I have been lucky to share space with Hnin a number of times over the years, but my favorite time was the magical gathering of humans at the Nonprofit Democracy Network gathering in Oakland in spring 2019. We sang songs about freedom together,  we ate nourishing food together, and we talked about how to build a new world together.  And I remember feeling that a new world was in fact possible, simply because the people in that room existed and were full of so much wisdom, compassion, and brilliance.

I remember a conversation Hnin and I had that weekend so clearly in my mind.  I remember feeling that I was in the presence of someone who had already left such an indelible mark on the world, and who had many more things to share. Thank you for being you, Hnin. I'm so grateful our paths crossed.

I had the good fortune of meeting Hnin very early on in our Freshman year at Williams. Hnin’s entry was right below mine, and I had many many occasions to spend time laughing and talking with them about all manner of things. I would like to share with you a story from when I first met Hnin. This story involves my introduction to the concept of durian and durian-flavored things. Their reaction to my first-ever durian candy experience, has always been my mind’s go-to memory when hearing Hnin’s name. I share this memory with you so that it can hopefully bring to you some of the laughter that it has brought me for 15 years.

So, please, allow me to set the stage. It was early on in our Freshman year, so the fall of 2006, and I, for some reason, had gotten dragged to the hallway outside Hnin’s door by Hnin and a few friends because of the arrival of some magical, mysterious item which, and I quote, “we just had to try”. Hnin wouldn’t take no for an answer. I had no idea what was going on, but trying to be polite and not wanting to offend my new downstairs friends and neighbors, whom I would surely be seeing lots of given that we lived in the same building, I accepted the invitation to partake of this mysterious “must-have” item.

Having no idea what to expect, as I walked the last few paces to Hnin’s door, I was surprised to see…nothing. Then, a small wrapped candy was placed in my hand, accompanied by a twinkle in the eye and giddy-mischievous half-hidden smile I would soon learn to be a Hnin hallmark. “Don’t try it now unless you’re ready. When you do try it, let me know what you think!” was what Hnin said as soon as the little wrapped candy hit my palm. Surprised at such a warning to this small piece of candy, I heeded Hnin’s advice, and waited to try it because I had practice shortly thereafter. The next day, I opened the surprisingly thick candy wrapper and popped the tiny, unassuming candy in my mouth, not knowing anything about Durian other than the fact that it brought about smiles and reflexive nose-holding from people who said they had previously tried the fruit.

The first five seconds of trying this hard candy were unremarkable, I was simply aware that what I was trying candy, but this would all very quickly change…into what I now know to be the distinct experience that is the durian flavor. 19 year-old me tried so very hard to like the candy, but after 30-seconds to a minute of effort, and experiencing the full complexity of this particular durian hard candy, I decided to retire the candy to a napkin on my desk, wondering if, somehow, I could come back to it so as not to be rude to my new neighbor. In the end, I would try a second time, dried napkin stuck to it and all, but I couldn’t make it through the whole candy.

I would see Hnin the next day, and they awaited my reaction to the candy both eagerly and gleefully. “So…how was it?!” was the call I heard down the hallway when Hnin next saw

me. Trying to find a way to be as gentle as possible with my words, I said “It…was…not my favorite, I’m sorry, I thought the flavor was a bit strong…”

I would soon discover this reaction was precisely what Hnin was hoping for, because before I could finish the word “strong,” Hnin, unable to contain their excitement, leapt forward with a beeming smile, “I know right! It tastes so gross sometimes, I love it!” They then bounded away to whatever was next on their schedule that day, I’m quite sure thinking nothing of our little durian-centric interaction. For me however, it was obviously something I would remember for a long time.

To this day, I recall this memory as the most genuine, classic Hnin story I can think of. Full of laughter, a broad smile, and greeting the world with a genuine, kind manner which always left the impression someone did really care about my day is what Hnin taught me and showed me each time I saw them.