Andrea Marie’s Weblog

Going along with my last post there is a passage on page 45 that says “My moist, blinking eyes opened wide, observing and recording the customs and predialections of these “regular” Americans.  The more time i spent in their midst, the more i learned to be like them.  To make their everyday idioms and idiosyncrasis familar.  To possess them.”  Yet another comment about “regular or normal” Americans.  I agree with the comments made on my last post and it made me want to explore my thoughts on the subject.  I think the idea of a normal American is a compilation of every American stereotype out there.  People may think a normal American is white, speaks English, has a good paying job, a family with a mother a father and 2 children, and dresses and acts like everyone else.  If this is one possible view of normal based on stereotypes then im not a normal regular American.  To me that is not normal but just boring.  Why would i want to live somewhere where everyone looked and acted like me?  My parents always told me to be unique and not to do things just because my friends were doing it.  So if this is the case for some people then why is the idea of being normal still around.  Is it used more for people from other countries to group all Americans together in one big group?  Think of your image of a person from France.  Do you see a person with a beret on, smoking a cigarette, painting a picture, while talking to someone in a “French” accent?  That is my idea of a normal French person based on stereotypes.

In the passage Accidental Asian the author talks about having to play a role.  The author had to pretend he was an Asian American Activist who was upset by the magazine cover.  At least one in your life you have played some kind of role where you pretended to be someone your not.  Whether it be in a school play or trying to fit in somewhere. 

I also thought it was interesting that the staff writer from the review said that “Normal people aren’t offended by it.”  What does he mean normal people?  Normal white people or normal asian american people.  And theres really no way to tell that most of the people weren’t offended.  There could have been more people offended by it and the writer only said it because it was his opinion. 

“What was curious to me, however, is how i managed, if even for a moment, to lose myself in it.”  Whenever you are playing a role and not being true to yourself you will lose yourself.  The fact that this author was playing an Asian American Activist, did not mean he had no opinions about the subject but just meant that he stepped out of his comfort zone a little.

Hey guys, my name is Andrea Prime.  My favorite color is purple.  My favorite tv show is a tie between Entourage, Heroes, and Smallville.  Favorite food would have to be Junk Food!! (does that count haha) 

I am a senior majoring in Early Childhood/Special Education with a concentration in American Studies.  I would ultimately like to end up teaching preschool or kindergarten.  I am a server at Buca Di Beppo in Colonie and have been there for 3 years.  I grew up in Colonie and just recently moved to Green Island with my boyfriend of 2 years.  We have two puppies a Yorkie and a Golden Retriever.  Yes i know complete opposites, one is going to be 7-8 pounds max and the other 70-80 but they get along great.  I also have a younger sister who is currently at Hudson Valley.

In my free time I like to hang out with my family and friends, play with my puppies, read, ski, golf, etc.  I love music especially going to concerts with my dad.  I know what a dork, i go to concerts with my dad, haha.  I really am a daddy’s girl though we like the same type of music and he got me into skiing and golf when i was little.

I am also very into cheerleading.  I was a cheerleader for 12 years.  I cheered for two years at Saint Rose but didn’t return my junior year so i could concentrate on school.  I miss it a lot and hope to coach the varsity team in whatever district i end up in.

Well thats it for me!!

Until next time,

Andrea