Thanks to the COM352 students for contributing a bunch of new pages! I'll be moving these pages into the main area of the wiki soon.

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[edit] Narrative final draft

Shift Along

Besides the roles I have been taking up such as a daughter, a student and a friend, it is somewhat difficult to categorize me as a typical member of a regional group since I cannot utterly fit into one due to my unique background and travel experiences. Though the majority of people belong to some groups which give them a sense of belonging and a bond between the members within, identities do not have to be found in a group. I am an American in the United States, Chinese in China and American-Chinese in all others. I found and shifted my identities in the different environments I encountered. The shifts between the identities show my capability of adapting to new environments, being independent and indulgence in various cultures. I believe those who are capable of adapting to a new environment would gain a better success than those who aren’t since being uncomfortable and unfamiliar hinder the paths to success.

I always hesitate when people ask,“ Where are you from?” My answer would always be,” it’s too complicated.” My confusion started the day I was born. My parents were immigrants from China who came to America for education and opportunities. They worked hard to support my family: my mom had three jobs and my dad was an editor for a local Chinese paper. They had to overcome the problems of racism, living and prejudice. My mom always tells me, “Knowledge is your strongest self defense. Persistence is the most important thing in gaining knowledge.” I always keep that in mind as my motto. I realize that there are plenty of opportunities out there if I shape up myself and that I have to work hard to reciprocate my parents as they have gone through so much.

My dad said his best reward for coming to the United States was having me. I was born at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital on September 19, 1987. Since I was born prematurely my parents were very worried about my health during my first two years. Unfortunately, my parents divorced when I was two and a half. I stayed with my mom in America while my dad left for China. Being too young to understand the situation, I did not have a choice on with whom I wanted to stay with. As I grew older, I am glad to see that my parents remain a friendly relationship and that they both love and care about me. Thus, I still believe in marriage and love even though my parents are divorced. I have faith in finding the right person whom I can spend my life with. Without being with my dad was not a tragedy because I was not really very close to him until my teenage years when I started to actually understand my dad—his personality and feelings. Due to our cultural background and generation differences, we often share diverse values that create tensions. He has been taught Communism and Marxism since he was young; On the other hand, I am taught western education that set our views apart. I always try to avoid conflicts because I know I do not see my dad often that I do not want to hurt his feelings and he would not change the values he has been holding for more than fifty years. My dad and I are fairly alike; we are both quiet but criticizing and stubborn at times. I try to change the faux pas and learn the strengths of my dad.

My mom remarried my stepfather Terrence when I was eight years old. My mom and I had to move to Hong Kong to begin our new lives. The hardest task was not just moving to a new house, but immigrating to a new country with seven new family members. For an eight-year -old, adapting to a new environment without speaking the language was awfully difficult. At home, I only spoke to my mom and no one else. My new family members were patient that they did not force me to speak up, but after six months without any conversation, they suggested my mom to take me to the psychiatrist. My mom believed that I would soon be talking and I just needed some time. Then I began to realize that I should start being involved in the country; I could not live in the past and be American. Since I was in Hong Kong, I have to be “Hongkongnese”. I began to learn the language, the culture and attitude. I picked up their slangs, fast-paced lifestyle and tact. Soon, I began to like the fascinating and flourished city with new surprises and excitement! I made many friends at school and a lot of them were new to the country just like I was. I went an international school with kids from all over the world. We all spoke English and had to learn a second language which was Hindi, Urdu or Chinese. As one would assume, we picked up each others’ accent and our English was accented with the mixture of the three languages. I was exposed to the diversity of cultures around me. I tasted Indian pancake “Chappathi” and learnt Filipino skipping rope and folk dance. We all listened to western music like Westlife and Backstreet Boys. That was how I developed my interest in foreign cultures, people and their languages. Being an American-born-Chinese, I then learn the importance of understanding my own and other people’s culture because it is the way to communicate and learn from each other.

In Chinese culture, modesty and diligence are emphasized; the western culture has taught me to value creativity and independence. I have always been taught to be humble, polite and respectful. At home, I have been taught traditional Chinese demeanors like addressing all the elders before you eat and never leaving the dining table before everyone finishes. There are etiquettes of using chopsticks and holding a rice bowl. I could never cross my chopsticks when I get food and I had to use my middle finger and thumb to hold the top and bottom of my bowl. Chinese are more humble than Americans when expressing their emotions. My parents have never told me that they were proud of me or they love me. I understand that it is a part of Chinese culture that it is considered unethical to passionately show one’s emotion. It is also not right to be too opinionative because humbleness is very important. On the other hand, I could be involved in extra curriculum activities to develop my creativity and interest. I played the piano for six years and sketched for two years. I found confidence and self-satisfaction in playing the piano; it was the first time that I independently complete a task without my parents’ help.

To be further involved in Chinese society, I continued my studies in a local school after sixth grade. It was a Catholic girl’s school that emphasized Chinese which made it really hard for me to adjust during the first few months in school. We learned ancient paleography and Chinese history and I received really low marks. It was not just the school work that pressured me; however, making friends with a whole different racial group of people. I never knew much about the mainstream Hong Kong teens until I experienced their hobbies and communicated with them. Luckily I made a number of good friends whom I am still in contact with. They showed me the activities that they like going to karaoke buffet and book fairs by taking the MTR and mini bus. We ate food from hawker who sold “smelly tofu” and “pig intestines”. I liked being in Hong Kong a lot but I have always wanted to move on. Now that I have experienced the Chinese side of me, I wanted to return to my Americanism.

Seeking a better education and life, I headed to Chino Hills, California. I had no idea of where Chino Hills was, I just knew I would be staying at a professor’s house with a whole bunch of international students. I was really excited that I could be free of my parents’ control and explore the world by myself. This time I did really well in adapting and I did not get home sick or cry because I knew this was what I wanted. I got straight A’s in all my classes and life was good until the professor went insane. He was extremely nice at the beginning and then I found out that he was a total dictator who would hit students with a golf club as physical punishment. Fortunately, he never hit me but he yelled at me without any respect. I was sick of having no dignity before him! I thought I was being mentally abused! I thought it was the worst scenario in my life that I started to question myself if moving all the way back was a wise choice. Why did I not just stay in Hong Kong with my family so everything would be nice and easy? Is this what I get for coming back to the states? I made the best decision in my life− to leave. I discussed my parents about it but they wanted me to tolerate it for a few more months so I could finish my SATs. They felt finding a new place and moving would distract me from studying, and so I stayed and practiced my endurance and I made it through! Thank God that I moved in with my friend Kelly and her parents. They were like my second family and were really nice to me. They took great care of me throughout my last year at Chino Hills. I began to conclude an answer to my doubt about moving to California. Yes, I have made the right choice because besides the bad memories with the professor I have had a great year with my friends and Kelly’s family. I have learned to be independent, mature and responsible. I also got to work, drive and party for the first time in my life. I was able to communicate with my Hispanic co-workers with my three years of high school Spanish! It was an unforgettable experience with tears and laughter that makes me view things in a more mellow way. If I encounter bad times in the future, I would always use this experience to cheer up myself, “I have gone through worse and this is bad? Pshh!”

After graduating from high school, I decided to go back to where I was born to find my roots so I came to Umass to major in Communication. I actually was not sure what I could do with this major but as class progresses I am learning about cultural communication, something that I may want to pursue. My dad recommended me a career of foreign officer of U.S department of state, the introduction sounded very interesting which says “It's a significant responsibility that presents opportunities unique to educating foreign cultures about our nation, while offering unrivaled experiences around the world.” ‘That is what I want! I want to represent my country and travel around the world!’ I thought. But as soon as I calmed down, I was aware that the job was not exactly what I wanted because it is not stable that I would to change my location every two years. I want to settle down and have a family of my own. I like traveling but when I have to choose between my job and family, family always comes first.

People often tell me how lucky I am that I have visited the wild deserts and glamorous parades of Dubai, the mighty Buddhist temples in Thailand and Vietnam, the lively Kangaroos and Koalas in Australia, the sunshine and beaches in Guam and Malaysia, the futuristic quality of Japan and Korea…I am indeed very lucky! I love being able to indulge in others’ culture and learn their beliefs is the best source to broaden our worldviews and it is fun! The best part is that I can adjust myself freely in becoming a person I want to be in each culture. In life, I play different roles in different settings, be someone that I think would fit best in attitude, behavior and culture! Sit back and relax, my movie of success is just about to begin……