August nights are upon me. The crisper air, the anticipation for fall, the bittersweet ending of summer. It's all there, whirled together as a toxic concoction of ephemeral longing and passion. August makes me go extra crazy, it makes me want to make memories.

Memories remind me of nostalgia and nostalgia makes me reminisce on simpler times. When all that we had to worry about what which movie we had to rent from Blockbuster (remember those?) for our slumber party. There's something about an 80's beat that feels so stuck in its time, it instantly becomes feel-good. Perhaps it's the crimped hair, bright pink lipstick, neon fluorescent outfits and that synx-ey beat that brings that fuck yeah feeling. The 2015 Wonder Girls song "I Feel You" gives me those feels. The song is sexy too. It makes me want to watch Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey get sexy in Dirty Dancing (you are welcome). But let's get back to the Wonder Girls. The music video is super cute too, so definitely check it out. I love the soft 80's makeup twist that the girls have on and the lighting and mood are on point. So crank up the speakers and get your dance on girl!

To all those who are worried that they’ll be judged for their decision to leave their shitty life and decide to travel, I commend you. Don’t listen to anyone who’s negativity affects your shine. All those people who say “only privileged rich kids can travel,” are basically internet trolls and journalists that judge and criticize rather than encourage, inspire and motivate. We don’t need more hate, we already have enough of it, we need more love and understanding in this world. I have met people who were on the tightest budget, people of all background and creed, people who had so many obligations to family and others but they decided to love themselves first and fulfilled their dream. Because when your cup is overflowing, only then can you help others.

Let me introduce myself. My name’s Michele, born and raised in the concrete jungle of New York City for the past 25 years. In 2016, I decided to change my destiny, pack up my bags and travel the world for nine months. This is my story.

My parents were Korean immigrants who came to New York in the early 80’s. We grew up lower middle class, hopping around the boroughs while my family chased the American Dream. You see, my family never went on vacation. Not because we didn’t want to but because we simply didn’t have the money and the sheer luxury to close the humble Korean deli to go to the Bahamas for a week. There was no time for fun. Not when you’re tryna chase that money, you feel me? But oh how I wanted to travel. I dreamed of being like my fellow classmates who came back from Winter Break with a warm summer tan with an honorary peeling nose to showcase just  how much they’ve been cooking in the sun.

This deep-seated desire lasted all through my childhood year, straight into college and finally, to where I was, sitting at my 9 to 5 desk job, 25 years old, miserable and loathing myself for not chasing my dream. I perpetuated this idea in my head that I was less fortunate than others. I killed my dream by repeating self-pitying statements such as ‘I have no money, I can’t afford it, I don’t have the time, I can’t take off from work, I have so many obligations, I’m just so incredibly busy.’ Lame, aren’t they?

There I was: unhappy, bored, uninspired. I was miserable to be around. I couldn’t take it anymore. For the first time, I took my life into my own hands. I told myself that I will not live in fear. I was annoyed at myself for letting something as frivolous as fear manifest inside me. I decided that I rather be the risk taker than the coward. You see, I was born a fearful child. I was afraid of every single thing, even benign things like grass (true story). And I subsequently became a fearful adult. Every decision became based on fear—stunting my growth and ultimately my enthusiasm for life. I was not happy in New York. Nothing in my life “sparked joy.” I told myself that I rather jump headfirst into the scary unknown, perhaps into danger or perhaps into marvelous wonder than to stay in my depressive box of a home that I created. Because I wanted to be brave. Because I wanted to fly. And for the first time, I decided to step outside my cage, finally, after being too afraid, despite the door being wide open the entire time. I created my own unhappiness. And I was determined to change that. I wanted to write the narrative of my life.

For the first time in my life, I embodied the first line of my favorite book:

“Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.” – David Copperfield

I finally chose to be my own hero. Or at least attempted to, finally. So I embarked on this journey.

I went out there to soak up all the magic that is in this world and to get a little dirty.

My name is Michele Jang and I became the hero of my own life.