My July 4th evening divided into three parts: partially attending a barbecue and saying goodbye while chomping on salmon burgers, partially riding the airplane and having the most spectacular aerial view of fireworks, and partially coming home and hanging out with my parents plus brother. Now I blog. Because a Chinese sage once said, "To re-create something in words is like being alive twice."

Tomorrow two good friends of mine are getting married to each other. They were high school sweethearts and have been dating for seven or eight years. That's a long time! I am very happy for them. Meanwhile, I've been recruited as the usher at their wedding because of my invaluable schmoozing skills. Actually, I would have never considered myself a schmoozer until T. called me two days ago and said, "We have the perfect job for you..." I think it has something to do with being in an Asian setting, where I somehow transmute into a socialite. In any case, I'm excited and a tad nervous to see old friends.



A funny?/appalling story:

My sister brought home her boyfriend today. That brave soul. This is her second boyfriend this year and I don't know how she does it - gather the courage to introduce them to my parents, that is. My parents, like most Asian parents, are not the come-as-you-are, no-questions-asked and we-are-so-excited-to-meet-you type. Actually, to be fair, neither of my siblings nor I have ever properly introduced our significant others to them. So most of my ideas about how my parents would deal with or react to the situation are based on my imagination rather than on experience (although my mom did try to scare away my first boyfriend once or twice, no wait, THREE TIMES).

Anyway, upon coming home my mom showed me the list of interivew questions my dad has requested to be asked of my sister's boyfriend:

1. Have you previously had a girlfriend?

2. Have you ever been married and/or divorced before?

3. Do you have any bad habits? Do you drink, smoke, or do drugs?

4. Do you have any sexually transmitted or contagious diseases?

5. What is your personal health history?


I really don't know who to feel more embarrassed for - my sister, whose intentions are to introduce her boyfriend to my parents out of respect; my dad, who hasn't the faintest idea how to relate with the boyfriend in a socially appropriate manner; my mom, who is coerced to ask the above questions; or the poor guy, who has to endure the insult of it all. Well, maybe it's not that bad. Maybe after my parents make sure that the guy isn't some psychotic serial killer or sex addict or drug abuser or a member of a polygamy cult, then they will let loose and give their full support. Yeah, maybe, let's hope so.



Beloved S., this song is for you: