I'm currently in Japan, wwoofing. I've been gaining lots of new hands on experiences that I'll probably remember for life. I knew I needed this kind of experiences, as i hate being that overly protected girl at home. So it's really fulfilling for me now. I'll share more about my wwoofing experiences, tips, etc when i'm done with my trip. :) As for now... Some thoughts came into my mind and I would like to share about it. I've been cleaning a lot ever since i came to Japan; washing dishes, toilets, kitchen, cafe, etc. Recently I've been cleaning farming tools and equipment, removing stains and rust. I must say that i felt a great sense of satisfaction when i saw how my magic hands have turned the once old and rusty items into as good as new. It's actually much easier to clean them than I expected, when given the right tools. I started reflecting about how i used to throw so many still good to used items away simply because it's dirty. From young i was taught a couple of things:
1. Time is money. "Why spend time and effort cleaning when it doesn't cost much to buy a new one?" 2. You are contributing to the economy when you buy things. What's the consequences of such mentally? WASTE. Huge amount of waste that not only have detrimental effects on our environment but harms the society in general too. What about the argument on contributing back to the economy? GDP growth has been sold to us as the only way to create a better world. But has it? Does it makes us happier? Does it reduce poverty? What i see is a huge gap of inequality and other sorts of social ills. Isn't it time that we rethink about all those things that we were taught? Isn't it time that we come together to create a new global economy that focuses on not merely GDP but human well-being and environment? It's also important to know that it's not enough to simply agree and hope for change. Change will not happen unless we stand up together and act upon it. This applies to all kinds of issues that we are facing in this world. We need to change our habits, we need to advocate, we need to get up on our feet and start moving together as one.
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I recently came across a youtube channel called The School of Life. It has lots of summarise videos on topics like Philosophy and History. Pretty interesting! I encourage anyone who have the slight interest on these topics to check it out: I wish philosophy was taught in secondary school. We were taught about math, science, but how about the way of life? We are often taught to be obedient - this is the way it should be, just follow and you will not go wrong. But i've seen so many friends having quarter-life crisis, asking themselves what is the meaning of life? Chasing after "The Nothing". I wish school taught us to be more critical and how important it is to have a mind of our own. My Views:These are a few guidelines that I have set for myself on how I should lead my life:
So you know a little more about me now. Thanks! ;) I decided to quit my job to travel. Contrary to many others, I didn't hate my job, it was a job that I was and still am very passionate about. I left because I was getting comfortable. I left because i know the clock is ticking, that there are different phases in life and this is THE moment. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to do the things that i always dream of: getting myself out of my comfort zone, immersing myself in nature, and gaining other forms of experiences through volunteering.
I'm only at the very beginning of my adventure and it has already been so amazing. I am not planning to travel a year around the globe. I prefer to take things slow, so that i can have a better understanding about a country's history, traditions, and cultures, as well as have substantial time to build greater friendships. I was in Vietnam for 3 months. I volunteered for 2 months, as an english teacher, hostel receptionist and a marketer/event helper for a social enterprise cafe. I spent my last month exploring Vietnam, from the north to the south. I was constantly stunned by its beauty and had my fair share of motorbike adventures. I will be heading Japan next, for another 3 months, volunteering at organic farms through WOOF (World Wide Opportunity for Organic Farms). Why japan? Many of my friends asked. Japan are well-known for its culture of innovation, beautiful packagings, and delicious food. What's more attractive to me is their efforts towards waste reduction and their upcoming minimalist lifestyle trend. These are good enough reasons for me to spend the extra pennies. What's after Japan? I've gotten my work and travel Visa for New Zealand. I might or might not forfeit it. It all depends on my experiences in Japan. I'm keeping my plan as flexible as i can. Let's see how it goes. Stay tuned for more updates! |