My personal reflection of my story:

When I first saw the theme of Edmonton Heritage Stories, I felt a strong impulse to write. This project invites stories that unfold in Edmonton and carry a sense of time and depth—stories that resonate. As immigrants, our experiences are a rich vein of narrative possibility. Through this window, we can share our journeys with diverse readers, expressing the complexity and uncertainty that often shape our lives. It is both a meaningful and challenging task.

The story I chose to tell centers on my friend Kai and his family, newly arrived immigrants I met shortly after their landing. I watched Kai diligently study his new program and I witnessed the quiet joy of his family’s reunion and their earnest hopes for a new life. Their story felt deeply familiar—so many of his experiences echoed my own. I was moved by the energy and optimism in their everyday efforts, by the quiet resilience in their beginnings.

With intention, I interviewed Kai and his wife Bei several times, trying to capture fragments of their life with an objective and reflective lens. This observer’s role aligned well with my original intent, and the writing unfolded naturally. Though I primarily write fiction, this project led me outside my comfort zone, offering new themes and techniques—and, more importantly, a chance to reflect on cultural identity and the immigrant condition.

My gratitude goes to Kai and Bei, and to the editorial team—Mila, Ting, Cathy, Guo Rong, Roxanne—whose dedication made this story possible.