Tini the Do-Gooder

I am a busybody. I tend to blame my roots on being an over-scheduled, high achiever in my formative days. Though I once felt that I was recovering from my Type A ways, I found my true colors poking out as my controlling and hyper-planning natures would poke out under my falsely relaxed veneer.

I love doing stuff. Especially stuff I think that will help the world in some positive way. I was in the recycling club in middle school. I tutored children and worked at homeless shelters throughout high school. When I was doing grad school, I spent a summer  in Ghana doing HIV/AIDs education. I get bored, so I find more activities that will help make tangible differences in people's lives.  So I started teaching local English classes (which ended up being a bit too much).  I helped organized cultural events, even a yearly Asian Festival. Mostly recently, I got accredited as a La Leche league leader to help mother's breastfeed babies. I'm not telling you this to brag, I'm telling you since I obviously have a tendency to over do it. Sitting idly by and being a Type B was not meant for me. I also tend to dabble quite a bit. I am usually unable to make the full-time commitment to any one endeavor, but prefer to contribute as I am best able to and then move on.

I did some thinking about it. And I figured out why giving back became such a huge part of my identity. I figured out its mostly because of my parents (no surprise).  They were immigrants, making the harsh sacrifices for their children. I was lucky and got to be born here. So I've been trying to pay it forward. That and I like doing stuff. Lots of stuff.

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