April 6, 2006
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Minus, the Minus Comes Positive.
For all the negative people in your life, you have to find a way to cut them out somehow. It’s not even about not facing the problem (the negativity), it’s because they always seem to find a new problem to complain about.
My mom would probably be one on the list. Despite everything else, this is one trait that gets me so mad to a point where I become speechless towards her.
Or is it that, it gets me so mad that I just yell back in fast-paced English, which my mom doesn’t even understand, that it would have had a similar effect if I just remained silent. I think it’s just loud noise when I yell. Coherency is not on my side.
In my view, I think I have done the best job as a daugher any mom could ever hope for(Okay, maybe not the cleaning or doing the chores part). But the part where she does not ever have to worry about me because her biggest fears of education, job, experience, any thing that has to do with getting me ahead in life, I already have things in control. I have goals, I have a plan to achieve them, and I rarely seem to fail to claim success, yet — there is always something that i’m not doing that would please her even more.
Like buying stocks.
Okay, can anyone tell me how fucked up that sounds? Mom used to nag me about getting more volunteer teaching hours (which I have years and years of it), now it’s buying stocks to get ahead in life.
First off, I’m going to stay away in explaining how I even manage to pay for my life every month from paycheque to paycheque because it’s ridiculous all the sacrifices I have to make — but just know that I’m always standing at the end of the month. But the fact is, I’m 18. What does she expect? A Bill Gates out of me? What, does she talk to her co-workers and suddenly she realizes that all her co-workers sons and daughters are all stock investors and she feels left out that I’m not one? How many freshman college kids do you know invest in stocks?! Do I look like I have $1000 each month to invest in? Her answer? “Save little by little” No really. What do moms expects these days, I really want to know.
It’s just this negativity from her that gets me so down. Like almost all asian kids, the parents never seem to get enough of success out of their kids, or enough glory to spread around at family dinner tables. They always want more when there is a lifetime of opportunities. What may be lost is the little time we get in reflection and acknowledgement of our accomplishments each day before we froget them all too soon. They need to reflect first, before knowing what to improve on. I just don’t think my mom is right anymore.
I really can’t wait till I move in with my best friend in September. I don’t even care if that means I will be paying for all my expenses. How could ANYBODY put a price tag on THIS kind of freedom. You just can’t. Like how two negatives makes a positive, minus the negative (-, -) and here you go…. a positive comes out of it. ( + )
Do you invest in stocks? When do you think is the right time for people to invest in stocks? Is there a right age?
Comments (5)
Though your mom nags, making small investments is good at a young age – whether stocks, or play-it-safe GICs…bonds. It’s almost equivalent to the amount you’d put aside for savings, except you’re working the money instead of letting it just sit there.It’ll definitely be helpful for that rainy day…especially when you move in with someone and attempt to pay Toronto cut-your-savings-in-millions rent prices. … Just a thought.
And well…freedom’s great, BUT when it comes down to it, there will be things you will miss about home. Living by yourself is not that amazing unless you have the figures to back your freedom.
No clue about the stocks hun…but i can relate to the whole “not enough” thing. I think asian parents have a mantra to upkeep – praise your child behind their backs, berate them to their faces. It’s just the way it goes. When they’re at family dinners, it’s always “Oh, well..the other day Ryan/Ellen/Any-Asian-Kid-in-Existence scored a 98% on their exam”. At home, it’s “98!? Where’s the other 2%!?!!?” Add this to “you should be more like your cousin insert random family member’s name here” and it all gets to be a bit much.
Maybe they don’t acknowledge accomplishments because they’re afraid of letting you get too proud. Think of it like this, when a couple first become parents, they praise everything the child does (little jonny smiled the other day! little jonny ate a cookie! little jonny took a crap!), because honestly, what else is there? But wouldn’t you rather have your parents not praise you for fear of underachievement, rather than have them praise you for every little thing for lack of accomplishment? If my mom starts saying stuff like “OOOH Ryan took a crap the other day!”, i’m gonna shoot myself.
And ryc: no, i’m not back. But i miss you guys heh. can’t neglect my xanga buddies.
PS- if you’re planning on moving out, cherrish the home-cooked meals now. trust me on this one. Eat at home as often as you can before you move out. You will thank me later.
buying stocks…i guess it’s never too early to start… buy mutual funds..but yeah..kinda odd that your mom wants you to do this! it would be good security i guess..but i’m sure you have other prioriies for your money right now, since you sound like you’re pretty financially independent for most things in your life!
moving out is a big step..make you you have the finances to handle this! but you strike me as a really responsible person, so i know you know what you’re doing
heyy nelle! wow haven’t heard from you since last summer..how’ve you been these months?? are you still in manhattan or what?
yeahh, its near yorkville ave and bay st. actually its on yorkville , under “over the rainbow” ..literally UNDER the store.. you’ll see it..Bellini’s italian restaurant! .. anyhow, im at york so hope to see you soon man.. i miss you! haha cheers