Until a few years ago, I had what most people would call a good life. I had a 1 job that paid the bills; I had a good family that I was close to, and I had a place to live and money in the bank for trips and 2, and there was nothing much wrong in my life. However, I was bored.
I wanted more. I wanted to live 3 and loudly and make sharp memories instead of the grey ones of everyday life. But I was 4. I have never had any confidence in myself. As a child, even buying something in a shop caused me a great deal of 5, and even though I did get better as I got older, I never quite 6 that childhood shyness.
And I tried everything, like reading books about confidence. I also took tiny steps leading to my goals. But none of them really 7.
So I 8 that the small steps weren't enough. I signed up for an internship (实习期的工作) of teaching English in Vietnam, an 9 huge step, one that terrified me as much as it excited me. And then the day came and I left my home and my loved ones. I was alone in a country where the food was 10 and the streets were unfamiliar. I had no idea whether I would be able to 11 everything that this very strange environment would 12 at me.
I spent five months in Vietnam, teaching, exploring and laughing, I'd learnt to 13 myself, my skills, my abilities and my decisions. I returned home unrecognizable, even to myself, let alone to others. The 14 that had controlled my life and the selfdoubt were 15.
That one big chance changed everything for me, and in me.
