January 11, 2013
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Inspiration
I keep thinking about my paths I'm taking right now and am constantly shaken. I've chosen to work at the research place while also modeling professionally now since I'm out of school. But each time someone talks to me about grad school or whatever classes they're in I feel envious, I want it all...
A very good friend of mine is currently in aerospace engineering at a great school, and just got word that he will be a TA for an engineering class and is also receiving a stipend on top of waived tuition. I admire his faith and hard working ethics so much, and his wisdom to invest the money accruing some amount of loans in order to secure a future. I think the fact that he is doing so well and pursued a graduate study in something he likes inspired me, made me really happy but I also felt a little useless. I know I tell people that it is never too late, but as always, it's hard to take your own words seriously in your own life, especially when we are all so naturally anxious and weak to some degree.
It's more than just envy and greed though, it's the feeling of never being good enough and knowing that after the blow that I dealt my parents by switching out of engineering in to math/english, not choosing (at least not right now) to even try for med school/law school, I have become estranged.
My friend in the grad school was there since the beginning of my transformation, even before I decided to switch out and break out of what they had tried to mold me in to. He saw without hearing my words my struggle, maybe that's why I feel a little bit of pain because I'd want to live up to his expectations as well, or imagined expectations (since he probably doesn't really hold the same expectations as my parents... but I can imagine).
II don't know what I'm trying to say really, but I know I need to calm down. I know ti's good to dream big, but I have never known how to be practical, and chased everything. Even now, I have a job, I'm still searching for the sake of searching even though I really like where I've been employed (not talking about the modeling agency though I am so grateful and shocked still by that and it was great to have someone there who understood my wavering and unsure/lack of confidence in myself and encouraged me to pursue it ). This type of greed and need to fulfill some type of subconscious self deploring can and has made me end up with almost nothing that is mine. And that I'm inspired by him as a person, grateful actually that his type of person exists, his kindness and generosity and acceptance of the world. He knows the world, went through so much poverty and hardship, yet remained so compassionate and just...kind and giving. He's definitely not your every day romance/story book American hero in uniform, but he is a hero to many in another sense.
EDIT/ADDENDUM:
I speak of how he has achieved in academic success. But I think the thingt aht actually inspires me is the combination of his humility/humbleness, purity, kindness, compassion, generosity, faith, selflessness, especially given his circumstances growing up.
He knew love and kindness, and what it looks like.
And that's like a lot of you, my friends/readers/pretty much all of you. Your smiles, your ability to overcome and skip the loss of control in which anger is made a permanent rock in your heart.
I don't write this, actually I dont think I ever do, I just think this to myself. But you're all so inspiring and make me happy in different ways, even the ones that I haven't kept in touch with, evne the ones that you think I don't remember.
I'm sure in my decisions, I've finally started to do choose a path for me not my parents
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Anyway I recently shot again with a photographer Charles Martin
It's the something that's off that his emotions manifest in that are captured.
cept for the first one, that was just normal shot.
I find it amusing how I look like completely different ages in all the pictures...well, maybe just the first two
Charles is pretty much wonderful at his craft. I'm so thankful that I got to work with him and designer Tu-Anh Nguyen back in 2008
Moonshine remix:
treasure...cuz baby squirrel youza sexy muthafu***
also, I"ve officially joined the smart phone ranks and can do the picture taking whatever sthat ya'll do! w00t.
so HAI GAIZ!!!
I always thought it was funny how even though I developed apps on iOS for research purposes I was pretty much the last in line to get a phone that was intelligent.
or more nearing intelligent than the not so good with advanced UI phones before NOW I CAN GET PICTURES GUYZ YAY
its' a weekend night...pretty early, like 1130 PM and I'm sitting here on my laptop watching stuff on youtube. Sometimes...I just gotta relax haha.
I'll just go search for bubble tea after church on Sunday
Comments (13)
first
@iones_island - :P
The Oracle once told me "We can never see past the choices we don't understand." ok that was tongue in cheek but it is true, that through others' strength you will find the answers within yourself. Stay passionate about your dreams but be practical yet diligent about reaching it. I liked the first of the three shots most. ttfn!
The pictures you sent me last night made smile lol. I mishu!
You never messaged me :'(
Also, I can't see your photo. Also, don't fret, i don't have a smart phone yet!
you're so dang pretty! best of luck with modeling, you have plenty of time for grad school!
Can I tell you something? I read this and it really hit home. As you know, I'm currently in the medical field doing medical laboratory technology. I'm not saying it was a bad field, but I, like you was forced into a field where I felt like I didn't belong. When I turned 18 years old, my high school senior dream was to get into a very prestigious school for art (Cooper Union - I'm sure you've heard of it... it's famous for engineering as well). I went and brought my portfolio to that school and they looked over my artwork. It was good enough for an acceptance, but my mother told me it was a waste of time to even give them the paperwork because I wasn't allowed to attend. Art would never make any money and I'd never amount to anything. They wanted me to pursue medicine, like everyone else in my family (most of my family are doctors and nurses). I went to Stony Brook and decided to go the pre-med route like every other Asian family. I didn't do as well as I wanted to and I left. I hated medicine... but I kept pushing onward because I wasn't sure what else to do. I tried for nursing but I didn't succeed. I finally settled for medical laboratory technology and even though it was still in the field my parents wanted me in, they weren't happy because I was "at the bottom of the med chain." My parents made me feel horrible for graduating late due to my indecisiveness about my life and major and up until now, they still aren't happy because they see others around me and how they've achieved so much while I haven't achieved enough. In the end, I did what they wanted and they still aren't happy... and the worst part is, neither am I.
I don't live the cushy life most people do after they graduate with a medical/health related degree. Instead, I'm uncomfortable, I pay loans, and I hate my job. I'm glad you decided to pursue something you want to do... and I'm even happier you're doing it for yourself. Don't do it for anyone but yourself. If it's one thing I've learned through my journey thus far, it's that you listen to your heart (sounds cliche but true) and follow your own path. Screw everyone else. If you do want to carry on to grad school, go for it. As you said - it's never too late. I'm preparing to pursue my first dream and go back to school for art... and hopefully create a clothing/toy line of my own. I dream big... and to be honest, I know I can achieve it all. I want to be a CEO and an art director for a lovely company (possibly my own one day). Modeling a few years ago has given me self confidence and I know that if I can do that, I can do this. Don't get me wrong - I know my parents were only looking out for my best intentions since the medical field is one place where you can make money... but it isn't for me. Don't force yourself to do something you don't want to do. You'll waste a few years away and you may end up going back to what your original plan was.
Good luck Vic, I know you can do it... and you'll do wonderfully when you do.
so smart, your phone is now.
beautiful as always. its only natural to want to be successful. im sure one day u will have yours. have patience
I really like this set of photos of you. I think they are the best of you that I have seen.
V, I wish you the very best in WHATEVER path you choose. As you learn to live for yourself, instead of trying to just fulfill those dreams others have set for themselves vicariously through you, only then will you find your happiness. It is never an easy task, to pursue one's fancies after all our parents have done for us. But deep down inside, beyond a parent's foolish pride, all we really and truly want for our children is to be happy. You seem like a good human being, sensitive and compassionate, and I, for one, would be a very proud parent if you were my daughter. Chase those dreams Girl!
Haha, your smartphone pic made me laugh. The Charles Martin photo's of you are really good.
And you know what? While you might be envious of someone else, I'm sure their are those that are envious of you!
Welcome to the data generation!
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