51. No College Yet

Katherine went to Van Nuys Performing Art School. Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has several special programs from elementary to high school. Home school is the one close to the student’s home and the kid is automatically assigned to it. Kids can apply special programs by LAUSD regardless of their address. Except the gifted program, no exam is required either. But to go the desired program, kids sometimes wait for 1-2 years to get in.

 

During the high school, Katherine was in school plays every year. She was good at it. In the spring of her 12th grade, she announced she was not going to the college for a while. She was already accepted by a couple of UC and Cal State schools. I had learned my lesson from Michael. I did not want to force her to the college. I told her she had to make money for her expenses if she was not going to college. 

 

All four of my kids worked at the age of 16 when they could drive. I only paid for their books and auto insurance. They worked and earned money for the gas and their spending money. 

 

Scott was the only one who got the new car. He never had a car while he was in high school. I promised him I would buy him a car once he went to the college. But I could not keep that promise. Finally, I bought him a car in his 2nd year in college. I had to pay the parent’s share of expense for his college. Scott took out an additional student loan to pay for it. Instead, I made his car payments. After he graduated, he paid the rest of his car loan.

 

When Michael was old enough to drive, my sister, Kay, gave him her car. That was very nice of her. Brian drove 10 years old Accord, and Katherine drove Hyundai with over 100,000 miles. 

 

Katherine attended 2 years college on and off. She was in plays and shot advertisements. She was in ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ and even went to England with pop artist, Shakira. She was in ‘IHOP’ ad video. She continued to work part-time. 

 

Three years after the high school, she told me she wanted to continue her college education. She asked me if I could pay for the college tuition and books, which were very nominal. I agreed to pay for them. Within 1 ½ years, she transferred to Cal State University Northridge (CSUN), and continued her education at UC San Diego (UCSD) graduate program on full scholarship. She majored in theatre. She now has the highest level of education among her siblings. 

 

After college, Scott went to Washington state and worked at private soccer school as a coach for a short period of time. I recommended state job and he took the exam. He got the job with State Fund. I believe he did not like to be known as Don’s son at work. He transferred to the department that oversaw bank and credit union. Later, he became CPA and quit the state job. He works for credit union as CFO. Now he is studying for MBA. He has always been very generous to his siblings. He paid Katherine’s apartment rents while she attended UCSD. 

 

Michael went to Bakersfield when his girlfriend got pregnant. Her family was there. While he was in high school, he had a dream to become a policeman. He became a policeman in Bakersfield. 

 

Brian studied micro-biology at UCLA. He married a girlfriend from his college years and now lives in San Diego. He works for a pharmaceutical company. He is very warm and polite person. He calls me regularly and never fails to send me and my wife cards and gifts on birthdays and holidays. 

 

Katherine married Jain, who she met at the church and dated for 5-6 years. She is still pursing her dream to become a star. She had a baby a year ago. Now she is teaching theatre at Chapman University.

 

I feel I owe a lot to my kids. I did what I could and thought I did what’s best for them. Looking back, financially I did my best. I just did not have enough money then. But emotionally, I could have done better with them. I should have been more supportive and open to them. I was very demanding and thought that would motivate them so that they could do better. I hope they understand and forgive me.