When we first arrived in Hong Kong, I was struck by the rather immediate realization that I look exactly like everyone else. It's not like I don't have similarities to the Chinese and other Asians in Seattle, but when I came here, I looked like a native. Oh wait, I am technically a native. When I would walk through Wan Chai, Central, or Admiralty districts, without Josh, nobody gave me a second glance. Unless I pulled out a map or opened my mouth to say anything. It was so odd to be completely and totally invisible. But when I reflected on it, it totally made sense that I became part of the crowd so easily. But sometimes, even today, I have to really think about it. I used to try to make "you're one of us" eye-contact with other white people, but for some reason, they would only give those glances to Josh. Oh yeah. I am a native, a local, a daughter of this land. Weird. And cool.
I also found out that I am not petite or small in Hong Kong. Nay my shopping friends. Kimberly is an average sized woman. Medium. Don't even look at the small sizes, girlie. I was at G2000, a trendy yet inexpensive store akin to H&M, and I was trying on a poofy mini skirt to wear with nylons. I picked out the 34 - which I don't think indicates my waist size, though I'm not sure after all the dim sum, Chiu Chow, and Pekingese food I've been gobbling. I was modeling it for Josh, who was eying it skeptically. The changing room attendant turns to me while I'm twirling in front of the mirror and say, "I will get you a larger size." And she stalks away on her twiggy legs.
Vanity aside, I have experienced ethnic pride for the first time in my life. While I think the world is indebted to China for the invention of paper (okay, papyrus probably had a leg up, but you can fold this stuff) or fireworks, but I never really felt part of it. It's similar to how German Americans might feel about the invention of the printing press. Okay, you acknowledge an ethnic connection, but it doesn't feel like your own. When I walked around Hong Kong, marveling at the city, its people, its colorful and political history, and its resilience, I am struck by how I am technically part of this history and culture. I am more part of this city's history than that of Colorado Springs, which I have considered home, or that of Seattle, though I want to be part of that future.
Because I was born in Hong Kong and am ethnically Hong Kong Chinese, I qualify for a Hong Kong Identification Card. I just have to bring my birth certificate. Hong Kongers then can receive certain benefits, such as medical care and employability without visas. I can also travel more easily within Asia. Once a friend told us that, I realized that it was a privilege to have been born the way I have. In some ways, I have the best of both worlds. I am proudly an American citizen, enjoying the benefits and recognizing the responsibilities thereto, and I am also ethnically Chinese, benefiting from the apparent additional rights for those individuals. I haven't applied for the card, but I probably will when we come back to Hong Kong in the future.
I have been surrounded by dear old friends who have loved and supported my childhood and now adulthood. They loved and balanced my parents, and they have now shown a similar love and support for us. We weren't able to connect with all of them or as much or long with each of them as we would have liked, but the memories, the laughter, and the new connections flowed easily. It was such a joy to have them meet Joshua and to show them into what type of person I have become. I hope they liked (most) of what they saw.
We are also eager to leave and get back into the Seattle activities that we've set up for ourselves. Joshua's family lives in Seattle, and we are close to them. His brother and wife are expecting their first baby, and all of us are happily preparing for our nephew's arrival. (I am now much better at nappie changing, so I hope I can babysit occasionally!) We have some very close friends from Pepperdine living in Issaquah, less than thirty minutes from Seattle. I am taking on the Pepperdine Alumni Association Seattle Chapter when we return, so I am excited to return and start contributing again. I am in the middle of culinary school, and I love it. I try to soak up as much as I can while I'm there. Josh works a great job with REI and enjoys the type of work, the co-workers, and the mission of the company. We are supported and cared for by a church that has encouraged us. My parents also have good friends in Seattle, and we cannot wait to see them again. There are many reasons to be excited to return.
Our visit to Hong Kong and our volunteer work at Mother's Choice has been life defining. I wish it hadn't taken so long to visit Hong Kong and explore my roots - both ethnically and adoptive. At the same time, I may not have had the maturity or wisdom to do this before. Taking this trip with Joshua has been so meaningful. I am sure we'll have lots of time to reflect and share with each other. We are now curious about working overseas, particularly in Asia, and we are thrilled that this was such a positive and pleasurable trip. Thank you to our friends who supported us and kept it real while we were here. See you in Seattle!
*We changed our flight to pass through Seoul rather than Tokyo in order to avoid the tragedy and chaos that Japan is struggling through. We still return on the 14th, just a little later in the day.
