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Since 1980’s there has been an increase in women traveling alone in terms of domestic travel as well as international travel. Career women these days are financially better off and independent. They have more opportunities to explore the world alone and discover themselves along the way. This research studied a woman cyclist under the assumed name of Xiao-yen. The researcher studied Xiao-yen to investigate and analyze her upbringing, personality, the influences of significant others in her life and her views on things. The researcher has applied the life-history method and conducted thorough interviews, studied Xiao-yen’s blog, journals and recordings. The findings are as follows: 1. Expecting a lot from herself During childhood, Xiao-yen has witnessed her mother’s hard work throughout. Xiao-yen hoped that she could grow up soon and take care of her parents; she also expected herself to be able to bring happiness and warmth to people around her. 2. Striving to do better (1) Inspired by her primary school art teacher, she carried with her a sketchbook for drawing on all her journeys. (2) Xiao-yen didn’t like monotonous life. She didn’t enjoy her vocational school life when robotics was taught. She’s an independent person with her own opinions. She had enjoyed listening to her classmates’ talk and getting feedback from her friends. All this eventually got her into working in a profession that helps people. (3) A friend from her two-year college’s neglecting her without any cause made her realize that friendships or relationships don’t last forever and that people are changeable. She thus became more independent and she would do things on her own and later on live by the motto: “A hedge between keeps friendship green”. (4) Professor Lee from her two-year technical college was a great mentor to her. Up to now Xiao-yen has lived by Lee’s teaching: “Compare not and Fuss not”.
(5) A stranger she met in Australia helped her and took her home. The experience made her realize that people are kind and warm. 3. Being around with people and dealing with problems (1) Xiao-yen gets along with people well. She perceives and is proactive. (2) When Xiao-yen encounters problems, she is calm and sensible. She deals with them. She looks at things positively. Xiao-yen enjoys bike-travelling and the adventures are her voyage of self-discovery. On the journeys the old wounds from her childhood were healed. By biking Xiao-yen has had fully fulfilled her potentials. She also found within herself the inner strength to give out warmth and happiness to people around her.
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