I've never been an official resident of the Bay Area, but after countless trips and these four people, it sure feels like home.
Mo, or Kuya Junjun as I called him growing up, is my cousin, and though we didn't meet until I was 12, we exchanged countless cards and photos via snail mail thanks to our moms.
On my first trips to South Korea and Thailand, in our 20s, I was with him, and from him I learned how to truly enjoy a vacation. We'd always find good food, an interesting sight and something silly to do. We went to Disneyland in Anaheim and spent three days like we were kids. And we've had countless drives around California.
And the first time I met Corinne, they were dating. We went for a drive to Santa Cruz and she showed us local spots in town. A few years later, they had CJ and then Mimi, and more adventures as a family.
Every chance I get, I'd make a stop in the Bay Area, no matter how short, so I could spend time with them. We wouldn't do anything grand or exhausting. Often, they'd just ask what I was craving (usually Mexican or Cajun) and we'd order in or go to a favorite spot of theirs. When we were home, I'd like to think I was the coolest auntie to the girls, entertaining and being silly with them.
I can't count the number of times I've been to the Bay Area, but I do remember that I always thought of going if I needed a break, or a reset, or let's be honest, a refuge. When I lost my Yahoo job, I went. When Marc passed and I had the chance to travel outside Singapore for the first time after Covid, I went. And when I lost my job at Meta, I decided to spend Christmas with them because it was the safest place I could think of for my soul. And I remember Mimi being in the room while I got the call from the Reuters recruiter that I got the job.
The last two years have been nice now that the girls can text me (supervised, of course). Sometimes they'll talk about homework, or school activities, or ask what the time is in Singapore, and sometimes, just send me emojis. And then sometimes, when I'm stressed for whatever reason, they'll send something cute and everything is right in the world again.
One of the highlights of the Road to 40 was March, when they came to Singapore and I got the chance to show them what my world is like. We did the big things, but like always, spent a day not doing anything grand. Though it was exhausting to be in the pool for six hours, I would do that over and over again for the girls.
I can't always tell when I'm going to see them next, but it's nice to know that I can call the Bay Area home, somehow.