TED talks to change your life

As I was doing some in depth internet research this hangover ridden Sunday I stumbled upon a list of 15 TED talks that will change your life. I know the power of a good TED talk. One of the 15 happened to be one that did in fact change my life and molded my actions in college and morales forever. However, I didn't know that I would be able to be that lucky a second time around. But I was wrong. Not only are these videos excellent but they will be videos to watch over and over.

On a day when I've recounted the last evening's events and wasn't exactly very proud of what I said or did. I realized that I needed to mend some friendships and apologize for my actions. But by doing so I would have to admit that I was wrong. I would have to admit that I messed up--not the easiest thing. I just wanted to be someone who always had it together. I didn't want people to know that I too am actually extremely vulnerable. Brene Brown said something that really hit home. "I don't want to feel these emotions. I'll just go have a couple of beers and a banana muffin." That was exactly what I had done the night before. So instead of feeling things, I kept it all inside until approximately 2 am...shit hit the fan so to speak. Cue perfect time to watch a life changing video. Time to reevaluate and restart. The talk by Brene really hit home. No one is perfect. But you can't selectively diminish emotions. If you push away bad ones you too can't feel things like joy and happiness. She said, "have the courage to be imperfect. Let ourselves be seen--deeply seen, vulnerably seen. To love with our whole hearts, even though there is no guarantee. To practice gratitude and joy, in those moments of terror. Because to be this vulnerable means I'm alive. And the last, is to believe that we're enough." So there ya go.

http://mashable.com/2013/07/08/ted-talks-change-your-life/  
Watch the videos. Even if you don't need to change your life. But if you here something worth while jot it down. If it moves your soul...let it.

Here's to a reset.

Taroko

Heading out of Kaohsiung early in the morning on a roadtrip can hardly be beat. We had a four day weekend for Moon Festival recently and while all of the Taiwanese families were settling in to their BBQ's and fam time we headed through the mountains of Taroko National Park to see the gorge first hand. 
Slightly frightened by the fact that "The biggest storm to hit the world in 2013" was coming our way we decided to take our chances and head out anyways.

The drive up on Thursday was spectacular. Four of us hopped in a car and took off from a city just a little north. We stopped at the best of Europe in Taiwan-- Little Paris and Bavarian castles included. It is a quaint farm where the locals find it extremely amusing to stare a sheep for some time. While we didn't find them to be as exciting it was still wonderful to be in fresh mountain air. We were away from the smog, scooters and buildings...just like home :)

We reached the top of the mountain just before sunset. We were actually so chilly up there with the wind. It was probably close to 60 degrees but those days that is reason to wear a thick jacket!

The next day in Taroko we woke up early and headed out to see some of the hundreds of hikes they offer. We finished three trails through out the day, saw tons of waterfalls and plenty of chinese tourists.

We were tracking storm, Usagi, the entire trip. Late that evening we decided it would be best to call it quits in the morning and get home safe and sound before it got too bad. That night was one of the worst thunder and lighting storms I have ever heard. So scary! But, as we headed out at 6 the next morning we thought we had made it through the worst...come to find out, there was a tree that had fallen across the mountain pass during the night. We had to turn around and reroute through Taipei. Quite out of the way but we had a great time anyways!

Taroko is definitely a place I will visit again before I leave here! Just take a look at the photos and try to tell me you don't want to join!

Bali!

As July came to an end we sent the young Taiwanese minds out to the world of hot summer days, sleeping in until 8 and summer homework from chinese school. I skipped out of school on a Friday and boarded a plane to Bali Saturday night.
It was quite possibly the best three weeks of my life. The majority of our time was spent following the swell....or in other terms--following the cute aussie boys who actually were following the beautiful Bali waves.
We met so many wonderful people while on our vacation. We managed to tip back a few Bintags, see so many beautiful temples and experience real Balinese life.
My words wont even do it justice so I leave you with these....