Once awhile ago, I would run across an old acquaintance. Perhaps a classmate. Perhaps we met at a mutual friend’s party. Perhaps it’s an old work colleague. Perhaps it’s someone I met at a networking event. Or something even more unusual like at the scavenger hunt years ago or the blogging community.

Whatever the case, at one point in time, we knew each others’ status (and maybe fate). But now years and months have passed and so now we stand (or sit). We assess each other. Job situation. Happiness level. Living situation. So then someone inevitably asks the question “so…what have you been up to?”

It’s a way to catch up. A quick way.

I would dismiss the question quickly once upon a time with a “oh the usual, nothing new”. More to focus on what Dale Carnegie insisted was essential to any conversation—focus on the other person. Or more often, it’s because I don’t have anything interesting to say—no accomplishments, the work grind that wasn’t pleasing to talk about, the general life frustrations.

But now, despite having learned skills to make small talk go on and on, I have a better answer.

“Well, a few years ago, I decided to quit everything. I thought about moving to a different country. To Berlin, London, and New York. I visited each other those places. Whether it was unwelcoming social environment, visa issues, or culture clash, no cities worked for me. Bay Area turned out to be the best. After all, it’s where I grew up and where parents still are. But I had left, because I thought that I didn’t want to do user experience. So while I figured that out by freelancing part-time, I started to explore the passion that I had as a child: writing. I decided to write a book about ice cream around the world. I visited over 60 ice cream shops to interview the ice cream makers. I also had a kickstarter for that project. I finally just finished that book. Now I plan to write a novel based on my grandfather’s life. And addition to that, I also started a thriving freelancing practice.”

Maybe not that eloquently. Probably with more bubbling insecurity and anxiety. But there’s part of me that is glad that I can say something with pride. Where before I was stuck tumbling over words of a job that I didn’t necessarily love nor gave pride.

At least, it was better than the blank stares that I would receive when I said that I created lots of fun videos, which resulted in winning a scavenger hunt. And eating 100 things you must try before you die in San Francisco…in less than 3 weeks…getting in second place.