Zu Jean Lee | 87

Zu Jean Lee has lived in the U.S. for more than 50 years and in San Francisco for most of that to be closer to family who settled here. She has had more limited mobility at this point in her life and uses a wheelchair to get around. She is connected through her phone and computer, and, though she lives alone, finds community with people in her building. She finds her own fun through TV, computer games, or activities in her building. Reading the Bible and spending time with people from her church is very important to her.

The interview is in Mandarin, and a translation is below.

Interview date: 3/31/21

Interviewed by: Belinda Tang

Referred by: Ione Ishii

Translation of Interview

by Linguaficient

Interviewer: Ma’am, could you please tell me your last name, first name and your age?

Zu Jean Lee: Sure. Lee is my last name, and my full name is Lee Zu Jean. I am 87 years old now.

Interviewer: (emm..) Thank you for the information. Ok, so how would your family and friends describe you?

Zu Jean Lee: Oh, I have 5 brothers and sisters and I’m the youngest. I now live alone in the U.S.. Oh, my sister-in-law is also in the U.S., but my brother passed away already.

Interviewer: I am sorry to hear that.

Zu Jean Lee: It’s ok.

Interviewer: So how would your sister-in-law, your nephew and niece describe you?

Zu Jean Lee: Actually, we don’t live together. (coughing) I have lived in the U.S. for about 50 years. I live alone in my apartment. We only contact each other when there is a need. Otherwise, we barely talk.

Interviewer: Ok. So, Ma’am, how would you describe yourself? For example, if I have to describe myself, I would say I am a cheerful person. What adjectives would you use to describe yourself, Ma’am?

Zu Jean Lee: I think I am a cheerful person with a rich imagination. I like watching TV and I know how to use the computer and mobile phone (giggling). Unlike other people, I will find my own fun at home. Oh, there’s one more thing I like to do, that is reading the Bible. Then, I will have a discussion with other members about all sorts of topics from the Bible at the senior center.

Interviewer: So, you are a very curious person and like to learn new things and meet new people, right?

Zu Jean Lee: Yes, I am. Because the world is too big, there are so many things we don’t know. For example, we are both Chinese, but we haven’t been back there for a long time. I watch TV a lot and that’s how I know what China looks like right now from the TV. Like recently I saw some singing and dancing performances from Tibet.

But there are still so many cultures and lifestyles of the people in China that we don’t really know about. I am very proud of being Chinese.

Interviewer: Ma’am, so you previously said that you have been in the U.S. for more than 50 years.

Zu Jean Lee: 50 years, exactly 50 years. I came to the U.S. in 1971, so it has been 50 years now (laughing). After you called me, I went to look for my stuff then found my documents with the entry date. Wow, it’s exactly the 50th year. (laughing). The exact date is September 21, 1971.

Interviewer: Wow, September 21. Then when did you come to San Francisco? When did you move to your current apartment?

Zu Jean Lee: About 12 years ago.

Interviewer: So, you have been in San Francisco for 12 years. And you never went back to New York, right?

Zu Jean Lee: Correct. I then settled down here and didn’t go back to New York anymore.

Interviewer: So why did you come to SF?

Zu Jean Lee: I have a rich sister who lives in San Francisco and that’s my first reason to move here too. But at that time, I knew, I’m already good enough, I didn’t depend on my sisters. It feels good to have relatives in the city, unlike New York, I didn't know anyone but myself. Later my brothers, sisters and my nephew and niece were all living here, they are the reason I chose to come to San Francisco.

Interviewer: Ok. Thank you for telling me. So which places in SF do you like?

Zu Jean Lee: Oh well, I live in the downtown area. The view near AT&T Park is very good. My apartment is newly built, its location and environment are amazing.

The UCSF campus is near my place so I can see it very clearly. There is also a lake nearby, the water that comes in from the ocean (giggling). The environment here is excellent.

Interviewer: So, Ma’am, you like to live in a place with nature, right?

Zu Jean Lee: Yes, I like it very much. I always said I came to the right place (giggling).

Interviewer: How could we do to make San Francisco a better place to live?

Zu Jean Lee: Well, I hope it can be. But now President Biden made the situation very bad. Too many people came into the city, and he had no idea how to deal with it. We were very terrified about that.

Interviewer: If we only talk about San Francisco, what things can we do to make the city a better place to live?

Zu Jean Lee: I think the public security environment is good. I hope the city can keep up the good work in this aspect.

Interviewer: So, Ma’am, before the COVID pandemic, what were your favorite places to go in SF?

Zu Jean Lee: I have been to many places in SF, such as the Golden Gate Bridge. Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I am disabled. I am in a wheelchair now and it’s hard for me to visit different places. But in the past, I visited quite a few places, like the Golden Gate Bridge and the nearby area. Back in the old days, when I was able to walk, my favorite activity was exploring as many places as I could. I really enjoy the natural scenery. But I am not able to go out that often anymore, I guess not going out is kind of self-protection. If you accidentally fall over, who will care? (laughing) You only have yourself. This is a fact.

Interviewer: So is there anything you’ve experienced in your life that compares to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how did you deal with it?

Zu Jean Lee: About that, I guess I am lucky enough to avoid any similar pandemic. I was in New York when San Francisco had the catastrophe. However, this time when the pandemic spread and reached New York, I was in San Francisco. So, I am really lucky. (giggling)

Interviewer: Then how about in Taiwan or in Mainland China, have you experienced any similar incidents?

Zu Jean Lee: No. I didn’t encounter any of these situations.

Interviewer: Wow Ma’am, you have a very lucky and happy life.

Zu Jean Lee: Yes, I have been safe for all my life.

Interviewer: Ok. So, Ma’am what does a typical day look like for you under the pandemic?

Zu Jean Lee: (giggling) Normally if the senior center is open, I will have my breakfast and lunch there. Then I will go back home.

Every Sunday, I go to church. If there are classes offered during the day, then I will join them.

I still attend the classes now, reading the Bible. The Bible is thick, it’s difficult to finish reading it.

I sometimes would also do missionary work. When I was young, I went overseas to preach.

Up until now, I still got the chance to talk with others which made me so happy.

Interviewer: So Ma’am before the COVID, you would go to the senior center every day, and go to the church on Sunday?

Zu Jean Lee: Yes, that’s correct.

Interviewer: So, you don’t visit the senior center anymore right? Is it open now?

Zu Jean Lee: No, some of the facilities in the senior center are open. Every Friday now, the senior center would offer free frozen or cold food for 7 days, such as milk, snacks, etc.

I also joined our Christian fellowship meeting on Thursday, where I meet with my Bible study group.

Oh and after church over Zoom on Sundays, I continue working on reading the book of Genesis. (paused) then do my coursework. (laughing)

I am really happy at this stage of my life. Being an 87-year-old lady, but I can still talk with people, like the conversation we are having right now which makes me feel happy. It’s really hard to find someone to talk with. I sometimes go out for a walk at noon, to enjoy the sunshine. If I don’t, my legs would be useless.

I would not be allowed to live in my apartment if I couldn't walk or take care of myself. So, I have to be able to take care of myself to keep living in the apartment.

But the U.S. government is really nice, they have a helper to take care of me due my disability. Every month, they pay $120 per hour for the helper. The helper comes to visit me every day for 5 hours. That really makes my life a lot easier. The helper does the grocery shopping for me and takes care of other stuff.

Besides, the helper would help me wash clothes and help me get cleaned up. There are many things that I can’t handle anymore, So what are you looking forward to at the moment?

(laughing) I hope I am safe and sound. Every day I need to take some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), no other pills or jabs.

No one knows when they are going to die, nobody knows except God. So why don’t we choose to live happily every day?

Interviewer: If you could give advice to younger people, what would it be, other than trying to live happily every day?

Zu Jean Lee: For young people, you should finish your education first then find something to do.

There should be more people learning how in America children take care of themselves after turning 18.

But you have to educate yourself, otherwise people will look down on you. And if you can’t take care of yourself, nobody will care.

Take me as an example, I came to the U.S. alone and stayed here for 50 years, I don’t have anyone to rely on but only myself. I worked hard and now I have my pension fund supporting my living, I can live happily.

There’s one thing that I really appreciate about the American way, that the kids need to move out at 18 to take care of themselves.

Before you are 18, it’s reasonable that you rely on your parents.

But I know that’s not a common thing in Chinese culture. Especially back in the old days, parents spoiled their kids rotten.

Interviewer: Ma’am, when you reached your current age, what has been surprising to you about getting older?

Zu Jean Lee: (giggling) No, I don’t feel that. My whole life is very peaceful. But the biggest change for me is believing in God. Look at me, I’m 87 years old but I can still go out every day. My apartment has a phone and computer, sometimes I play computer games (laughing). So, I’m very satisfied with my current life.

Interviewer: Wow, I don’t even know you play games! (both are laughing)

Zu Jean Lee: So why not try this new technology! They make us so happy! WeChat can let you know so many things that you didn't even know before.

Interviewer: So back to the question, how has technology changed your life on a personal level?

Zu Jean Lee: Without technology, your life would be so boring, sitting at home all day and staring at the wall. Now we have computers and mobile phones (laughing), the content on there is unlimited. Or let me put it this way, I am Chinese, but I haven’t been to many provinces.

Interviewer: That’s true, with the help of technology, you can learn lots of things at home without going out. Ma’am, what would you say are the major values of principles that you live by, other than living happily every day?

Zu Jean Lee: One thing is to force myself to walk. Staying at home all day without enough exercise, my legs would be no use anymore, especially the muscles. If you don’t walk, then you would be paralyzed. I am disabled and I’ve walked with the help of a three-wheel walker for almost a decade. But I still keep walking every day.

Interviewer: So Ma’am, what things do you find yourself doing that you said you’d never do?

Zu Jean Lee: (emmm) I don’t think so.

Interviewer: Does doing missionary work make you happy?

Zu Jean Lee: Yes. To find a friend is really hard. What topics can you talk about? It’s very hard. You need to have something to talk about when having a conversation, otherwise you can’t go on. I need to have something to share to make the chat work.

Interviewer: So Ma’am, what have you done lately that made you feel good?

Zu Jean Lee: (laughing) I am always happy. I have a mobile phone and computer. Besides, there are over 100 households in my apartment building. Sometimes I can join the activities that are organized by them or visit the senior center. And of course, joining church activities.

Interviewer: So Ma’am, you like to spend time with people and that makes you feel happy, right?

Zu Jean Lee: Yes. Talking and sharing life with people is a good thing. At the senior center, we are all friends. Being kind to people and not picking a fight is my main principle.

Interviewer: That’s true, let’s live in peace (giggling).

Zu Jean Lee: Yes, it’s very important.

Interviewer: So Ma’am, what are the most defining moments in your life?

Zu Jean Lee: I will never forget the first office job I had in the U.S. It was very challenging at that time. My English was poor when I just got here. Cashier was my first job and I worked as a cashier at many different stores.

I will never forget those days when I had to work as a cashier during the day and rushed to classes at night. My English back then was poor so I had to practice my English if I wanted to work in an office. It’s impossible to do that if you can’t speak English well. I had to study English and get a job. Eventually I made it, and got my first office job, as an accountant. I will never forget my boss paid for my computer training classes at IBM. He is Chinese. And I will never forget my Chinese identity. When I came to the U.S., it was the Chinese who offered me the job, not the Americans.