In 1996, I was a coveted Stanford graduate, seemingly untouchable, full of aspirations and expectations. My friends knew me as "Beemer", Bernard M Wong, bmw@cs.stanford.edu. Former Everyday Person, Count Dracula in a Dorm Musical, Big Sib for 3 generations, TA to many, RA to some, dorm piano player, AASA Talent Show performer, overall music lover, Tau Beta Pi VP — like many others who share our proud Stanford heritage — a typical over-achiever. That was then.
August 1996, I decided to leave my beloved Alma Mater, many dear friends, relatives and other offers to venture to a place of new beginnings: Austin, Texas. I knew no one, but that changed quickly. I made good friends. I worked hard. Played hard. Indulged in my BMW convertible — Black Pearl. Racked up frequent flier miles. I reached. Achieved whatever I could achieve.
I romanced. I danced. I rode a horse. Went boating. Hiking. I traveled all over — the Bahamas, Florida, Illinois, Utah, California, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia. I sang. Won Karaoke competitions. My motto back then was to experience first-hand as much as life had to offer – as long as it didn't hurt anyone and didn't hurt me.
Three years after we first met through the Volunteers in Asia (VIA) Program, 30+ months of transpacific long-distance courtship later, I declared my love to Ping. I had romance, I had love. I had friendships, health, finances, and career. My three passions: people, music, travel, were all incorporated in my life. Life was great! What more could I want? Yet one thing still eluded me. The one thing I was looking for long before I got to Austin: balance.
I was looking for balance at Stanford, and I looked for it in Austin. Balance — the sweet harmony within oneself, and with one's environment. Ultimately, I wanted peace. True peace. The kind that does not depend on circumstance or emotions. Peace that surpasses understanding. Was it possible?
Stay tuned...