Items that represent me

For most of my life, I was raised in Southern California. In the city where I was raised, it had a population that was majority Asian. I had a very weird upbringing. Culturally, I felt very in tune with my Asian back ground. My friends and I would always gossip about Asian pop stars, But at the same time, I always differentiated myself away from people of native land. I am an Asian American who is proud of her culture, but also proud of being an American.

In the Asian American community, we call people who have recently immigrated as a "FOB" (fresh off the boat). In a way, it is saying that the way that these people talk, dress and act is not fully Americanized. Personally, I find that even though I do not want to seem like a "FOB," the items around my house tell that I have integrated both Asian and American pop culture into my personal style and life.

In my closet, I have clothes that Asians would consider "fobby". I don't mean that my closet is filled with traditional silk qi pao dresses, but I have items purchased from Asia that are popular with the young generation there. If you google "how to dress like a FOB," you can find a lot of information on how to achieve this look. Girls overseas, especially from major cities, focus on being cute.

This is what a FOB would look like. The main goal of this look it to look cute.Her makeup is done in a way that will make her eyes look bigger by wearing fake lashes and contact lenses that make their eyes look more dilated.Many times, the clothing sold on the streets is one size fits all. So the clothing may be over sized. In my closet, my roommate and I have a section of clothes that would be considered "fobby." This is our way of staying connected with the youths back in Asian culture. However, we do not want to be mistaken for a "FOB." So we take these styles and Americanize them as our own.



I love food. It is very important to me. When I moved to Ohio, it made me very very sad that there were no good authentic Asian restaurants anywhere. Many places have Americanized their recipes to accommodate to the majority population. So when I am at home, I try to cook as "authentic" as I can. In my refrigerator, I would say half of the items are from the Asian market. I have random Asian spices and sauces, and a lot items that are questionable to my roommate. I have shelves full of Japanese and Chinese snacks and candy. Even so, within the same shelf, I keep boxes of easy mac and canned spaghetti. Sometimes I even eat grilled cheese with Chinese cabbage (bok choy). They don't really go together, but I don't care.


I could not find one item and say "voila this is me." I am a result of the current popular culture from the mother land and from the culture here. I really love and appreciate that I can incorporate both sides into my daily life. I am and Asian American who appreciates where I am now, and where I would have been if my parents had not immigrated to the State.

Questions
1. How would one reconcile their faith while being gay?
2. In a video, a Israeli? woman said that her mother would rather her be gay than have her marry a man that was Palestinian. Is this true? Or does it depends on the strength of one's religious affiliation.
3. Is the GBLT community legally allowed to be open, or is it just a social problem?