Counting all my blessings....

Got some really good news... my parents, my sister and I are finally able to move out! This is fantastic... my parents have aged since moving to San Francisco and it has been most painful to watch them suffer in silence... I am glad that we are so blessed to have found such a great place that is in a good neighborhood...

Today I was talking with my mum and I told her that I am glad that I have been moving from place to place... because being thrown into a different culture and environment makes you appreciate the things that you take for granted...

I have always taken granted being respected as an individual, regardless of gender, age and generation and even race... I was part of the majority race in Singapore so obviously I would not have been able to feel the discrimination that some immigrants or even other minority faced when I was in Singapore...

I also took for granted the respect and freedom that my parents gave me... I always spoke my mind and they listened... my viewpoints have value and my suggestions have weight... that I can contribute to the family... Here, I have to fight a system of hierarchy and authority... I have to be judged and viewed as a daughter who does not know how to obey and seen as "mei jia jiao" when I speak my mind...

My experience living with this family has not been all bad and a waste of time... I have learnt alot and have grown up a little... since i was always the baby in the family... I am thankful for being able to see more clearly who I am, what I value and appreciate the people who are important to me...

There will be some obstacles once we move out but I am sure that the four of us will be able to survive against all odds as long as we are together...

Life has its ups and downs... the downs are there so that you can appreciate the ups... =)

Guess it's true that what can't kill you can only make you stronger... I am definitely stronger now...