Time has flown by in a blur these past two months. Life has been a whirlwind, from graduation celebrations and first solo trips with friends to waiting anxiously for IB results and university admission letters. Every moment has been full between preparing and packing, enduring heatwaves, attending doctor appointments, and wrapping up projects.
By September 1, we were still juggling packing, unpacking, and weighing luggage. The following day brought a shaky and stressful start—too personal to detail here—but we embarked on this next chapter of our lives despite the challenges. The kids are headed to university, and I will begin a different journey.
I wanted to keep things simple for this trip and minimize stress, especially given our excess baggage. I decided to document the journey through sketches, bringing along just a watercolor set, a couple of brushes, a limited palette of Neocolor II crayons, and some colored pencils—both water-soluble and non-soluble.
My tools included the Bomoart Budapest journal and a Canson sketchbook, which I alternated depending on my mood. I also brought an A4 pad of Arches paper, hoping to create project sketches directly on it, but I’ll admit—I was too intimidated to start! Throughout the trip, I shared glimpses of my sketches on Instagram, from early impressions during the first week to a final look at my travel journal.
Observations from the Journey
This trip involved countless train and subway rides, offering a window into how things work post-pandemic. The shift toward digitalization was striking—everything from payments to booking taxis has gone digital. There was also a bit of culture shock, possibly heightened by not traveling outside China during the pandemic. And, of course, the cost of everything felt noticeably higher!
Reflections and Gratitude
As I look back, I recognize just how much I have to be grateful for:
- The chance to personally see the kids off at their respective universities and spend precious time with them before saying goodbye.
- Reconnecting with family on that side of the world.
- Sharing moments with amazing and special friends, some of whom I’ve known for over 30 years.
- Visiting Lourdes, France, again brought a sense of closure after my mum’s passing.
- Finding moments of stillness and time for reflection amid the chaos.
Favourite Moments
Below are some of my favorite photos from the trip—a mix of memories, people, and places that made this journey unforgettable. They are just simple captured moments in time. (You can click on the photos to see them in full.)
Thank you for following along on this chapter of my life. It’s been a summer of growth, connection, and transition, and I’m grateful for every moment.
