The hardest part of all: I knew that I had to tell my parents about our plan to travel long term. It would mean putting our lives on hold…for a while. It’s not a new concept. Westerners do it all the time – taking a leap year after graduation, in-between jobs,etc. However, it’s still not trending in Asian countries and might serve as a culture shock. So, how the hell do I break the news to the household?

Early 2010 during the Chinese New Year holidays, I was having lunch with my Mom and I blurted it out. She was not surprised one bit. After all, this is her daughter who started camping since 8 years old and all the way through high school and university. She knew I am an adventurer and nothing can stop me. But Mom was concerned. One year?! Asia? You crazy? Dangerous!

I came prepared. I explained. I spoke matter-of-factly. I sold the idea to her! Then, the next problem arised. Mom told me to inform Dad myself. That IS a challenge coz I was secretly hoping Mom would tell Dad. Haha, apparently not!

After finishing our dinner, I told Dad. His reaction was classic. He looked at me with his big rounded eyes wide-opened and shouted “HAAA?!” then started laughing. I was dumbfounded. What kind of reaction is that? Uh-huh. He calmed down a little and I explained to him just as I did with Mom. He was an oh-kay, not over the moon with it. But I was determined.

Over the next few months, I started making preparations and shared with my parents. Seeing that I was serious and had thought it through, they slowly opened up to it and even contributed ideas. I was moved! It also helped that I had a track record of being a responsible person *grins*.

During summer, my best friends were back in town. We spoke a lot about life and I shared my plans with them. They squealed with excitement for me. Mind you, we’ve been girlfriends since we were 7 years old! They knew me inside out, and knew that I would definitely do something like this.

Some might say that I’m crazy stupid to embark on this journey at this point of my life. I’m 25, young, fabulous, have a comfortable lifestyle and pretty successful in my own little ways. There was no reason for me to leave all these behind. But I’m not your average girl-next-door. A typical life path would be go to school, get an education, get a stable job, get married, build a family, have kids, grow old. No, I won’t be contented with that and I don’t believe in conforming to the norm. The world offers us endless possibilities. So why restrict ourselves? I want to live a life I really want to, for me. That’s why I’m doing this. Most people do not have the guts for this, but I do!

Whatever it is, I’m really glad that the people that matters to me most are all behind me.