Good afternoon Jessica!
I hope this email finds you well and warm!!
It has been a hot second since I've last updated you on how things are going. Of all the people I knew at Smith, you were one of the kindest, warmest, and wisest individuals I had the honor of knowing, working with, and taught by. I wanted to take this opportunity to at the very least say thank you for everything that you've done for me. It's a long list, longer than I can write, but here I will attempt to try on this cloudy Houston Friday.
I participated both in First-Gen Out Loud and Designing Your Path. In First-Gen Out Loud, you taught me how to tell my story in new forms and ways I never thought to before. You helped create a community of students who deep down, love each other so much. And I won't be able to forget the friendships I built there and the community I had when I needed it most -- I found it in FGOL.
When my life took the worst turn, I looked forward to FGOL the most. It was a place that didn't ask me to be a student or a daughter or an able person. It was simply a space to be. You cultivated that space wonderfully and you did it again in DYP. There, I learned many new approaches to think about the next steps in my life. Here I am today, juggling with the possibility of minoring in film, or at the very least, taking more film classes.
My Intro to Film Class has been incredible and my love for film and storytelling truly flourished under your care. You helped me realize how much I love storytelling and you nurtured it.
I took the lessons I learned from you and I simply applied it into other aspects of my life. About two weeks ago, there was an event that came to life. A storytelling event to Address Anti-Asian Hate. I was leading that front and simply took the beautiful lessons of storytelling you taught me and made it the focus of such a painful situation to address. It was a big hit. 97 people came. And I have you to thank for. I have myself too to thank but more so, I'm only as capable and inspired as the people I surround myself with. And you are one hecking incredible, lovely, and inspiring individual that I am honored and humbled to know.
Thank you for imbuing me with these skills, for teaching a class that had me truly ask the important questions, and for inspiring me to think beyond what is my reality, or my imagined reality.
Thank you for taking me to the doctor's office that day. That day was the very day the doctor confirmed that my ACL had been completely torn. I remember how hurt I was and how glad I was that all of this uncertainty has passed. But more so, I was just so grateful to have had YOU be the person to drive me back to Smith to my dorm, my mind a flurry of emotions. Your voice a calm reminder that things will be okay.
I'm jogging again Jessica! And I can't wait to run to see you again this Fall when I return to campus. You'll be one of the first people I run to.
I hope you have a great day. I hear there's a FGOL showing today. I'll be there and I can't wait to see you.
You're the absolute best.
No need to respond! I know you're busy but gosh, just wanted to let you know how I feel. :)
Love,
Ngoc
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