Joanne Lam

“This is life. Life is simple.”

For the second year in a row, my extended family and I got the chance to drive about 2 hours north of Toronto to Norland, Ontario for a brief getaway. Cottage life is funny, because nowadays, it doesn’t matter how far you go into the middle of no where, wifi is still a necessity for us all.

Because wifi was so accessible, every day is a battle between shutting off and staying updated with our online lives. Despite reading a few articles here and there, checking my emails once or twice every day, and even posting a photo or two, I managed to shut off as well as I could to soak in the peacefulness of it all.

We were staying in beautiful home with our backyard facing Shadow Lake. I feel quite whimpy saying this, but the water was too cold for me so I barely went in once- but I enjoyed it my own personal way. Every day, we ate breakfast and went for a two hour walk. There wasn’t too much to see during the walk aside from cars and trees, but to walk along side my parents and relatives was much more valuable.

In the afternoon, some of us took naps, some of us went kayaking and in the water, some of us fished- but I simply laid on the hammock reading. I can’t recall the last time I spent time reading a physical book on a day to day basis. I was learning new things every day, exercising my brain, and soaking in large amounts of Vitamin D. Life couldn’t get any better than that.

The sunsets were magnificent. The colors in the sky painted a painting I would’ve hung as decor in my home. There were no sounds of cars, or hundreds of people hustling and bustling to their next event- it was purely me, God, and the sky.

Another special part of cottage living are the nightly bonfires. They have a special place in my heart. They remind me of the first time God lite a fire in my heart almost 10 years ago. Just like God, bonfires bring people together in a community, burning marsh mellows, admiring the starry sky, and for just a few minutes, nothing matters except for the people we’re with and the nature we’re surrounded by.

With a genuine smile, my mom repeated many many times as we sat by the fire…

“This is life. Life is simple.”

Boyhood: a reflection on the last 12 years

Boyhood, directed and written by Richard Linklater, is a phenomenal coming of age movie that will make you ponder and reminisce on your own childhood. Filmed over the last 12 years, as an audience, you are brought into the movie and you witness not only the actors and actresses grow but also the technology.

I found myself nudging my boyfriend at almost every scene to say, “I had that!” or “Oh my gosh I remember that!” From the gameboy, to the imac, to FaceTiming on the iphone, I’ve been through all of those stages and that’s what makes this movie so relatable especially to everyone in their early 20s.

To be honest, I don’t really recall much of my childhood under 6 or 7 years old. What were my hobbies? What tv shows did I like watching? What was the first movie my parents took me to watch? I am sad to say that I don’t quite know the answers to any of those questions- I guess it’s time for me to find out.

To be honest, perhaps I didn’t even have time to watch much TV or movies. For as long as I can remember ever since I started attending an International School when I was 8, I joined gymnastics and basketball- then I never had free time again. My after schools and weekends consisted of practices and games- and I’m absolutely ok with that.

The basketball gym and the gymnastics room was the one place I felt at home. Every time I put on the respective gear for each sport, I knew it was time to put in work. It taught me what it meant to be disciplined, what it meant to be a part of a team, and acted as a outlet for the frustrations in all other parts of my life. My fondest memories of my childhood and teenage years are with my sports teams.

It was incredibly special to watch Boyhood after a day at the West Fantasy Quidditch tournament. It is the first time I’ve played quidditch competitively since World Cup in May 2013. I can’t even begin to describe how the emotions that arose from being on the field surrounded by over 200 players with the same passion for quidditch as I.

After playing 4 tough games, in which we were defeated in all of them, it was humbling to recall all the sports tournaments that I have ever attended through gymnastics, basketball, rugby and quidditch. There is a sense of tranquility as I physically lay all of my energy out on the field for the love of the game, and my fellow teammates.

I want to lay all of me out for others, whether it be physically or emotionally. I want to be there for all my friends, for strangers I cross paths with for a brief moment, and most importantly, my family because that’s what life is-

Utilizing my strengths for the joy and happiness of others.

If you haven’t seen Boyhood yet, I highly encourage you to go watch it. It is worth every penny. Once you do, come back and tell me what it made you think about. It’s an incredibly personal movie and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

That moment in between.

I’ve always learned to embrace change fairly well, with friends coming in and out of my life throughout the last 20 years- but as I live what may be the last few weeks of my time here in the United States- I’m feeling the pain as I soon have to say goodbye to some of the people I care about the most.

Like the numbness from accidentally hitting your funny bone, my heart, mind and soul feels a weight of numbness as the minutes go by every day. Sometimes to the point where I am left mute. I may seem angry, I may seem sad, but the feelings are inexpressible.

I want to tell everyone I love them every chance I get. I want to show them how painful it will be to leave them but I don’t want to look weak. Is there a word for that feeling in another language? There must be.

“Enjoy the moment before it passes you by.” is what I keep reminding myself. Perhaps the most difficult part is not knowing where I should be mentally. Without knowing whether I will be back for school, or whether I’d have to head home to the other side of the world, I’m stuck in the in-between.

Every moment with my friends feels like it could be the last. As the sun goes down and the stars appear, I’m afraid that this could be the last sunset. And next time- I’ll be alone- rushing for the sun to go down so I can star gaze and watch them shine and sparkle, hoping I left a part of myself with them as they have with me.

Maybe that’s what makes the starry nights so special- knowing that each star sparkling represents a friend I’ve met. Whether I’ve known them for a few days, a few years or from my childhood- each of them has made a difference in who I am. For that, I am grateful. The starry galaxy speaks a very special language of love if you take the time to listen.

It doesn’t make this process of unknown any easier, but it does remind me that even if things come to an end, I never have to say goodbye because everyone I love will always and forever be with me. As the sun goes down and the stars come out.

Downward dog at Zion National Park

I know I know, I need to get back into updating my blog. That is a summer goal that I have not kept up with unfortunately. I have been having too good of a time here in California to spend time writing on here- and to all my dear friends wanting to be updated- I’m sorry.

This photo was taken towards the end of my road trip with my family, where we went to Vegas, Bryce National Park, Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park and of course, Los Angeles. This was at our last stop in Zion National Park. It was a simple hike, beautiful, and a little bit thrilling. At least I made it thrilling by climbing everywhere.

It was all worth it.

Santa Monica Beach

I’ve been pretty swamped the last few weeks with taking my GMATs, family visiting Boston, and saying goodbye to all my friends there. But my next adventure has begun.

A few days ago, my family and I began our vacation. Our first stop was Los Angeles. Last time I was in LA with my parents was almost six years ago when I was college visiting. It seems like just yesterday and yet so long ago. Unfortunately, I don’t have time this week to write much about the trip but I will definitely come back and write about all the great spots we visited.

But all I can say is, I am so excited to be here in the sun, in the heat, and with my family and friends from now until the end of July. So hey, if you’re in the LA area- let’s catch up!