Category: Multicultural

Call of the Shofar: An Empathy Experience Assignment

My class on Teaching and Ethics required us to do an “Empathy Experiment.” I chose to attend a service that was completely different from any that I had ever experienced before, one whose pamphlet claimed, “Whatever your heritage, however your history, and whomever you love, you’re welcome here.”

Prepping for a Japan Homegoing and Addressing First Gen Guilt

Japan in the late 90s, early 2000s is what comes to mind most when I think of home. I think I look back often on this time because when we next PCSd to the U.S., I faced some of the most isolating and painful years of my life. Two decades would go by before I felt ready to return.

Letting Grandpa Go

On Saturday, the world lost one of its kindest souls. Late that night, I received a text from my mom that my grandfather passed away back home in the Philippines. It’s hard to put into words how much my world has shifted. I thought I’d share a bit about what a special man he was here.

Chamomile Tea, An Essay published in You Might Need to Hear This

I write to process, to grieve, and to heal. I write to build bridges across intergenerational conflicts and cultural differences. Whenever someone tells me they empathize with what I’m saying, I get excited because it’s like “Oh! I have community!” But then I realize “Oh…It’s because of our collected trauma.” For much of my life,…

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Lechón, Flash Fiction Published in The Margins

I’m incredibly humbled and excited to share that my first short story, Lechón, was published today in the The Margins, the digital magazine run by the Asian American Writer’s Workshop (AAWW)!

Middle Brother: Recollections in Verse

As the eldest, I’ve tried to protect my younger brothers when we were growing up, but it was hard taking on adult responsibilities when I was just a child myself.

TW: Abuse, Premature Birth, Bullying, Violence

In free verse, I try to put to words reoccurring memories that have been in my dreams lately and a regret that life was not easier for my younger brother.

A Journey in Self-Care

In American culture, I feel there’s more of an openness over the past decade to addressing mental health, but it’s still an ongoing struggle for it to be taken seriously in Asian cultures. In my case, being mixed and first generation, I tend to be ping-ponged between the two. In an effort to take some of the weight off my chest, I’m writing to share a bit about my background and struggles on this self-care journey. Hopefully, there’s someone out there can gain something positive out of my story, even if that is just to know that you’re not alone.

Legends of the Split Pinky Toenail

If split pinky toes are a common characteristic among other nations and races, then why do some Han Chinese feel strongly possessive about it?

First Gen Guilt

There’s a mistaken belief that America remains the “gold mountain” it once was for many immigrants. Being the token American in the family, there’s this expectation that I would give back and possibly sponsor others to gain a foothold in this land of plenty. My lack of money/inability to fulfill dreams comes off as improbable and disrespectful when it’s a known fact that I’m given so many opportunities and freedoms others wish they had.