There have been so many things that we have wanted to say, but finding the time is always the challenge. So I just want to share a couple of little snippets.
In the midst of trying to finalize our church options, we have been visiting two different churches and wavering between the pros & cons of them. At one of these visits, we realized a small portion of what havoc we might be reaping upon our children, who will officially become TCK's (Third Culture Kids.)
Gabi demonsrated this quite effectively when she bravely went up to Sunday School at the local church (Reeve, being reticent in new situations, demurred.). The group of 3 and 4 year olds were asked by the teachers where they were from. Some said Australia, others said Malaysia, and some were from the United States.
When it was Gabi's turn to answer, she confidently responded, "Ampang." The teacher persisted -- no, where are you from? Again, she said, "Ampang." Given a third time to deny her country's heritage, she persisted, "Ampang." We believe there was no crowing of the rooster to demonstrate her betrayal of her birthland, but we realized a glimpse of the confusion our kids will face with the question, "Where are you from." For now, it is quite cute, but perhaps in a few years, such a question will bring our poor tots to tears.
Later, in the car on the way home, we asked Gabi about it. She didn't say much, but she did elaborate on her response by saying "Ampang Jaya." Ampang is the area of KL near where the school is. Perhaps like Herron Morton is to Indianapolis, but on a significantly larger scale. Ampang Jaya is a specific part of Ampang that is south of a main road.
By the way, as Tracy wrote, we live in Bukit Antarabangsa, but perhaps convenience prompted our daughter to go with the more familiar phrase. After all, who can argue that "Ampang" doesn't have a nicer ring than "The United States of America" to a 3 year-old's ears?
Another hilarious event we will have to recount is the "entertainment" of our local Giant grocery store, but I will comment on the picture above. With a certain 3rd born Auntie lamenting the lack of photos of our 3rd born, we will add this picture of Rania's first visit to a birthday party. She (as well as Gabi) attended the 1st birthday party of some colleagues of ours who also teach at ISKL. Their youngest had a birthday, and it was fun for the kids to go over and play with someone else's toys.
3 comments:
lovely to hear from you! Horray! Horray!
Yes, those TCK stories. I beleive those experiences develops an unexplainable dimension (Even if, like in my case, there is little opportunity to share from it, or if the TCK is unaware or even confused by it until later in life. It remains in a person for their entire life, it will shape them, but not define them.)
loving you all- each of you. Big hug to Tracy who I was just thinking about today.
i sure do miss that little girl from ampang!
We are anxious to hear if either the boring sparrows or the herns have Skype? Feeling homesick for connections in Indianapolis, and nothing like a webcam to reconnect a wee bit.
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