Who You Are Matters
I was born and raised in New York City. When I turned about 3 months old, I was brought back to China and was raised by my grandparents. I returned to the US when I was four. I have been living in Brooklyn, New York since. The summer after my freshman year of high school, I moved to California. And ever since, I have called this place home.
Where I'm going? I’m still exploring my options for the future, so the future is still undecided. But I would like to stay in California, but I’m open to going back to NYC as well. My plans for post-graduation are still uncertain. I’m debating between starting my job search or continuing my education by pursuing a master’s degree.
Both my parents are introverts, and what do you know, so am I. Though I am an introvert, I think I’m still more outgoing compared to my parents. My social battery definitely lasts longer than theirs. Funny story, just this past summer, we had a family dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday. When it was time to light the candles on the cake, she couldn't handle being the center of attention. Before we could even light the candle, she pulled the candle out of the cake.
Growing up in an Asian family, there’s definitely an unspoken expectation of academic success. But, for me, I’ve always been competitive and always held expectations for myself. So this external expectation also pushed me to hold myself accountable for these expectations.
Role Model? This may sound a bit silly, but I would say Barbie has been an inspiration to me. Barbie embodies confidence and self-belief. She inspires girls to dream big and shows girls that they can be anything they want to be.
Orcas – killer whales. I remember watching the documentary Blackfish. It’s fascinating to me how intelligent they are, and the film opened my eyes to the ethical concerns surrounding their captivity. Ever since that documentary, I’ve made the decision no to visit zoos and aquariums.
When I was in China, living with my grandparents, there was this mango tree in front of the house. They had built a treehouse-like structure on it, and I have memories of climbing and spending time there. Those moments, surrounded by mangoes, are very nostalgic to me.
Sun Sign: Aries
Moon Sign: Sagittarius
Ascendant Sign: Capricorn
I love the story of your mom refusing to light her birthday cake candles. My parents on the contrary are always super loud and talkative, so this just shows that everybody is different and has their own experiences, and that is so interesting!
ReplyDeleteLast year, one of my classes also had us watch the Blackfish documentary. It was a heartbreaking story, especially since I had just visited a huge aquarium in Singapore before that semester. I'm glad that other watchers of the documentary also vowed to never go to aquariums or zoos again after that.
Wow, what an interesting story from NYC, to China, back to Brooklyn and then to California. I am so interested to hear about all of the cultural differences you endured throughout childhood moving back and fourth.
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you on the post-grad NYC to LA dilemma! And I am also super introverted if I’m honest, disguised by an outgoing personality. That story about your mom is so funny and relatable!
I completely understand what you mean about your Asian family's expectations. My parents never directly told me to do well in school, but it was definitely implied. Even though I'd like to think I set my own expectations, my family's expectations is always looming over me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if anyone says Barbie is silly, they just don’t get it!
As someone who has lived in California his whole life, I find it really cool that you have spent a significant amount of time in California, New York, and China! You definitely seem well traveled and like you can handle yourself wherever you end up post grad!
ReplyDeleteOrca whales are a very interesting animal. People think they are deadly but they stay away from attacking humans usually. They seem very playful.
ReplyDeleteI like how looking into an animal and learning about them has made you reconsider going to aquariums. I'm particularly not a huge fan of zoos since looking at them through a glass or cage makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteHey Erica! New York sounds like a cool place to grow up in. I imagine there is always something new you can do everyday. It is still one of the places I'd like to travel to in the near future.
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