I immigrated from Hong Kong when I was one year old, not old enough to remember the warmth of my mother’s womb nor the sights and scenes of my motherland. I don’t recall when I was bestowed this jade necklace from my grandparents, but it appeared on my neck one day attached to a red string. It was a potent reminder that I am of Chinese heritage. In fact, even though I never lived in Hong Kong, I’ve never felt alienated from my culture. I grew up speaking Cantonese, attending Chinese school on the weekends, watching TVB shows with famous actors like Ron Ng, crafting paper lanterns at school, and feeling the immense energy radiating from the annual lion dances. I embraced this culture of mine, yet when I vacationed back to China in the summer of 8th grade, I felt acutely homesick. It was strange being in my motherland and surrounded by all 50+ relatives and feeling foreign. I recalled asking them to define a Chinese word and being met with shock for not knowing, and vice versa. It was a cultural exchange I wasn’t aware I was in. They were more conscious of the cultural differences we shared than I was at the time. If I were to visit my relatives in the future,  I’d be more receptive to this cool cultural exchange that could happen between Chinese  and Chinese-Americans. Though I keep the heart jade safely locked away, I now wear a similar circular one my mom gifted me. It allows me to feel in tune with my culture, while also serving as a cute embellishment to my outfits!

Relationship:  Im/migrant Im/migrant