Unwind: Botanical Journeys & Autumn Warmth

Transcendentalism has always fascinated and impressed me. (Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau author most of my favorite quotes.) Today, as Apple fanatics desperately camp out and fly overseas for the iPhone6, transcendental themes such as simplicity and self-liberation from the materialistic and technologically reliant society we currently reside in are gentle reminders of the resources we gratuitously take from Earth.

As I'm preparing to move to my apartment, this past week has been mostly consisted of shopping for basic apartment needs: pots and pans, extra utensils, oven mitts, cutting boards.. you name it. I felt as if my mind and body were working nonstop. This weekend, my mom and I decided it was time to sit back and take a breather. We took a trip to the Descanso Gardens, and while this day trip is far from the isolation and self-sustaining ways of the transcendentalists, it still felt so refreshing to be in a more naturally raw setting than the bustling and urbanized city.

Some colorful flowers still bloom in late summer - Descanso Gardens

The ample space and small guest capacity during my visit likely enhanced my appreciation for the gardens. Earlier this summer, when I went to Victoria and visited the Butchart Gardens, I felt slightly swamped by all the other tourists and lack of walking space, which downplayed my fascination with the blooming gardens. This time, at Descanso, the absence of human traffic was the opportune day to stroll around the various gardens (my favorite is the Japanese garden) and also enjoy the gift shop ambiance.

Ceiling embellishments near the Pagoda of the Japanese Garden - Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens - the Japanese Garden (L) and the Rose Garden (R), still blooming a bit!

Back in June. The contrasting but surprisingly less-crowded view of one of my favorite spots - Butchart Gardens

The biggest surprise of the day was witnessing four deer in a queue gallop across a trail and up the hill towards the Boddy House (below). They were no more than 20 feet away from me. It looked just like a wildlife documentary where I am positioned with a camera, waiting for the perfect capture moment. Sadly, they moved too quickly for me to snap a photo!

The Boddy House - E. Manchester Boddy is the figure behind the creation of the Descanso Gardens

My imagination kicked in when I was in the gift shop, a very cabin-like building that smelled like autumn and trees. I spent at least an hour just browsing through all the books (a gentle reminder to myself that real books are still more heartwarming than my Amazon Kindle) about nature, food, and happiness. Such books with beautiful illustrations and bindings are must-own physical copies. If I replaced the merchandise in the gift shop with all my personal belongings, I would be in paradise.

It's a bit fleeting to think of decorating my temporary apartment to a dreamy cabin-like setting, but I can still start mothering succulent plants when I move in!

Book heaven at the Descanso Gardens gift shop

Succulent plants in the Descanso Gardens - similar ones are sold in the gift shop

My day-trip to the Descanso Gardens really gave me some time to practice mindfulness. My mind is constantly running - sometimes regretting the past, but usually planning for the future. We all need a moment to pause and take in what is around us, cherish the resources and beauty of planet Earth, and ultimately, unwind for a bit. For me, peacefully residing within a natural setting for a day is the best way to unwind.

Lessons from a new (and unexpected) friend

In addition to my trip to Alaska and Canada, another great highlight of summer was working as an office assistant at a home services company in my town. As someone who is slightly fidgety and constantly moving, I wasn't very accustomed to long hours of sitting. However, I gradually adjusted and learned to sit for longer periods of time in the office while coordinating real estate inquiries among agents, buyers, and sellers. I became familiar with many of the agents, who loved the presence of a collegiate young adult and grabbed every chance to give me personalized advice about my future and career. Of all these interactions, I grew closest with the office bookkeeper, a lovely woman named Dolores.

On my first day of work, Dolores was waiting for me at the front desk with a toothy smile. She gave me an office tour and a thorough training for all my tasks. Each subsequent day I showed up to work, she'd come greet me with the same bright, toothy smile and tell me a bunch of stories. I'd hear about what she ate for breakfast with her husband, how she painfully fell down a staircase and bruised her knee, her get-togethers with friends, family life, previous jobs, generation differences... the list goes on and on. Initially, I thought of this as a mentor-like relationship. Dolores is like a sweet grandmother watching out for the new employee in the office. However, as the days went by and the conversations continued, I noticed how much more comfortable I became. It wasn't as if I were speaking with a superior or an adult; I felt as if I were talking to one of my peers.  

Even at her age, Dolores is able to find joy in small things. She is happy to pick up her granddaughter from school. She loves making special breakfasts with eggs and English Muffins. She savors great moments with her friends, even visiting them out-of-state. She may be a grandmother, but she's still so youthful. I'm reminded of the guarded person I tend to be and remember that I have to learn to say yes more often. Some of the friendships with other females can be the greatest friendships I will form, and one day, like Dolores, I will be able to cherish the longevity of great friendships I may form with more smiles and more yes. When I'm older, I hope to be as bubbly and wonderful as Dolores is.

Receiving a small farewell gift from her on my last day of work was so heartwarming. Her gift was also extremely thoughtful. She got me some handy and portable Avon products that I can use whenever I am on campus. Little actions like these can truly make someone feel extremely touched. She even wrapped it in a cute pink tissue paper held by a beautiful bag with a yellow ribbon plastered on.

"May new friends always cherish you the way your old friends do....

May you always find the joys you're dreaming of." 

-Excerpt from Dolores' card

Dolores was the friend I did not expect to make this summer. But she has been such a gift, and I am so grateful to have met her. I can't wait until I have my own paycheck to be able to treat her out to a delicious meal and share more laughs.

Scatterbrained.

I've recently felt like my mind is everywhere. I'm having so many ambitious visions about my future and trying to learn new skills that my focus on my engineering studies has drifted to la-la land. One morning I wake up determined to brainstorm and write an outline for my book. The next day I suddenly really want to learn biology. An hour later I feel like composing a solo piece for cello. Then, before I know it, I want to refine my skills in Matlab, Python, and C++ all at the same time. This is me envisioning some supernatural version of myself successfully doing all this on top of my coursework.

My roommates constantly comment on how I seem to always be busy, writing like a maniac at my desk, reading something from my computer, or attending a meeting. Do you have time for yourself? Yes, I do. Every moment is time given for myself, but since my time is devoted to things that are drastically different, I am inefficient. I need to regain my focus and concentrate on one thing at a time.

My dreams of being an indie author, performing in Royce Hall, and saving the world from delirious diseases can wait. But this is only a short wait.