Where I came from1000 years of border war; 100 years of colonization; 30 years (American-backed) Vietnam War; The West speaks about us as if we were a concept,as if the poverty, the uncertainty, the lack of opportunity,is self-inflicted. Where I came from,Men love women. They get married. They bear children. They care for their elders.KidsContinue reading ““Go back to where you came from””
Category Archives: Personal
All you need is love (?)
“In 1967, John Lennon wrote a song called, “All You Need Is Love.” He also beat both of his wives, abandoned one of his children, verbally abused his gay Jewish manager with homophobic and anti-semitic slurs, and once had a camera crew film him lying naked in his bed for an entire day.” – MarkContinue reading “All you need is love (?)”
41
“Am I happy?” I remembered vividly the day I turned 21 (20 years ago). Perhaps because, in Singapore, that’s what people define as “adulthood” – men finish the army – and I had 5 Singaporean roommates at a time. Perhaps, because we were in New York City, first time for me, and Asians (and VietnameseContinue reading “41”
41 – Prologue
(This is 1 week out before my birthday. People who know me know I am weird about my birthday. To catch you up, new people in my life. I have this pre-birthday-panic every year because my inner Asian mom keeps telling me, “What have I done with my life besides getting older?” Then on myContinue reading “41 – Prologue”
Thank goodness
It’s been a busy and interesting weekend. Our company organized a holiday party (I know, a bit early, but they managed to reserve a premium lounge during a hockey game, which I think was a good idea, and it proved to be a really big draw among staff). A friend whom I was supposed toContinue reading “Thank goodness”
What if – If only
“Are you fulfilled? Do you feel fulfilled in life?” Usually, that is the type of question that would have sent me to a downward spiral and curled me up in a corner on the floor. That’s a tough question. That’s a big, grand question about how many of our big, grand ambitions and desires getContinue reading “What if – If only”
Six
On our fourth anniversary, I jokingly said, “We have now outlasted a car lease term.” People celebrate their wedding anniversary with material things. Paper. Diamond. Ivory. Wood. Gold. Silver. Unpopular opinion: I think we should celebrate wedding anniversaries with really mundane milestones. A car lease. A dishwasher’s official warranty. A mortgage amortization period. A dog’sContinue reading “Six”
A grateful note
We spent the most part of our weekend gardening. Spring in Calgary is a “transformative” time, which means chaotic, unpredictable, and ever changing. I usually transplant my seedlings on the May long weekend, which frosted and hailed this year. As we got everything in the garden bed, and I sat in front of my hubby’sContinue reading “A grateful note”
A Canadian turned 40 in America
I turned 30 in Vegas (when I first started dating Dan). So I guess it’s fitting that I turned 40 in California (being married to him). It seems like a changing of the season, of a page being turned, or even an entire new book written. I said I loved him on the night ofContinue reading “A Canadian turned 40 in America”
30s in 30
Ah, my sweet 40. Here it is. (I know, it feels like I’ve been talking about it since forever ago). I was talking to my ex-coworker/mentor the other day and we agreed that the reason why I am so anxious/restless is that my 30s were so fucking awesome that it will be hard to beat.Continue reading “30s in 30”
Pace Fine Arts 