*Long Read*
Once upon a time, the Fung family packed everything we had and moved across the world—from Hong Kong to the United States—over 20 years ago.
We didn’t have much. Just our green cards, some cash, and a few clothes. No jobs. No insurance. No real plan—just the hope of starting a new life. The only people we knew were my two aunts.
My mom was dealing with bipolar schizophrenia (I know the diagnosis has changed over time), and she needed a psychiatrist to continue her medications. Eventually, we found one who accepted Medi-Cal.
At that office, there was a social worker named Amanda—the Cantonese-speaking social worker. I still remember her.
She told us, “Call me if you ever need anything.”
She gave us crisis hotline numbers.
She checked in with us at every visit.
At the time, I didn’t speak much English. I didn’t know how to ask for help if something went wrong—if my mom had an episode. But I knew one thing: I could call Amanda.
We never ended up needing to call her. But her presence meant everything. She was our safety net—our version of 988 before I even knew what that was. Her business card stayed on our fridge for years.
Fast forward to today. I’m moving out of the apartment I’ve lived in for the past five years. While going through my memory box (don’t laugh—we all have one), I found her business card again. The same one I kept close all those years, just in case.
“Call me if you ever need anything.”
Then something clicked.
She shares the same name as my upstairs neighbor—who happens to be a social worker, and a prominent lecturer/director at San Diego State University.
It can’t be, I thought.
But it was.
I just confirmed it today. And I finally got to thank her.
All this time, I had been living directly beneath one of the most important people in my life—without even knowing it.
Life has a funny, almost magical way of coming full circle.
She wasn’t just my neighbor.
She was my safety net—back when I was a young adult, an immigrant, and didn’t know who to turn to.
Never underestimate the difference you make as a social worker. Happy National Social Worker Month to all the social workers out there.
Just another late post.
Thankful to have friends to climb with. Great company. Great climb. Great weather. Can't complain.
October 2025
📍 Red Rock Cayon
#redrocks #redrockcayon #redrockclimbing
#sportsclimbing #leadclimbing
Lucky Fung-Hernandez
9/12/2010 – 11/22/2025
Lucky was born and raised in San Diego. He never lived anywhere else, but he was certainly well-traveled within the city. In his early days, he enjoyed exploring every trail in San Diego—Iron Mountain, Mount Miguel, Mt. Woodson, and North and South Fortuna, just to name a few. Lucky loved spending time outside, just like his mom. His favorite place on earth was Fiesta Island, where his mom took him almost twice a week every summer.
Lucky enjoyed the little things in life: warm sun, fresh air, family time, and a good meal. His favorite food was… well, anything edible—except mushy bananas. Lucky hated ripened bananas. His not-so-hidden talent was inhaling his food in less than five seconds. His personal best was an impressive three seconds, a record his sister Dottie could never break.
Lucky had the best temperament. No matter how many times his sister stole his big beds, or how often little humans pulled his tail, he always accepted it with patience and gentle understanding. He loved his mom and dad deeply, and he devoted most of his time to waiting for them to come home. Even if it meant lying on the hardwood tile, he always wanted to be the first one to greet them.
He was also a regular attendee at many events, happily joining his parents for annual Scripps/Sharp Heart and Stroke Walks, Out of the Darkness Walks, birthday parties, and baby showers. Chances are, if you ever invited his mom to an event, her very next question would be, “Can I bring my dogs?” And Lucky would be right there, ready for the adventure.
Lucky’s mission on earth was to provide unconditional love to his parents and to everyone around him—and he accomplished that mission effortlessly. He adored anyone who petted him or secretly slipped him some table scraps, and he returned that kindness with all the love he had.
📍 Bryce and Zion National Parks
My fourth time visiting these two parks.
Never get bored by the beauty.
#zionnationalpark #brycecanyonnationalpark #BryceAndZion
#NationalParks #NationalParksGoers #brycecanyon #thenarrows #AngelsLanding
✨Quick girls trip to La Paz, Mexico!✨ 🌊
☀️Nothing better than sunshine, laughter, and great company.
Already dreaming of the next adventure in Mexico 🇲🇽 ✨️
#LaPazMexico #GirlsTrip #OceanTherapy #TravelTherapy #TravelWithFriends #MakingMemories #August2025
📍 La Paz
🐢 🐢 💕
Ask me how far I'll go to get a good shot. The answer is real far.
#LaPaz #lapazdiving #LaPazBajaCaliforniaSur #MantaRay #Seaturtles #jellyfish #freediving #freedivinginlapaz
Again, I'm only 3 months behind on my reels
Birthday trip to Sequoia National Forest
Special thanks to this stud who always treats me like a queen 👑
#sequoia #sequoianationalforest #walkerspass #lonepeakcamper #lonepeak #campertrucklife #sequoia
