Blinkist

Emotional Development – Life Isn’t Perfect

Level: Easy 78
Life Isn’t Perfect
Ali Wong’s life story shows us that professional and personal ups and downs are
crucial for self-development.

We all have an image of what our perfect life would look like. Whether it’s (a)
________________________, living out a romance fit for the movies, or having a
family, we all aspire to something. But while these ambitions can be motivating, they
can also give us (b) ____________________.

Life is not necessarily a linear path but a journey full of (c) __________, turns,
happiness, and heartbreak – not to mention (d) ________________ where you wish
the ground would swallow you whole. Ali Wong’s story is a case in point. Growing
up in San Francisco, Ali was a force to be reckoned with. From purchasing her first
marijuana pipe at 14 to (e) ________________ and crashing her mom’s car, Ali was a
typical rebellious teenager. 

But despite her wild streak, Ali knew how to focus on a goal and make sure she
achieved it. This took her to college at UCLA. After she graduated, her drive then
spurred her to move across the country to New York City.

Ali moved to New York in 2008, determined to pursue her dream of becoming a (f)
___________________. Her comedy career started at the Brainwash Cafe, a
combination laundromat and bar. There, she put in the nightly work of honing her
craft in front of an audience. Her determination and strength of character helped her
not just survive but flourish as an (g) ________________________ in a profession
dominated by white men. 

Between those humble beginnings and the present day, Ali studied abroad, met the
love of her life, and had two daughters. But despite her achievements, her life isn’t
necessarily perfect. She and her husband regularly attend couple’s (h) ___________
sessions – as she points out, they cost less than a divorce! – and she still grapples with
being both a working mom and a role model to her children. 

Life is rarely straightforward. For every big breakthrough, there are a hundred
obstacles and challenges to overcome and moments of tragedy that will set you back.
But, as Ali found, these only make you stronger. Accepting life’s (i)
___________________ allowed her to learn more about herself and find strategies to
deal with her problems. 
1
Blinkist
Emotional Development – Life Isn’t Perfect
Level: Easy 78
Life Isn’t Perfect
Ali Wong’s life story shows us that professional and personal ups and downs are
crucial for self-development.

We all have an image of what our perfect life would look like. Whether it’s securing
our dream job, living out a romance fit for the movies, or having a family, we all
aspire to something. But while these ambitions can be motivating, they can also give
us false expectations. 

Life is not necessarily a linear path but a journey full of twists, turns, happiness, and
heartbreak – not to mention embarrassing moments where you wish the ground would
swallow you whole. Ali Wong’s story is a case in point. Growing up in San Francisco,
Ali was a force to be reckoned with. From purchasing her first marijuana pipe at 14 to
shoplifting makeup and crashing her mom’s car, Ali was a typical rebellious
teenager. 

But despite her wild streak, Ali knew how to focus on a goal and make sure she
achieved it. This took her to college at UCLA. After she graduated, her drive then
spurred her to move across the country to New York City.

Ali moved to New York in 2008, determined to pursue her dream of becoming a
stand-up comedian. Her comedy career started at the Brainwash Cafe, a combination
laundromat and bar. There, she put in the nightly work of honing her craft in front of
an audience. Her determination and strength of character helped her not just survive
but flourish as an Asian-American woman in a profession dominated by white men. 

Between those humble beginnings and the present day, Ali studied abroad, met the
love of her life, and had two daughters. But despite her achievements, her life isn’t
necessarily perfect. She and her husband regularly attend couple’s therapy sessions –
as she points out, they cost less than a divorce! – and she still grapples with being
both a working mom and a role model to her children. 

Life is rarely straightforward. For every big breakthrough, there are a hundred
obstacles and challenges to overcome and moments of tragedy that will set you back.
But, as Ali found, these only make you stronger. Accepting life’s inevitable ups and
downs allowed her to learn more about herself and find strategies to deal with her
problems. 

2
Blinkist
Emotional Development – Life Isn’t Perfect
Level: Easy 78