I was supposed to write this piece before my journey started – however as I write all these thoughts down, I am about 2000 miles away from the comforts of my home. I am currently in transit in Guangzhou and due to the long transit time (9 hour wait), the airline was kind enough to offer us accommodation. Gotta say I am really impressed with the generosity and hospitality of Southern China Airlines to put us up in New Century Hotel, Guangzhou J
Anyway unlike the last trip I made to North America in 2012 in which I didn’t really have much time to really blog my thoughts down and reflect on the trip, this time around I decided I would try to capture my thoughts more diligently. And so that’s where this entry starts.
In Need for a break and the timing is perfect
For the longest time I felt I really needed a good break – and no I am not talking about a 3-day 2-night half-baked vacation! I was really in need for a long good vacation to recharge my batteries. The last time I actually went on a break proper was back in 2012 when I went to the US for my training followed by a one-week break in Canada (which was rather short IMHO!). And so the opportunity came when I pitched the idea to my brother that we just pack our bags and leave for the US for 2 good weeks. He too agreed to the idea and what started as just wishful fantasy thinking became a reality when we booked our flights a few months back online.
I gotta say also that the timing for this trip was impeccable given that for the first time in such a long time, I will be able to go on a trip without having to worry anything about work. This is because my project will only be starting in October ; as such I was able to go on this trip without any worries or cares on my mind. Wonderful isn’t it?
Finding God in all things
A few days before my trip, I met up with my spiritual mentor and we spoke after a long time. He also used the time to encourage me to use this trip as a time to also reach out to God – to pray and reflect, which I gotta admit I have not been able to do in recent times given the distractions I have been indulging in. Its so easy sometimes to lose sight of God when things get busy and you lose focus on what’s more important. And so yes, I do plan to begin this trip with God in mind – to use this time to reflect and just be thankful for his many blessings that he has poured out to me. And because this trip is massive, I am gonna try and find time for prayer.
A 5-Part Journey
Unlike my 2012 North America trip, the 2014 North America Trip will be different in which there will be 5 parts to my journey.
Part 1 – New York New York
The North American Journey begins in the big apple and for the first time I will be visiting the east coast. I had last visited the west coast (LA) in 2005 and I still remember back then I had been making plans with my uni friends to go visit New York before our final exams. Well that is finally being materialized 9 years later! Looking forward to seeing this livewire city and enjoying Central Park, Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. I am also looking forward to attending mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Part 2 : Calgary Connections
The 2nd part of my trip will involve making a visit to Calgary. This would be an especially “work” related trip as apart from just getting to see the feel of the town, I will also be visiting with my project clients and also other connections which my friend over here has provided for me. It would be good and insightful to know how life in Calgary is like and how the labour and job market is currently at. I reckon 3 days-2 nights will be sufficient for this trip!
Part 3 : London and Family
The 3rd part of my trip follows up from where my trip in Calgary ends. This is where the family comes to full circle as I will rejoin my brother and uncle in London for some good family quality time. I am super excited about Part 3 as it will be a wonderful time to revisit Niagara Falls which I last visited in 2003 when I first arrived in Canada. Apart from that just hanging out with the family in itself would be a very relaxing experience for me. Looking forward to those nightly talks in the company of my uncle and my brother as there will bound to be interesting conversations!
Part 4 : Windsor Homecoming
Part 4 of my trip is probably the most sentimental one of all – returning back to Windsor, and not just for a visit, but to actually give a talk on a career in consulting at my alma matter. This idea or plan was born back in 2012 when I met up with my prof over lunch and I casually mentioned on whether the school would be open to the idea of having me do a short talk on a career in consulting. My prof was extremely open to the idea and from there we kept in touch and this year around, that idea has become a reality as I will be giving a presentation on my own career experiences to the business students. This reminds me of how far I have come. I will also be meeting my other former profs as well. This is another awesome thing I am looking forward to
Part 5: Friends Reunion
Part 5 would be my last leg of this journey and what a fitting culmination this would be for the journey. From Windsor, I will be traveling up to Mississauga to spend time with some of my old university mates. I have always wanted to connect back with some of my uni friends but because I opted not to stay back in Canada, I kinda lost touch with some of them. Well this time around, thanks to the longer time I have in Canada, I will be making a stop in Mississauga, ON to look up my old friends. Once I am done with this, I will be returning back to London before heading off to New York to return home.
All in all, I am taking the journey as it comes. I am throwing stones and doing what is necessary. To be honest all these things above just happened without much of my doing. Friends were keen to meet, clients were happy to schedule lunches, Professors were willing to plan and allocate some time for me – everything has just been done without much from my part. Not to say I am lazy or anything but it just goes to show how awesome God is and how He is looking out for me.
