Week 2: Myder Vang

This week was full of many great times.  And, as such, I really struggled on who most affected me.  On Tuesday, I had the great pleasure of listening to and Meeting Conor Grennan, the Author of “Little Princes.”  I read his book over the summer, and was incredibly inspired by his story.  Then, I spent a substantial amount of time with Audrey this week, who became a comfortable constant in my life, and showed me great kindness just by listening to my rants, dancing with me, and taking me swimming with her Friday morning.  And finally, it was a great pleasure to be able to greet more of my friends back to Tech, and face a full hall.

But alas, in the end, I realized that as great as all of these people are, and as much as I love having them in my life, it was Myder Vang that affected me most this week.

In getting to know Myder this past year, she has encouraged me, pleasantly surprised me, and even left me standing in awe.   I’m sure everyone has ‘a Myder’ in their life: someone who is constantly working hard, but is always so incredibly kind, and always smiling.  These people who leave you wondering: “Dang, why can’t I be more like her/him??”

As an Orientation Team Leader, Myder had an incredibly difficult and busy week. She had to go from meeting to meeting, constantly on the spot, having to answer First Year Student’s Questions, and working shifts starting as early as 7 AM, and ending as late as Midnight.  And yet, this did not stop Myder from participating in almost every event I presented to her in the hall.  From encouraging me to go to the Global Social on Thursday, to going swimming at Prince’s Point today, Myder has done it all.

Myder is one of those incredible people, that leave you standing, wondering how they are doing it all.  They make you feel good about yourself, even when you didn’t think you could feel any better, and they show you what it means to find happiness bigger than you expected. 

In the entirety of this week, I was never completely sad.  And yet, Myder still found a way to make me smile, and really appreciate that smile, every single day. 

I was with Myder the first time I watched the TED Talk that inspired this Hero of the Week Dealio, and in her own quiet way, Myder has told me that I am one of the “Lollipops” in her life.  And there’s not many ways you can repay a person for that, so this is my way.  My way of saying that Myder, “You are one of my Lollipops too.”  You encourage me to go beyond what I think I can accomplish.  You push me to go past my limits, and you prove to me that I can do it all, with a smile.  You are one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.  And your sense of humor always leaves me laughing. 

I’m so proud of who you have grown into.  From the quiet girl that lived down the hall, to being an OTL, that has truly gone above and beyond to get to know her team, and include them in everything, you are succeeding in everything you do, and I’m incredibly honored that I get to stand by and watch it happen.

Myder, you are not stupid, you are brilliant.  You are always welcome in my room.  And talking to you is always going to be more important than any phone conversation I might be having.  If you ever want to go anywhere, I will go with you.  If you ever want to do anything, I will join you.  You are a true Leader. 

Thank you for always encouraging me to accomplish my goals.  Thank you for helping me do my job as a PA.  Thank you for always being honest, sincere, and kind.  Thank you for asking questions.  Thank you for sharing your story with me.  And thank you, for letting me be a part of your life. 

Myder Vang, you are perhaps one of the most wonderful human beings on the face of this planet.

Quote of the Week: “Wishing will not bring success, but planning, persistence and a burning desire will.”

-Unknown, via (Step-Grandma) Carol Johnson, April 2010

Quote of Last Week:  “I do not have superior intelligence or faultless looks.  I do not captivate a room or run a mile under six minutes.  I only succeeded because I was still working after everyone else went to sleep.”

–Greg Evans, via Brandon Sauer