Hi, my name is Sylvia. I was born and raised in New York City (Woodside, Queens to be exact). My parents immigrated here from Taiwan many years ago but still retain much of its culture. As an ABC (American Born Chinese), my Chinese skills were...barely in existence. Taking Mandarin classes in high school helped remedy that, as well as summer visits back to Taiwan. I grew up in a very diverse neighborhood but still had a strong sense of my own cultural identity -- probably due to my parents. My dad loves telling me his childhood stories, such as the time he stole yams from a neighbor's farm. He always ends the story by telling me that I am very lucky to be living such an easy life in America.