I am definitely a Type A personality, always rushing around, trying to do too much, not good at just lying on the beach. But I'm so thankful for everything I have: wonderfully supportive parents and sisters, the best husband in the world, terrific students I love teaching and hanging out with, and above all, my two amazing daughters.

As a purely mathematical fact, people who sleep less live more.

My goal as a parent is to prepare you for the future, not to make you like me.

Kids raised to be pampered and spoiled don't really end up being good leaders. Leaders need to be independent minded and confident.

Both of my girls have very high self-esteem because they were both able to master certain things; I should think that's good for their confidence.

I once won a second prize in a history concert. My parents came to the ceremony. Somebody else had won the prize for best all-around student. Afterwards my father said to me, 'Never, ever disgrace me like that again.' When I tell my Western friends, they are aghast. But I adore my father. It didn't knock my self-esteem at all.

Be modest, be humble, be simple.