Anthony Brandt has once said, "Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family." I was brought up in a family with reserved Asian parents. My father always told me I should not be bothered by my insufficient playtime because I should aim for the highest. I knew what I wanted - to be my parents' successful daughter.
As my adolescent journey began, I started to have a mind of my own. I started to rebel by telling my parents off and slacking off in my schoolwork. Because of my insubordinate behavior and terrible academic performance, my parents sent me to a boarding school in London, hoping I would have a better change in a conservative environment. Ironically, I went the other way. Not only I did not make any improvements, I also started to pick up bad habits. I was constantly sent to the deputy principal's office to explain my poor manners. I was infamous for being the troublemaker in the school.
I was sick of everything in my life; i came up with a plan. On a hot July night in Hong Kong, I packed my bags and I walked out of my father's household. I was going to forget everything in the past and start a new life.
I started my new life. To pay off my living expenses, I worked as a waitress in the Chinese café. The Chinese café industry was very demanding and complicated. To prevent others from taking advantage of my young age, I learned to protect myself by acting roughly. The working hours were long; the payment was meager.
A few months later, I received news from my father that my mother was not feeling well, I felt very guilty. I knew I had caused her enough misery with my abominable behavior. Despite I had my pride; I went home and asked for her forgiveness. To make my mother happier, I eventually moved back home.
I still have disagreements with my parents at times, but I know they would never forsake me for the wrong decisions I have made. I have learned that a family is a family, and will always be a family. Just as my father had always said, "the family is one's last resort."
wow, I am actually very touch by your story. You are definitely a really strong person. Growing up in an Asian family, I know exactly where you're coming from. I used to argue with my parents a lot because I felt like I had no freedom, but as i got older things began to change. I grew up in south Sacramento right in the middle of the "star" (five most ghetto neighborhoods in south sac) so my parents were always more strict. As I matured, I realized that everything they did was because of me. They were strict because they didn't want me to be one of my many aunts that got pregnant at the age of 16 and ran off with some guy that has nothing going for him. Once I started to show them that I was smarter than that and I only want the best for myself, they began to change the way they "control" my life.
ReplyDeleteI just want to say, you should definitely follow your heart and do what you believe in but at the same time, do whats best for your family as well. By that i don't mean give in to your father's dream, but to follow your dreams but do it to show them you can be successful.