There have been multiple stages of identity shifts since I arrived in the U.S. with my family at age 12. Beginning Stage — Culture Shock (Ages 12–17)Disliked the language; didn’t feel like learning; didn’t feel like I belonged; became a loner; homesick. I remember hating this place so much. I remember thinking: I didn’t choose… Continue reading Reflections – Written in 2019
Tag: taiwan
Year 2000, Leaving Taipei
I’d like to really understand everything that led me to become who I am today. I remember taking the airplane to America that day, full of excitement. At the airport, I saw my aunt and uncle for the first time in what felt like forever—though honestly, I couldn’t even remember how many years it had… Continue reading Year 2000, Leaving Taipei
Learning to Stop Being「白目」
I used to always want people to understand me and accept my opinions. I tended to look down on people when they held values or behaved in ways that I disliked. I often wanted people to become “better”—by my own definition of better. Even though I genuinely love learning about new things, ideas, cultures, languages,… Continue reading Learning to Stop Being「白目」
Preface: My 1.5-Generation Story
Everyone has their own version of growing up as a 1.5-generation immigrant, and this is my story. I was born in 1988 in Taipei, Taiwan, where it’s common for people to grow up speaking or at least understanding a mother tongue—whether that’s Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, or one of the Indigenous languages—and then learn and use… Continue reading Preface: My 1.5-Generation Story
