Streetwise Streetwise (November 09, 2005)

Question and interviews by Suman Mudamula. Photographs by Brian Connelly. Asked at the Palo Alto Main Library.
How did you deal or do you plan to deal with "empty nest syndrome"?

Yong Choe
Sub-contractor
Newell Road, Palo Alto
"I keep myself busy. My son is 23 and away. Of course, first I was happy when he was gone because of no more mess, but now I miss him."

Ed Walker
Retired semi-conductor worker
Barron Park, Palo Alto
"We have two kids in college. I have taken on volunteering duties. I enjoy lawn-bowling. My wife and I travel a lot."

Stella Cardoso
Library specialist
W. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto
"My son is at Santa Barbara UCSB. I talk to him twice a week and visit him every month. And it's hard. It's really hard."

Ha Chung
Janitor
Newell Road, Palo Alto
"I don't know. My kids are 16 and 14, but I didn't think about it. My wife and I just work. Hard."

Mike Laris
Coffee-shop worker
Colorado Ave., Palo Alto
"I plan on having fun. I'll have time to do things I couldn't when they are around. Perhaps call up friends and take time off to do fun stuff with my wife. And plan on when they come back, like keeping the place messy."

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