Weekly Dinner Tradition
In my culture, sharing a meal is the custom way to catch up with friends, connect the family, and make business deals. It seems natural to me that I'd host these weekly dinners where I cook a good amount of dishes, suitable for all California dietary preferences, and sit down to hear stories from guests from all walks of life.
Theme of the Night
This particular evening, a friend has invited a table full of artists, and I, inspired by a recent movie title, called the theme for the night 'decision to leave'. Everyone had a story on how they left their home to come to USA.
Professor's Assignment
One guest, a professor from Hong Kong, shared a fascinating homework assignment he had given his art students. Go home and ask their parents, 'How did you come to Hong Kong?' Many of these students were second-generation Hong Kong residents, unaware of the arduous journeys their parents had undertaken.
Stories of Courage
Each story was a testament to courage and resilience, painting vivid pictures of the sacrifices and hopes that propelled them forward. Some stories were harrowing, like floating on a basketball across waters, dictated by the constraints of income and opportunity.
Bridging Generational Gaps
The assignment had not only bridged generational gaps but let the students find similarities in each other that would otherwise remain unmentioned. We were reminded that although our life experiences differ, we share something fundamental, usually hidden, yet often profound.
