Hehe forging your mum's signature! Although I can't talk, I recall 'borrowing' (stealing) money from my dad's cash wallet when I was a kid. I thought that if I took small change, it would never be noticed. My dad noticed...
Dear Lani, I love this installment! Through your "show, but not tell", which comes very naturally in your writing, a picture of the life of an immigrant family in Hawaii comes alive in front of me.
Yes, the word "Hawaii" brings "grass skirts" (and blue ocean, white/black sand beaches, maitais, among others) to mind; yes, the word "model minority" has been used more than once on me (and I ignorantly ravished in it); and being the first-generation immigrant in my family, although I didn't need my son's help to navigate life in America, I had my (more than fair) share of "holly shxt, that's what it meant!" moments. LOL
Thanks so much, Yi. 🙏😁It’s remarkable the lives we’ve lived. These moments don’t have to be dramatic, or big, but in their way they reveal who we are where we came from. 🌸I’m glad you didn’t need your son’s help, but I can see how being “educated” in a different one than your birth country can be challenging, too! I can relate as an expat, and the “discoveries” never cease! 😅
Hi Lani, Greetings from Vietnam — I am on a wee holiday. I love this post. You had me laughing out loud with the tale of your mum at the teacher interview. I worked closely with many Asian students, predominantly Vietnamese, and can understand the annoying nature of stereotypes — as my students used to share their experiences in the broader community. And I love your Mum, your writing gives us a good sense of her mischievousness 😊 🙏 💙
Awww, thanks, Simone! We're in the same neighborhood at the moment (me in Cambodia). Now, that's exciting. We're thinking of going to Vietnam at the end of the year. I hope you share your adventure here, too. Until then, hope you have a smashing holiday! 🙏🥰😍
Thanks Lani, l have started scribbling in my notebook. The later part of the trip is more idle so l might be able to craft something. I am in Hanoi atm and fly to DaNang tomorrow to meet friends for a few before we then rest for a bit in Hoi An. I hope you are having a great time too. 🙏😊
"Asian families sticking together one forgery at a time." Ha, love it, Lani! And I've missed many installments of your memoir, but I appreciate that I can catch up (and I will go back) without too much trouble. Ooo, also, at the mention of pansit, I remembered that I went to the international market and found the sausage for it--excited to try and recreate my old filipina bestie's recipe (as well as I can for a puti, anyway). OK, total aside. But I love your story!
"I’m no model minority. I didn’t even know I was supposed to be one until I read about it somewhere as an adult." This made me smile! This is a really engaging account of your school life, Lani.
"that adorable squeaky toy that I wanted to punch in the bread basket for no other reason than she being the object of my desire’s affections." OMG, I know that feeling. Thank you for always making me laugh. This was so funny.
Also, as far as sucking at standarized tests, you know what I was terrible at? Standardized essay writing. 🤣
Hear, hear! 😅You're reminding me of a time when I tried write for a tour company, and boy, was that ever painful. I kept "getting in trouble" for not sticking with the script or template!
I'm glad you enjoyed this 😆Ahhh, those were the days!
Another fabulous installment of honesty - love learning more about your school time and that pic of you is the sweetest. I do enjoy how you always allow your mum to steal the show and once again she doesn't disappoint. So good, Lani.
It's funny, when I wrote all this out decades ago, and then started to polish it up for publication. I had my husband read it (naturally) and he surprised me by saying, my mom was the rockstar of the book. It's fascinating what folks pick up and take away when they read your work! You're the best! xxoo
Hehe forging your mum's signature! Although I can't talk, I recall 'borrowing' (stealing) money from my dad's cash wallet when I was a kid. I thought that if I took small change, it would never be noticed. My dad noticed...
😆 Sorry your dad noticed. 😅Forging my mom’s signature! I know, right? What kind of kid things of these things?
Dear Lani, I love this installment! Through your "show, but not tell", which comes very naturally in your writing, a picture of the life of an immigrant family in Hawaii comes alive in front of me.
Yes, the word "Hawaii" brings "grass skirts" (and blue ocean, white/black sand beaches, maitais, among others) to mind; yes, the word "model minority" has been used more than once on me (and I ignorantly ravished in it); and being the first-generation immigrant in my family, although I didn't need my son's help to navigate life in America, I had my (more than fair) share of "holly shxt, that's what it meant!" moments. LOL
Looking forward to reading more!
Thanks so much, Yi. 🙏😁It’s remarkable the lives we’ve lived. These moments don’t have to be dramatic, or big, but in their way they reveal who we are where we came from. 🌸I’m glad you didn’t need your son’s help, but I can see how being “educated” in a different one than your birth country can be challenging, too! I can relate as an expat, and the “discoveries” never cease! 😅
Hi Lani, Greetings from Vietnam — I am on a wee holiday. I love this post. You had me laughing out loud with the tale of your mum at the teacher interview. I worked closely with many Asian students, predominantly Vietnamese, and can understand the annoying nature of stereotypes — as my students used to share their experiences in the broader community. And I love your Mum, your writing gives us a good sense of her mischievousness 😊 🙏 💙
Awww, thanks, Simone! We're in the same neighborhood at the moment (me in Cambodia). Now, that's exciting. We're thinking of going to Vietnam at the end of the year. I hope you share your adventure here, too. Until then, hope you have a smashing holiday! 🙏🥰😍
Thanks Lani, l have started scribbling in my notebook. The later part of the trip is more idle so l might be able to craft something. I am in Hanoi atm and fly to DaNang tomorrow to meet friends for a few before we then rest for a bit in Hoi An. I hope you are having a great time too. 🙏😊
Ah, fruit loops! Brings back memories. Once you got to college, did you feel like you were learning stuff that mattered?
😆😅YES!
"Asian families sticking together one forgery at a time." Ha, love it, Lani! And I've missed many installments of your memoir, but I appreciate that I can catch up (and I will go back) without too much trouble. Ooo, also, at the mention of pansit, I remembered that I went to the international market and found the sausage for it--excited to try and recreate my old filipina bestie's recipe (as well as I can for a puti, anyway). OK, total aside. But I love your story!
Thanks, Rebecca! I understand. Life, right? Also, you must be super busy with the book coming out, etc, etc. Glad it took you down memory lane, too! 🙂
"I’m no model minority. I didn’t even know I was supposed to be one until I read about it somewhere as an adult." This made me smile! This is a really engaging account of your school life, Lani.
Thanks, Jeffrey. 🙏💓
This is great! And even better when I listen to you reading it aloud.🙂
Awww, thanks, Sodak! 🙏🙏🙏I'm glad you listened. It's fun to record, too.
"that adorable squeaky toy that I wanted to punch in the bread basket for no other reason than she being the object of my desire’s affections." OMG, I know that feeling. Thank you for always making me laugh. This was so funny.
Also, as far as sucking at standarized tests, you know what I was terrible at? Standardized essay writing. 🤣
Hear, hear! 😅You're reminding me of a time when I tried write for a tour company, and boy, was that ever painful. I kept "getting in trouble" for not sticking with the script or template!
I'm glad you enjoyed this 😆Ahhh, those were the days!
Another fabulous installment of honesty - love learning more about your school time and that pic of you is the sweetest. I do enjoy how you always allow your mum to steal the show and once again she doesn't disappoint. So good, Lani.
Thank you, Sue! You're such an astute reader. 🙏
It's funny, when I wrote all this out decades ago, and then started to polish it up for publication. I had my husband read it (naturally) and he surprised me by saying, my mom was the rockstar of the book. It's fascinating what folks pick up and take away when they read your work! You're the best! xxoo