One time, my parents showed me a (VHS) video of our whole family going to pick me up from the airport, on the night that I was adopted. It was basically a Lion King Pride Rock moment in human form. Since then, I’ve been given the luxury of living a blessed life in the USA and becoming an American citizen, and why wouldn’t someone celebrate that?I woke up this morning to find Olympic ping pong on TV (one of many stereotypically Asian traits that totally missed my skill set). The game was between the USA and South Korea. Both players were Asian. I watched this metaphor of growing up an adopted Asian American play out on the screen for a while. I mean, my internal being is basically a ping pong game between my Asian American self and my South Korean self. Did the NBC and the Olympics air this symbolic game this morning in honor of my Adoption Day? Obviously. So, I watched and thought about all the funny things that happen when you have a different story than your peers, when you’re a minority raised in a culture both your own and not your own.
Going places with my white family and any white friend or boyfriend equal people thinking my parents are the white person’s parents and I’m the guest.
When I get my nails done in places called Happy Nail or NAIL TIME, I get asked a series of questions, all regarding my Asianess and origin, while the native-speakers test the waters to see if I understand what they’re saying.
Driving is a stereotype waiting to happen. I’m an amazing driver that parallel parks like a boss, but on the rare occasion I do something stupid on the road (especially now that I’m in a new place) I feel the other drivers judging me. “What are you DOING? Oh figures, Asian driver / woman driver…” *sigh*
Dating: if you date a lot of Asians, good luck ever getting my attention. I won’t be your fetish.
I love my family and friends so much, and I really believe my life is a gift.
As such, I usually throw an America party to commemorate the greatness of 8/8.
Since I’m still adjusting here, this 8/8 is setting up to be the most low-key adoption anniversary in a while, but I’ll be looking back on year’s past and treating myself anyhow!
What stereotypes do you have to laugh off?
To my adopted readers or those who know someone adopted, what fun things do you do on adoption anniversaries?
-MC
*a past FOBtoFAB American party
You have a beautiful family! I can totally relate to those stereotypes just from being a first gen Asian American. Happy Adoption Day!
Thank you!! Hahah, that is awesome to hear I am not the only one!
HAPPY ADOPTION DAY! In the words of Danny Mulka… USA, A-OKAY!
Miss you, my rainbow friend.
THANK YOU!!! Girl, I almost used the photo of you mid-water gun spray. Too many fun memories that night. I’m a SOLO rainbow stripe down here right now- I miss you too!
Happy adoption day to our wondergul daughter! You are the the best daughter and your dad and I love you with our heart. You bring such joy to our life! It makes it difficult to celebrate this day like we normally do when we live so far apart but just realize we are thinking about you!
Love you,
Mom & Dad
Thank you! Of course I miss you guys today and every day! Love you with my heart and all my heart too!