As a child enclosed in a refugee camp, the world outside was some fantastical unknown place. This is symbolized by my beloved red dress and magical plastic grapes that were acquired from beyond the walls. The memory of little me wandering around showing off my favorite items brings a strong sense of wistful nostalgia for my past.

Dragonflies and barbwire represent my thoughts on the meaning of freedom in the context of a refugee camp. While I freely "flew" with dragonflies along a camp fence, the dragonflies could weave in and out in a way I couldn't.

When the camps shut down, we were sent back to our country of origin. During the trip, little me marveled at the "large dogs" in the distance. This memory of seeing cows for the first time impacted my understanding of the world pre- and post-refugee camp.

While physical walls no longer enclosed me, I learned of different barriers stemmed from political and cultural conflicts surrounding indigenous Cambodians in Vietnam. Despite this knowledge, I found personal freedom in the vast rice paddies of my village.

When my family and I arrived in Seattle, my romanticized American Dream was challenged. I was faced with bullying, racism and other difficulties that came with being an immigrant. My reality was in a constant state of change and I was always required to adapt. The struggle with balancing these new experiences, both good and bad,informed my increasingly hazy understanding of freedom.

This is a reimagined painting of a watercolor piece I did in High-school, depicting my experience with deep depression. The original did not have warm tones, but with the clarity of retrospect, I realized cozy memories were sprinkled in even my coldest season of life.

As a military spouse, I had the privilege of living in Alaska for a few years. This gave me an unprecedented opportunity to connect with nature and myself. With its majestic mountains and alluring northern lights, I felt anchored in my journey with mental health and acceptance of my experiences.

Fueled by my curiosity of the world, I have experienced living in more than ten different places both state side and abroad. These adventures allowed me to interact with different cultures and people. In the end, I realized that we all live under the same sky and facing our own unique sets of challenges. I learned to appreciate the little things in life. Simply gazing at passing clouds became enough to bring me happiness and contentment.

My colorful personal history has shaped and molded who I am. In getting lost in hazy memories, I am found in daydreams with each passing cloud. Through simple observation I find acceptance and love for what was, what is, and what will be.