The other night, a friend told me I had a “strong online presence.” And soon afterward, I unplugged for 24 hours straight. No texting, phone calls, email, social media. This was difficult yet necessary. During those hours, I went into a sticky cocoon and cried. I cried every hour on the hour over the loss of my Dad. My body and soul needed the release. After I was done, I came out on the other side, lighter, clearer, optimistic about my next steps. For the past 18 months, I was in limbo about life as I helped my Mom and Dad.

Now, I feel a sense of freedom…of possibilities.

In February, it will be one year since I acquired Airstream Bambi. I’ve gone through Bambi bootcamp, learned about trailering, taking better photos, expressing myself through the written word.

In the past few months, I found love. There are unknowns in that area but that’s the beauty of love. It’s unpredictable and we never know how things will unfold.

What I do know for sure is that I have control over my next steps.

I have been mentally preparing for an extended road trip for some time. A trip that will give me a chance to see the states, take photos, write, and interview Asian women about their experience growing up Asian in America. With the Lunar New Year approaching, I feel it’s the right time to do this.

In February, I will take Butters and Bambi…and just drive. I don’t know what I’ll see, who I will meet, what emotional experiences I will be engulfed by. All I know is, this is necessary and the timing is right.

In the past 24 hours, I learned so much about me. I can’t begin to imagine what I’ll learn in 720 hours.

So now it’s time to drive.