On not feeling foreign all the time, but continuing to feel like an immigrant.
Assimilation
Going to the Cinema
Things have changed in movie theaters. I learned this two weeks ago, and up to that point I hadn't been to a film in America in over 3 years. I only realized this gap in my experience when it occurred to me that I wanted to see Avengers: Age of Ultron, and didn't know how I should buy tickets. I... Continue Reading →
Coming home is a new country
Lack of challenge and urgency takes away some of the seduction of exploration.
Ex-expat thoughts on race: it’s my problem now
Part 1: race abroad As an expat, the problems of your nationality country are distant, and the problems of your resident country are not your fault. I saw things from afar; news in America was distant and even foreign. When I moved back to the states, one thing I knew would change is that I... Continue Reading →
Returns
After moving to Chicago in August, I am currently on a three week vacation in Hong Kong, where I obviously spent the previous two years. I'm enjoying HK again in all its overcrowded, overpriced, beautiful glory. People walk the pace of a terrapin, ads assail all your senses, and you can take the bus to beautiful... Continue Reading →
CNY and Busy
Lunar New Year is the time in south Asia when all the expats go on vacation. China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan all shut down in some way; everyone has public holidays and reunion dinners, so the foreigners tend to take off. True, plenty of people stick around. There are fireworks in Hong Kong,... Continue Reading →
Hosting Friends
Being in Hong Kong there are constantly people coming and going. Whether they are here on a layover, vacation, visa run, working or actually visiting you, you are constantly seeing or meeting new people. I have seen old colleagues, classmates, acquaintances, friends from 15 years ago, friends of friends, all passing through our city in... Continue Reading →
