147 by vanessa.paxton on Flickr

Ah, the great divide. Between fast and slow. When you're fast, you're not allowed to enjoy it or feel good about it. That's because you're deemed unhelpful and insensitive to the slow. And when you're slow, though it sucks, you're suddenly justified to complain and blame the world for your problems. You are absolved of all guilt of being the humble, quiet, enduring Asian.

Having been at both ends before, I identify with both feelings. And it can be really tough to control your frustrations or on the flipside, to avail yourself to everyone. Best to be indifferent and magnanimous. Don't take things personally and keep encouraging yourself. Big picture, big picture!

On a related note, I owe lots of people assistance and voluntary patient roleplay. Ouch.