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popo

What is The Opposite of Fate? For Amy Tan, the opposite of fate is “choice, chance, luck, faith, forgiveness, forgetting, freedom of expression, the pursuit of happiness, the balm of love, a sturdy attitude, a strong will, a bevy of good-luck charms, adherence to rituals, appeasement through prayer, trolling for miracles, a plea to others to throw a lifeline, … the generous provision of that by strangers and loved ones”, and, above all, “hope” (p. 3)

...after an autobiography, i jumped right into a biography. how interesting things have lend themselves to be. i had a lot more affinity to this author due to the similar background demographic. this book is a collection of interviews, lectures & letters written during the author's life time (thus a biography apposed to an autobiography). each topic always stems into her own personal stories; mainly stories that evolve around the person most important to her, her mother. i didn't know that Joy Luck Club was inspired by her mother's life. i actually haven't read any of her books. i didn't know her mother was the reason that got her started writing in the first place. in a way, it was her way of saying thank you & paying tribute to memories that will forever be documented. memories that alzheimer's or death can't take away. as she talked about her relationship with her mother, i couldn't help but reflect upon my own relationship with mine. my mom is the opposite of hers - temperament wise. like all mothers, they exube love over their kids but not necessarily in the ways that we particular care for. most importantly, it made me think when was the last time i sat down n' talked to my mom about her life?! her relationship with grandma?! my family legacy?!  i don't think that has ever happened. where to start?! the end of the road is inevitable. when that time comes, what do i have to remember my mother by?! what bits of pieces of our family legacy can i continue to pass along or live by?!

popo