In my life, planning can never seem to catch up to changes. When I was little, I dreamed of moving to America but my parents couldn't bear the idea of their daughter going abroad alone. Then just when I thought maybe my dream wasn't going to see the light of the day, they sat me down and told me that I could pack up and go. I was ecstatic! I left on a Northwest Airlines jet plane within a week. Most of my extended family and friends didn't even know that I was gone.
When I got my first radio job, I didn't think I 'd become an on air personality because the job I applied to was within the news department. Obviously someone saw my potential and decided to put me on air. On and off I've been in the business for almost 10 years now. Even though I was absent for three years, it's nice to know that people still remember me and my laughter. Up to this day, I often meet people who tell me that they used to listen to my very first radio show - that was in the middle of the night. It's comforting to know that I'm not forgotten. And I'm most proud of the fact that those who come forward and claim to be my listeners are intellectuals.
Two days ago I was having lunch with my friend Vanessa at the newly open department store BR4. She asked me about my recent hosting gig at the National Palace Museum for its outdoors festival. All of sudden, this young woman who was sitting at the next table dropped her book and interrupted our conversation, "Excuse me! Are you the MC for the outdoors festival? I just have to tell you that your English is very good!" I roared with laughter, "Thank you!".
Last month I met a woman who runs a brokerage that brings students from Taiwan to go study in Singapore. She's been living in Singapore for 20 years and says her brother works in the TV / Radio business there. She liked the way I host my radio show and asked if I'd be interested in working in Singapore. WOW! I used to make fun of it, calling it Sing-A-Whore (just a joke!) I don't know why but it perked up my interest. I guess I just need a new environment to live & work. Taipei is getting old on me. Don't get me wrong. Taipei is so much more improved comparing to 1998 when I first set foot in here and I'd recommend Taipei to anyone who's interested in moving to Asia. The first time around, I didn't like it so much and honestly, I tried hard not to fit in and went on my life as if I was still in the States. The second time around, I started having local friends and I began to enjoy Taipei! Now I'd like to move somewhere else and start all over again before I feel too old to do so. It's like when you live in one place too long, you sink into that comfort zone and you become lazy. You only live once and before you know it, you'll be waiting for retirement. I got the traveling bug again!
