- To everyone and everything else in between: thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for playing your part. The world works in mysterious ways, but I know that everything happens for a reason, just as everything so perfectly fell into all the right places while in Taiwan. Nothing happens by accident, so thank you.
I don’t drink, but I will close out my final Taking on Taiwan post with a toast to Taiwan:
To Taiwan, the island that once was full of mystery and unknowns when I first laid eyes on you three years ago, thank you. Thank you for letting me uncover your mysteries, explore, and discover myself a little more, but most importantly, thank you for allowing me to call you my home.
Until I see you again,
