Continuing the conversation on false assumptions of Chinese displays of affection, Kimberly asked this question:  “Is criticism from Chinese mothers a display of genuine love?” This is a loaded question mainly because we move into the territory of defining what “love” is, which differs widely even within America’s own culture.  Needless to say, trying to…

Language is so much more than the words we utter.  Along with verbiage, our communication is expressed through tone, body language, and cultural implications.  Living in the cross section of American and Chinese culture, the missed layers of communication I observe between members of the respective cultures is at best humorous, and at worst, cause…

When I logged in to write this new blog entry, blogger pulled up the stats of my blog. The numbers of page views, comments, impressions. When we see young children exhibit creativity or ingenuity, we quip, “that kid’s going to grow up and change the world.” We are inspired by heroes in our culture and…

It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog post. I’m reading plenty of them and they’re all so much better than mine that I’m feeling somewhat defeatist. However, just the other day I got called poo and one simply cannot let perfectly good substance as getting called poo go to waste without blogging over…

I’m a pretty sensible person most of the time. I’m not a genius but I have fairly sound judgment and got a good head on my shoulders. But there have been a few moments in my life when I’ve done things that if I were to leave my body momentarily and look at myself, I…

Friends, I’m thankful for such a full life, but I am feeling a little frantic lately because of a minor though chronic condition of overcommitment. February is busy because it contains the birthday of my firstborn, who is turning nine, and we must sound the trumpets and celebrate with style because she is worth it.…

It was time to get rid of the mole to the right of my nose. I’ve always had this mole but it has grown substantially in the last few years and it’s time for it to go. Despite having labored to deliver two babies, my pain tolerance is still incredulously low. The thought of a…

New Year resolutions. Or goals. (Somebody explain the difference again?) We’ve all seen them run through our social media newsfeed. Eat better. Be present. Love more. Blah, blah, blah, it’s as standard as beauty pageant contestants promoting “world peace.” I have yet to come across more creative inspirational resolutions. Some people give up making them…

I heard a story last week that has been relentlessly haunting my mind with images. I see a picture of a toddler boy meeting a woman behind bars, his innocence shielding him from the harsh reality that his birth mother has been sentenced for life. I see a woman forced into household servitude in a…