The City of Fog and Dreams

The city of fog and dreams stretched out below my apartment window, San Francisco's iconic skyline piercing through the morning mist. With time suddenly on my hands, I found myself staring at the same view more often than I'd like to admit.

In the world's technology capital, where everyone seemed perpetually busy, I was learning an unexpected lesson about stillness – and the deafening sound of silence.

They don't tell you this about Silicon Valley. Between the gleaming offices of tech giants and the pulsing energy of startup culture, there's a peculiar kind of solitude.

A Breaking Point in the Aisles

The breaking point wasn't dramatic.

Standing in Trader Joe's one evening, staring at an array of unfamiliar brands, a store clerk asked if I needed help. I opened my mouth to respond, and despite speaking perfect English, I couldn't find the words.

The language was there, but something else wasn’t.

That moment in the grocery aisle became a mirror, reflecting back a truth I'd been avoiding: I wasn’t okay.

The Silence We Don’t Speak Of

In our culture, we don’t talk about these moments.

But what if strength looks different than what we imagined?

Every morning, I’d walk past dozens of international students and workers in my apartment complex—each carrying similar silences, similar struggles.

Finding Meaning in the Mist

The fog still rolls in over San Francisco Bay, but it feels different now.

Those moments of isolation taught me something valuable:

It’s okay not to be okay.

It’s okay to take time to breathe, to feel, to heal.

Sometimes the universe forces us to slow down because we've forgotten how to do it ourselves.

Whenever there was a ping from family back home, I read them differently.

Behind every "When are you coming home?" and "Hope you're eating well," I saw concern, love, and the universal human need for connection.

Redefining the American Dream

The American Dream looks different from here now.

Maybe it’s not just about success or innovation.

Maybe it’s also about finding the courage to be vulnerable, to acknowledge our struggles, and to share them with others walking similar paths.

Because in the end, the most powerful connections aren’t built through technology, but through shared human experiences – even the difficult ones.

To Those Who Feel Alone

To everyone feeling alone in a crowded city,

To every international professional carrying the weight of expectations,

To anyone struggling in silence:

You're not alone.

Your struggles are valid.

Your feelings matter.

And sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is simply acknowledge that we’re human.