A while back I had a meal with an acquaintance, someone I have always seemed close for years but never got to know personally. We exchanged conversation topics and finally saw each other as two individuals. I mentioned about my interest in anthropology, or sociology, or some sort as a possible future career field, and he frowned. As I asked him how his studies were going, he answered and ended, "But reading isn't your thing right?"

I felt offended, my ego heightened. I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean I don't like to read?" It also didn't help that it's 2011 and I've only picked up 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad'.

I took a deep breath. It wasn't his fault. He was always in a fragment of my life where I mask my personality with a lightweight attitude; in short, social gatherings. Most of the time I don't try to pick up a topic of my choice to acquaintances, talking about mutual friends seem like a safer choice. I'd rather have them not listen to that The New Inquiry article I just read - I'd rather tweet, blog or Facebook about it.

Mostly I'm just angry at the mask I have decided on myself. A number of people 'Like' my Facebook status that said I'm a month off partying - some commented 'Impossible', while some were supportive which just confirms my identity of a girl who's strictly up for partying.

Yes I do love to go out and dance.Most of my acquaintances go out, and I'm blessed enough to be able to tag along. I love parties, and being 4 Fridays clean, the need to go out just grows.

But that's a fragment of my life.For the most part I'm a girl who consumes articles, essays and books. I'm following 400 people on Twitter, but I need it mostly for the newest information on all my interests.

I became defensive about the image and continued to justify myself, which turned into a big mess. I had nothing in my pocket but being able to finish my Bachelor's thesis on time - on the topic of gender and as thick as an encyclopedia. I wanted to prove a point. I wanted to fight an impression that has stuck with me for years in the eyes of acquaintances.

But then again, it isn't their fault.

I love to party, I love to be the camera owner of the night because I want pictures of myself, my friends, and that I have the first (sometimes the only) say in how the night would be remembered. But that's just a fragment of my life.

Most of the time, I'm a third culture kid who struggles with settling, identifies with anthropology, feminism, pop culture and social media through writing. So don't you ever, ever, tell me I'm not capable of doing research. Don't you ever, ever, ever, tell me I am not familiar with reading or writing.

Call me fat, call me ugly, call me a bitch.

But don't ever call me stupid.

Labels: blog, writing

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A while back I had a meal with an acquaintance, someone I have always seemed close for years but never got to know personally. We exchanged conversation topics and finally saw each other as two individuals. I mentioned about my interest in anthropology, or sociology, or some sort as a possible future career field, and he frowned. As I asked him how his studies were going, he answered and ended, "But reading isn't your thing right?"

I felt offended, my ego heightened. I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean I don't like to read?" It also didn't help that it's 2011 and I've only picked up 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad'.

I took a deep breath. It wasn't his fault. He was always in a fragment of my life where I mask my personality with a lightweight attitude; in short, social gatherings. Most of the time I don't try to pick up a topic of my choice to acquaintances, talking about mutual friends seem like a safer choice. I'd rather have them not listen to that The New Inquiry article I just read - I'd rather tweet, blog or Facebook about it.

Mostly I'm just angry at the mask I have decided on myself. A number of people 'Like' my Facebook status that said I'm a month off partying - some commented 'Impossible', while some were supportive which just confirms my identity of a girl who's strictly up for partying.

Yes I do love to go out and dance.Most of my acquaintances go out, and I'm blessed enough to be able to tag along. I love parties, and being 4 Fridays clean, the need to go out just grows.

But that's a fragment of my life.For the most part I'm a girl who consumes articles, essays and books. I'm following 400 people on Twitter, but I need it mostly for the newest information on all my interests.

I became defensive about the image and continued to justify myself, which turned into a big mess. I had nothing in my pocket but being able to finish my Bachelor's thesis on time - on the topic of gender and as thick as an encyclopedia. I wanted to prove a point. I wanted to fight an impression that has stuck with me for years in the eyes of acquaintances.

But then again, it isn't their fault.

I love to party, I love to be the camera owner of the night because I want pictures of myself, my friends, and that I have the first (sometimes the only) say in how the night would be remembered. But that's just a fragment of my life.

Most of the time, I'm a third culture kid who struggles with settling, identifies with anthropology, feminism, pop culture and social media through writing. So don't you ever, ever, tell me I'm not capable of doing research. Don't you ever, ever, ever, tell me I am not familiar with reading or writing.

Call me fat, call me ugly, call me a bitch.

But don't ever call me stupid.

Labels: blog, writing