Year of the Rooster has me thinking about how happy I am to finally, truly appreciate my difficult parents. The two of them, plus my first shrink, now occupy the V.I.P seats in my head, reserved for my most precious ancestors. Yup, they’re both dead. A heart attack killed Dad when I was a teenager. Mom died seven years ago, …
10 days in Vietnam changes my life
Our mother-daughter dream vacation just wrapped up 10 days in Vietnam. The trip made memories that bonded us as adult buddies for life. How marvelous to have a 21-year-old adult child who is now one of my best friends. And the trip isn’t over yet! Vietnam offered us everything from nature and incredible eats to military history. Gabi and I kayaked …
My 1st full day in Asia: Hanoi, Vietnam
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 …
How writing saved my life: Part 3 (Independence)
Note: This is Part 3 and the final installment in my series. Part 3, with three key words: writing-saved-life. During my 30s, I played The Asian Babe Who Had It All. There was a hot journalism career and cool husband. We owned a Manhattan condo with marble bathrooms and a fireplace. By day, I ran all over the city, writing …
How writing saved my life: Part 2
Note: Welcome to Part 2 in my 3-part series about how writing saved my life. My father’s fatal heart attack brought a weird peace to our Chinatown apartment. Yet, the tough-love patriarch still lived on in my head. I was 19, and clueless about making my own choices. Eventually, I found my path. But in that moment, there was only …
How writing saved my life: Part 1
This is Part 1 of a 3-part series about me, writing and how writing saved my life. Everyone needs to write — everyone. By the time we get to Part 3, you’ll know why your words are so important, too. Okay. Here we go… My Chinese immigrant parents expected my birth to make them lucky. Instead, they felt cheated. For …