Thats a wrap on Loveboat, Taipei! I posted this pic a few weeks ago when we started but it was taken down because of guidelines for whatever reason. At the time I said something about being really excited for this project because not only was it a uniquely Asian American story, but also because it was an opportunity to reconnect with my Asian roots. And Ive seriously really enjoyed my time here.
It is something special for me to be in a country where I feel like I belong. America is my home, that’s where I was raised. But I have always felt like a foreigner on the inside because of how I look, like there was a unspeakable wall between myself and friends whether it was reality or just in my head. But here, meeting so many people who live in Taipei or have spent time in the US, there is an instant mutual understanding, an equal appreciation of each other. At first I thought this was just a testament to how looking alike is a bonding shortcut.
After being here for 6 weeks and living it, Ive found its more a show of how similar we all are no matter what we look like or where we are from. We all want one thing and that is to be understood. To find others who see us truly so we feel less alone. Before this trip Asia felt like a place I would just fit in because of some undiscovered part of myself that would come to light. Like I would unlock some part of myself that was uniquely Asian and that every other Asian person would just get it. But it really is the same everywhere. Acceptance. Understanding. And as soon as we can all get over the fact that some people have different eye shapes or different nose shapes or eat different foods or are accustomed to different music then maybe we can all start to just be there for each other. Maybe we can stop trying to find things that are different about each other and start looking for the things that bind us.
It’s a weird concept to put into words. Maybe in a later thought it will condense. But for right now, there is an irony I am coming to terms with: it took me coming to a place where everyone looks like me to truly realize the inert connection between us all. It is a beautiful and somewhat sad thing. I’m cool with it
If it makes you happy, then why the hell are you so sad?
more like mondayum Taoyuan District, Taoyuan
more like mondayum Taoyuan District, Taoyuan
wrapping as the sun comes up. love a night shoot.
P.S. i didn’t write a new year post earlier as I’ve been increasingly taking more time for myself offline. But now that it’s 6:30am at the end of a full day of work shortly after my sixth cup of coffee now felt like the right time.
I’ll prob go through my photos this year and throw up some cool things I did etc etc but from all my experiences this year, this is all I have to say:
Fail.
Whatever hobby you’ve been wanting to pick up, whatever story you’ve been wanting to tell, whatever dish you’ve been wanting to make since you saw that one minute clip of a recipe on instagram, just do it and I promise you the failure is so much more rewarding than not doing it at all.
I know I say this a lot but I really mean it. The last couple years I’ve let go of all my inhibitions and just learned whatever I wanted to learn on YouTube or Duolingo and I’ve been much happier for it. What you’ll learn is that everything is connected. Everything you learn is connected to what you already know and everything you’ll ever know. Every new skill, every new perspective allows us to enjoy life in a new light. Don’t let the fear of failure keep the gates closed.
I don’t know if half the things I say make sense to you but if anything, I truly hope you all find happiness and purpose in this year, in this life.
I love you.
Te amo.
Ti amo.
æˆ‘æ„›ä½ ã€‚
أنا اØبك. Taipei
If it’s finger painting or picture taking,
I want to make art with you.
If you’re having a good day or feeling a type of way,
I want to make art with you.
If it’s something we can put up on the shelf,
or maybe just the time we’re spending itself,
I’ll always want to make art with you.
Proud of you @sarahbahbah you’re a gem of a human and a hell of an artist.
went into 2022 with this cool ass jacket and cool hair and cool friend and then….
went into 2022 with this cool ass jacket and cool hair and cool friend and then….
went into 2022 with this cool ass jacket and cool hair and cool friend and then….
not sure who needed to hear this now but…
not sure who needed to hear this now but…
not sure who needed to hear this now but…
not sure who needed to hear this now but…
not sure who needed to hear this now but…
#ad LA summers are long but don’t last forever. Used some new cool features on my @googlepixel to capture my last November beach day before heading off for my next adventure. #Pixel6 Venice Beach
#ad LA summers are long but don’t last forever. Used some new cool features on my @googlepixel to capture my last November beach day before heading off for my next adventure. #Pixel6 Venice Beach
#ad LA summers are long but don’t last forever. Used some new cool features on my @googlepixel to capture my last November beach day before heading off for my next adventure. #Pixel6 Venice Beach
#ad LA summers are long but don’t last forever. Used some new cool features on my @googlepixel to capture my last November beach day before heading off for my next adventure. #Pixel6 Venice Beach
last slide for my new nickname
🎄✨
📸: @chelseatzhang
last slide for my new nickname
🎄✨
📸: @chelseatzhang
last slide for my new nickname
🎄✨
📸: @chelseatzhang
Alexa, play the outro to the song My Band by Eminem and D12.
2 months into committing to salsa a bit more seriously. I’m addicted.
you know the vibes
Last minute, spontaneous, successful birthday trip to Vegas! Happy birthday to my brothas @___2shay @lucasprouve @mike.fleisch. Here’s to another weekend of making memories and money! Well… both of those are up for debate…
Finally, big thank you to @resortsworldlv @ayudayclub for letting us go this wild with only 2 hours notice (no joke about the spontaneous part). You guys really are my Vegas home
