Interracial Relationships

Growing up in Toronto is probably one of the best things that could happen in your life (and London is slowly becoming like Toronto). I say this because there's so much going on and so much to see and best of all, it's the most diverse city in the world.

That being said, interracial relationships are becoming more common and more prevalent and you'd think that familes that immigrate here would begin to understand cultural mixing and not expect you to date those of the same "colour". However, sometimes that is not the case and parental influence is a huge part in making a relationship work.

Yes, while there are social preferences of how to get your S.O. integrated into your family, mainly standards set by your parents, I think there can be a compromise to change your parents' hearts if they are so against interracial relationships. (Sometimes I really hate the concept of "race" because while it may be an identity, it also socially and culturally divides us. :( but that's besides the point).

I do understand where the parents are coming from because sometimes they want to relate to their future in-laws more easily but it's such an aggravating experience trying to convince them. I have some suggestions on how to get on the parents' good sides, let me know if you think they may work!

• learn the basics of the language they speak
• learn to love the food they eat
• buy them culturally relevant gifts on occasion
• at the risk of rejection, relate on their level with their other interests
• convince them that you'll have drop dead gorgeous kids (haha)
  
• more???

Have you ever found yourself in an interracial relationship vs. your parents' preferences? Were your parents open to the idea or were they not? How did you cope?

This is yet another hilarious video by Wong Fu Productions on interracial couples - a different perspective but enjoy nonetheless!

How NOT To Pick Up (Part 1)

I'm starting another series. This time, it's on how NOT to pick up a girl/guy and sadly, I may be putting a lot more pressure on the gentlemen here because traditionally, the man is always the one with the initiative.

I write about how NOT to pick up because frankly, giving instructions on how to pick up almost never works because it becomes so robotic and unnatural.

Below is a video made by Wong Fu Productions, an independent film production company started by UC San Diego graduates. I love this video because 1) it has a pretty cute and funny storyline and 2) portrays exaggerated forms of picking up but nonetheless gets the point across - how NOT to pick up.

Enjoy!

High Expectations (cont.)

Stuart suggested I do a FIVE reasons why we girls and guys should be satisfied with our partner, even if they aren't as 'romantical' (hehe) as Edward Cullen from Twilight.

1. Movies and novels are fictional for a reason. Enough said.
2. You wouldn't want people to take pointers from movies anyways. (re: Prince Charming?)
3. There are so many things that go on in our daily lives that some people don't have time to concoct love potions or draft a crazy plan to make you fall in love with them each and everyday.
4. Everyone loves and cares for someone in their own way. If everyone did or said the same things a fictional vampire would do, it would be too predictable and there would be no spunk in a relationship.
5. When you check out the Five Love Languages, you will look at your relationship differently and finally, be satisfied.
   

High Expectations

There may be exceptions to this, but this entry pertains to those of considerably legitimate relationships.

I am guilty of complaining because maybe sometimes I am a hopeless romantic. Every girl has her envisioned fairy tale and when some things don't go her way, well, dissatisfaction occurs and then complaining commences.

Do you ever wish that he/she would whisper sweet nothings in your ear more often? Do you ever wish he would do this or do that just because you like it? Do you have a certain standard that he/she has to live up to but somehow it doesn't ever seem to happen?

Well, I don't know how else to say it but ... here it is below... hope that gets you thinking.

Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you the best way they know how.

-Icon

Photo Source