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Jenna Park's avatar

The anxiety that this administration is producing, ugh. I have no reason to, but as a naturalized citizen, it all feels somewhat unsettling. It's good to keep your options open. Vancouver and London are great cities. I love both. Community makes a home, no matter where you land.

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Yuezhong's avatar

I feel your anxiety, and I think that's shared among many regardless of immigration status. This post is definitely the end product of the said anxiety produced. We are still cautiously optimistic about everything and trust that we will be okay!

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Nafisa's avatar

Your story of finding a home and community in the Bay Area was beautiful to read. Your waffles look absolutely delicious 😋

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Yuezhong's avatar

Thank you, Nafisa! I appreciate you for reading!

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Minh's avatar

I am only a few paragraphs in, but had to comment on this because it's how I feel!!

The idea of choosing a place simply because I wanted to live there felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. The place itself hardly mattered. I went where the opportunities were, and the community came second.

My partner wanted to explore different places to live, but as an immigrant, the two reasons to move that make sense to me are 1) a job opportunity, and 2) to be closer to family/friends

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Yuezhong's avatar

It's something only those of us who have experienced it can truly understand...the precariousness of everything! I hope you are doing well these days :)

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Monica M Sun's avatar

I am still in the early stages of building a new life in London. There are so many moments when it feels surreal, but I am so grateful for the chance to start from scratch in a city I have fallen in love with. Like you said, I also never imagined I would one day call it home when I first visited in 2017. It almost feels like I have forgotten the decade I spent in HK…

Now during summer time, the sun set as late as 9pm. You should come visit again in summer❤️

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Istiaq Mian's avatar

I love SF for the same reasons you do. And I agree with your last statement!

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Yuezhong's avatar

SF definitely has its charm! Come back and visit!

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Maya Rushing Walker's avatar

This is so lovely and poignant. I’m jealous that you’ve found a community, but I also love how your husband reached out and became the one who invites people into your circle. I need to get better at that.

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Yuezhong's avatar

Thank you for being here, Maya. Building a community takes time and is always an ongoing process. Everyone builds their community differently, and I look forward to hearing how you build yours.

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TWOWR's avatar

Your reflections are so encouraging and inspiring. Thank you.

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Yuezhong's avatar

Thank you for always being here :)

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Yi Xue's avatar

Home is where your heart is, and home is where your loved ones are.

Uprooting yourself and finding a new home isn't easy, but we immigrants, and many before us, have done it so many times, we can do it again. You have done it, you can do it again, and you will be fine. ❤️

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Yuezhong's avatar

So well said, Yi. Thank you:) It's an ongoing process, and we are always learning as we go.

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Rachel Ooi's avatar

I am glad you have found or rather created your home in the Bay Area; it looks beautiful, and having friends with whom to share food is precious. I found my home here in Freiburg, too, but I still have my shoes slung over my neck (who moved my cheese analogy?) because I know that in our current state of the world, being agile and adaptive is key. Like you say, starting again won't be easy, but we know we can. As long as our little family stay together, everything else will be secondary.

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Yuezhong's avatar

I hear you, Rachel. As long as our little family stays together, everything else will be okay!

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