Embrace the Cray

Growing up as a child half Taiwanese and half Ukrainian with no roots was an incredibly difficult struggle. Not only did I feel disconnected from the people around me, but the only rooted experience was a sense of isolation. I felt like an outsider in both cultures, unable to relate to either of them on a basic level. It was a lonely feeling, and I often felt lost and confused about my identity. Despite this, I was determined to find a way to connect with both my Taiwanese and Ukrainian heritage, eventually finding solace in learning about both cultures and embracing my unique identity. I found this connection through food and it is my time machine, a portal back to times, places, people, and spaces that collectively I call home.