October 16, 2006
Wow.
I began my trek in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia, then to the state of Sarawak
in the small village of Sibu, where my father, Francis Kang was born
and raised. After a week or so, I flew to Bangkok and Pattaya in
Thailand, where I continued my journey by myself, and discovered the
countryside and beach areas of a beautiful and friendly country.
The
trip seems almost surreal, for here I am, in a new environment, in a
new life routine and a new mental outlook on what life is really about. I
knew prior to taking this voyage that this experience would challenge
me to not only exhibit cultural tolerance, but also display a deeper
understanding of the human connection.
While my intention isn’t always to travel alone, I
know that in doing so, most of my days are left silenced in the noises
inside my own mind. When I was younger, I hated being alone. I
hated not being ‘busy’. I hated traveling by myself. And most of all, I
hated being trapped in a mental box of fear from everything I ‘hated’.
As I stood at the edge of the bunjee jump preparing to downcast
head first into the lake below, the first thing I thought about was
fear. I wasn’t scared of the rope breaking, I was scared of free
falling down knowing that I lacked little control to stop the shock
from prevailing my nerves, muscles and heart rate. I knew that thinking
about the situation would prolong the inevitable jump, for there was no way I would walk away from a situation where fear stared me in the face.
In my life, I realize that life has inevitable consequences – it is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ you will face your fears. – eventually you will have to jumpbe aloneget hurtdie.
You can either allow fear to control you – or allow yourself to control your fears. When
you are able to live life with a ‘knowingness’ that destinies are
dictated by your mental will.life becomes a game of strength.
A favorite song of mine that I listen to from time to time is ‘the sunscreen song.’ It’s fun – but most importantly, it’s real. One of the excerpts of this intriguing message is “to do one thing each day that scares you.” how true that is. I did that in my latest trip, and I do it each week when I expose a piece of my heart for the world to see.
JOURNAL PICTURES: October 16, 2006
My first day in Kuala Lumpar we visited a Muslim Temple where I was required to wear a robe to enter.
My Dadddiiiooo and me.
In Bangkok, Thailand.
A traditional cemetary in Sibu.
This is where my grandparents are buried.
I loved these little green bean popsicles on really hot days!
This was cuddly bear – so cute!
Up we go! I was nervous!
woo-wee!
On the beach in Pattaya!
At a Buddhist Temple near Bangkok!
I loved, loved, loved being with the elephants!
They would NOT leave me alone! I had all the bananas!
I woke up early to watch the sunrise on my last day in Thailand. Beautiful!