Made in the USA

Made in the USA

Dear Ella, Thank you so much for inviting me to be interviewed for your 9th-grade oral history project about representation and what defines “American” from my perspective as a Burmese-American mother, artist, writer, teacher, and daughter of immigrants. I’m honored...
Denmark Vesey and the Heart’s Project

Denmark Vesey and the Heart’s Project

The heart’s constant project is to hold hopelessness and hope together. I recently visited Charleston, South Carolina, for the first time. The wonderful occasion was a reunion gathering of a beloved expat book club I was in during our three years living abroad in...
Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever

My teenager walks in while I’m half-heartedly moving my legs on the elliptical, but mostly watching TV. He asks me if it’s weird that I am watching Never Have I Ever, a Netflix series created by Mindy Kaling and aimed at teenagers. It’s about a nerdy Indian-American...
Winging It

Winging It

Lindsay, the peregrine falcon born at UC Berkeley in May 2022, was found dead in August. She was killed by a red-shouldered hawk. The news was heartbreaking because I’d been loosely following the dramatic story of the Cal Falcons–they have a loyal, global following,...
Where I’m From

Where I’m From

I’m from wondering how to answer, “But where are you really from?” I’m from the question, “Are you Chinese or Japanese?” and my response, “Do I only get two options?” I’m from longyis and lahpet thoke, boo thee kyaw, and mac and cheese with curry powder I’m from a...