As we enter the final weeks of 2020, I’ve decided to start an email newsletter. The holidays are a time for reflection, something I enjoy doing year round. Usually, this looks like lively, one-on-one conversations between me and my friends, my journal, or my own head. I’m trying out a more public stage now, and I’d like you to join me as I stumble my way through.
So, why writing? Why not a podcast, or a video series… or why not just keep it to my little bubbles of friendship and journaling? Let’s wind back the clock to the late 90s.
Even though I was born in the United States, I still took English as a Second Language (ESL) in first and second grade. This was because my family had moved back to Thailand for a year before recommitting to life tîi noon (literally “over there”).
I was a shy kid, hardly making a peep. But with the encouragement of my ESL teacher Mrs. Garvin, I started finding my voice through writing. It was a safe place for expression and validation. Over time, recognition in the form of gold stars and published work in the school anthology ignited the fledgling creative spark in me. This wave of affirmation carried me into fifth grade, when I got second place in a county-wide essay contest. My best friend took first.
Both Katrina and I had the same English teacher to thank for that—Mrs. Fine. Not only had she been our teacher, but she had also been a dedicated cheerleader for our class, encouraging everyone to take the shot and apply. She also built our confidence with daily singalongs to the song The Extra Mile, which she’d urge the class to stand up to do. 20 years later, I still remember the tune and some of the lyrics…
How do I succeed when I have a goal?
This is a mystery I’ve always longed to know. (Doo doo, doooo doo!)
Once I have a dream that I know is real,
It takes a plan and patience of steel!
Go the extra mile, do a little more,
New opportunities are knocking on the door. (Doo doo, doooo doo!)
I’m not kidding; we sang this song every day. My eternal optimism also probably stemmed from being in this class.
I was lucky to discover the joy of writing so early. Even luckier to have people who gently pushed me to put myself out there. So here I am some decades later, ready to go the extra mile beyond the bubble of friends, journals, and my own head, to you, dear reader. My hope for this newsletter is that it helps us all open up, grow, and write a little more.
Thanks for joining me here and listening. And thanks to all my teachers for helping me find my voice.
— Mai
Woo-hoo! You made it to the end of my pilot post. I’d love to hear what you thought, and better yet, who or what’s had a big influence on nurturing your passions, worldview, and dreams. Leave a comment or reach me directly at my personal email: mai.koythong@gmail.com
Shoutout to my founding cheer-readers: Priscilla, Gabby, Joey, Casey, Dylan, Kim, Nathaniel, Cat, Patipol, Laura, Emily, and Michaella.
I'd say coding competitions were the biggest influences on what shaped me into who I am today. From UIL in high school to Imagine Cup in college, and recently a hackathon at work. I didn't always win, but I did learn something new every time.
Great opening blog, Mai! Will we see any more Thai phrases in future entries? I enjoy learning foreign terms.
Thank you for the shoutout! I got into creative writing/roleplay for its escapism. My characters were not limited by reality. I also got instant gratification by positive comments on my writing. Creative writing community helped boost my self esteem. Now that I'm older, I am trying to be more informed in newsworthy topics and my field of study.
I am glad you're brave enough to share your personal experiences and stories in a public stage.
The Extra Mile has great lyrics! New Year's Day is just few days away. This song will be great motivation for us all to be optimistic about opportunities for us to learn and grow in Year 2021!