Gap Year, Part 6: Nordic Dreams (January- February, 2020)
Having their warmest winter ever meant I didn’t get the postcard-esque white winter Finland. The first case of coronavirus in Lapland also meant the northern lights will for now have to stay put on my bucket list. The objective was to isolate myself in this minimalist northern capital, and all that above didn’t stop me.
I indulged on countless freshly baked cinnamon rolls from various bakeries, ate my lifetime’s worth of salmon and, perched myself in various cafes across the city. I sweat my ass off in a sauna and then took the plunge in the Gulf of Finland. I rekindled my love for cooking as I prepared meals for my family in my literal dream kitchen.
“Conscription Express, Car 3”, Some train station, Taiwan
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Gap Year, Part 5: I burned my scalp.
(August-December, 2019)
It’s scary how time slips away while you can do nothing about it. Every morning the sunrises through the suicide nets, the trumpet cries, and we start to contemplate the meaning of all this all over again.
This is the rite of passage for all Taiwanese boys, but I think I’m far beyond that moment in life.
Attention. Salute.
Sigh. Camouflage really isn’t a good look on me.
At least I’m grateful for these bastards I call friends now.
Through sun and rain, asphalt and mud.
Gap Year, Part 4: Vacation before my staycation
(August, 2019)
This is probably the first time I’m landing somewhere without knowing what to see or do. We landed early morning but check in wasn’t until three pm, so we found a jjimjilbang to relieve us of that cabin pressure. As we woke up from our nap, the rain stopped and the sky cleared. That was refreshing.
Just when you think you can leave 2019 behind you, it grabs your ankle and you trip. Other than that, I’m proud of all the accomplishments I’ve achieved this year and I think I’m finally making greater strides on my professional path.
2020′s going to be even more wild, but I’m ready to take it on.
I'm typing this on my phone as I wait for my train back to Taipei.
I think I'm doing pretty good at keeping myself occupied. I finally got my conscription notice and my scheduled is almost packed to the day before I report for service.
Things done so far:
Got my first gig as an emcee for an international conference. Met alot of important people, hopefully good impressions were left.
I spent all the money I earned as an emcee on scuba diving lessons in southern Taiwan. There are no regrets. I have a greater appreciation for our mother nature now. According to my coach, sea waters actual feel colder now because of all the melted ice, #climatechange.
Let this serve as a reminder for me to cherish this big blank canvas of time that I have.
This list is nothing close to comprehensive or complete, but rather an accumulation of what’s been floating around in my mind these past two months.
Military service: it used to be so much worse, but from what I’ve heard it is still very much a humbling experience. Though at this point, the uncertainty of when my notice will come is more annoying than anything else occupying my schedule.
Learn something new: I already have plans to take scuba diving lessons next week. I should pick up what is left of my Japanese and continue. French has always been on my list, too. My parents also want me to start learning how to juggle finances, which I feel has already been long overdue.
Part-time: Right now I have one. I’ll be hosting my first conference as an emcee next week. Maybe I should take on more positions.
Travel: Of course. I have Korea on the list next month. I’m excited to be visiting places old and new. My friends are scattered all over the world now, and I don’t think I’ll have a chance to see a lot of them for a very long time after this. Now, to travel east or west?
Get ready: I need to start applying for PGY soon. This is probably the most important thing on this list. I need to start seriously thinking about the direction I want to be heading in the future. Also, try not to forget what I’ve learned the past six years. I don’t want to start PGY with an empty mind.
Life in general: Sleep more. Exercise more. Cook more. Spend time with those I love more. Any other ideas?
This wasn’t a hard decision. Saying that I deserve it might be a bit of a stretch, but the people I’ve let known were all pretty supportive and for the idea.
Boxes and boxes piled to the ceiling from the last major move, some I can no longer keep by me. For six years, they’ve been sealed shut and tucked away in a remote location in the suburbs. I don’t think I can KonMari my way out of this one.
I’m almost deathly allergic to dust, so the box of childhood stuffed animals had to go. My dad made the final call when I wasn’t there (mostly because his allergies are worse than mine). I didn’t even get to say goodbye.
I can never carry that many physical items with me, but it’s the trinkets, toys and report cards that bring back entire stories. I’m so scared the garbage truck took away the chances for me to have those flashbacks again.
5...4...3...2...1... The counter showed zero and the screen went white. The grades flashed onto the screen and I felt my heart stop. With a shaky hand I blindly jotted down the scores. It wasn’t till I stepped out of the room that I realized I had finally passed. I had gotten my diploma weeks before, but a licence to practice really meant that my med school days are over.
Life went from stale to moldy. OBGYN should be interesting with it’s wide range of subjects, but it’s really not my department. Social stigma and culture won’t allow us to see inspections and procedures out of respect for the patients, and that can be really discouraging on our side. To them, we’re just a chore that needs to be taken care of.
We signed up for a group snorkeling session because I wanted to see turtles. We agreed afterwards it was money wasted after only being showed one and decided we would rather go snorkeling by ourselves next time. Sea turtles are literally everywhere around this island. Small fishing ports make a great spot for sea turtles to hide from choppy waves.
