A short introduction about who I am and why I write.
Well, I’m a typical Taiwanese-American that grew up in the 90’s. I’ve been through a number of life experiences and I’ve collected my share of tension-filled stories. I want to write about them to let others know I am here, and that we are connected by the solidarity of our experiences.
I was born in the suburbs of South Jersey, in a predominately Caucasian neighborhood — you’ve heard the story before. I was the only Asian kid on the block, maybe even the whole district, went to an elementary school where I had my homemade lunches scowled at, and of course, I went through that PB&J and Lunchable phase. Grade school was an interesting experience for me, and looking back, I think it definitely shaped the way I see the world.
I had a parent in the tech space, but due to various reasons, I ended up moving all around the state. Each time we moved, I became a little more isolated because not only was I the “foreign kid”, but I was also always “the new kid”. We finally settled in Philadelphia when I was around 12, and my world started expanding since then.
That didn’t always mean it was good. Yes, I learned more about multiculturalism, and how people lived, but I also learned more about racism and intolerance in the city. My family was shunned, screamed at, and singled out for being a foreign storeowner in the Italian Market. That business failed.
My trust in people were constantly challenged and I grew suspect of people during my youth. High school was an interesting period for me. I was living in the city for about four years by then. I was always a “street smart” kid, so I adapted quickly and I learned what to avoid and how to survive. The school district was ..for better words, lacking, but the people I met revived my trust in others again. Friends I made and people I met changed how I perceived the world. I went through the typical teenage angst, romances, and heart breaks, but those are stories for another day.
College was when I realized how to open up to others. I became someone who was eager to speak out and make a name for myself. Yes, I was a biology major — I tried satisfying that typical desire to be a doctor for my parents, but I soon found that I couldn’t do it. I didn’t see myself sacrificing my personal happiness for a “stable job” prospect. So I networked, and I met people to find a path for myself. I met artists, photographers, musicians, and writers. I met engineers, doctors, lawyers, and architects. I met entrepreneurs, business owners, and startups. They were all great people, but I realized that no one actually knows where they’re going and what they want. Most people were just doing what makes them feel most comfortable at that moment in time. I took a job in a startup and learned how to talk to people, how to work with others, and how society worked. I also learned how to be a badass microbiologist. It paid the bills, but that itch to do more took over.
Four years at that company and I decided to make a change again. I flew to Taiwan to get a master’s degree. It was a dream. To travel and to learn about my heritage. I met more people and heard more stories about the world. The more I learned, the more my sense of self became established. I was 25 when I moved, and I was finally learning about myself. I was more than just Taiwanese or American, I was something more than the sum of the parts. My life is simply a collection of stories, experiences, and people. I came back to the US, 1 year ago with a master’s degree in Ecology and Evolution. I’m a “scientist” by definition, but I’ve been exploring my creative side through writing, photography, drawing, dancing, and more. I took a job with a software company through networking and by making genuine connections with others. My goal in life now is to see what the world has to offer me and to embrace every opportunity available.
So.. to answer the question… Who am I, and why do I want to write?
Well, I’m a normal guy with a lot of stories and things to say. I hope you’ll let me share them, and maybe someone out there will hear them and start some good conversations.
