Another birthday, a college graduation, your first "adult" job -- these are the big moments in life worth sharing with friends, families, and even the occasional stranger. Inspired by Jenn Im, I've created a list of a few of my favorite simple pleasures. I hope that I will get to celebrate these small victories (Lesson … Continue reading In My Feelings
I Withdrew from Grad School
When I first met the Masters in Teaching cohort that I would be joining at USC that fall, a lingering hesitation materialized before me - one of these things doesn't belong. It was me. I had fooled myself into believing that being thrust into the situation would enable me to fully capitulate it. After all, I … Continue reading I Withdrew from Grad School
You Are Not to Blame
When it first happened, I blamed myself. If I hadn't been that drunk, would he have done that to me? I blamed my friends. Where were they when I needed them? Then it became it too overwhelming to think about at all anymore so I shut out the thoughts, as best as I could, and refused to let … Continue reading You Are Not to Blame
I’m Proud to Be Vietnamese American
Like the Hannah Montana of Orange County, I truly get the best of both worlds. On my drive home from work, I can stop for a delicious cup of chè ba màu or a perfectly glazed Krispy Kreme donut, both of which I’m always craving. I celebrate Lunar New Year with my family and July … Continue reading I’m Proud to Be Vietnamese American
My USC Personal Statement
There were a total of three personal statements required for the USC Masters in Teaching program, and an optional section. Being the writer that I am, I filled all four sections to the word limit - lo and behold, I got in! I'd like to share with you one that I wrote THE NIGHT BEFORE … Continue reading My USC Personal Statement
Six Months, Six Lessons
One day after my 22nd birthday, I stood under grotesque lights, center stage, gasping for air. The final kumbaya… four years of all-nighters, internships, and social networking culminating into a grand graduation called adulthood. I envisioned the future I desired to be a part of and made clear, methodological steps to get there. I had … Continue reading Six Months, Six Lessons
Again
I woke up from a dream last night, shivering, gasping, disbelieving. I rolled over, and no one was there. I shut my eyes and willed myself to fall back into my slumber, but to no relief. There you were, bright and clear as ever, dancing in technicolor at the forefront of my mind. You were … Continue reading Again
Before and After
Her silhouette bounces past the stained oak door, and a stunning figure in an olive-green dress slips in. Brown waves cascade down her shoulders; she tucks a loose strand behind her left ear as she hangs a set of jingling keys onto brass hooks. Next to mine. One foot off, then the next. Two bare … Continue reading Before and After
Hotel Cecil: Beyond the Lobby Doors
The Cecil Hotel sits at 640 South Main Street in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. In a row of bland storefronts and graffiti-covered walls, this building stands out from the others. Its façade boasts a rich art-deco style—a luminescent bronze against today’s autumn sun. But to its left, a litter-filled parking lot provides a … Continue reading Hotel Cecil: Beyond the Lobby Doors
