Michelle's Math Homework at Age 5

I am continuing on my long journey to simplify life -- trying to throw away just about everything that I haven't touched for 3 years...

I was standing by the garbage can to dump a whole stack of books when I found this old little notebook -- it was for Michelle's math homework from 1996 when she was only 5 years old...  Apparently, as noted on the cover page, it was the 4th book already (we might have started this torture when she was only 3, haha!).

Attached is the cover of the notebook and the first 2 pages of her homework on 1/29/1996.  She'd get 12 problems on 2 pages every day, and believe it or not, I'd literally write the problems for her every day -- wow, I am impressed -- I was a good mom, once!!  

And it reminded me of the essay Michelle wrote for her med school applications back in 2011, when she talked about her homework at a young age... (see below)

P.S. Only the blue section was submitted for her application, the black section was the note she wrote to me.

 

_________________________________________________

From: Michelle Zhang
To: Pei Tang tang_pei@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2011 4:10 PM
Subject: Diversity Essay

"My mom understands the value of liberation coupled with principle; of freedom grounded in strong values. Consequently, she raised me to embody an interesting juxtaposition of Chinese, American, and independent ideas. My mother gave me homework before the American school system ever introduced me to it – she wrote pages of math problems for me so that I could get a head start on arithmetic and develop a solid work ethic early on. Figure skating and playing the piano took up much of my free time: my mom enforced a strict schedule of training and practice and spent hours watching me, making sure I always put in my best effort. She would often lecture me on the importance of a good education, building a successful life, and planning for long-term happiness. This was the foundation that my mother wanted me to have; beyond this, she gave me very few boundaries and never pushed me in any particular direction. In fact, she has always encouraged me to explore ideas with an independent mind and to form my own opinions, find my own passions, and make my own happiness. This freedom has allowed me to invest myself into things that I find genuinely interesting and worthwhile – medicine, philosophy, clinical volunteering, writing, physics, poi, etc. I have been encouraged to experience the world on my own terms and this has allowed me to meet some fascinating people at places like Children’s Hospital in Boston, Sunrise Senior Living in Illinois and music festivals in Tennessee. Thus, while I carry with me strong, traditional Chinese principles and values regarding how to live my life, I also carry with me a curiosity and an open mind that help me develop a balanced and diversified prospective on life."

********************

And mom, for the record, I am genuinely thankful that you raised me in this way. Even when times were tough and my worldview differed drastically from yours, you never placed constraints on my mind like many other parents would have. I think that has allowed me to build a solid character of my own, not for anyone else but truly for myself. And yes, this has also led me to get tattoos, etc. (which I know you are not fond of), but I think that on the whole, more positive has come out of your parenting method than negative. I hope that you continue to approach my life with an open mind - as stated in the essay, you have given me a solid foundation that I carry with me at all times, and you should trust that I can make good, quality decisions for myself. 

--
Michelle Zhang

Tufts University '12

Philosophy