Cultural Me

A new favorite show: 

Somebody Feed Phil.  It's a documentary about the best food Phil, who is the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, can find in different countries.  So far I've watched Bangkok, Vietnam, and Israel.  It's kind of a random show.  But suddenly it's my comfort show for nights when I'm on my own here or just up late by myself.  

I have a movie about Malala rented from the library that I've been meaning to watch, and not with the kids.  But when night comes I get nervous to watch something about sadness and violence and oppression.  

So one of the things I've been thinking about a lot lately is culture.  And the thought that keeps coming to me, exclamation points and all, is 

I wish every culture was my culture!  

I feel very very blessed to have so many cultures a part of my life.  

I'm grateful to have knowledge  of and deep appreciation for both my white side and my brown side- Pioneers and Polynesians.  

Growing up in a place nicknamed "Little Manila" and being aware of the several other cultures around me all the time (there was ONE blonde haired girl in my grade...and she was part hispanic).  Spending much of my teenage and young adult years hearing Spanish everyday with Rocio living with us speaking Spanish to her kids and working at PFM for several years where every co-worker spoke Spanish (and tried to teach it to me so that I could impress Andrew when he came home from his mission in Paraguay).  

Watching and loving shows like The Nanny with Fran Fine and her Jewish family, 

or Living Single with Queen Latifah and her loud and proud knowledge of her African Amercian culture and who she is,

or the Big Family Cooking Showdown with the Indian family's amazing passion for food and family,

or Northern Exposure with the Native American spirituality and connection with nature.  

And movies like Cocoa, Moana, Princess and the Frog.  My favorite movie of all time Roman Holiday and the culture that surrounds the romantic plot.  I just love it all.  

I guess this is why I'm such good friends with Phil right now.

I love so many cultures.  I wish I could take all the wonderful things from each one and have it all be a part of who I am.  And I guess maybe I can.  In our families we create our own culture don't we?  I hope to raise my kids with an appreciation for all the wholesome, good, beautiful, exciting, and different things and different people all around the world.

I'm so glad God gave us culture. 

I love realizing that I'm passionate about something I didn't know I was.