Om.

I took a one-credit RodSem in the fall called “Mindfulness and Meditation” specifically geared toward engineering students. The purpose was the class was to help anchor ourselves to the moment, attempt to let go of all vexations, and relax — if only momentarily. Learning how to let go and relish in the present have been invaluable lessons, and I’m happier now than I have ever been. My Newsies always ask me if I’m always happy, and the truth is, I usually am. I never wake up in a bad mood and I never dread going to class. After all, why should I? Does the act of dreading class make it go by any faster?

This brings me to my parents: My mom, who was the subject of the previous post, lives anxiously awaiting the fruits of the future. My dad, on the other hand, always has a story to tell of the struggles that’ve brought him here. I’m somewhere in the middle: I think living in the present is a wonderful thing, but taking a peek at where you’ve been and where you’re headed doesn’t hurt, either.

Getting ”Nauled” at Foxfield 2010. Talk about living in the present.
(Photo courtesy Yushin W.)

(Originally posted June 8, 2010)

Mother dearest

I am 20-years old and I still call my mother, “Mommy.” She’s an incredibly kind-hearted and curious little woman who is fiercely intelligent with a sneaky sense of humor. She’s also an unmatched storyteller — even if she wasn’t actually there to personally witness a particular incident.

Though she was born in Vietnam, she immigrated United States over 30 years ago (her great grandparents immigrated to Vietnam from China), where she played the drums in high school and was a Chinese school teacher as an adult. Moreover, I’ve always marved at the ease with which she makes friends and strikes up conversations, even with complete strangers.

My parents drove down to visit me yesterday and inspired me to createthis post. A similar one about Papa Ma will appear on Father’s Day, 
so stay tuned for that!

Anyway, my mom is uncomfortable about the idea of having her photo posted on the internet, so here is an animated likeless of her (this is what she’d look like if she were on Mad Men).

I am 20-years old and I still call my mother, “Mommy.” She’s an incredibly kind-hearted and curious little woman who is fiercely intelligent with a sneaky sense of humor. She’s also an unmatched storyteller — even if she wasn’t actually there to personally witness a particular incident.

Though she was born in Vietnam, she immigrated United States over 30 years ago (her great grandparents immigrated to Vietnam from China), where she played the drums in high school and was a Chinese school teacher as an adult. Moreover, I’ve always marved at the ease with which she makes friends and strikes up conversations, even with complete strangers.

My parents drove down to visit me yesterday and inspired me to createthis post. A similar one about Papa Ma will appear on Father’s Day, 
so stay tuned for that!

Anyway, my mom is uncomfortable about the idea of having her photo posted on the internet, so here is an animated likeless of her (this is what she’d look like if she were on Mad Men).

(Originally posted June 7, 2010)