Sitting surrounded by day-old friendships, house music, and cheap beer in the bar of a hostel that claims to be "Siem Reap's Finest!", I can't help but feel pleased with myself. The person I am in this moment- confident, independent, capable, open, spontaneous, smiling away- is the person I aspired to be. And it isn't serendipity which inspires my contentment, but the peace of knowing I chose the life I wanted to lead. "I am the captain of my fate…"
I steal a quick smile to myself amid the cloud of conversation, satisfied with the result a small investment of courage can yield. Whether crossing the world to move to a faraway land, or crossing the room to approach smiling strangers, there are few times swallowing my fears hasn't served a great benefit. Tonight is no exception.