After thinking about doing this for the longest, I decided that today would finally be the day I post my first blog entry. In fact, I thought that it would be more than appropriate to post this, my premier blog entry, on the day of Vietnamese Tết or Chinese New Year – The Year of the Snake.
Here is my back-story. I am part Vietnamese and Chinese from my Mom’s side, as well as a BUNCH of other European nationalities from my Dad’s side (the breakdown reads like the ingredients for your typical American stew – French, English, German, Dutch, Scottish, Welsh, Irish – whew!). I was born in 1976, which was the Year of the Dragon. Always proud of my cultural diversity, I often educated others on the various customs and beliefs that my Mom still carries to this day. She immigrated to the US from Vietnam back in 1975 after the American Embassy in the former Saigon fell. I learned so much from both of my parents and I am SO grateful that they are still here to share their experiences about the wacky world of parenthood.
My Husband, who is African-American, has furthered our family’s diversity, not only for myself, but for that of my son, Bryce. We’d never thought that we would be able to have kids, since Hubby is 12 years older than me and we didn’t begin trying for children until I was the ripe old age of 35. However, God had other plans and our Lil’ Boopa is 10 months old as of this entry.
Our country has become so diverse that I wonder when he grows up, which box my Bryce will check when he gets to the question about “race.” I normally check the box, “Asian-American,” unless they give me the option to check more than one, to which I would also include: “Caucasian.” I want him to know how cool it is to have such richness of culture coursing though his veins and I hope that he’s as proud of his lineage as I am of mine.
I wanted to share my memories, thoughts and feelings about living in a multicultural family. I also wanted to shed some light into who I am as a Person, Woman, Wife and Mom – thus, the creation of this blog. Though I may hold onto old customs and traditional ways of thinking, I am open to new ideas, traditions and beliefs. THIS Dragon wants to experience all there is in life and I hope you will come with me for the ride.
Below is a link to some fun facts about the Lunar New Year, as well as how to pronounce: “Happy New Year!” in both Vietnamese and Chinese. 🙂 BTW, I will explain this at another time, but English is the only language that I speak. 😦 I look to change that in the coming year.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and I look forward to your feedback.
Until next time, as my Mom always tells me, “Just look straight ahead and keep going.”.
12 Traditions of the Lunar New Year
The Way of THIS Dragon 