Lessons (I): Reading List

Recently, I've completed some books and articles on my reading list and started on more... My list seems to be growing, not shrinking. (But I won't complain because reading is the greatest joy in life!)

And I've learned a couple of lessons from them:

1) Steve Dublanica's Waiter Rant

What a fantastic read. Introspective, witty, and juicy, this book is a must read. The Waiter dishes on his experiences working in The Bistro, an upscale and chic restaurant somewhere in New York.

After reading it, I learn to never take my talents for granted, and to be unafraid of failure and falling. If anything, failure will train my resilience and hone my talent.

2) Amy Chua's Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Of course I had to read this. One of the most talked-about books in recent memory, Battle Hymn is an amazing memoir chronicling a self-proclaimed "Chinese mother's" attempts in raising her daughters to be stereotypically, the best in everything.

But there is a lesson to be learned: It is important that you work hard at what you love most, achieving a good balance between the Asian and Western raising styles, because a gift will waste away to nothing if no effort is put in to take it to the top.

3) Natalie Portman was also a precocious scientist

Did you know she made it to the semi-finals of an IBM scholarship science fair? Did you know she was a brilliant student of psychology and neuroscience in an Ivy League? And how about the kicker: If she had an upcoming appearance on Letterman scheduled, she would submit her paper early!

Lesson here: Never procrastinate, and always submit work early. Don't make excuses for yourself, your failures, and manage your time well. The great people of our generation have common traits that have led to their successes, like a great work ethic.

Oh, and also, it doesn't matter if you come from an artistic, academic or scientific background... performing and acting and the Screen accepts all. Encouraging thought!