Writer, Translator, Facilitator

A Journey Ahead

ABOUT

A Journey Ahead is a collection of personal stories from seven Chinese American older adults residing in public housing apartments in Two Bridges, Manhattan. Each storyteller candidly details their journey to the United States, offering an intimate glimpse into their lives and a historical narrative of New York City.

Photo by Cal Hsiao

PROCESS

Photo by Cal Hsiao

In the Spring of 2022, I was commissioned by Life Story Club to work on an oral history, storytelling project featuring Chinese-speaking older adults living at NYCHA Baruch Houses in Two Bridges for the last 20 years. It’s a unique community hailing from over 15+ cities across China. Every week, we met in a courtyard outside of their building and exchanged stories about everything from favorite childhood snacks to evolving friendship dynamics to the difficulties of applying to public housing. For the next three months, we navigated our conversations in Cantonese, Mandarin, Fuzhounese, and Taishanese – with each participant translating as the other shared.

Many participants found similar threads in their stories, like working long hours at garment factories in Lower Manhattan (before they were shut down after 9/11) or cramming for their citizenship exams in between work shifts. Others reflected on their journey from their first arrival in the U.S. to retirement in NYC now. We had over 20+ consistent storytellers partake in the sessions.

AVAILIABLITY

After collecting, transcribing, and translating each of their stories, I compiled them into 53 page book titled “A Journey Ahead.” I later parted ways with Life Story Club to continue growing my friendships with the older adults.

Following the storytellers’ request, I stocked this chapbook in local bookstores, with 100% of the proceeds funding social and creative workshops for the older adults at NYCHA Baruch Houses.

Photos by Jiami Lee

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOPS

Since launch, I’ve been able to partner with Chinese-speaking artist educators in the neighborhood to fund free, bi-monthly visual arts. Workshops have ranged from block-printing to to zine making, with more than 15 participants in attendance each time.

Block-Printing with Emily B. Yang

Paper Cutting with Ling Tang

Chinese Painting with Tendy Liu

  • "I paced back and forth at the airport terminal – I didn’t want to board the plane to New York! What would I do there? My English isn't the best. Oh, I was so scared!

    在那个飞机 厂, 走进走出走进走出。就是不敢坐飞机! 我去干什么吗? 英文 也不会。我好害怕!”

    — Tang Feng Yi 唐鳳儀

  • "My whole life I've been very happy. Coming to the United States, I was carefree. Back in the mainland? I was carefree. I've always been a carefree person.

    我呢一生， 我係好高興呀! 我嚟到美國無憂愁，我喺大陸呢? 又係無憂無愁。 從細到大都係無憂無愁嘅!”

    — Wu Gon Ting 吴观娣

  • "During 9/11, all of the garment factories closed down. I walked from Chinatown, Manhattan to Sunset Park in Brooklyn. By the time I got home, my feet were in so much pain.

    9/11 时候, 衣厂全部收工。走路回家。我从唐人街走到八大道。走到回家，脚都累啊!”

    — Wu Mei Xiang 吳美香

  • "In the mainland, we thought America was like heaven. When we arrived, we realized it was hell.

    我们在大陆好像是想的是美国是天堂，到了美国是地 狱。”

    — Lei Xiao Bi 雷孝碧

Next

Grieving in Translation (Essay)