2 continents, 3 months, and 6 countries later

This is an email I wrote to my father during my last few hours in travel. I think it's worth a read if you're interested in discovering the world through first-hand experiences:
"I checked my online bank account and I am relieved to see that I'll have $2,000 once I'm back, so I'm not completely broke. Still, I spent thousands of dollars on my trip, but I think it was worth it.

I shook hands with the very man who discovered the terracotta warriors, I rode elephants, I ate weird food, I climbed Mount Huashan and walked the death plank, I visited the tribes of chiang mai, I saw the forbidden city, I went in the cu chi tunnels of vietnam, I was asked to dinner by a multi-millionaire, I trespassed on the Great Wall of China, I ate local food and surfed with a Bali local for free, I met interesting people around the world (backpackers and locals), I climbed Mount Fuji, I observed different ways of living and picked up on certain terms and expressions from different countries. 

They say money cant buy you happiness, and I definitely agree but only to a certain extent. 

It is up to the individual to perceive life in however aspect they wish to. A pessimist, a realist, an optimist, whichever works. 

Even so, money does provide opportunities that wouldn't be possible otherwise.

Money cant buy happiness in the material sense, no purse or house will ever give a person long-term satisfaction.

However, instead of spending my money on material goods, I spent my money on experience.

I think that by undergoing this experience and extracting the meaning behind my encounters, I have reached a certain content with my life and I am able to put things in much better perspective. Money can buy experience and it is up to the individual to use that experience for greater self-growth. It's been hard and I've messed up here and there, but I am glad for the time I've had on my trip. I've imagined Japan for all my life and being here is emotional for me at times. Though, my trip as a whole, I have learnt so much and demonstrated agency to such an extent that I am glad to have spent that much money. I know myself better and I know what perspective means to a greater extent. 

I feel zen, I feel renewed, I feel tired from all this experience in once shot but I'm ready to conquer the world.

I've met travellers who are taking a gap year to travel, a millionaire who began with nothing, a farmer who became world-renown. I've seen extreme wealth and extreme poverty. Singapore, a country so rich that they invest money to beautify their country, to Vietnam, a country so poor that it's not so uncommon to see people walking barefoot. 

One thing I know is that you only live once and limitations is a man-made concept.

Heck, I am but a student who saved enough money to fulfill my travelling dreams. I am fortunate to come from a supportive emotional and financial family but even if I was poor, a dream can be reached if one tries hard enough and has a vision of the end result. 

Yes dad, you have mom and me and your other daughter to worry about financially. Yes, it is scary to invest so much money in a new business. Even so, wether it be this business opportunity or another, it is better to try and fail then not to try at all. We have each other and that is what matters the most. Sell the house, sell the car, that's okay. But the worst thing one can do to themselves is not believe in themselves or to get too comfortable in their small life that they forget to live. If you fail, you gain the experience and you know for the next try. If you succeed, the reward is knowing that you did it. 

I've seen some cool things in Japan especially and I've always been coming up with funky ideas that you may be interested in!

I love you very much,

Danielle A"

Anti-Intellectualism and the Internet Troll

I would like to introduce you to the most infamous caricature in modern human history:

Say hello to the universal symbol for the internet troll. You may find yourself asking the question, "what is an internet troll?"If you're asking yourself that question, you're definitely not a Generation X or Generation Y baby. Well, an internet troll is defined as an online commentator who unintentionally or intentionally comments a vile, racist, or sexist comment which results in a slur of online debate. Basically, the average internet troll is either a sadist or an idiot. In any case, neither stance is favourable.
Overall, the Western internet - I ain't talking China here - is an awesome democratic force that provides people with a place commonly referred to as "a market place of ideas." However, when idiots troll around the internet, pissing people off and commenting stupid things, I can't help but want to punch their ignorant faces. I guess that's the price we pay for the democratic right to freedom of expression.
Still, I think it's worrisome how many ''trolls'' are out there in society. So many people take the easy way out and "troll" a serious political or social issue rather than read up on it and debate it in a respectable, formal, and intellectual manner. I came across this photo, and every troll should read it.

Mundanity: It's Not As Pretentious As It Sounds

Ten minutes ago, I didn't even know the meaning of the word "mundanity."

Yesterday, I was told that I should start a blog and I figured hey - why not! Plus, I hear that's what all the cool kids are doing. I googled "words with Dani" because I thought I'd be clever and incorporate a segment of my name into the title of my blog. Of course, thanks to Google being the supreme entity that it is, I immediately stumbled upon the word "mundanity." Huh. Once again, I asked my good friend Google to do me a favour and define mundanity.

I firmly believe that through life experience, we can obtain knowledge far beyond the value of a typical $100+ college textbook. I am not scrutinizing the educational system but rather, I am pointing out that there are other non-conventional paths to obtaining knowledge. Wether it be a good class lecture, a philosophical debate, or something as simple as beautiful scenery, I strive to soak in as much information as I can in order to become as intellectually sophisticated as I can be. I want to become self-actualized or in simpler terms, I want to reach my full potential. When I see the word "disillusionment," I automatically think Descartes, self-consciousness, and cultural relativism and how in general, perspective is such a powerful and often overlooked force. Thus, I look forward to sharing my experiences and thoughts on this blog as I journey towards mundanity.