Dreamland

It’s been more than a couple of years since I have moved to the United States, and I am having the time of my life: moving in, getting acquainted with amazingly productive people, securing a great job, and finally, being an independent girl on my terms. It’s all a dream come true. If it wasn’t for my mother and the Almighty, I am not even sure if it could have been possible. I am thankful to them for making me believe in my dreams, for helping me all along when I lost hope so that I can be where I am now—in the happiest space.

In my early years in Kazakhstan, my birthplace, my childhood was great despite being raised amid tough circumstances. And no, it wasn’t some sort of magic, but it was all about my dreams. I remember being a faithful dreamer who not only dreamt about things that were only remotely possible but who also believed in them. When I look back, I see where it all came from, how beautifully it was all planned, and how effortlessly executed.

Apart from dreaming, I used to be (still am) a very big fan of periodical love stories. I had been crazy enough to have repeatedly watched Pride and Prejudice over 20 times, and I can still watch it for a hundred times over. The charm, the elegance, the romanticism of that period, are simply incomparable to what we have now. I had a dream to live those moments in the movie, as well. It was all there in my dreams before it actually became true.

A few years ago, I was offered a volunteer position in the United Kingdom. I didn’t think twice while accepting, as I have always been a keen explorer. And let me tell you something—that makes for an amazing combination when mixed with amazingly beautiful dreams. Little did I know, I was in for a ride—a ride to every step of my dreams, planned delicately with intricate details.

I met some of the most amazing people on the planet, traveling from all across the globe. It was definitely a delightful experience to know them for whatever time we had. It was amazing to be able to experience the extravagant English culture, to be able to explore the castles in the countryside, to walk along the magnificently beautiful gardens. The best thing of all was learning the barn dance!

I was in for a great surprise that I didn’t know was even possible. Remember my obsession with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? It was a normal day when my friend invited me to a place where the movie was shot. I was shocked for a moment to even let it pass through my brain. It was there all along, uncannily close to where I had been staying. When I finally went to pay a visit, it was exactly like everything I’d dreamt since the day I first saw the movie. The experience, the moments…I wasn’t even sure that it was possible for such small dreams to be realized this easily just by having faith in them.

That very day, I learned two great lessons in my life: 1. No matter how big or small a dream is, if you believe it with all your faith, the Almighty has a plan to make it all true, and 2. Keep working for what you believe in without questioning the bigger plan, and you’ll be surprised at how amazing the turnout can be.

I am currently working as a QA Engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and guess what? I dream even more now, work for it harder, and know I will achieve it sooner. It’s perhaps the happiest phase of my life, but maybe I’m in for more surprises. Who knows? I might turn out to be way more happier, so I’m not gonna stop dreaming at all!