Greetings from Hanoi and the continent of my immigrant parents! I am deep in the land of selfie sticks and fantastic food. After only one whole day in Asia, it’s already obvious. This trip takes me far beyond my comfort zone. And I will be better for it. Already, I feel so, so blessed to be on this journey. It’s …
Asian mom finds her lost tribe at Afropunk festival
Getting beyond my comfort zone usually leads to great discoveries. Which is why I went to Brooklyn yesterday for a shot of edgy, stylish, Afro-centric inspiration. The 12th annual Afropunk music festival was such a unique, satifying experience! People showed up making the most wildly creative fashion statements. Food trucks and kiosks served deliciousness. Of course, there were terrific bands and …
Inspiration for the week (or longer)
This week, I rediscovered the pleasure in talking less and saying more. So instead of blathering on for hundreds of words, here are barely 300 words — plus a few photos that express exactly how I feel right now. Of course, I still have lots to share. It’s just that I’m in a deliciously quiet mood, thanks to a solid …
Creativity secret from the masters: dare to be unremarkable
Until recently, I looked for inspiration in great work by great writers and artists. Do my best! Unleash my uniqueness! Be a star! But creativity’s flip side might be even more helpful. In reality, geniuses fail to be genius all the time. If anything, they spend most of their lives churning out stuff that’s forgettable. This is true whether we’re …
The night I met Prince, or, the coolest moment of my life
Dear Prince, I am writing my first-ever fan letter, to say “thank you.” Three decades ago, we met in a fleeting New York moment that gave me faith in my nerd self. With your death, I see the memory through fresh eyes. By staying fabulously purple your entire life, you’ve shown me that cool is possible at any age. The …
The price of freedom: My $9k dream vacation
Running away from home for a 10-day painting vacation in France came with a price — $9,079.80, to be exact. But it’s what I wanted to do. I had a great time. Plus, I learned the value of letting go. “Me first” is my new mantra! Everything was new. I’d never gone on a vacation by myself before. Never went …