Monday, July 21, 2008

(I believe that is the number 8 in Cantonese)

Continuing the epic quest towards 100....

#60- Besides being an avid sleeptalker (see fact #17), I also have an odd tendency to tie in what I have worn to bed into my dream. This means for a near recurrent "naked in public" dream, with several variations, such as "giant t-shirt and no pants at the mall" or "slinky nightgown on the bus". A few nights ago, I actually got up at 3am, and, in a half-asleep stupor, put on more clothes, because I was convinced that a friend was sleeping on a cot in our bedroom and was very uncomfortable by my berdoom attire.

#61- I am a little jealous of those with a strong ethnic identity, as I feel a little disconnected with mine. My mother's side is a sort of generic Western European, with very little family legend emerging from it. My father is French-- Acadian to be exact. The Acadians have a fascinating story, in which, when the English beat the French for the rights to Canada, they decided to deport countless Acadians from their homes in the Maritimes. Of course, in those days, it was never as simple as requesting a move. It was burning down homes and separating people from their families. The majority of those who were deported ended up in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajun. My side of the family remained in Canada, to much oppression for a long time.


It is odd how little known this is, even within Canada. When the mistreatment of the French is brought up, Quebec is automatically assumed. Few people are even aware of the Acadians unique cultural traditions and history. Unfortunately, given that I grew up on the opposite side of the country from my Acadian family, I know little more about their culture than I just wrote. I speak fluent French, but could not name off more than a few Acadian dishes, and one or two writers. This somehow seems wrong to me, as though I am missing a part of myself.

#62- Everyone once a while, I feel a little dismayed about how infrequently I speak French, and how much my skills are diminishing as a result. To assuage these fears, I will then set to naming everything in my immediate proximity in French. Next, I will move on to whole categories of items. For instance, on a recent bus ride home, I tried to describe everything I saw via my French internal monologue, then moved onto naming every body part I could think of ("orteille, pied..... yeux, cheveux"). There is something reassuring about remembering how to says something as obscure as microwave popcorn, and even more delicious to feel the accent rolling across my lips every so often.

#63- I have 12th row tickets to see Madonna in October! My 8-year old self, 14-year old self, and my present-day self are simultaneously squealing. I did pay an absurd chunk of cash, honestly, but Madonna is such a cultural icon to me as a girl who grew up in the 80s. I hardly even listen to her new music, but she remains my #1 act I wanted to see live. And this is the first time she's ever came to my city! (She hasn't been too chummy with Canada ever since we threatened to arrest her for diddling herself on stage... I love the fact that I just said diddling).
Also great? I'm seeing my #2 act this summer- Radiohead!!!

#64- In elementary school, I was a proud member of the ephemeral (lasting only a week or so), but still legendary, Hi-Tops-- a lip-sync group. The highlight of our brief existence? Lip-syncing "Moni Moni" by Billy Idol in front of our entire school. I, sadly, was relegated to back-up singer status. It did give me an excuse to look super streamlined and slick in my black spandex pants, though.

#65-  With regards to romantic relationships, I am either completely single, or completely taken. (There was a two months in which I tried "dating" in my first year of college, and found out that telling a guy you didn't want a relationship meant that he got really huffy when you wouldn't put out.) This is not necessarily something intentional on my part-- I've never been one of those girls who desperately needed a boyfriend or to hurry the "what are we" relationship talk. I guess, as a general rule, I may just be good girlfriend material.

#66- I was a Trekkie in junior high. My best friend and I would meet at my house every weekday at 4pm to watch Star Trek: The Next Generation, and plot our wedding to Lieutenant Riker. I made my friends go see "Star Trek: Generations" for my 13th birthday, and even wrote a fan letter to Brent Spiner, who played Data, asking for his autograph (tragically, he never wrote back). All this was of course completely disavowed and denied when I turned 14, and discovered that boys liked me more when I wore make-up and didn't talk about the Enterprise.

#67- I hate the fact that I can't stand the taste of beer. I accept a can every year or so, with the hope that those same taste buds that have resulted in a newfound love for asparagus will also have matured to the flavours of hops and barley... but each time, I find myself wincing and burping through the entire can, eventually sneaking to the bathroom to pour the now-warm swill down the drain.
It just feels like such a high maintenance characteristic. I can't merely accept what someone has in the fridge or hop in on a group pitcher. I'm no fun at beer gardens. I need to buy the correct proportions of mix and liquor before I go to parties (and, yes, I can do coolers & ciders, if need be, but too many Bacardi Breezers make me feels as though I am 17 and really need to go to the dentist). Even worse is the fact that I really, really like girlie drinks-- the more umbrellas the better. I will actually purposefully not order a pina colada or a glass of riesling on many occasions, just because I know I've already lost points for not partaking in the ale guzzling, and I will lose many more if I ask to see a drink list.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now I feel like doing research on Acadians. I had NO clue. Honestly.

Anonymous said...

I wish I loved beer too. I can get through some kinds...but in general it's not my favorite

Anonymous said...

i've also never been a big fan of beer. i'm convinced it's because my dad used to give me some to tip as a child and laugh when i thought it was disgusting.

Anonymous said...

Have you ever tried GOOD beer - as in, the kind that doesn't come in a can?? I didn't like beer until I studied abroad in Europe and figured I might as well get used to it, since I was living amongst beer drinkers in Austria. But micro brews are really the best...there's gotta be some good ones in your neck of the woods. (Can you tell that it makes me sad when people don't like beer? I just live it so!)

Rahul said...

Madonna loves Canada. I know. I asked her.

I made that up.

Rachel said...

I COMPLETELY understand your culture problem. I'm an Eastern European mutt and the most culture my family has is Ebay. I married into a Greek family and I have decided to take it on as my own....except I totally cannot pronounce any of the language.


:*(

Katelin said...

i really wish i liked beer too, my bar tab would be so much cheaper.

Yoda said...

No bière?

Try wheat beer sometime? Hoegarden!

Anonymous said...

Have you tried Sam Adams? That's good beer!

I agree with #61. I consider myself to be an Italian-American, but since I'm only a quarter Italian I'm not sure if it counts.

Anonymous said...

I'm Korean. . . but I'm adopted into the family of some incredibly Southern people, so yeah. Sometimes, I would like to be just Asian, but that ain't happening with this almost-Southern accent I've got going for me ;)

Your heritage is really interesting, though.

Essentially Me said...

Tying in what you've worn to bed in your dream takes talent!

Anonymous said...

haha I remember coming up with all sorts of bands and dance groups when I was a kid too...it never really was my thing though. And I'm so jealous I'd love to see Madonna

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

i don't like beer either - icky.

and im all sorts of jealous about the madonna show!!

Unknown said...

Sorry to say but, once a Trekkie, always a Trekkie. It's not just some club you can quit or something.

Dexter Colt said...

I came here to say what Dorky Dad already said. You join the Trekkie gang and you're in it for life.

Madonna's Like a Virgin came out when I was 11 years old. For some reason I liked the song even though I am sure I didn't know what it meant to be "touched for the very first time." I would find out a few years later.

Anonymous said...

I've never heard of such an odd, cool trait (dreams that include your clothing). That's really funny.

Anonymous said...

Hey there, thought I'd point out that's not the word for 'eight' in Cantonese. That word you used has the same pronunciation as 'eight' in Cantonese (fa), but it really means 'hair'! hahaha. What you're looking for is this: 八. ;)

Ant said...

Acadian? That is so interesting - I've read about them in my studies of Canadian history, and you're right they're often one of the forgotten societies (the other that I read about that seem to be similar are the Metis around Winnipeg...)

I think the Acadians also featured in Simon Schama's "Rough Crossings", which is well worth a read (all about black slavery, and their attempts to set up new communities in Newfoundland then Sierra Leone - but from an inevitably British point of view).

And the commenteer above can get all to hell - I am personally loving your cantonese work! (I'm also loving the fact that the URL spazzed out and simply called it "blog-post.html")

Anonymous said...

Just thought you'd want to know what the word really is. Didn't mean to offend or anything.

Anonymous said...

I totally put on more clothes in my sleep last week. I clearly remember that my husband had told a fictional TV character he could sleep in our bed and I was embarrassed that I didn't have pants on.

I woke up with one leg in pj pants and one leg out. My husband was staring at me to the point of giggles and I said "I'm cold" :)

Beth said...

Keep up that French! It's wonderful to be bilingual.
And judging from my experience and efforts, you may never develop a taste for beer. But wouldn't life (the drinking life) be easier if we could?

Salt City Mistress said...

Excellent list! NEVER apologize for not liking beer, it doesn't make you a snob it just means you have finer tastes! ;)

Chelsea Talks Smack said...

#63 WHAT WHAT?!? I'M SO JEALOUS!?!!?!!!! OMG. I fucking love my Madonna. Yes mine, like I own her. lol.

Anonymous said...

I, too, am jealous of those with a strong ethnic identity. For whatever reason, my dad's side of the family is very secretive and I still don't know what nationality we are. My mom's side guesses that there is some Italian, German and maybe Austrian...but we don't know for sure. I feel like I'm missing out a bit.

Also, I think it's fantastic that you speak French. I wish I could!

P said...

I'm always single or taken - more often single than taken, admittedly!!!

P said...

I'm always single or taken - more often single than taken, admittedly!!!

KA said...

I envy you and your number 65 :-(

Anonymous said...

(Actually, that's not the number 8 in Chinese, this is: http://tinyurl.com/5eaedz)

Just fyi :)

t.k.foster said...

See now I am fascinated by people who know their ethnic background with depth. I have no clue where to even start with that kind of stuff and would probably get bored if I searched anyway. Plus, when you're from the Southern United States there is that fear of LEARNING that you're just all from the same people anyway.

Yes, you do strike me as perfect girlfriend material. Most intelligent girls fall in the category of either fully single or fully taken - and it is to their advantage.

Mega said...

Believe it or not, both sides of my family came from Austrailia.

About the beer, I am so sorry. That must be a horrible condition to have. Not enjoying beer.

WKC said...

Speaking as a minority, don't buy the hype on ethnic identity. Sure it makes a decent conversation starter but it can be pretty inconvenient at other times.

Radiohead are excellent live. I just hope you don't get drenched like we did down in DC!

Sheila said...

#66 I was a trekkie too... OK, I still am, but it was my father's fault. He watched the original series (via re-run) on TV and I was drawn into it.

#67 is totally me! I always feel like a "bad German" because I do not like beer. I like coolers, wine, khaluha and amaretto!

eric1313 said...

Bonjour, Princess.

Yep, I've almost exhausted my French, the rest of what I know I learned from Li'l Kim.

They keep us Americans dumb on purpose, you know.

And Psuedosophical can stick a cork in it. Sophists had the same connotations to the ancient Greeks as the term "wise guy" does today.

And his/hers/its is a false wisdom at that.