"So much for being 'shy,'" my sister snorted. "You were quite the socialite last night." I was feeling pretty good about my party performance, during which, incidentally, I managed to enjoy myself thoroughly, when she continued, "I didn't even have to take care of you at all!"
Ugh.
No one likes being told that they can (occasionally) be a social dead weight; a party millstone; a sulky wallflower. Resolution: try to be more extroverted in social situations. Since I know I can do it, and even do it well, I should turn on the charm, even when I don't feel like it. I'll probably have more fun, and the people around me definitely will.
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Who's a snuggle worm!!! My little guppy face drool monster!!!
My dad, a conservative Chinese gentleman of the immigrant generation, is slowly coming around to the idea that Girls Are Good. When I was little, I was told that I was "his little boy," supposedly so it would be easier for him to take me about in public, but not-so-secretly, I think, so he could pretend I was his number one son. I was his little tomboy, his firstborn, and for better or worse, I would be the child that followed him around, talked electronics and cars, and debated issues of interest. A while back, during family gatherings, my dad started looking at my sister and myself (as we ran ourselves ragged keeping our parents entertained, fed, and happy) and commenting absently to the air (roughly translated) "Girls are really worth raising!" These days, as he melts into a mushy puddle of grandfatherly tenderness while holding my niece, he unabashedly proclaims to the world, "This is my favorite girl! Girls are better than boys!" My mom still looks over at us elder girls in mild alarm, agreeing with him, but adding in a quick, "no offense girls, but the baby is cuter than either of you." My dad, however, takes no notice of this and feels no need to add caveats to his extravagant declarations of love. And I have to say, I don't mind a bit...
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