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Welcome Home The thing about photographing your home is that you can only do so effectively after you've spent some time away. Most of these photos were taken when I first moved back in 2014 after having pretty much spent the past 8 years living

Welcome Home

The thing about photographing your home is that you can only do so effectively after you've spent some time away. Most of these photos were taken when I first moved back in 2014 after having pretty much spent the past 8 years living and traveling abroad. When you return home after so many years, it only feels natural to photograph otherwise seemingly normal everyday objects. Now? Those photos don't come as easily. I look back at these pictures and I am reminded of a time when I had the rare opportunity of seeing the world with the innocence and naiveté as a child again.

Seeing that the art of photo albums our parents used to make is now dead, I find difficulty in figuring out just what to do with these memories. But here they are in all of its imperfection. I hope you flip through these pages like you once did with your parents, and that you are reminded of the times when they reminisced and told you stories about the good old days.
I could never figure out why our garage door was so loud. I swear I've encountered quieter ones. Then again, I'm guessing my parents preferred it that way because the noise could always let them know if someone was home or not.

I could never figure out why our garage door was so loud. I swear I've encountered quieter ones. Then again, I'm guessing my parents preferred it that way because the noise could always let them know if someone was home or not.
We once had a dark gray cat named Fay Fay. She loved playing outside but one day she never came back. Shortly after, my sister got another cat. It's been through several names like, Fa Fa, Tofu, or Kiki. I just call it the White Cat. Regardless, thi

We once had a dark gray cat named Fay Fay. She loved playing outside but one day she never came back. Shortly after, my sister got another cat. It's been through several names like, Fa Fa, Tofu, or Kiki. I just call it the White Cat. Regardless, this is how she introduced herself.
View from my backyard. 

View from my backyard. 
Sometimes my Mom would make preserved pork and dry it in the backyard.

Sometimes my Mom would make preserved pork and dry it in the backyard.
臘肉.

臘肉.
I had a buzz cut from 2009-2014. Before that, I had what my friends called, the “Jay Chou haircut”. Because my favorite artist was Jay Chou and my hair looked just like his.

I had a buzz cut from 2009-2014. Before that, I had what my friends called, the “Jay Chou haircut”. Because my favorite artist was Jay Chou and my hair looked just like his.
I'm not supposed to photograph this.

I'm not supposed to photograph this.
Chi Chi gave me Dora the Explorer when I went on my EuroTrip. My little brother gave me the Bruce Lee. Afton got me the Munny after her stay with me in New York back in 2012. The painting behind it no longer exists. It was a useless purchase I made

Chi Chi gave me Dora the Explorer when I went on my EuroTrip. My little brother gave me the Bruce Lee. Afton got me the Munny after her stay with me in New York back in 2012. The painting behind it no longer exists. It was a useless purchase I made when I was sad about a break up and refurnished my room as means of distracting myself. The trophy is from the Wan Chi Ming Lion Dance group I photographed in New York. I bought the Manhattan vinyl way back in the day in the hopes that one day I'd get to move there. Lo and behold, I actually did.
My brother and I at the Cliff House. This place used to be the Musee Mecanique. Now it's a restaurant. 

My brother and I at the Cliff House. This place used to be the Musee Mecanique. Now it's a restaurant. 
Mom always loved decorating the place with pictures of us around the house. This is my sister.

Mom always loved decorating the place with pictures of us around the house. This is my sister.
My Dad's old office turned storage room. The only things that remain the same are the clock and the red lamp.

My Dad's old office turned storage room. The only things that remain the same are the clock and the red lamp.
This was my wall of things to focus on when I moved back home. I'm not financially literate yet, but I am writing my own story. 

This was my wall of things to focus on when I moved back home. I'm not financially literate yet, but I am writing my own story. 
Stuffy on his daily pee break.

Stuffy on his daily pee break.
My Mom leveling up.

My Mom leveling up.
Another view from my backyard.

Another view from my backyard.
I probably shouldn't have taken this photo either.

I probably shouldn't have taken this photo either.
Chewed.

Chewed.
We keep a wall of all the pets we've had on the side of our fridge.

We keep a wall of all the pets we've had on the side of our fridge.
This painting adorned our walls when we lived on Mission and 19th. I'm happy it's still with us today.

This painting adorned our walls when we lived on Mission and 19th. I'm happy it's still with us today.
This was weird.

This was weird.
I liked to play catch with Peaches when she was still around.

I liked to play catch with Peaches when she was still around.
My Mom and Dad when they got married. Too bad the photo's blurry.

My Mom and Dad when they got married. Too bad the photo's blurry.
This was the last time I saw my Grandma.

This was the last time I saw my Grandma.
All Chinese families have this.

All Chinese families have this.
I used to hang all my action figures off the second floor staircase and even parachute some of them down. Now, I rarely go upstairs.

I used to hang all my action figures off the second floor staircase and even parachute some of them down. Now, I rarely go upstairs.
Another one of Mom's specialties in the works.

Another one of Mom's specialties in the works.
I can't remember when my parents didn't use iPads and smart phones, but I miss those times.

I can't remember when my parents didn't use iPads and smart phones, but I miss those times.
The door to my room.

The door to my room.
Eating out is probably one of the few times we ever spend any time together.

Eating out is probably one of the few times we ever spend any time together.
Mom likes to give Stuffy clothes to wear.

Mom likes to give Stuffy clothes to wear.
We don’t throw anything away. This is my sister’s old futon.

We don’t throw anything away. This is my sister’s old futon.
I really shouldn't be photographing this.

I really shouldn't be photographing this.
I admit, I bought into the Beanie Baby craze back in the 90s. Now they just lay around the house waiting to be the next dog toy.

I admit, I bought into the Beanie Baby craze back in the 90s. Now they just lay around the house waiting to be the next dog toy.
We used to fight for the controller. Now we just look at our smart phones.

We used to fight for the controller. Now we just look at our smart phones.
Mom's slippers. 

Mom's slippers. 
My dog, Peanut, laying by the altar on Chinese New Year.

My dog, Peanut, laying by the altar on Chinese New Year.
We put these up every new year.

We put these up every new year.
Nellie's getting old, but when she gets the chance she likes to come up here and enjoy the sun.

Nellie's getting old, but when she gets the chance she likes to come up here and enjoy the sun.
We use this to burn incense.

We use this to burn incense.
No caption.

No caption.
I've been having some difficulty finding a job. So I dedicated a wall specifically to me as a professional. Strengths. Weaknesses. What I need to work on. The whole nine yards.

I've been having some difficulty finding a job. So I dedicated a wall specifically to me as a professional. Strengths. Weaknesses. What I need to work on. The whole nine yards.
Shoe rack.

Shoe rack.
Towel.

Towel.
For the heavens.

For the heavens.
Finding this cat around the house is always an adventure.

Finding this cat around the house is always an adventure.
Mom's soup. The one thing I always miss when I'm away from home.

Mom's soup. The one thing I always miss when I'm away from home.
Bai sun.

Bai sun.
My sister painted that.

My sister painted that.
"Remember to feed the dogs"

"Remember to feed the dogs"
Chinese New Year preparations.

Chinese New Year preparations.
I used to go buy the newspaper with my Dad everyday so he wouldn’t have to find parking. 35 cents. I’m not sure if he still does that, but here are some leftovers. We always find a way to use them.

I used to go buy the newspaper with my Dad everyday so he wouldn’t have to find parking. 35 cents. I’m not sure if he still does that, but here are some leftovers. We always find a way to use them.
Dad's room.

Dad's room.
Welcome home.

Welcome home.
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Welcome Home

The thing about photographing your home is that you can only do so effectively after you've spent some time away. Most of these photos were taken when I first moved back in 2014 after having pretty much spent the past 8 years living and traveling abroad. When you return home after so many years, it only feels natural to photograph otherwise seemingly normal everyday objects. Now? Those photos don't come as easily. I look back at these pictures and I am reminded of a time when I had the rare opportunity of seeing the world with the innocence and naiveté as a child again.

Seeing that the art of photo albums our parents used to make is now dead, I find difficulty in figuring out just what to do with these memories. But here they are in all of its imperfection. I hope you flip through these pages like you once did with your parents, and that you are reminded of the times when they reminisced and told you stories about the good old days.

I could never figure out why our garage door was so loud. I swear I've encountered quieter ones. Then again, I'm guessing my parents preferred it that way because the noise could always let them know if someone was home or not.

We once had a dark gray cat named Fay Fay. She loved playing outside but one day she never came back. Shortly after, my sister got another cat. It's been through several names like, Fa Fa, Tofu, or Kiki. I just call it the White Cat. Regardless, this is how she introduced herself.

View from my backyard. 

Sometimes my Mom would make preserved pork and dry it in the backyard.

臘肉.

I had a buzz cut from 2009-2014. Before that, I had what my friends called, the “Jay Chou haircut”. Because my favorite artist was Jay Chou and my hair looked just like his.

I'm not supposed to photograph this.

Chi Chi gave me Dora the Explorer when I went on my EuroTrip. My little brother gave me the Bruce Lee. Afton got me the Munny after her stay with me in New York back in 2012. The painting behind it no longer exists. It was a useless purchase I made when I was sad about a break up and refurnished my room as means of distracting myself. The trophy is from the Wan Chi Ming Lion Dance group I photographed in New York. I bought the Manhattan vinyl way back in the day in the hopes that one day I'd get to move there. Lo and behold, I actually did.

My brother and I at the Cliff House. This place used to be the Musee Mecanique. Now it's a restaurant. 

Mom always loved decorating the place with pictures of us around the house. This is my sister.

My Dad's old office turned storage room. The only things that remain the same are the clock and the red lamp.

This was my wall of things to focus on when I moved back home. I'm not financially literate yet, but I am writing my own story. 

Stuffy on his daily pee break.

My Mom leveling up.

Another view from my backyard.

I probably shouldn't have taken this photo either.

Chewed.

We keep a wall of all the pets we've had on the side of our fridge.

This painting adorned our walls when we lived on Mission and 19th. I'm happy it's still with us today.

This was weird.

I liked to play catch with Peaches when she was still around.

My Mom and Dad when they got married. Too bad the photo's blurry.

This was the last time I saw my Grandma.

All Chinese families have this.

I used to hang all my action figures off the second floor staircase and even parachute some of them down. Now, I rarely go upstairs.

Another one of Mom's specialties in the works.

I can't remember when my parents didn't use iPads and smart phones, but I miss those times.

The door to my room.

Eating out is probably one of the few times we ever spend any time together.

Mom likes to give Stuffy clothes to wear.

We don’t throw anything away. This is my sister’s old futon.

I really shouldn't be photographing this.

I admit, I bought into the Beanie Baby craze back in the 90s. Now they just lay around the house waiting to be the next dog toy.

We used to fight for the controller. Now we just look at our smart phones.

Mom's slippers. 

My dog, Peanut, laying by the altar on Chinese New Year.

We put these up every new year.

Nellie's getting old, but when she gets the chance she likes to come up here and enjoy the sun.

We use this to burn incense.

No caption.

I've been having some difficulty finding a job. So I dedicated a wall specifically to me as a professional. Strengths. Weaknesses. What I need to work on. The whole nine yards.

Shoe rack.

Towel.

For the heavens.

Finding this cat around the house is always an adventure.

Mom's soup. The one thing I always miss when I'm away from home.

Bai sun.

My sister painted that.

"Remember to feed the dogs"

Chinese New Year preparations.

I used to go buy the newspaper with my Dad everyday so he wouldn’t have to find parking. 35 cents. I’m not sure if he still does that, but here are some leftovers. We always find a way to use them.

Dad's room.

Welcome home.
Welcome Home The thing about photographing your home is that you can only do so effectively after you've spent some time away. Most of these photos were taken when I first moved back in 2014 after having pretty much spent the past 8 years living
I could never figure out why our garage door was so loud. I swear I've encountered quieter ones. Then again, I'm guessing my parents preferred it that way because the noise could always let them know if someone was home or not.
We once had a dark gray cat named Fay Fay. She loved playing outside but one day she never came back. Shortly after, my sister got another cat. It's been through several names like, Fa Fa, Tofu, or Kiki. I just call it the White Cat. Regardless, thi
View from my backyard. 
Sometimes my Mom would make preserved pork and dry it in the backyard.
臘肉.
I had a buzz cut from 2009-2014. Before that, I had what my friends called, the “Jay Chou haircut”. Because my favorite artist was Jay Chou and my hair looked just like his.
I'm not supposed to photograph this.
Chi Chi gave me Dora the Explorer when I went on my EuroTrip. My little brother gave me the Bruce Lee. Afton got me the Munny after her stay with me in New York back in 2012. The painting behind it no longer exists. It was a useless purchase I made
My brother and I at the Cliff House. This place used to be the Musee Mecanique. Now it's a restaurant. 
Mom always loved decorating the place with pictures of us around the house. This is my sister.
My Dad's old office turned storage room. The only things that remain the same are the clock and the red lamp.
This was my wall of things to focus on when I moved back home. I'm not financially literate yet, but I am writing my own story. 
Stuffy on his daily pee break.
My Mom leveling up.
Another view from my backyard.
I probably shouldn't have taken this photo either.
Chewed.
We keep a wall of all the pets we've had on the side of our fridge.
This painting adorned our walls when we lived on Mission and 19th. I'm happy it's still with us today.
This was weird.
I liked to play catch with Peaches when she was still around.
My Mom and Dad when they got married. Too bad the photo's blurry.
This was the last time I saw my Grandma.
All Chinese families have this.
I used to hang all my action figures off the second floor staircase and even parachute some of them down. Now, I rarely go upstairs.
Another one of Mom's specialties in the works.
I can't remember when my parents didn't use iPads and smart phones, but I miss those times.
The door to my room.
Eating out is probably one of the few times we ever spend any time together.
Mom likes to give Stuffy clothes to wear.
We don’t throw anything away. This is my sister’s old futon.
I really shouldn't be photographing this.
I admit, I bought into the Beanie Baby craze back in the 90s. Now they just lay around the house waiting to be the next dog toy.
We used to fight for the controller. Now we just look at our smart phones.
Mom's slippers. 
My dog, Peanut, laying by the altar on Chinese New Year.
We put these up every new year.
Nellie's getting old, but when she gets the chance she likes to come up here and enjoy the sun.
We use this to burn incense.
No caption.
I've been having some difficulty finding a job. So I dedicated a wall specifically to me as a professional. Strengths. Weaknesses. What I need to work on. The whole nine yards.
Shoe rack.
Towel.
For the heavens.
Finding this cat around the house is always an adventure.
Mom's soup. The one thing I always miss when I'm away from home.
Bai sun.
My sister painted that.
"Remember to feed the dogs"
Chinese New Year preparations.
I used to go buy the newspaper with my Dad everyday so he wouldn’t have to find parking. 35 cents. I’m not sure if he still does that, but here are some leftovers. We always find a way to use them.
Dad's room.
Welcome home.