Adding to the last post of my dual life is an easy thing to do.
Another challenge to my life is food. It is difficult to find many of my favorites. Even to find the ingredients can be a trial. It is not that I do not enjoy other foods than Chinese. I enjoy many different types of food. But these foods do not hold me in my place. When I am able to find ingredients I am view as odd for wishing these things. I have recieved many inquiring looks at the butcher. The grocer's common reply to my questions is "What's that?" Even the asian stores do not stock those things I need. It is no surprise as they are Japanese and Vietnamese. I believe my friend has called these my comfort foods. They are what root me to my ancestry.
People often ask if a Chinese person they have met or is a friend is known to me. Why would I know this? Am I to know all 1.3 billion of them? Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo (the proper name of China) is a large country. I do not understand how certain people believe I have met them all.
In my time here I have discovered I am viewed as a mathmatical Kung Fu master who in the same moment is docile and subservient (this word took much searching ;^) ) to every man, and a coniving temptress with designs on every man I see.
I am Xiang Mei Lian. Nothing more. Nothing less. I have dreams that do not include other women's husbands. Sadly, I know no Kung Fu though I am capable in Nanquan. I am a quiet person. Do not mistake this for docile. Do not think I am the servant of any man. My mathmatical skills are acceptable. And in America, I know very few Chinese people.
When you see me, smile. I will smile back to you. It may be possible for you to be so daring as to say hello. I will return the greeting. Are these not the beginnings of all friendships?
People are thoughtless at times. I'm not sure where all of those stereotypes came from, but many probably came from the movies. When people don't know any better, they tend to believe anything.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of food/ingredients are you looking for? Just about everything is available here. Even close to my home is a huge new asian market. But in Seattle, the variety available is unlimited. You can probably order what you want. Or, come for a visit.
oh my, is everying moving to blogspot? i should re-active mine.
ReplyDelete恩，决定了，我喜欢你。做我的blog sister吧。
ReplyDelete虽然我来美国时才十一岁，可似乎很多经历是相通的。
Your writing is exceptional, even more so given that English is a second language for you.
Intensely ~~
Loofa... I become accustomed to it daily. Still I am in wonder of it. I do not assign Chinese stereo-types to Americans. I see no reason for others to do it to me.
ReplyDeleteAafrica... I am experimenting. Thus far I am prefering herre for the ease and appearance. I do not require "hacks" to dress it.
Intensely... Thank you for kind words. I am fond of you also.
There are times I wish I could have come to this country at a younger age. Perhaps it would have made it easier to aclimate. I have noticed most of asian origin are treated the same.
享受您的假期
it reminds me. many years ago, i got a phone call from a total stranger. he found my number in the phone book. it turned out he was looking for someone with the same last name as mine, but couldn't find that person's number anywhere. so he decided to call me and was hoping i'd know the one he was looking for just b/c our shared last name. i had to laugh so hard !!
ReplyDelete