Working on the most challenging mask thus far
Originally posted on LinkedIn. Captain’s log, earth date 2024.01.04. It’s been three years since I sat down with my therapist in 2020 in downtown Seattle. I sat on the couch, hugging the left armrest, barely taking up any space. We did the customary chit-chat; then, he asked me what I was here to work on. […]
I left my mask unchecked
Originally published on LinkedIn I lived all my life, oblivious to the wounds I carried. The calluses formed, and armor layered on, the clinking of the chainmail no longer felt heavy, until it was, too much to carry. In my 30’s, my body started to fall apart, cracks in the armor that was never meant […]
What lies beneath the masks I wear
Originally published on Linkedin. Masks. Why do I wear a mask? To fit within the social constructs of the society we created, one made with a set of rules, written and unspoken. On a day-to-day basis, these masks help me fit in, navigate the system, and for the most part succeed and thrive. Some masks […]
The darkness beneath the mask
Originally published on Linkedin. Is the juice worth the squeeze? The consultant asked us to answer this question regarding choices to make in the system implementation. So, is the effort put into something justified by the outcome? I’m educated in economics and public policy, trained in program management, and we make decisions based on Return […]
The past, the present, and the future
Originally published on Linkedin In my last letter, I wrote about peeling off the first mask. Throughout this journey, the one thing I learned is that there is no end. Challenging for someone whose profession is about starting and finishing projects. For a while, the EMDR treatment was life-changing. I went from having screaming voices […]
The first mask removed – sounds from the past
Originally posted on Linkedin Look at Daniel, you should be more like Daniel. That is the model minority myth. Asians work hard, they make lots of money, they’re good at maths, they stay quiet. I am only “successful” because, in hindsight, I spent the majority of my adult working life grinding under the gun. Pause […]
Reflections on the Pandemic
It’s been more than a year since a global pandemic shut down Seattle and nearly drove me out of business. In this video, I take a moment to reflect on that journey, and how it led to some really amazing things.
Adventures in Macro Photography
I’m new to macro photography and have a ways to go. This past weekend I had some time to practice a few shots while the kids were occupied. Macro photography forces you to see things that you normally would go past.