Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

26 Nov 2015 | Thanksgiving Abroad

This is my second Thanksgiving away from home. I didn't really see it as that big of a deal. I'm sure everyone misses the big feasting with close ones. Though it wasn't really a day of reflection for me (shame on me, I know :P), I used it as an excuse to really take my time and enjoy wandering around my city - unintentionally rediscovering the beauty of it. Also had a nice wannabe Thanksgiving meal with Faith at some restaurant named, Harvester. (Rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, the works...)

I really love this time of year. I understand there are people out there who are against "hallmark holidays," because they think it's too cliche to tolerate and it's a marketing tactic. Their argument is that you should be appreciative and loving 24/7, not just 1 out of 365 days. I get that, I really. But what's the harm? I don't think it loses any sentiment if you keep the right people in your life. It's fun when everyone's on the same page and in the same festive mood. It makes these cherished moments more valuable and precious, because they ARE rare.

But anyways... that tangent wasn't supposed to happen... haha.

A day late (for thanksgiving reflection), but better late than never, right? I realize that I'm at a point in my life where I've never been more thankful for my family and true friends. I'm half way around the world from home, and my usual resources aren't as easily accessible (communication tools, health care, etc.) I'm so appreciative of my parents for allowing to have this once in a life time experience. Their unconditional support makes me miss them so much more. I kinda had a break-down a couple of weeks ago, and cried to my mom on the phone (I never cry in front of my mom). She already had all these solutions up her sleeve for me. She was so willing to just fly me back home immediately and forget this semester despite the fact that it may delay my graduation. She was so supportive when I said I wanted to drop my marketing degree and only pursue my management degree. My dad and I actually had a conversation that lasted over 10 minutes; a conversation with substance. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder. The appreciation for these small moments spike so much higher when there isn't an abundance of them. It's not even just about my close ties with my family, but being so far away, I also am able to acknowledge my most treasured friendships back home. It takes quite a bit for friends from home to reach out to me when I'm so far away. Thank God for technology, but there are still quite a few inconveniences (time difference, no calling/texting, etc.) I appreciate my small circle, because I now know everything is rooted in love. Sending all my love from the UK to the friends I can only count on 2 hands!

I hope that I have the courage to not only be thankful for what God's given me, but to be truly thankful for just Him.
"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." - James 1:17

Lieben Immer,
N.M. Chow

Venice & Rome | Italy

18 Nov 2015 - 22 Nov 2015

This trip... man. I've been putting this post off for as long as possible, 'cause I don't even know where to begin! It was eye-opening, indescribable, inspiring experience all in one. I think anyone who has been around to see me grow up knows how deep my wanderlust runs. I have to admit, I was questioning my travel bug for quite some time since being ill. But this was my first trip actually out of the country [England] since September. This trip alone re-aligned the stars so I could see them again. My intention of this study abroad journey was to travel and to indulge myself in as much European culture as possible. Italy was my first step (disregarding my German trip 4 years ago).

I don't think it's hit me yet that I was in ITALY!! My jaw dropped & I don't think it ever came back up until the end of the trip. Though Rome & Venice have very distinct differences, they held their own type of beauty. Trekking to the most touristy sites was a given. These were sites I have only ever dreamed of seeing one day, and I couldn't believe that "one day" was here. I'm so in love with the art, the culture, the customs, everything. Out of all the European countries, my mom has only ever held an interest in visiting Italy. I can see why. Even as I'm reminiscing & composing this post, I can't stop smiling. The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree, and I know that she would've fallen in love with this country just as I have and basked in all the glory & beauty Italy has to offer.

I traveled with a friend, Natasha, to Rome for the first couple of days. She also attends NAU with me, but we met up here in Nottingham. Our hotel was so nice & conveniently located between the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum. The art geek in me couldn't stop screaming on the inside when in the Sistine Chapel.

My friend had to leave before the weekend hit as she had another trip to go on, so I met up with one of my childhood friends, Vivian. She's currently studying abroad in Rome. She (and her flat mates) were so hospitable that I felt I had to drag myself on the plane to fly back to England. We made plans to make a day-trip to Venice. It seems kind of silly, but Venice was a priority for me, not only because of the beautiful scenery, but because my family & I stayed at the Venetian Hotel in Vegas more times than I can count. I wanted to see the REAL Venice in person. Unfortunately, it was raining the entire time; thus, we couldn't ride on the gondolas. Of course it's a disappointment, but I made a mental note to promise to come back another day, and I believe it'll happen.

My Italian friend, Chiara (whom I've met here in Nottingham), advised us not to eat at places with a "Tourist Menu" or have pictures on their menu. I think my friends and I have successfully done just that. This is a trip I will hold near & dear for many years to come. I'm so in love with Italy, and I can't wait to go back and explore more of what Italy has to offer. Travelling isn't just about seeing iconic sites & documenting it. It's about indulging yourself in the culture so you can get a taste of what the locals are privileged enough to experience on a daily basis - perspective. Both cities, though vastly different, allowed windows of opportunity for me to just forget reality for a bit, and I loved that. I felt so calm and protected from reality. So cliche, but so true.

This world is so big & offers so much, but this is only a glimpse of what God is fully capable of creating. I can't wait to see more.

"For by Him, all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:16-17

Lieben Immer,
N.M.Chow

London | England

24 Oct 2015 - 25 Oct 2015

I now realize I never really properly documented my first "official" mini trip to London. It was intended to be a weekend getaway. My friend, Faith (who is also from NAU studying at NTU), and I busted a mission and bus'd it to London (departure from Nottingham - 5am, arrival in London - 9am). This was so that we could have two full days in London and only pay one overnight accommodation. We're broke college students, okay? :P

Anyways, we settled on an Airbnb place in east London which was about a 30 minute train ride to Westminster (aka tourist central :P). Long story short, place was super nice and new, but really inconvenient proximity-wise.

Even though I've only taken one tiny trip so far, and it wasn't even out of the country, it's made me realize how fortunate I was growing up. My wanderlust stemmed from the plethora of oversea trips I've taken in the past. However, for some stupid reason, I never took into account how comfortable every arrangement was. I've been fortunate enough to stay at 4-5 start hotels or really upscale hostels in the past and food was mostly taken care of. I never felt rushed, because I was given time to fully experience the culture and my surroundings. Now that I'm traveling independently, budgeting and scheduling is quite stressful and exhausting. I don't know why these things never occurred to me in the past, but they have now.

In all honesty, I was very uncomfortable for a majority of this mini trip. Don't get me wrong. London is such an absolutely gorgeous city. The discomfort could have come from my unfortunate iPhone 6 incident and/or I was only barely started to get over my bronchitis and having after-effects (i.e. medication withdrawal & rebound migraines, severe iron deficiency, tinnitus, etc.) In addition to my crappy health, I am quite certain there were other factors contributing to the overall discomfort. I despise the idea of "backpacking through Europe," and frankly, staying at some random stranger's flat was just plain strange. The bus rides were so long and uncomfortable. Everything felt so rushed and temporary. It was as if I was fully aware of a virtual timer counting down all the time. As a result, I couldn't really get an accurate feel of the city and culture within that city.

But really, I would have never been able to make these realizations without this trip. I thought I could be a really flexible & low-maintenanced traveler. I thought that the only thing that mattered was just seeing iconic sights and places. Reality is, I can't. I'm a person who needs to be secure and comfortable in a hotel where I don't have to worry about my belongings, I've got privacy, and I can rest peacefully after an eventful day of sightseeing in order to fully enjoy my entire experience. I know it's a really snobby & high-maintenance mind-set, but I don't care; I don't see anything wrong with needing comfort to fully enjoy an experience.

I have such a higher appreciation for my parents when it comes to vacationing. Worthy hotels are expensive when factoring in proximity, cleanliness, and customer service. Food for a family of four is expensive. When you're on vacation, you certainly don't cook. Even when I took my trip to Germany four years back, 95% of the meals, schedules, flights, and of the accommodations were already taken care of. This is a whole new world for me. Though my parents aren't restricting my abroad experience in any way, I have to compromise a lot of accommodations, because I have to be courteous of others and compromise with those who DO have budgets to stick to.

Don't get me wrong, I am still thrilled I went to London. The city is beautiful and it was so nice to finally see these international icons in person. I was in awe, because everything felt so surreal. Not only that, I am so beyond grateful for Faith's unconditional patience with me. She was very understanding of my situation and tried her best to tend to my needs. Though I haven't known her for long, I can already tell she is a definition of a true friend. She's selfless, understanding, optimistic, non-judgmental, and genuine. I'm pretty sure I've been a "Negative Nancy" with everything going on, but she's been putting up with me anyways.

That's the gist for now. I fully intend on visiting London again to see other icons I didn't have time for this time around.

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." -Psalm 7:17

Lieben Immer,
N.M.Chow

P.S. Photographic documents will be posted on my Google+ profile in the near future.

Nottingham | England

I can't believe I've gone this long without even posting about the city I'm residing in for 3 months! Oops... Well, it's not because this city isn't significant in any way. I've just been a bit preoccupied :P.

This city has its own beauty. I love it. It still has a very European vibe. It's very convenient. My flat is less than a 5-minute walk from the business building. Groceries are practically around the corner. The main market square is less than a 10-minute walk away. I'm absolutely in awe of the architecture everywhere I go. This city also holds quite a few of its own traditions. I like that a lot. I think it's really cute. I think it's a suitable university/college town environment.

However, being here for over a month, I gotta say... food options are very limited and that's really disappointing. But that's also probably why America has an obesity problem, haha. The options here [England] are either really nice/expensive restaurants/bistros or really cheap/on-the-go/pre-packaged cafes or fast food. There aren't really any budget-friendly/low-key/casual restaurants around. In addition to the lack of variety, groceries expire especially quickly here. Bread, cheese, and other produce mold quicker, deli meat smells funny after the first use, and milk gets chunky after like a week. Despite my best efforts to seal everything, I've unfortunately still wasted quite a bit of money on unfinished food. Someone once also told me food is very bland in the UK. Gotta say... that holds a lot of truth. Options are so plain and products lack so much flavor. Crisps (chips) and soda are weird here too... Pizza sucks, period. Loving the pastries and hot drinks here, though.

Everyone has this expectation of pessimism correlating with gloomy weather, but honestly, I love rain. The only downfall is that the sun rises at approximately 7:30am and sets at 4:30pm. -_- I feel like I'm losing a majority of my day. Not only that, most places around here close around 6-8 (depending on the place & day), so my only option for a nightlife belongs in pubs, bars, or clubs.

Anywho, photos will be up on my Google+ profile in the near future!

"How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom, You made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." -Psalm 104:24

Lieben Immer,
N.M.Chow

New Paths

The one thing you might notice with my posts is that I have this habit of writing on a stream of consciousness. This post especially will exemplify that to the max. Seeing as I haven't posted in awhile, this will be more of an update. I'm the type who chooses to blog when my thoughts are running rather than using it for the purpose of just documenting. BUT, I feel obligated to update because it's for my benefit. One day, I'll be able to look back and see how I've progressed and grown throughout this abroad process.

It's been a rough couple of weeks. Today marks the one-month anniversary of my arrival in the UK. It started out great and then I was hit with bronchitis (again) for about 2 weeks. I was forced to go to Urgent Care without insurance. The pain was escalating quickly despite my strongest efforts to get better. For those of you who know me full well, you know me as "the mom," because I'll be the first one to whip out the best remedies for my sick friends and try to make them better ASAP. My immune system has gotten so horrible that those remedies don't work as effectively anymore. Anyways, in addition to my bronchitis, I had to deal with severe iron deficiency. I've been iron deficient for awhile and recently started taking vitamins (advised by the doctor). However, since being here, with the dietary restrictions, my iron deficiency gradually got worse despite taking my supplements. I am physically so weak that I can't even walk at a normal pace for even 10 minutes without shaking or wanting to crumble. My heart's been pounding nonstop for the past 4-5 days even though I haven't had caffeine ONCE in 3 weeks. I'm constantly feeling dizzy and my entire body's weak. I'm still dealing with it, but in a nutshell, my health is pure crap right now. Oh, on top of all this wonderfulness, my iphone6 dropped in the sink while I was washing my hands. I haven't even had this phone for a year, I'm in a foreign country without a smart phone. I know I sound ridiculously over-dramatic (I'm fully aware that I am), I'm still so saddened by this loss. I guess it was a sign that I was entirely way too attached to my phone. I've tried everything possible and even brought it to specialists, and it can't be saved. Water damage was too severe and it fried the circuit board. They tried replacing the battery, the screen, the backlight - nothing. My parents are aware of the situation, and they're not entirely as angry as I thought they'd be, but the guilt is getting to be too overwhelming. I am well aware of how expensive my phone was. I'm usually so responsible with such things. I went 2 years with my iphone 4s, and there isn't even ONE scratch on that phone. I know it sounds silly, but my iphone 6 was just so dang reliable and convenient for me that I don't ever want another phone. Nothing I can do now. If I could redo this entire weekend I would. It's just such a huge financial burden. My parents are also funding my entire abroad trip, and now I feel obligated to condense my European experience.

But this is where another self-reflection opportunity lies. So many new realizations that possibly cancel out prior epiphanies. With everything that's been thrown at me in the past 4 weeks, it could only mean that God's testing me or God's reminding me to tread carefully [karma]. My stubborn mind hasn't been able to settle on which yet, but perhaps it could be a combination of both...? My most recent iphone 6 debacle has had me pondering every choice I've made since college. Why? Because the last time I felt like I hopelessly hit rock-bottom was high school. That was a time when God stripped every superficial trophy I put on a pedestal. I was sitting around feeling sorry for myself, because I felt like it took me so long to climb out of that rock-bottom hole I dug myself in high school. College was a do-over for me, and I felt on top of the world. Now, I feel like God's doing the same thing He did to me in high school; reminding me to not get too carried away. In a way, it's possible that I have. I think my personality has only gotten uglier and more superficial since college, but I was okay with that. I got carried away with the superficial, because I've never gotten the type of attention I do now. Not gonna lie, it feels great. But recent happenings has reminded me that there are way more important things out there and the way I've been acting & thinking is not okay. I've grown into a really self-absorbed, heartless person. My identity lied with my materialistic possessions. It's a very appealing life with a plethora of temporary happiness that can be mistaken for joy. I'm not saying that my iphone 6 disaster is what brought on all of this, but it was probably the tip of the iceberg that finally pushed off the edge. I exerted too much into something that was so insignificant. Not gonna lie, when I first found out there was no hope in saving my iphone 6, my initial thought was,"I've lost my face and am no longer gonna be considered cool with my peers." or something to that effect. My phone made me feel superior, but in reality, I was so far from that. How dumb am I?

I'm working my way to being okay again. A lot of adjustments need to be made on this European journey (financially, emotionally, all of the above). Truthfully, I'm not too keen on making these mentality adjustments, but I am also aware of how necessary it is.

"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" - Isaiah 55:8-9

Lieben Immer,
N.M.Chow

Thinking of you, NAU ♥

I know that the intent of this blog was to document my adventures abroad. However, this morning, the NAU family is being pulled together under very difficult and unfortunate circumstances.

Simply put, there was a shooting. On my campus. My home away from home. I'm at such a loss for words that I don't even know where I'm going with this post. My heart is so heavy and my sympathies go out to the one dead and three wounded freshmen. Though I'm 5,000 miles out, it still hurts. You hear of these happenings on the news all the time & see it as another reality, but not once did you think it would occur so close to home that it becomes your reality too. As I'm ending my college career, they're just beginning theirs'. 

Though this occurrence may have been a dispute between two big fraternities (victims: Delta Chi, suspect: Sigma Chi) on NAU campus, I hope that the media doesn't embellish and convey a false reality. I happen to know many members of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and I can confidently say that all of my encounters have left me with a really good impression. I hope that the public doesn't make assumptions about Greek life or this fraternity as a whole. The suspect is not a reflection of this brotherhood I've come to respect and admire. I have the utmost respect for the Sig Chi men in my life, because they are the men the world should aspire to be like. The suspect was a pledge, and he's one bad seed that doesn't properly reflect how truly amazing this fraternity is. Don't generalize, don't stereotype. They do good in this world, and they contribute truly valuable things to this world. I'm not advocating for this with a clouded/biased judgment. It's because I once was guilty of seeing Sigma Chi in the wrong light, and I have never been so proud to be proven wrong. Sigma Chi is one of the few fraternities that break the stereotypes of Greek life. They are well-rounded, highly intellectual men who have great heads on their shoulders and the biggest hearts.

I realize how blessed I am to be abroad at the moment, but that isn't my main concern. My main concern lies with my friends who became my family. I don't know what I would do if any one of them were one of the four victims. It hurts when you finally grasp how close it could've been to being one of your loved ones. All it could've taken was one little, minute change in circumstances - wrong place, wrong time. 

My heart goes out to the men of Delta Chi, the NAU community, and family members affected by this tragedy. For the time being, I can only imagine. I want nothing more than to be on campus in Flagstaff to support the community who gave me my second home.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1
Thinking of you, NAU. 

Lieben Immer, 

N.M.Chow 

//midst of flight

25 September 2015 | 12:35am

As I''m sitting here, forced to be in the company of my own thoughts (as one would when given so much time on his/her hands), I've come to realize that this semester-long trip is beyond seeking fun adventures to refine my palette. A couple of days before my trip, I met up with my friend, Noreen. She has seen me grow from my prepubescent jr. high days until now (disregarding height...cuz let's be real here :P) She has been my mentor, my friend, my support-system, my shoulder, my counselor, & my sister all-in-one. Up until two days ago, I've never forced myself in a position to acknowledge PURPOSE within this trip. I was so sick of making choices under obligation that I gradually adapted a habit of doing things "just because." I hadn't realized how far in the opposite direction I've gone. 

It is with shame that I admit it's been a couple of years since I've allowed myself to go that deep in self-evaluation. Initially, I think a part of me avoided it, because I was on a mission to remold myself and to experience different experiences. Along the way, I've neglected sincere self-reflection, possibly because I was afraid of what that time would reveal. Perhaps, I was procrastinating because I felt I needed to add more adventures & chapters in my 'book.' 

BUT, as I find myself somewhere over the Atlantic tonight, I have no excuse and I'm trapped. What is life without purpose? Initially, I embarked on this adventure to seek fun and happiness; to fulfill a life-long dream of mine and to avoid possible regret in the future. Little did I know, this was barely scratching the surface. Nor helped me realize that at the core, I'm hoping to seek joy - not happiness. Happiness is a temporary given; I'M IN EUROPE FOR THE NEXT 3 1/2 MONTHS! Now that i've shifted my gears with a different perspective, I'm finally acknowledging purpose and realizing the importance of purpose. 

This isn't just a trip - it's a journey. I really hope that something intangible reveals itself to me on this journey. I hope this intangible discovery & gift in one is something that will help me grow as a woman, and it's something I can whole-heartedly treasure & utilize for the rest of my life. I don't exactly know what I'm hoping for, but something I've learned is that the intangible in this world are the most priceless gifts the universe can give. 

"The LORD is my rock and my refuge and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." - Psalm 18:2

Lieben Immer, 

N.M. Chow