Surrogate sibling No. 1
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Marie* is 18 years old, the youngest of the clan and the baby in my surrogate family. Yet only-child Marie is one of the most mature teenagers that I have ever known. She's in the middle of arguably her best summer ever - between high school and college years. No real responsibilities yet and only excitement and anticipation about what most people say are the "best time of my life."
Originally from Taiwan, Marie is visiting Texas for the summer and will be going back home in August, starting college in Taipei and studying Arabic. Despite not being born or raised in the US, her conversational English is impeccable and it's amazing to learn that most of it has been picked up from watching American movies and tv shows. Marie's current favourite shows are Once Upon a Time and Chopped, which she's wrangled the other surrogate siblings into watching with her. She's in constant wide-eyed amazement at the amount of food that we eat here in the US, having choked down fried chicken at least three times already in the few weeks she's been here. The biweekly trips to Costco are definitely not helping this perception. As most of the focus in the house has been around food, I might mention that Marie's favourite dessert is one that's "not too sweet" but Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream and cheesecake do not fall into that category.
The most remarkable thing about Marie is her quiet confidence. In a foreign country and at the mercy and whim of her crazy American cousins, Marie is unruffled in all situations and even sasses back at her older male cousins in English, making up funny and slightly insulting nicknames for them all. Despite the contagious lax summer atmosphere around the house, she continues to diligently read textbooks and study for classes that she hasn't even registered for yet. No doubt about it - this girl... young woman really, has got it going on. Plus she's helping me plan a trip to Asia!
*Names have been changed. To prevent embarrassment to others. Plus they don't know that I'm blogging about them. Shh!
She likes Once Upon a Time!!!! Hollaaaa!! I like her. LOL Seriously though, that's so interesting how her American English was picked up through movies and TV. I should really start watching the Spanish channel more and learn as much as possible... :)
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like quite a young woman. I never miss Chopped--and Cherry Garcia isn't bad either.
ReplyDeleteI had unusual responsibilities at that age, but it was still fun.
She does sound like such a great girl:) Don't corrupt her, you Americans!!! Bwahaha!
ReplyDeletei would be terrified to live in a foreign country without loved ones or friends. good for her!
ReplyDeleteUmmm trip to Asia?! I am sooo jealous!! "Marie" sounds like an awesome person!
ReplyDeleteI love Once Upon A Time and Chopped as well. She sounds like a neat kid.
ReplyDelete*Erin
Wow she sounds like a really cool girl! Such ambition and personality - a great combo! Hope she enjoys her summer - don't let her study too hard! ;)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a great experience to have someone there with you who can share another part of the world! I hope you are having a lot of fun together!
ReplyDelete:)
Allison
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she sounds like a very promising and cool girl. must be a great experience for her to stay with you...
ReplyDeleteTV and movies . . . that's how my friend from Argentina learned English. I can't even imagine! 'Marie' does sound like a great young lady; and what for her to get to stay here for a bit . . . while you plan a trip to Asia!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have a summer surrogate family. I'm so encouraged by your family's hospitality.
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
Well, she's certainly picked some amazing desserts as her faves. I wonder if Marie knows that "this is the best time of her life". I don't know if I ever knew it...
ReplyDeleteHaha going to Costco and buying enormous boxes of food is as American as it gets :-) Marie sounds like an amazing young lady!
ReplyDeletemarie sounds like a wonderful young girl + i won't tell, no worries ;) ;) ;)
ReplyDeleteha! i like this intro :)
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like an amazing young woman!
ReplyDeleteaww she sounds like a sweet girl :) and wow, arabic? that's pretty impressive.
ReplyDeleteyay for plans to go to Asia! It's awesome there, i promise you that!
alex @ carouselstreet.com
I'm impressed! I am not confident like that. No way, no how. She sounds delightfully brave, and we eat way too much as a country!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great when people from a culture different to your own can show you amazement and surprise in the things we take for granted? And how it highlights so many differences, but in a cool way? Love this post! (and jealous of a trip to Asia!).
ReplyDeleteHi Marie!!!!!!!!! Welcome to Costco where everyone plans to be a supplier of everything =) =) =)
ReplyDeleteAs usual, beautifully written Ruth!