Dining Differently

I'm extremely used to my family and our way of doing things. We have our specified daily routines, our family celebrations that are tailored to suit us best, and our rituals at the dinner table. I've become so in-tune with how my family is that when I'm in a different house, the environment feels alien. Let's be honest; the food at someone else's house is never as good as the cooking our mom does.

A few years back, I went to my friend's house for lunch. It was even more different for me than it would normally be because it wasn't a different take on an "American meal", her family had prepared a large Persian meal. It was the first time I'd had that kind of food, and so much of it! I was willing to try it; it was delicious and I ate all of it. I remember being too shy to ask for seconds because I wanted everyone else to be able to sit and enjoy eating rather than have to serve me. I didn't know if, in her house, it was considered acceptable or not to eat more than you were served. Later, I found out that the more you eat, the better. They love it when you ask for additional helpings, but I had no idea because I'd never formally dined with their family. I was used to how things were in my family, where I would wait until everyone was finished and move on.

The whole time I was there, I felt at ease. I'd known her for awhile and though our cultures were different, they didn't conflict. Her family was incredibly kind and talkative, accepting me into their house and welcoming me at their dinner table.

The Trouble of Names

For some reason, when I googled my name this picture came up:

That actor's name is Jake Abel, not close at all to my name. I don't think I can be found on Google but a lot of people with similar names (or not so similar) can be. My last name has no story to it that I know of- it was just my father's last name. My first name doesn't have too much of a story either. My mom had several names she liked for a baby girl and she chose the one she liked best.

I think my name suits me. I also think that by the time people are asked if they feel their name embodies them, they've lived with it so long that no other name feels right. Even when I was little, I felt like it was 'my name', so I guess my parents did a good job choosing it. I never had an embarrassing nickname given to me and people have always been good about pronouncing it. I've had no moments in my life when I was embarrassed by the name my parents gave me.

In "The Namesake", the protagonist, Gogol, isn't aware of the story behind his name. He is of Bengali heritage and is not only given a Russian name, but a last name as a first name. It sounds awkward when he is being spoken to and he feels detached to it, as if it isn't his. His father chooses his name after an event in his life that means a lot to him, not to his son. Gogol might appreciate the name and its story if his father tells him of it's importance, but his father keeps it from him. He has no way of knowing and therefore thinks it's a meaningless name that continues to be mispronounced and bring him embarrassment.

Knowing Me, Knowing You

I've been asked to think about my heritage, where I come from, how I identify myself, and what actually plays into my life. In the book we're currently reading, the protagonist is Bengali and although she's moved to America, she continues with her traditions.

I'm German, English (Wales/Scotland?), and Latin, though I was born in Las Vegas. I don't speak German; I speak English because I grew up in America and I speak some Spanish because I'm in a Spanish class at Sage. I think it's hard to really identify with your roots if neither you or your parents are from or have lived in the area that holds your roots. If I'd traveled to Germany, I might have started practicing certain customs but otherwise I feel too distant. Living in California now, it's hard to feel a connection to heritages I was never around. I don't know if "American" is a heritage since America is a place where so may cultures have come together, but it is what I would identify as.