First newsletter in the books

Greetings from your aspiring writer friend [1]:

Hi, hello, good morning,

Warmest welcome to my first newsletter, a love letter to life delivered to your inbox.

rainy rainy Seattle

We are all busy and your inbox is probably flooded with emails already. That is to say I’m deeply appreciative of your consent enthusiasm in receiving an additional one from me.

What to expect from this (bi-weekly) newsletter:

• An escape from the hectic flurries of your work and personal life.

• Essays on the human condition and life as a young professional in the U.S and a part-time writer.

• Hodgepodge of books, new eats, travels and inspiring people that I’m caring about in short commentary form.

• Occasional jokes and poetry from yours truly.

What not to expect from this newsletter:

• Political commentary

• Filtered conversations

• Pushing for an agenda

• Advertisements of things that I don’t believe in

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Life Hits:

This week, I’m writing to you from rainy Seattle.

I just flew from Hanoi, Viet Nam back to the U.S. yesterday. My flight to Austin got cancelled due to the current snowstorm so I decided to stay in Seattle for a few days to explore the city (thanks Mom for the suggestion!)

A few things I have been thinking about this past 24 hours:

• The movie The Big Sick

  I re-watched it on the plane and it was delightful. This movie revolves around the love life of a Muslim guy in the U.S., defying his culture and family’s expectations in both occupation and relationship realms by being a comedian AND dating a white woman. Kumail Nanjiani was splendid to watch; his character is hilarious and vulnerable. I’m also very into how the film portrays romantic relationships - flawed, realistic but sweet. We love vulnerability here at Life with MD HQ.

• Starting my first full-time tech job in three days

  Questions that have run through my mind at various point include but not limited to: Will I find purpose at work? Will I get along with my teammates? Will I learn interesting shits? Did I negotiate enough for my salary?

  I never thought in a million years that my first job out of college would be in tech but here I am, moving to the new tech city without ever pre-meditating this situation.

• Life in Austin

  You might not believe me but every time I tell anyone that I’m moving to Austin, without fail various forms of : “Austin is great! You’d love it!” would be spoken. That has built a lot of expectations for me for this wonderful city. It didn’t hurt that one of my favorite Internet people, Austin Kleon and Adriene Louise from Yoga With Adriene lives here and always talks about the city with such endearment.

  Alongside starting a job, we are anticipating building a support network and friendships from the ground up so there’s a lot to work with. More updates to come in the upcoming weeks/months :)

  P.S: I have moved to Austin and the people, so far, are very friendly.

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Poem of the week:

How can I be the ‘perfect’ girl?

I keep thinking

What is it like to be the perfect girl?

Pretty, graceful, effortless

Smart, charming, eloquent

Youthful enough to be attractive to men,

But just not too youthful to be deemed childish.

I keep thinking,

What is it like to be the perfect girl?

Having a boyfriend so elders don’t call me unwanted,

But flirty enough to still look desirable.

I keep thinking,

What is it like to be the perfect girl?

Knowing how to cook, to take care and nurture,

But when men are tired of me,

I pick the pieces up and be there for myself.

I keep thinking,

What is it like to be the perfect girl?

Being away from family so I look independent,

But not too far for fear of looking ungrateful to my parents.

I keep thinking,

What is it like to be the perfect girl?

Expected to graduate with distinction,

Yet should not study too much as I can be “too smart” for my spouse.

So many expectations.

So many asks.

So many comments.

Yet, I don’t want to be the perfect girl.

I just want to be myself.

Strong when I want, and soft when I need to.

Cook when I care, and order take-out when I’m not feeling like it.

Assert when situations ask of me and speak softly when appropriate.

Look beautiful for myself, and only for myself.

I don’t care what other men think of me.

I don’t care what my relatives think of me.

I don’t care what society thinks of me.

I only care about my family, my friends, myself.

Everything else,

Is vanity.

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Thanks a ton for subscribing to my newsletter.

You are an absolutely rock star and incredible human being.

Before leaving, please consider:

• Letting me know your win of the day/week/month in the comments or by replying to this email.

• Letting me know a book or multiple books you are reading.

• Leaving a feedback on this week’s newsletter.

Talk soon,

m.d.d