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Author Archives: Bec Zhuang
I took my parents to see the Chinese film Hi, Mom. I wasn’t prepared for the tears
As the credits rolled on Jia Ling’s hit comedy, Bec Zhuang saw her father crying for one of the first times in her life Originally published in The Guardian, May 2021 My Dad (Ba) sits to my left and my Mum (Ma) to the right. The credits roll past in the usual blur – but instead ofContinue reading “I took my parents to see the Chinese film Hi, Mom. I wasn’t prepared for the tears”
The restorative power of Asian grocery stores
Even with an idyllic lifestyle and newfound freedom, my parents longed for familiarity. Looking back on our Sydney road trips, I realise they were an attempt to take a tiny piece of China back to Newcastle with them. Originally published on SBS Voices, August 2020 The first time I remember going to an Asian groceryContinue reading “The restorative power of Asian grocery stores”
Queenside Story
Originally posted on Vocal as part of a joint submission for it’s Pay It Forward Competition A local cafe owner has creatively responded to the effects of COVID-19 The first thing I learned about Jim was that he was obsessed with games, specifically chess. I’d met him through a mutual friend at a games nightContinue reading “Queenside Story”
Reflections
Sometimes it’s nice to reflect on how far you’ve truly come and to look back in time with a different lens. Things always seem to be so much better when you look back retrospectively that you lose sight of how things actually were. I think that’s why it’s good to continue documenting thoughts, feelings, anxieties,Continue reading “Reflections”
GDP: Economics for dummies
There’s a conversation that I vividly remember having with Joel around two years ago. We had just parked in my driveway after chatting about our days in the car ride from Moore Park to Marrickville. I remember relaying a headline I’d seen a few hours earlier: “Did you see Australia’s GDP has risen by 2%Continue reading “GDP: Economics for dummies”
3:30pm
Originally published in Veritgo Magazine, June 2017 It was 3:30pm at the Cambodian-Thai border when I realised. It was 3:30pm when I realised I was still four hours away from Bangkok; it was 3:30pm when I realised my flight to Sydney was in less than eight hours, and it was 3:30pm when I realised IContinue reading “3:30pm”
Love bytes: how a video game is preparing my boyfriend and me for living together
From separate share-houses in lockdown we tackle shared finances, work-life balance and goal setting – in a farming simulation Originally published in The Guardian, May 2020 “I’m going to the mines!” says a voice through my laptop. It’s my partner, Joel – albeit a pixelated version of him. I see him move swiftly out ofContinue reading “Love bytes: how a video game is preparing my boyfriend and me for living together”
Morning mantras
I have set up this blog to write more and develop my voice. I want to write words freely and unrestricted. I want to write about everything and anything without my own internal pressure of making it good enough for publication and my own anxiety around perfectionism. At the moment, I feel a lot ofContinue reading “Morning mantras”
Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives
Six mummies from Ancient Egypt are calling the Powerhouse Museum their home for this major exhibition Originally published in Time Out Sydney, 2017 Head down to the Powerhouse Museum for the world premiere of Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives, on now. The exhibition is an interactive display of six mummies who lived and died in Egypt betweenContinue reading “Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives”