“Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” ~Confucius

about a year ago, i failed my third attempt into getting into hawaiian airlines.  i felt dejected and was at a lost in my life.  i posted this quote by randy pausch from the last lecture on my fb.  

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!"

this simple quote was the only clarity i had in a dark time.  flash forward a year...

i've never felt more grateful to be blessed with the best job in the world and moving forward to a life i've imagined i would have.  thank you God for everything and never letting me give up.

have you pursued your lifelong goals and dreams?!

dreams realized

hawaiian airlines just announced it's plans for a direct flight to beijing in 2014 and discontinuing flights to manila by summer of this year.  this is very exciting news, especially for my family, because they are that much closer to their home.  however, i'm not sure how i feel about working said flights lol..

anyway, this made me realize of the goals and aspirations i had in high school when i was writing personal statements for college; i am actually living what i want to do!  how great is that?!  i'm going to swallow my pride and post my essay on this from almost 7 years ago. below is the one i submitted for the hawaii rotary club which scored me a fat scholarship.  it's pretty short but i think that was what they wanted?!?! 

Since September 11, 2001, Hawaii’s economy is reviving steadily.  Just recently,

Hawaii has opened tourism to China, making it the second state after Nevada in the

nation to do so.  During the fall and winter months of 2005, Hawaii’s slow seasons, hotel

room occupancy was record-breaking.  This progression signifies that our state is

flourishing. Demands will soon be high for individuals to follow through in Hawaii’s

continuous growth.  I aspire to take part in the booming tourism industry at its peak.

Hospitality management suits my personality well.  I am very enthusiastic in all

that I do, especially when it comes to meeting new people.  As an active community

contributor, I have had experiences with diverse groups of people which enable me to

connect well with others.  I want to use my Chinese background and local upbringing to

open the door of tourism wider and entice the Republic of China to travel to Hawaii.

    

By receiving the Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation Scholarship, I can pursue my

goals and dreams free from financial insecurities.  I hope to not only promote tourism

from China but to other regions of the world with the aloha spirit in mind.