M&M’s Website

Recently I decided to pick up tennis again.  I’ve always loved the sport and for some reason I just stopped playing.  I think part of it was that over the past few years I’ve looked for activities that both Mara and I could enjoy together, but recently I’ve realized I have to pursue my own passions.

I can’t begin to describe how invigorating it is to be out there hitting tennis.  I was a pretty decent High School player, but my peak was actually when I was at UCLA.  A lot of people are surprised when I tell them that I got even better in college.  I used to hit about 3-4 times a week and got really good.  I was able to whip my forehand cross-court and inside-out whenever I got a short ball.  I hit my backhand with heavy spin and good depth.  And I was able to place my topspin second serve almost anywhere in the box, and disguise it with a slice as well.  I controlled pace, spin, and angles effortlessly.

When Wendy recently wanted to learn, it gave me a great opportunity to do the two things I love… teach and play tennis.  I needed to go out there with somebody who was just starting so that I could get my hand/eye coordination back.  After some sessions with Wendy, Lawrence, and Danyel (a random that I found off CL), I’ve started gaining some control over my groundstrokes.  It feels amazing to be out there.  I find myself smiling halfway through each match.

I saw something that touched my heart tonight at Rengstorff.  A Chinese father and mother were teaching their two boys how to play tennis.  If I had to guess their ages, I would say one was 5 and the other 10. I actually see families out on the court all the time, but this family reminded me of my family when I was young.  While those children probably need formal coaching soon, I deeply admired that both of their parents were doing their best to guide those two children.  I almost wanted to walk over and tell the family how happy I was to see them out on the court.

It brought back memories of my father and mother exposing Jack and me to a wide variety of sports.  While most Asian families usually didn’t see the value in sports, our parents gave us tennis, basketball, baseball, swimming, and skiing.  My father even coached one of my baseball teams, despite the fact that he never had any formal training in baseball.  The most important lessons I’ve learned in life came early on from the sports that I played.  The importance of hard work, practicing to be perfect, consistency, patience, playing to win, losing gracefully, how to play nice with other children, having confidence in myself, understanding how to handle the spotlight, and many more lessons.

I hope that Mara and I will be able to give our children the same opportunities as my parents have given me.  And more importantly I hope my children will find their own passions in life.  And while it doesn’t have to be tennis, I hope that my children will find a passion in their lives that will fill that spot in their heart as tennis does in mine.  I wonder what their “tennis” will be?

Life

Very exciting news!  This weekend, my brother proposed to his girlfriend Ivy, and she accepted!  I think Ivy is such a great girl and I’m very excited for both my brother and our family.  I’m just so happy for Jack.  I can’t help but feel a sense of pride to see my little brother growing up and taking the next step in his life.

Growing up, I always had a very strong support system.  Without exception, I always felt that I had the full attention and support of my grandparents, parents, and my brother.  As we grow older, I think it’s inevitable that we need to shift priorities a bit.  As I start a family with Mara, and now Jack with Ivy, we may have to spend more time and energy focusing on our own homes.  But I think that we’ll always do a good job keeping up with each other and helping when and where we can.

Congratulations to my little brother and his new fiancee!

Life, Uncategorized

I haven’t blogged in several months now and have primarily used Twitter as the medium to express my thoughts.  I, like many who use Twitter, love the service because the 140 character limit allows me to quickly write a thought without feeling obligated to write several paragraphs of thoughts.

I do think that blogging on michaelandmara.com is important because it’s interesting to go back to look at our lives.  But with all the craziness that has happened in the last few months (graduating, moving, starting my new job, and finding a home), I’ve had very little time to do so.  I need to carve out some time consistently to write my thoughts down.

Life

Here are some pictures from our family’s 2008 Thanksgiving dinner.  We were joined this year by John Woods.  While it was nice having 30 people at our house last year, I appreciated having a small family get-together this year.

Cooking, Dining, Life

Last weekend, Mara and I went to celebrate the one year mark of our engagement.  We first went up to the Marin Headlands where I proposed.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous… very different than that morning I proposed to Mara.  I’m sure she was thinking that morning… “why in the world is Michael taking me to the Marin Headlands when it’s so foggy???”

We followed up with a dinner at Range San Francisco (http://www.rangesf.com/).  It’s the recipient of a Michelin Star for the past few years and is surprising affordable given how popular it is.  The portion sizes were very good and the quality was excellent.  It was a great opportunity for us to enjoy each others’ company and to reflect on what a great year it’s been for both of us.

Life, Wedding

It was just announced that Barack Obama has just won enough electoral votes to be our next President.  Regardless of whether you are a Democrat or Republican, McCain or Obama supporter, young or old, liberal or conservative… you certainly have to be relieved that the past 8 years of George Bush is finally coming to an end.  Without a doubt, I firmly believe that this past administration will go down as the worst in United States history.  Not only have they failed to advance American values and leadership in the world, they have caused great harm to our nation.

I couldn’t help but think of the rollercoaster of emotions Barack has experienced these past few days.  Tragically, his grandmother passed away a few days before seeing her grandson elected the next President.  While she left this world too early, I’m sure she was already proud of Barack and all he has accomplished.  Barack has to know this and I hope that he continues to lead this country with the same values his grandparents brought him up with.

Very recently, I felt very similar emotions.  The day after Mara and I were married, we went up to my Grandfather’s burial site to pay my respects and to tell him that I was finally married to somebody who I love and who loves me unconditionally.  I instantly broke down into tears with an empty feeling that my Grandfather wasn’t around to see me so happy.  It was hard to imagine somebody who has had the hugest influence in my life, unable to make it to my wedding.  I just couldn’t accept it… it should never have happened that way… he was always supposed to be with me… to see that I’ve finally found my way.   I still remember that I slipped into a period of depression after he left us, and I wished that he could see me today.

It was suprising to me that I could come down from the happiest day of my life the day before…. to one of the saddest moments I have ever experienced.  I will never forget that day.  If Barak was as close to his Grandmother as I was to my Grandfather, I believe that I understand the emotions he is experiencing.

Life, Wedding

This past week has been a really busy week for my family and for Mara and me. So this means lots of updates!

Last Friday, my cousin Emily graduated from Los Altos High School. I actually haven’t stepped foot onto campus since I left in 1997, so it felt strange being back. I remember my own graduation and how I felt soooo on top of the world. After 11 years, 2 degrees (working on my 3rd), 4 jobs, and thousands of miles traveled, I’m still trying to figure things out :).

Over the weekend, Mara and I diligently worked on the invitations. I was responsible for creating the maps, which I think came out really well. I even got a compliment on my powerpoint skills from Helen, an ex-consultant! Mara was responsible for printing out the labels for addresses, printing out our reception menus, and she started the process of assembling our invites. I think the whole package looks great and we’re excited that they will be in the hands of our friends and family soon. Some of them went out this week and we’re trying to get the rest out as soon as possible.

And lastly, my brother and I took out our parents for their 30th Anniversary. We had a really nice dinner at The Village Pub in Woodside. Though I’ve constantly heard others mention this restaurant as one of the best on the peninsula, it was my first time there. I thought the service and the food were both very good, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Dining, Life, Misc., Wedding

Last Thursday, I turned in my last assignment and my summer has finally started! I’m truly excited about the wedding this summer, despite all of the “todo” items left before the big day. It has been a quiet few days without school and before I have to start work, so I spent some time reflecting on the last few years and the where Mara and I are headed to next.

Reflecting on the last 10 years, it seems obvious to me that they can be split into several chapters.

1997-2001: I think most will think of their college years to be the most transformative years in their lives. To me, these 4 years were a breath of fresh air. I got lost in the last two years in High School and used these four years to focus myself on my studies. The most important lesson that I learned at UCLA was that there were 24 hours a day and you could use all of them if you tried hard enough to.

2002-2003: This year was probably the darkest and most miserable in my life. What happened during this year confirmed a lesson that my father tried to teach me early on: When you’re in a questionable situation that is difficult to get out of, you absolutely have to get away from it as soon as possible. Leaving Los Angeles was the best decision I ever made… I just wish that I did so earlier. Additionally, the passing of my grandfather brought tremendous pain. Out of this chapter, I became stronger and learned a lot about myself.

2004-2006: These three years can be summarized as my Mara/SD/Qualcomm/Career Search years. WIthout a doubt the happiest years I’ve enjoyed in my life. Mara and I met short before I left for Qualcomm and it’s been such a great 4 years. I’m thankful she stayed with me through all of my crazy ideas and adventures. My time in San Diego and Qualcomm was very enjoyable. I always loved San Diego ever since the first time I visited… I always wanted to live there and always wanted to work for Qualcomm. Having accomplished this, I dug deep and thought hard about what to do next to advance my career.

2007-???: I’ve used these two years to transition from my previous life/career to my new one. My education at the Haas School of Business has already opened many doors for me career-wise and will continue to do so. Also Mara and I got engaged in 2007… We’re slowly transitioning to our new life together. Everyday I feel fortunate and thankful that we will spend the rest of our lives together. When I was younger, I always worried that “happily ever after” wouldn’t happen… if I could only go back in time to re-assure myself that I had nothing to worry about :).

I’m really curious to see what the next few years will lead me. There is so much I want to get done and so little time. Regardless of what happens with my life…. I feel absolutely blessed that Mara and I will be writing new chapters in our lives together.

Life