Permanent Record

by Mary H.K. Choi

“Families are a trip,” says Lee. “You think you know them so well that you stay wrong about each other.”

“It’s criminal to me that there are so many types of delicious mangos all over the world and Americans only get these fibrous monster ones. There are mangos out there that are so juicy and taste exactly like custard. Bright haldi-colored ones.” Still, he grabs a plastic bag to make his selection. “What is modern society’s obsession with wiping out all diversity and nuance in favor of cheap, shoddy monoliths?”

FACTS! I hate it here!!!

“It’s too emotionally expensive to be famous,”

in art the purpose is in the creation, not the result. Grow as you build. Autotelism. ‘Auto’ for self and ‘telos’ for goal. Find joy in the learning, Pablo, not in what it will get you.

Art is fueled by longing but you must learn to want what you have, not get what you want. It’s the only way to stop suffering. I pray that you’ll know this meaning by the time you’re my age.”