The time my umma got a jeri curl.

It’s common for Korean mothers, as they reach an older age, to often maintain some volume on their manes by getting a perm. Yes, I know it’s hard to imagine this, given that Asian women age very slowly. I’ve shown an illustration here of how this happens (don’t know the source).

It’s a tough time for them — menopause brings a lot of complexes. It was a summer, in between semesters during college, that I went home back to New Jersey at my parent’s home. My mom was wearing a beanie indoors — only a tad bit odd in my family. So I inquired about it and she basically ignored me. I remember unpacking and she came up the stairs with a solemn face. Translating what she said in Korean, “Be serious, I’m embarrassed.” This scared me a bit, I thought she had some dire news for me. “I went to get a perm and they messed it up.” “Mama, you can’t wear a hat in the house, it’s not good for your scalp. Just show me.” She pulled her beanie off and it straight up looked like she had the Soul Glo.

I laughed so hard my spit went into my nasal cavity and instantly turned into a burning sensation that was only overwhelmed by my delight at her misfortune. She was really upset at my insensitive response — and I have many regrets that I wasn’t compassionate in that situation, but damn, it still cracks me up.