Screenshot: Mom & Dad Facetime me from the beach after cycling.
Welcome to Permanent Vacation, a portrait of my parents’ lives as Asian American retirees and seniors living in the Sunshine State.
Though my Mom and Dad immigrated from Thailand to the US over forty years ago, I’m continually fascinated by the way that they have adapted to the American landscape and specifically Florida in their own unique way. From their bright colorful activewear to where they shop and what they eat, it’s clear that their sunny, palm tree-dotted environment has shaped their cultural identities.
From the seashores to the suburbs, this ongoing project (evolving in 2019 and now spanning to other locations) offers a glimpse into my parents’ peaceful yet highly active lives as seniors, while broadening the ideas of aging and our sense of place and belonging in the world.
My interview with Lenscratch about this ongoing project.