Connie and Joyce

What did you learn from your mother about being Taiwanese? (妳從妳母親那兒學到甚麼是一個台灣人?)

Taiwanese food! Taiwanese heritage! Taiwanese norms and customs! I learned that being a Taiwanese Mom, is all about dishing out some of the best Taiwanese dishes there are!

Tell us about one of your earliest memories of your mother. (妳對母親最早的記憶是甚麼?)

Some of my earliest and fondest memories of my mom go waaay back — when I was a wee little girl. I remember watching my mom design on a drafting table at my Dad’s printing office. I also remember going with my mom to local Taiwanese/Chinese community events where my mom would have a booth setup and she would demonstrate her kirigami and origami skills & try to sell her craft books :O) I would demonstrate and help her get kids come to our booths!

What is the most important thing you have learned from your mother? (妳從母親／女兒學到的最重要的是甚麼?)

Learning that everyone loves (both gives and receives it) differently has been the best lesson my Mom has taught me, indirectly. It’s through the way my Mom has been there for my family, that I’ve learned that people, will receive and give love differently, but all individualistically unique. To be accepting and understanding of how others choose to give and receive love. I know, cliche, but it’s true!

I have also learned through my Mom that family is everything…

Tell us about the ways that your mother makes you proud. (妳母親／女兒讓你感到驕傲的是甚麼?)

Words can’t even begin to express how proud I am of my Momma. She’s so strong in her own ways! She makes time after an incredibly busy day of work to put yummy food on the table. She encourages me to live and pursue a “happy” life, and reminds me constantly, that Family support is always there, through the worst and best times. For this, I am forever grateful and proud of.

Tell us about how your mother inspires you. (妳的母親／女兒如何激勵妳?)

I would like to believe it’s my Mom’s constant and consistent support and love that inspires me to be the best I can be. My mom is also a graphic designer, so she has a good understanding for what I do and what I want to achieve. I am extra lucky that both my Mom and Dad have given me the freedom to pursue what I love and want to do. Knowing that they have struggled and sacrificed so much to provide a good life for US, keeps me secretly inspired to be successful, regardless of my field of work (no, I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or accountant).

When I was in high school, my parents made a decision to close their business, sell our home in Rowland Heights and move to Orange, to support a possible shot at training for the Olympics for badminton. My mom took up a job at LAX during those years, and I watched her work late hours and drive long distances, just to keep our family financially stable. When I look back, knowing this keeps me motivated and inspired to work harder, because I’d like to give back to my parents one day… They’ve sacrificed so much for me, the only thing I can do is give back.

Also, knowing my Mom’s history of family struggles in Taiwan reminds me to be grounded and grateful for what I have while inspiring me to work harder for the goals I have set in place for myself.

As time has gone on, how has your relationship with your mother changed? (隨著年歲的增長，妳們母女關係有怎麼樣的變化?)

I used to bicker and disagree with mom… a lot! I still bicker and disagree with my mom! hahaha! We still have trouble understanding each other because of tradition and generation differences, but I find that we’ve grown to have more patience with those differences. I’ve learned that I have become more accepting of my Mom’s (or “Parent’s”) ways, and to simply, let them be. But I feel, that with time and maturity, our relationship has grown to be a bond of better friendship (I admit, it wasn’t always smooth sailing in my younger days when I was a rebellious, hot tempered teen!).

What is one thing that you would like your mother to know? (有那件事是妳希望讓妳的母親／女兒知道的?)

If there was one thing that I would like my Mom to know, it would be that I love her. She already knows that, but, if needed, I’d like her to be reminded of that every day… despite our fights and quarrels. I would like her to know that her breakfast, bentos, dinners, and hugs are much appreciated — especially her hugs! Also, that I know she’s been through so much, and that her strength and kindred soul are what I hold onto when I feel down and out. She doesn’t realize (and I probably don’t show her enough) how much my Babba and I appreciate her smile, laughter, and ….nagging(?), no, wait, just kidding, and love :O)

Is there anything else you would like to share? (還有甚麼其他妳想和大家分享的關於妳母親／女兒的事?)

My Mom is AWESOME! And yes, my Mom is probably cooler than yours… Hahaha! I’m kidding!… okay, maybe not!