My father's motto has always been 'Room in the heart, room in the house.' As charming as this sounds, it translates into a long line for the bathroom and extra loads of laundry for my mother.

Writing is such a powerful tool. I believe everyone should be writing.

Everyone except gamblers knows that gambling never pays. ... Losing, like winning, only increased his determination to play.

Most fruits, if left alone on a tree, eventually do ripen, especially if they're not being yelled at.

When people go to a new country, whether as refugees or immigrants, kids usually assimilate easily, but it's much harder for the grownups. Especially, oftentimes, for the mothers, because they are usually confined to the house. They're not going to school, and they're not necessarily holding down a job. It's tough. It's not easy to assimilate to a new culture when you're an adult.

For me, writing clarifies things. It gives meaning, and it makes me see the connections.

In America, Christmas is the king of all holidays. To be left out of Christmas is the ultimate minority experience.