Last weekend, I met this girl who was probably around my age during a school visit. I really liked her name so I asked where she was from. She told me that she was from Iran which I thought was pretty cool since I love meeting new people and learning about their cultures. She then asked me where I was from. I told her that I was Nigerian-American which she also thought was cool. She then asked if i spoke click click (she was literally clicking her tongue). I was shocked but I could not help but laugh. It felt so surreal. I have often heard my other African friends tell me about having clicking jokes directed at them but I could not believe it. Nevertheless, the clicking joke had finally been passed down to me.  I wasn't offeneded. I actually felt sorry for her. I don't know if its because she came from iran that she didnt know that was culturally insenstive. However, this is no excuse because I have also meant  Americans who have said culturally insensitive things as well. Sometimes I don't know what to do in these situations because I'm so taken aback besides shake my head but how will people learn from their mistakes if no one corrects them.

They do say ignorance is bliss though..

Watching a Youtube video by Taren916 reminded me how important it is to just chill out. Sometimes it is very easy to get worked up when things do not end up going the way we want. Whether it is that job position that we wanted or that grad school that we envisioned ourselves attending in the fall, we often overlook the blessings that we do have in our lives. We often burdened ourselves with the constant thought of the "What if?" and the other questions of self doubt. Did  I talk to fast in my interview? Did I say something wrong? What if I wore my hair differently? However, as soon as we find ourselves asking these questions we must Stop. These questions can never be answered because the fact is for the most part we will never know. What we do now is that everything happens for a reason and when one door closes another opens so have faith.

One of the beauties about being a first generation American is being able to not only experience but also appreciate  different cultures.

Even though being a first generation has its pros it also has its setbacks.

One of the personal dilemmas that I face being Nigerian-American is the fact that I have not gone home yet. There are so many family members that I have not meet. So many stories I will never hear. Wedding, christianings, and even funerals that I have missed.  I have lost  grandparents, uncles, and aunts. I feel like a part of me that I have never known is slowly slipping away.  This past wekend, I lost another family member that I have never met-- my aunt who died of breast cancer. Whereever she is now I hope she is no longer suffering.

Hopefully, I have the opportunity to go back home this year before school starts and start new memories instead of holding onto the ones that I never had the opportunity to experience