Farewell Party

The Taiwanese students hosted a farewell party for graduating members today. There was basically some free food, a slide show presentation, some parting words, and a genuine good time. It's nice to have a community of people with similar backgrounds in a place far from home. I have to admit, though I am not Taiwanese, I do relate to them more than with any other group. I spent a large amount of my teen years in Taiwan, and I think that has a lot to do with who I am today. Still, compared to a lot of my friends now, I've had a rather unique upbringing, and I feel rather blessed by that. Certainly, everyone's life is unique. We all have a story to live, and eventually tell.

Anyways, it's funny how sometimes you feel like you are just about to get to know someone, and then they leave. Think of it this way, at least you got to know them. I believe very much in the Chinese idea of "yuan fen." I like to think of each one of us as strands, let's make 'em golden strands. Some strands are interwoven more closely, almost tightly with others. Some cross once or twice. Others never meet at all. Life is just like that. You have family, lovers, close friends and friends not so close. There are people you see on the streets only once in your life, and others you will never meet. So think of every encounter, even a brief glance while stopping at a busy intersection waiting for the light to change (New Yorkers!), the person next to you and you have a little "yuan fen." Having "yuan" isn't necessarily always a positive thing. Sometimes this person brings you trouble. If we take the global perspective, and think, well, our lives somehow are interwoven, even if its not the most beneficial to me...this helps to make us be more forgiving and understanding. Think holistically!

Enough philosophy for tonight.