It has been a big dream of mine since my mid 20's to do something with cooking- whether teach it, write about it, or maybe have a show. I didn't start cooking until that time as well, I mean I knew I loved food, but I remember as a little kid watching cooking shows on KUED or KBYU in the mornings and it was Yen Can Cook and Julia Childs on , unknowingly, that it was preserved in me this curiosity of cooking. Of course, I also now appreciate those days my mom would come home from work and spend hours prepping our dinners. Asians know how its done, with fresh home made cooking, they appreciate the process of developing flavors. One stir fry encompassed a couple hours of work and I am totally not even joking. From start to finish, my mom would wash, chop, and lay out all of her veggies and seasonings. Then start the rice, make a sauce and then cook some sort of protein. However, there were days that she didn't have the energy to do all that, so a fried egg with soy sauce on top of rice was dinner.
My appreciation for food also stems from my early childhood days when we were poor and my parents were working multiple jobs. My mom would buy one whole chicken and stretch it for a whole week to feed our family of four. She would make soup from the bones. Rice was always a staple and if we ran out of chicken, it was just rice and soy sauce for me. So these days, and as I was growing up and earning my own income, my mom tells me- "don't worry about spending your money on food, eat well."
This cook book of mine will include some of my Mom's cooking, not sure if there will be 'recipes' per Se cause she is not a recipe type of person, but if I can document as much as I can of her love and skill into a pan of stir fry, I will feel accomplished in upholding her story and her legacy for Charlotte.
That's another part of this book journey, making sure my kid (or even kids) understand that they are culturally blessed with an American and a Cambodian/Chinese background and with family that didn't live with silver spoons in their mouths.
One comment from my social media pages that is common is 'accomplished'. I am being congratulated for my accomplishments and it feels great, though I humbly deny the accomplishment in the sense of 'being on TV' or becoming an author or making baby clothes. I feel my accomplishment is more of Fearing Less. I want people to know that I grew up with a constant mode of self doubt, lack of self esteem and no confidence whatsoever, and my ideas were always too American or too crazy or laughed at. It took me years, and you can tell, well into my thirties now to gain that might and that fight to discard self doubt and fear of just going for it. Once that barrier is broken, it really is astounding how the world opens up. you suddenly feel empowered and you feel like your life is meant to be lived to the fullest extent possible. Support, Support is also key. I always thank God for my supportive family and friends. they encourage me, praise me and let me know where I can improve. With the shedding of self doubt and fear, the gain of confidence and drive and a close circle of love and support, anyone can accomplish anything, it is so true. I post things to inspire people to follow their hearts and their goals, not to boast.
I am proud of my 'accomplishments' by trusting in myself and my abilities and surrounding myself with good people. If you need someone to stand behind you on your ideas and goals, don't shy away from calling on me. I am in your corner!
