Elephant Hat

Ms. Chen, 75, exuded a certain kind of cool and command. I immediately wanted to call her “boss.” I loved her mix of colors topped off with a fancy cap. She’d recently rediscovered the sparkly embroidered cap she’d bought it in Thailand nearly two decades ago.

Originally from Taiwan, she worked at an immigration office in Oakland before retiring, and also picked up Cantonese and English on the job. 

She called to thank me upon receiving her prints in the mail. “I think these are the sharpest photos I’ve ever had taken of me. Very very super!”

- Andria

Translation help by Judy Fong.

New photos and profile of Ms. Chen will be featured in our book.