As part of the application process for the Best Job in the World, Tourism Queensland asked each of the Top 50 candidates to write a short story (300 – 500 words) answering the following:
- A little about your background, previous employment, family, where you live
- What is most important to you in life
- If successful in gaining The Best Job in the World with Tourism Queensland, who will be joining you on your journey to the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef (partner and / or children and tell us a little about them)
- Anything else you would like to share about yourself
I had wanted to post my “story” on here right after writing it, but Tourism Queensland informed me that applicants should keep their stories to themselves until the reveal of the next shortlist. Now that the cat’s outta the bag, here’s my story. Enjoy! 
In 500 Words or Less
By: Anny Chih
Picture taken from: http://www.cs.duke.edu/~msirivia/dandelion/
A dandelion. That’s how my best friend in high school described me. At first I wondered if I should be insulted — it is a weed after all, and a pesky one at that! But after she explained why, I thought it was the best one-word description I could’ve been given.
“Have you ever tried to pull a dandelion out of the ground?” she asked. A dandelion is strong and stubborn. Once it’s decided to grow somewhere, there’s no stopping it. “No matter how high the altitude or how rough the climate, a dandelion will thrive in the environment it’s given” she explained. And in the spring when a dandelion has decided to move on, “it can go anywhere the wind will blow.” A dandelion is bright, strong, determined, carefree, and full of potential. “You’re a dandelion” she said to me.
My roots are Taiwanese but I sprouted in the states during a trip my mom had taken to visit relatives. At the time, my parents and two older siblings, Angela and Andy, were living on a desert off the coast of Chile where my dad worked as a factory manager producing motorcycle parts. Being piggybacked up sand dunes was probably a lot of fun, but in 1988 we settled our roots in the lush West Coast city of Burnaby, BC Canada. Once Angela, Andy and I grew up though, my parents began travelling the world again and now spend a good portion of their time in Asia.
While planted in Burnaby to finish my degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Simon Fraser University, I worked in a variety of customer service and administrative roles. My sunny outlook on life and exceptional organizational skills allowed me to flourish in both school and work where I eventually began taking on more managerial responsibilities at a medical clinic, while continuing my regular volunteer activities.
BC is the ideal place to grow a bright dandelion. We have hundreds of hiking trails rich with flora, stunning ocean views, and great easygoing people. But, by the time I graduated I was just itching to get out and explore the rest of the world. The wind blew me all the way to Vladivostok and across Russia on a solo adventure. Family and friends tried to convince me not to go, but being as stubborn as I am and determined to see the world, I went anyway. It was the best decision I’ve ever made, and one that taught me that the most important thing in life is just to live it.
I hope that the next gust of wind will take me to Queensland, Australia with my sister Angela and brother-in-law Morten. They are the most down-to-earth, supportive and considerate people around. They also happen to know just the right angles to make any dandelion look like a pretty flower.
That’s a great little story Anny! And I think I’ve figured out how you should raise some money to come to Oz– write a book! Even if you do basic printing and sell on Ebay (don’t do E-Books, people just copy them), it can help! Ya never know, a publisher might pick you up.
The dandelion metaphor is too cute. ^_^
Thanks for the suggestion Belinda, but I’m not sure people would pay to read a book about my experiences when it’s all free on my blog! LOL
Im not sure if TQ reads your short story. Good luck and maybe someday I could meet you in person.
Tourism Queensland should read all the short stories — they were submitted a while ago and were supposed to be used as part of the evaluation process.
Well, honestly, Im not sure if TQ was in a good mood while reading it. Anyway, thanks again for sharing your life to us and Im sure alot of people out there were inspired thru your video clip. Maybe it is the best job in the world, but there is always an ultimate best one topping this one for a long term engagement.Good luck!
Im wondering if you included the photo in your essay. This flower is quite common here in the UK and coming out this spring! I have one shot like this as well. When James Hill posted his essay in the Ning discussion board, and there is was an empty space which Im also thinking that he included a photo as well. Well, I will do the same to support my short story.
No, I didn’t end up submitting a photo with my short story. I didn’t have my own picture of a dandelion and they hadn’t started growing here yet.
Fantastic writing (: I’m shocked TQ wasn’t sold on you for that alone. Ah well, I’m confident that you’ve got the talent and drive for worlds more opportunities to come.
Thanks Zellie!
Thought you had the whole package: excellent video; writing skills; marketing background; media presence & technical abilities. Disappointed TQ went for geographic distribution over qualifications.
No worries. I’m sure you’ll do well at whatever breeze blows your way!
LOL Dandelions remind me of the time my (then 1.5-year-old) daughter got her head stuck between the exterior — stucco — wall of the house and the wooden fence. (Linked the story “Dandelion Days” above).
Happy to buy you a beer at the Crow and Gate Pub, when you next venture over to the island. It’d be fun to meet you. There’s a fair few hiking trails nearby too!
Thanks Scott!
By the way, I printed out a copy of your Top 50 table for my own BJITW collection
And I know what you mean with the dandelion trunks for roots! I started gardening last summer at one of the places I volunteer on Saturdays. Those dandelions never cease to amaze me. We finished clearing the whole front yard only to find a million more fully grown dandelions a week later!
Great story, Annie! I love the analogy. No doubt you’ll soon be off on your next adventure, whatever that may be, and I’m quite sure you’ll do amazingly well. As they say in Peter Pan, “living is an awfully big adventure”, and I wish you success in yours. Don’t be surprised if I pop my figurative head in and comment on your blog now and then, just to keep tabs and see how you’re doing!
Thanks Patrick!
Great metaphor and personal story!
Thanks Effie!
hi good story!!
Thanks!