The Fetal Diaries #44: Youth in Asia

Posted by kristine on November 7th, 2008 | Categorized as Blog | 110 views and 2 Comments

This is what people in my advanced English class have been teasing me about:
“Kristine, are you scared youth in asia would make you drink orange juice?”

I know that this doesn’t make sense to you so I shall explain. Let’s hope I finish this blog before 11 pm..

So, my english teacher was trying to make a point. She said that we shouldn’t keep questions to ourselves. That if we were ever confused or stuck, we should ask her. Of course, like any good teacher, she gives a personal example.

“When I was a kid,” she said, “my grandmother and my aunt were talking about euthanasia. You know, like, ending a person’s life to end their suffering, basically.. Anyways, I misunderstood and thought she was talking about YOUTH IN ASIA. So when they started talking more about this, I was thinking, ‘wow, these kids in Asia are cruel..’ and how they probably put poison in a person’s drink to kill them.. Cause I heard them talking about dying and all.. And so I took it that youth in Asia do that kind of thing. Yes, I had this mindset for some years all because I didn’t clarify with my grandma and aunt. So class, the point is, you should ask questions when you’re unsure so you wouldn’t be paranoid about young Asians offering you orange juice.”

This is the part where my friends turn to me and stare.

There are only two Asians in my class: yours truly and some Chinese dude nobody likes to talk to. They don’t talk to him because we all think his parents kept him in the dark. He’s the kind to ask the awkward questions when something lewd is the topic because he is that naive. Anyways, because I’m the only Asian in that class that they will talk to, they stare at me.

“Oi! Stop staring! I don’t even like orange juice!” I protest.

That was the ABSOLUTE worst thing I could’ve said at the moment.

“Why, do you get paranoid when someone offers you OJ, Kristine?” someone asked.”

“No, that is not the case. I just don’t drink orange juice because it makes me puke, thank you very much,” I reply.

I should stop replying. I just keep on making the stupidest replies.

“Someone put poison in it?”

“Noooo..” *slams head on desk, followed by laughter*

Seriously. Orange juice. Poison. Youth in Asia.

What did I do to deserve this? I mean it’s funny but.. WHY?

Anyways, 11 09 pm. Pce.

Born in the Philippines, then lived in Abu Dhabi, UAE for almost 4 years. Immigrated to Calgary, Canada (one of the most, if not THE most diverse city in Canada), but lives even farther north now (where it seems to be the opposite of Calgary).