I have had the hardest time writing lately. Even my journal is lacking and my last several entries are dry and factual. I know I am busy and dealing with all sorts of changes and adjustment. But usually those are the times that I feel like writing the most so that I can sort out my world. Somehow this time is different. Maybe I am suffering from re-entry shock "back" into my old foreign culture. Wierd isn't it?
As far as stories of what I have been doing. The ladies from my team and I went out to dinner and then ice cream tonight. During dessert we began speaking about something (I can't even remember what!) and it was so intensely funny that we began laughing hysterically and uncontrollably. This of course being completely and totally inappropriate for women in public (here) had the whole restaurant of people staring at us. We, of course, were turning various shades of red and pink as well as trying to stifle our outburst. Anyone who has ever laughed this way will know that trying to stop it only makes it ten times worse. Before we had finished laughing, two ladies had accidentally dropped their spoons on the floor. Anyone who had failed to notice us choking in the corner of the room now drew their attention to us. The waiter promptly deposited two more clean spoons on the table; he was so quick because he also had been watching us the whole time. Somehow I have managed to have the embarrassment factor of a Middle Easterner without the same habitual control for my giggles. I am sure they thought we were all drunk--we weren't! We were just enjoying each other's company and fellowship. All in all a good time!
AH! I remember what was so funny. The ladies were trying to marry me off to the waiter's cousin.
9 comments:
Was the waiter's cousin good-looking?
the cousin of the same waiter who instantly replaced the fallen spoons? If so---is the cousin much like this waiter---attentive, eager to care for, able to function in a tense situation? Not bad qualities in an husband.....though far from most important.
Sounds like you are becoming "re-acclimatised" in your home...and that is good. I'd not fret over writer's block....that will go away in good time. Good to hear from you here again, hear?
Glad you got to giggle like that! I assume your problem with blog-o-block was solved as a result. :~)
Really enjoyed reading your story...wish I was there with you all!
Just heard you are sick...get some antibiotics if you suspect strep. I thought I might have left some with the Keenans, but I think I brought it home. They have a bag of our meds, see whats there. Let me know if you find anything that will help.
Miss you,
Robin
Haha, yes, the very same waiter. Although I haven't the foggiest idea if he has any of the same qualities (nor if he is good looking!) and, as you said, Nick, those are not the MOST important. I think I have my heart set on marrying an American man personally. I see marriages as enough work without adding the miscommunications that result from being cross cultural. But God will have to work all that out in His timing.
Yes, Miss C, you, again, demonstrate great wisdom. I have known quite a number of cross-cultural matches, and some of them weren't. The craziest was when a French Canadian missionary married a local domestic servant whilst in Oaxaca, Mexico. She spoke neither English nor French Canadian, and he not a word os Spanish. What english he had in command was, shall we say, strained. I thought it was crazy, but I only met them after they were living in British Colombia. On the other hand, I've known a number of men to meet and marry latino Ladies whilst on station in those countries....some of the strongest marriages I've known. But then, the guys had been living there, thoroughly immersed in that culture, for years. Worked wonderfully well.
You are perfectly correct in that marriage to ANYONE is hard work, and that there will be "issues" to work through in every case. Adding in the cross-cultural sort does complicate greatly..even in cases where one thoroughly understands the other's culture. I would think, though, and I doubt not ou'd agree, that when an excellent man comes round asking you'll know it...and at taht point his cultural upbringing will be a side issue. Hah, I can imagine the kafuffle that would ensue were certain red-blooded American men were to persue marrying you!! We're such a melting pot here in the good ol' US of A!! Good job God is sovereign, eh? Fun stuff, this.
Mr. Nick, true there could be a "kafuffle" if certain kinds of men came around. I am picky and I know it. However, I have discovered that I must be pretty intimidating to American men (I am not exactly sure why, perhaps merely my line of work) and very few of those types would ever have the courage to ask me. Thus I have blessed never to run into a "kafuffle".
Alright, I'll take the bait, er, leap----most Yank men think they are looking for one of two types of woman. Miss Jelly-spine, who will be putty in their hands, mouldable into whatever it is they wish, OR Miss Steel-spine, totally self-sufficient, has all things well in hand, thus he will have no worries in caring for her. And along comes our Beloved---who knows who she is in God, and to what He has called her, and is making a good attempt at living that out. Thus, when one thinks he's found Miss J, and finds you truly DO have a strong identity and sense of calling, he is flummmoxed and intimidated. The one in search of Miss S finds you with aforesaid strong identity and purpose, and is also bewildered when he learns you actually will be looking to him for leadership. What, me LEAD? Why, I want someone to carry on by herself....and thus you manage to confuse and intimidate most American males ISO single woman....and good on you for it! Those who desire a relationsip after the patterns God has established for us are rare.....meanwhile, there are a few dozen people in some seemingly strange part of the world God has sovereignly placed before YOU...and to whom you give yourself readily. THEY, especially the rising young ladies, desparately need what you are......so--dinna fret yersel', lassie...all's right wi' all. An blessin's upon yer haid!
Well thank you for your flattery and for making me laugh with your "accent". Just in case anyone wonders, I don't actually succeed all the time although that is the type of woman I hope to become.
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