It wasn’t until I moved away to college that I began to truly conceptualize the importance of family. In an environment where I am truly a minority – ethnically and nationally – I have had the opportunity to reflect on how much of an influence my family’s values have had on me and in many ways, I have regressed to my roots.
For example, I took it for granted that everyone removed their shoes at the door before entering the home. When I started living in a residence hall, I realized that this wasn’t the case for most people. To remove one’s shoes at the door is a cultural practice that is widespread in Asian households. That’s the way I was raised and undoubtedly how I will continue to do things in my own household. At a holiday dinner during Christmas with my extended family, we had a discussion on why we removed our shoes at the doorway. Everyone agreed that it was simply a hygienic and respectful gesture. Beautiful shoes generally take you beautiful places, but on a day to day basis, your shoes are treading everywhere: public washrooms, soccer fields, steps of stairs where many other soles have touched. To then step all over your home in that same pair of shoes is simply unclean in concept and in reality. However, wearing slippers or socks is also very common practice in Asian families. When we enter the home, we slide into our slippers. My Mom holds that wearing slippers in the household will reduce your risk of arthritis. Whether this is true, I have no basis, but she would always nag my brother and I to wear our slippers in the household whenever she saw us barefoot. I think I must have had at least 10 pairs of slippers throughout my teenage years.
Additionally, I miss Asian food quite a bit in the United States.
I’m happy to be here though. Bates is contrary to much that I know and I’m learning more than I ever would have if I had stayed in Vancouver. At times, I am so occupied that I forget that I am living abroad.
I’m going to New York tomorrow to attend Womensphere – a conference at Columbia University! I’m excited for a mini-break.
You can also listen to WRBC (91.5 FM) to hear my radio show – Phamjams, West Coast Lovin’ – on Saturday at 12-2! Listen in for some great guest stars and more surprises!
Bis,
M
My cousins and I
Mom with some Christmas gifts I gave her.
Hi Michelle! We met on the subway yesterday! Lol I’ll explain to you how found your blog later lol. Tried calling you to see if you’d like to hang out before I leave back to west coast., :/ got some white lady on the phone lol. May have gotten your number down wrong. Please get back to me. Would just love to hang out with you.