Cheryl Moy
AUTHOR OF THE ORIGAMI BALLOON
I am
Cheryl Moy
Cheryl Moy lives with her husband in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, and she runs a successful business in insurance. However, Cheryl has always had a fascination with the structure of different societies, and she graduated her college years from the University of Northern Illinois with a BA degree in Sociology.
Cheryl has always had the propensity to help others—this is part of her very core—and her dream is to become a coach, helping people to embrace who they are. Her vision sees her reaching those who face daily battles with their inner voice telling them that they are not good enough. Cheryl wants everyone to understand that their well-being is as important as their physical health, so this too needs to be nurtured.
“Learn to love yourself first, and then you will have the gift of joy to spread to others.”
—Cheryl Moy.
The Origami Balloon: Becoming Mei-Rose
When six-year-old Mei is sent from the familiar boundaries of homeschooling and Chinatown to attend an unfamiliar school in the city, she finds it hard to adapt to the new duplexity of her identity.Is she Chinese living in America, or is she an American with Chinese heritage? Nothing makes sense to her anymore, and only her beloved pet dog seems to understand her inner turmoil.
Ridiculed at school for her Chinese traditions, and instructed at home to ignore the western notions, Mei begins to retreat into herself as she battles to work out her place in the world. And then she’s cast adrift when she loses her anchor in life, with only a strange, golden origami balloon to guide her way.
The Origami Balloon: Becoming Mei-Rose is Cheryl Moy’s debut novel. It is the story of how a shy, quiet little girl learns that she is enough just as she is. It follows Mei’s journey as she discovers how to embrace both aspects of her heritage, and in doing so, offers hope that one day she will be able to learn how to love herself.
Synopsis
Mei lives with her māmā, bàba and younger siblings in Chinatown.
Growing up, she learns much of her English from Sesame Street, as Cantonese is spoken at home. The older Mei gets, the more she realizes that she feels like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. She is shy and introverted, and all she wants to do is retreat into her own shell where she feels safe and protected. Her chest feels empty as she is torn between her two opposing worlds. Her life is confusing and lonely, and she is subjected to years of bullying. Is America really the land of the free? For some, maybe.
And then one day she realizes that she is not alone.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spots a golden, origami balloon bobbing along some way behind her. Her chest aches for it, although she doesn’t quite understand why. The balloon appears everywhere she goes, but only she can see it. It seems as drawn to Mei as she is to it, and it becomes a constant, playful companion as she continues to try and make sense of who she is.
Over the years, Mei comes to realize that the balloon ventures nearer when she starts to embrace both her Eastern and Western cultures equally; when she stops trying to divide her identity between the two. Mei begins to believe that the answers she seeks lie with the balloon, but for now, it remains bobbing just out of reach of her fingertips …
And then one day she realizes that she is not alone.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spots a golden, origami balloon bobbing along some way behind her. Her chest aches for it, although she doesn’t quite understand why. The balloon appears everywhere she goes, but only she can see it. It seems as drawn to Mei as she is to it, and it becomes a constant, playful companion as she continues to try and make sense of who she is.
Over the years, Mei comes to realize that the balloon ventures nearer when she starts to embrace both her Eastern and Western cultures equally; when she stops trying to divide her identity between the two. Mei begins to believe that the answers she seeks lie with the balloon, but for now, it remains bobbing just out of reach of her fingertips …
Cheryl Moy’s debut novel, The Origami Balloon: Becoming Mei-Rose,
explores Mei’s path to self-discovery as she comes to understand that her two cultures—the Western one and the Asian one—are literally worlds apart. This has a negative impact on her self-image as she battles to understand who she is and how she can fit in with her peers. She seems to spend her life seeking validation from others, when the only person she needs to earn it from is herself.
In this emotional narrative, readers will journey alongside Mei as she finds the courage to stand tall and proud in her own individuality, finally knowing that she is enough as she is.
Cheryl Moy’s debut novel, The Origami Balloon: Becoming Mei-Rose,
explores Mei’s path to self-discovery as she comes to understand that her two cultures—the Western one and the Asian one—are literally worlds apart. This has a negative impact on her self-image as she battles to understand who she is and how she can fit in with her peers. She seems to spend her life seeking validation from others, when the only person she needs to earn it from is herself.
In this emotional narrative, readers will journey alongside Mei as she finds the courage to stand tall and proud in her own individuality, finally knowing that she is enough as she is.
Media
Author Cheryl Moy Outlines A Step-By-Step Process to Self-Development in Her Books The Origami Balloon and Love Thyself
There is no shortage of wellness and coaching gurus in the arena of self-help and self-development. What there is a shortage of, however, is the aspect of human connection. Many personal empowerment books or even courses are all about teaching their listeners and readers how to rise to success, power, fame, or wealth. But more important than that is the question of how we rise above ourselves. This internal conversation with the most intimate parts of our being is what the author of “The Origami Balloon” and “Love Thyself,” Cheryl Moy, hopes to guide her readers through…
Keep reading on https://thechicagojournal.com/books-the-origami-balloon-and-love-thyself/
Gallery
Conversation Sunday with Crowned ReRe ft. Cheryl Moy
Author and sociologist Cheryl Moy joins Crowned ReRe on “Conversation Sunday” to discuss her published work “The Origami Balloon Becoming Mei-Rose.” Cheryl discusses what inspired and motivated her to write, the title’s meaning, and shares her crown moment.
In this episode, Crowned ReRe and Cheryl Moy speak about the importance of representation, self-care, and self-awareness.
The Origami Balloon
Becoming Mei-Rose is Cheryl Moy’s debut novel. It is the story of how a shy, quiet little girl learns that she is enough just as she is. It follows Mei’s journey as she discovers how to embrace both aspects of her heritage and in doing so, offers hope that one day she will be able to learn how to love herself.
To purchase your copy of “The Origami Balloon Becoming Mei-Rose.” Please click the button below
Love Thyself
Get the accompanying workbook to The Origami Balloon, Love Thyself and take your own journey to self discovery and learn to love yourself just as you are.
To purchase your copy of “The Origami Balloon Becoming Mei-Rose.” Please click the button below
Love Thyself
Get the accompanying workbook to The Origami Balloon, Love Thyself and take your own journey to self discovery and learn to love yourself just as you are.
To purchase your copy of “The Origami Balloon Becoming Mei-Rose.” Please click the button below
The Origami Balloon review
I truly enjoyed Cheryl Moy’s book, “The Origami Balloon Becoming Mei-Rose.”
I was so intrigued by her lovely story that I could barely put the book down anticipating the outcome of Mei’s adventures. The inclusion of Chinese traditions and the illustrations gave added enjoyment. I highly recommend this entertaining publication and have purchased this book for my daughters who, too, grew up in a multi-cultural environment. Can’t wait for Moy’s next tale. Thank you, Cheryl!
The Purple Orchid
Cheryl Moy’s third book, The Purple Orchid, is a legacy tale about one family’s plight. The women in the story are by no means complacent when they find out about some hidden secrets which lead to estrangement.
As the story progresses it is clear that the characters all have a need to find reconciliation. However, there are some women in the brood, who’s stubborn and unapologetic nature lead to an untimely misfortune. Follow the legacy of the Song and Xie family as they uncover some hidden truths, which will have the reader wanting more.
The Purple Orchid launches in 2025.