Growing up Asian American and as a female is always a constant struggle for me.
Raised by traditional parents, whereas brainwashing is the norm.
Expectations of the ideal good and obedient daughter was the usual in my family.
I had to embrace my Chinese and Vietnamese ancestral heritage, while adopting to the American culture.
My life struggles and happiness, I lived to tell them now.
My sad and negative memories, I learned to box them up and label it “BAD.”
My good and positive memories, I also learned to box them up and label it “GOOD.”
I called these, “Boxed Memories” that is now currently in a storage place inside my brain.
Sometimes my heart will conjure up emotions to open these boxes when life situations become a stimulus.
My “Boxed Memories” are mine’s to keep and to unbox.
By Jazzmin S. Lu
