Where are you from?

Hearing: Pride and Prejudice (recent movie version)

I am currently trying to fix my old lappie since mum wants it and the operating system isn't up to scratch. Meanwhile, as those who know a little about computers, i have some time in between reboots, installs, hard disk scans etc to catch up on emails, blogs and other stuff.

There is something i really need to get off my chest that's been bugging me for a while now. And its not just me, a lot of my friends are bothered by it too. Its the one question that people always ask me here and it almost always rubs me up the wrong way. "Where are you from?"

Why is it annoying? Here is how the conversation usually goes...

Scenario 1

Person A: Where are you from?
Me: Australia.
Person A: But you don't look Australian/But your name looks Arabic.
Me: Yeah, my background is Arabic.
Person A: Oh, OK.

Or sometimes i try a different tactic which is just as ineffective.

Scenario 2

Person A: Where are you from?
Me: Syria.
Person A: Really? But you don't have an Arabic accent.
Me: That's because i grew up in Australia.

One girl, after going through scenario 1, said "well your Arabic then, not Australian". I felt like saying to her "Excuse me? Who the hell are you to tell me what i am or am not!". I wasn't born in Australia, but wasn't born in Syria either, does that make me Saudi since that was where i was born? Ive lived in Australia since i was 4yrs old, i speak/read/write in English 95% of the time. Ive been to Syria 3 times in the 20yrs since leaving the Middle East. I speak Arabic to my mum, English to my brother. So what does that make me?

When I was out with my flatmate E- (an Aussie with a Malay background) on the desert safari tour we did a while back the guide asked us that dreaded question. E- said she was Australian, he nodded, i said Australian... "but you don't look Australian". I just looked at E- and said to her after he left, "but you do?". Admittedly she has her share of problems in this regard too.

The other night we were chatting about an incident that happened to her friend who is also Aussie with Thai roots - she actually has the best Occa accent ever. Anyway a guy trying to get her attention (stupidly) called out "Hey China!". Can you imagine how irritating it must be? Just because they look Asian they get subjected to this sort of idiocy.

We, all three of us are Australian, if you ask us, that's our answer. I know when i say it, i believe it and it doesn't mean I'm disregarding my ethnic roots either. I say Australian because i am. I just happen to have an ethnic background too which unless your a friend i don't need to go into details with you about.

Just my two cents.

VP

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Updates

Hearing: quiet...

Ive just spent the past couple of hours chatting with a very sweet but loud friend of mine so I'm giving my ears a break.

So its been a while since I've posted and thought i should throw in a general update though i haven't actually been on any new trips. So just general news today.

Item 1: My cousin left not long after my return from JFK. She laughed her head off at my forgetting to pack pants - Thanks for your support sis. LOL. I was planning to go to Damascus with her since i had a few days off but some family issues made me rethink the trip. I do miss her, she is great company and we laughed so much together. She really knows how to make me laugh and bring about the best in me. Unfortunately i don't know when I'll get to see her again, i hope i don't have to wait another 7years cuz that would totally suck - 'scuse my language.

Item 2: Manila photos are finally posted (well the were done a while ago but i neglected to post an update). I was planning to get some photos from the girl that went with me on the Taal tours but i think she might have forgotten - oh well.

Item 3: Merrick and Rosso! I used to listen to them all the time back home in Sydney, they really kick-started my mornings. Relevance? Ive been downloading their podcasts and listening to them and they are as good as ever. If any Aussies out there are feeling homesick, this will really cheer you up. Then again it might make you more homesick....hmmm....well at least you'll get a laugh either way.

Item 4: I have annual leave coming up! YAY me! I'm really looking forward to being home catching up with my family and just soaking in Sydney. I cant wait. I have my ticket and my bag is out and ready for me to start packing. I should be heading home on the 6th and will have about 10 days there. Yippee!

Item 5: I caught up with Amanda on a recent layover in London. We got into the "what are we doing/where are we going" discussion. Her and her bf are working there and saving to travel which a lot of Aussies do. She was voicing her thoughts about working in London for a while, being away from home, the future etc and then she asked me when/if i was going home. Ive been thinking about my future for a while now and i have several ideas but I'm not sure which to pursue. I could go into details but this post will end up long and incoherent so when i have sorted my thoughts out I'll post then.

Item 6: Not really and item but a photo of my first henna tattoo i got done on the desert safari i did with my cousin - just cuz i can. I wanted something cooler but the lady was in a rush so i let her do whatever. The safari was mad fun btw, my cousin and i tried sand boarding for the 1st time and we had a blast! We were the only girls to try and when they guys saw us they managed to get the courage to try too and ended up hogging all the boards! Such a great day. Oh and here's a pic of my cousin on the highest dune...it was murder trying to get to the top but we managed and it was worth it. And one of her with the kissing camel, seriously if you stood in front of it and leaned forward, it moved its head in as though it was about to kiss you! How cool is that?


























So that's pretty much it from me. Things are quiet at the moment but I'm happy about that, it gives me a chance to catch up on my reading.

Always
VP

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