quelquefois

This summer I will be a part of University of Michigan’s Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship program! I am so excited to be able to pursue something I am genuinely interested in. They will pay for round trip transportation costs, housing, food, supplies, and they will also provide me with a $1,000 stipend! When I pursue a masters degree, they guarantee at least $5,000 towards your graduate education. Some schools even ask you to go to their school!

Recently my dad wrote an email:

Dear Amy,

I wish someday we all can go for a vacation or even a short trip together. I even do not care this is far away or close by, as long as we are together not in the home or store. I wish we can close up the store just for a few days and leave everything behind for just a short break. Since I came to this country in 1979 the only vacation was we were on the cruise to the Mexico. We have to work almost everyday (at Shell, Store or Home) seems no ending. Can we all work together to have a Vacation in the near future? We have joint the vacation club many years ago, and have not even use once.

Since Friday 6PM I started the night shift again. This shift will end around 04/24? (all depending what is damaged and how soon can be repaired). Like this I can help mom do the delivery during the day. At beginning and the ending period. I have to work 12 hours each shift. in the middle are 10 hours…

Well, they are calling me to do something now… I will write you next time.

Love,

Dad

The email definitely took a tug at my heartstrings. But subsequently, I got very excited. I thought of countries that I’d never been to, and would love to go to. India, Chile, Argentina, Korea… And now that I know what I’m doing this summer, I know that I will be free for a few weeks between May and June, a perfect time to visit some place that is not yet ridiculously hot.

I never got a response from my dad. I called my mom today and asked if we could go somewhere, and I started naming countries. She doesn’t want to go anywhere. Too far this, blah blah that.

I feel so stifled.