ExclusiveMy 2023 Journey #travelling #diaries #missntd #Europetravel

Reflecting on the past year, it's truly been a milestone. Taking a leap of faith and embracing all the opportunities around me, I can't believe I've been there, done that, and discovered so much. Let's rewind back to how my journey began. After my last semester, I left for Florence to study for three weeks. Escaping the Australian winter. Travelling to a country that speaks a foreign language with no one I knew was quite out of my comfort zone. However, after arriving in Florence, I realised that most of us were in a similar situation, so there was nothing to worry about. In Florence, I was completing a short intensive course called Fashion and Style City Walks. I applied to this program through Say As Australia and exchanged my last RMIT university elective for it. What we did throughout the class was go to many different boutiques and markets on foot. Learning and journaling about Italian culture, artisans, history and traditions. It was such an enriching experience that I'll never forget. Then I met up with my friend from Melbourne and we travelled around Europe together, visiting Milan, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Amsterdam, London, Paris and Switzerland. Totalling 10 cities and 7 countries. Life was eventful and we were always on the go, filling our eyes and hearts with moments to remember. From this experience, I learned that I really enjoyed the slow moments of life and staying grounded in the present. But most of all, I realised what adulting and independence felt like. Because during this time, I had to limit my expenses, look after myself and carry my baggage from one location to the next. At times, it wasn't always smooth sailing. When leaving Italy, we got scammed on the train and the wheels of my suitcase broke off one after another. But this is life, right? When obstacles come, we should endeavour to solve our problems, growing and learning during the process. And thus we refine ourselves, our character, our endurance, our strength and compassion. In a spiritual context, this is called cultivation, or the contemporary term of mindfulness. I also discovered that whatever our values align with, that is the circumstance we allow and the consequences we attract. So we should value ourselves and our highs and lows, regardless of how displeased we are. As I was admitted to the grand finale of Miss NTD, a Chinese global beauty pageant, after Switzerland, I travelled straight to New York alone. This beauty pageant triggered my concept of traditional values with the five virtues of morality, righteousness, propriety, benevolence and faithfulness. My understanding of these virtues in a woman has changed. For myself, I realised the gracefulness written about traditional women came from a rhythm within, a compassion, carefulness and gentleness. Accompanying it is a strength, a will, and a sense of duty that balances the yin of the yin and yang. It is likened to water, the nature of how it can melt things away over time. This experience led me to appreciate my roots and my Chinese heritage, making me feel a sense of need to be humble and virtuous towards myself and others. Although I occasionally find myself still falling short in some areas, I know that I grow and learn at my own pace. And so my journey is a story of becoming. I feel gratitude to everyone that I have met. It was truly a worthwhile year to remember. They say life is short, so we should make some memories. But I say, we should document and embrace ourselves for who we have become. Thank you for tuning in. Thank you.