language
What We’ve Been Laughing About
I’m a firm believer in laughter. Varun and I take great joy in laughing at with each other over cultural and linguistic confusions. Here’s what we’ve been laughing about this week… Me: Oh, that reminds me of this movie I used to watch as a kid, Bambi. Varun: Barbie? Me: No, Bambi. It’s about this … Continue reading
A What?
On Saturday, Varun and I were waiting by the elevator when his cell phone pinged. We were waiting for an email, so he read it. As he did, his eyebrows knit together. Varun: What does this mean? Me: What? Varun: A rain check? “Can we have a rain check”? Me: Oh, um..it means that they’re … Continue reading
Ek Tha Raja
One of the perks of begin in an intercultural relationship is that you find out tons of weird things about your own culture. Like today, when I began to consider the sad truths behind common nursery rhymes. This morning, Varun and his sister Vasudha were joking about a Hindi nursery rhyme when Varun asked, “Why … Continue reading
Many Villages: Acculturation or Assimilation?
This past semester I took a course on Cross-cultural counselling. Part of the coursework is a weekly journal reflecting on anything I’ve learned, thought about, or found challenging from the course material. I decided to post parts of these reflections in a weekly series called “Many Villages”. In South Philly there are two Cheesesteak joints … Continue reading
The Difference(s) Between Southern Virginia and Ontario
Sometimes, even going “home” to the USA can be confusing. Last week I went to Lynchburg, Virginia to be a bridesmaid in my dear friend Kristina’s wedding. A typical Northerner, I thought to myself, “Virginia. I’ve been there. Arlington, Washington, D.C.*, yup, I can do Virginia, I am American“. And then I spent the majority … Continue reading
