One, Tam and I had dinner at Tom and Lisa's. We also ate with Anh Tu, her fiancé Mike and Gina. 6 out of the 7 people there were Viet. Tam and I are rarely around that many Viets. Usually we are out numbered by Filipinos on a regular basis.
Sometimes I feel a little out of place when I'm around that many Viets. Don't get me wrong, everyone's very nice and friendly. But for example: everyone ( including Korean Tom ) started playing killer. Apparently, Tam and I are the only Viets on earth that don't know how to play killer. So we just sat there smoking hookah while they played. Haha. It was nice though to hang out with a bunch of Viets in our age group for a change. It's something I would like to do more often. Too bad Anh Tu and Mike live in Arizona.
A lot of people find it strange that the Daos don't fit the typical Viet stereotypes. Those that know us well are aware that the Daos were born and raised in the valley of Los Angeles. Valencia to be exact, aka the Santa Clarita Valley. Valencia is a white suburbia and 3% asian. The only Asians there were majority Filipino and a little Korean. In my graduating class I had one other Viet girl and 3 Viet guys with me. The girl was a snobby brain, 2 of the guys were wanna be thugs and the othe guy was an awesome fob (he was the only one I was friends with).
I hung out with mostly Filipinos and was exposed to their culture a lot, and I do mean a lot. I know all about debuts, aunties, uncles, iii nacoles, psst, lumpia, adobo, opening the light, rocking polka dots on new year's eve, pointing with your mouth and stuff. Tam too. You can safely say we're Filipino washed.
However, us Daos grew up very very white washed, hence my valley girl accent. My girlfriends back home still carry that accent. As hard as we try to tame it, it's there. The professional world doesn't take valley girls very seriously. Especially if you're in the medical field or an educator. Thank goodness in retail, a valley girl accents reflects high energy.
I'm proud of my valley girl roots. We grew up very sheltered and happy. I love the word "grody" and the valley girl movie, Clueless. Yes, I can recite many lines from that classic. Being raised white washed, people make interesting comments to me. Like "Thao, you are the only Viet I get along with or like". I'm super perky and friendly, the polar opposite of the so-called Viet stereotype. I've experienced first hand the stare downs in Mira Mesa. It's so uncomfortable! I hate it so much! I sometimes feel like picking my nose just so the haters have something to really look at. And then I flick my booger at them. I see how how some Viets walk around so gang banging tough and too cool. Don't get me wrong though. I know valley people can come off stuck up, a la Tam. I can get all queen bee and plastic too. But that bitchiness is often provoked. I know I'm scrappy as a firecracker, but I don't come off like a cripe chick. I'm not gonna "cut a bitch". I just throw a BF (bitch fit a la queen bee).
The second odd thing that happened during dinner was the girls out numbered the guys for once. That rarely ever happens. Anh Tu commented that the guys in her group of friends in Arizona out number the girls on a regular basis also. When suite 26 hangs out, the most girls present is 3. 4 if Jerrin's girlfriend Vicky comes out. Or perhaps on my birthday you will see a lot if girls out and about with us. Lelanie, Sher, Vicky and Shania join Lisa, Lou and I on team pink. But even at our greatest numbers, the boys still out number us.
I wonder if after girls leave high school, their number of gal pals dwindle or remains the same?While their numbers of guy friends increase steadily? Hmm. Back in high school I used to hang out with mostly girls and now i'm that chick that chills with mostly guys. Lelanie's that chick too. Lisa too. Hmm. We all use to hang out with mostly girls and now we don't. I don't get why. Weird. Oh well. I love the girls in my life and I love guys in my life. Why? Because they're the best friends I could ask for.
Lesson of the day: a Monday evening can be interesting as a Friday or Saturday.
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