"I probably spent the first 20 years of my life wanting to be as American as possible. Through my 20s, and into my 30s, I began to become aware of how so much of my art and architecture has a decidedly Eastern character"

Maya Lin's quote speaks to her journey of self-discovery and her understanding of her own identity. As a young person, she wished to suit and be as American as possible, likely due to her Chinese-American heritage. However, as she aged, she began to acknowledge the Eastern affects in her art and architecture. This awareness most likely assisted her to embrace her cultural heritage and to acknowledge the charm of her own identity. It is an effective pointer that we can all find out to appreciate our own distinct backgrounds and to commemorate the variety of our cultures.