Thank you Raye Zaragoza for performing live at the Kennedy Center. It was an honor for us hear and celebrate your work!
25
Mar
2022
Family
11
May
2021
Honoring My Parents and My Dual Heritage
Honored to be featured in a podcast interview here: Ken Reiman – Mantra Media (mantrahq.com) where I discuss leadership, Asian American Heritage Month, the role of mothers and parents, and my book. My journey is not possible without the love, kindness, and sacrifice of my parents and grandparents. For them, my sons, and the future, my book and podcast interview are dedicated. Listen to the podcast and let me know your thoughts.
07
May
2021
My First NFT Created in Honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
My first NFT (non-fungible token) created: https://rarible.com/…/0x60f80121c31a0d46b5279700f9df786…
What better day to do so then right before May 7, commemorating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, and the arrival of America’s first Japanese immigrant – John Manjiro – who arrived on a whaling ship on May 7, 1843. Another John I’m proud of is my son, preparing for his first communion.
May you continue to make all of us proud!
11
Apr
2021
Responding to Culture
Happiness is not your title. It is not your salary. It is not your job. It is your family. It is your health. It is your relationships. Not the quantity of followers but the quality of lives you’ve impacted and creating your own culture where you are free to be you without fear and without apologies. To find out more, read Tuesdays with Morrie below: “The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.” — Morrie Schwartz
#culture #health #leadership #happiness #faith #love #courage #lovebothkeepboth #values #aging #wisdom #gratitude
11
Apr
2021
Keeping An Open Heart
We often speak of keeping an open mind. This too is important. But the mind alone is never enough to be fully alive, to be fully human, to be fully inspired. Do what your heart tells you and you’ll be overwhelmed with what comes back.
27
Dec
2020
Letters to My Wife: New Book out in Japanese
My new book is out in Japanese and English, dedicated to my wife of 11 years. I decided what better way to honor her than to write a letter to her every weekend and publish a book in her honor in Japanese and Engish. Available for purchase here:
The title of the book is:
照れくさい手紙が嫌いな妻へ: 52通の、ありがとう
To My Wife Who Hates Embarassing Letters: 52 Letters of Thanks
本の紹介：
妻との11年目の結婚生活へ向けての1年間、毎週土曜日に妻へ手紙を書くことにした。本作は、妻と子と、神に対するあふれんばかりの感謝を込めた52通の手紙を収めたものである。それぞれの手紙は11年の結婚生活を記念して11文で構成されている。妻をどれだけ愛しているか、妻に対してどう感じているのか、彼の気持ちを彼女に伝えるのに、あと10年待ってからでは遅すぎる。彼は書いた。手紙は夫婦の絆を深めうるということに彼は気付いたのだ。手紙を書くことで、彼の心に彼女が広がり、感謝の気持ちが湧いてくる。週末ごとに、彼はそんな特別な方法で夫婦として繋がることができた。まだ小さくて活発な、二人の男の子（7歳のジョンと4歳のマックス）の共働きの親として、お互いに自分の時間の確保が難しい日々。彼が土曜日の朝に書き続けたこの手紙は、苦楽を共にしてくれた妻へ感謝を表すと共に、妻が彼にとってどれだけ特別な存在か再確認する機会となった。絵理子は彼の愛する妻であり、友人であり、同僚でもある。
After 10 years of marriage, I decided to write a letter to my wife each Saturday of the week for an entire year. This was the start of 52 letters to my wife. Each letter is composed of 11 sentences to commemorate 11 years of marriage. The letters touch upon themes of family, faith, and children. I simply wanted to express how I felt about my wife and I did not want to wait another 10 years to tell her how much I love her. I learned that a simple letter could strengthen our relationship further. I could express my feelings more intimately. It allowed her access into my heart and feel appreciated. We were able to connect each weekend as a married couple in a special way. As the busy parents of two young, energetic boys (John aged 7 and Max aged 4), we often do not have time for ourselves let alone each other. My Saturday morning letter writing ritual gave me an opportunity to express my gratitude and carve out a space to let the person who has been by my side through ups and downs know how special she is to me. I am truly blessed to have a loving wife and friend and confidant. Sending you 52 letters with love.
28
Jul
2020
Dual Citizens Bring Nations Closer
Dual citizens bring nations closer. I argue this in my book LoveBothKeepBoth: Passport to Peace, Prosperity and Strengthened Diplomacy. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson agree. The couple officially became dual citizens this week by obtaining Greek citizenship. Congratulations!
Using this occasion to share one of my favorite Tom Hank’s quotes: “If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. It’s the hard that makes it great.”
28
Jun
2020
5 Reasons for Dual Nationality: Reason #5
Prejudice against dual nationality is a stance against value pluralism. Yet, value pluralism is an essential need for the long-term stability of an open democratic society.
27
Jun
2020
5 Reasons for Dual Nationality: Reason #3
Pressuring or forcing dual nationals to renounce one of their citizenships is analogous to creating a brick-less Berlin Wall. It locks in the citizen by making defection more difficult such that poor governance need not result in loss of subjects.
17
Jun
2020
A Letter From My Son
So I asked my son to write a letter today about any topic and addressed to anyone. Here’s what he chose to write below: “Dear God, thank you for food, water, and health. Help us humans help people. Even, the people we don’t like. Amen.” He is 7 years old and gives me hope for the future. What letter would you write today and to whom?
