The media keeps telling us that the economy is getting better, that the unemployment rate is decreasing and that there are brighter days ahead. In my parents' circle, this is not the case. Because from what I can see, 2011 has been the most difficult for small business owners, especially immigrant groups who rely on dry cleaners, nail salons, delis, and grocery stores — previously some of the most stable small businesses — for their livelihood. My mother tells me that in the 20+ years she's been in the dry cleaning business, she has never seen it this bad. Two of her close friends are in default on their mortgages. My aunt's family recently had her home foreclosed. Everyone else is dipping into, and depleting...
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We've all seen the commercials. A doting spouse surprises his or her significant other with a brand new car for Christmas, complete with a big red bow on top. A screenshot from this year's "A December to Remember Sales Event" commercial And if you're anything like me, you're probably thinking, "Does anyone actually do that?" Apparently, yes — there is even a warehouse in California that stockpiles the iconic oversized red bows because the demand for them is so high! Granted, the article referenced is a bit old, but as Lexus's annual "December to Remember Sales Event" is ongoing, I highly doubt that this tradition of the financially privileged has expired in recent years. I always told J that I would be pretty angry with...
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Most of the moms I know can't bear to be apart from their children. They tell stories of the bucketfuls of tears that were shed the first time they left their babies with a sitter, nanny, or at a daycare. They talk about how they refuse to spend more than an x amount of time away from their children. (I even know one mom who has not spent even an hour away from her daughter for over 3 years!) Some even speak out about the physical pain that is felt when they are away from their children. I am not one of those moms. Again, I cannot help but wonder if something is wrong with me, or if I am missing that part of most women...
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I just realized that I never shared Aerin's Chinese and Korean names with you guys. Aerin's Chinese name — 君靖 (Gwan Zing) — was chosen by J from a list of "pre-approved" names given to him by his parents. Claire's Chinese name, 君婷 (Gwan Ting), was chosen this way too. In fact, J used the same list for both names, and when his brother has children, he too will be naming them from the list and the first character of the names will be the same as well. My father had chosen Claire's Korean name — 다정 (Da Jung) — and I personally love it. Not only is it cute and easy to pronounce, the word 다정 is used in the Korean language to describe...
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Looking at these makes me melancholy for some reason. I think to my own loved ones and reflect on how much they have changed, and will continue to change over the years. But this sadness and nostalgia is also mixed with hope for the future. :-) Via Reddit....
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