October 19 2008: First Generation Migrant
Filed under Asian-ness & Life
You have to understand one key thing about me: I’m not very good at sitting still and doing nothing at all. Granted, I’m very good at doing nothing at all when it comes to university assignments and studying, but I substitute this nothingness with a whole lot of somethingness in other forms. I go to work and earn money, I buy and sell on eBay for money, I organise my parents schedule for their money, I clean and iron clothes, I drop off and pick up my brother from school, I read voraciously, I (albeit rarely) exercise, I see my friends and the fella, I research travel destinations and mortgage plans at different banks, etc.
In other words, I never just sit and watch television, I never just take a walk in the park, I never just do nothing at all. Even when I’m watching House M.D. (<3), I’m always doing something else at the same time, like folding laundry. I even have to admit, sometimes when I’m having sex, I wonder about how much I would be earning if I was to start charging for my services. Two birds with one stone. Never let a minute go past wasted. Action, not reaction. Yadda yadda.
I’ve been mentioning this to a few people recently, but this type of behaviour really frames me as a stereotypical example of your typical first-generation Asian migrant in Australia (though with second-generation characteristics as I straddle the divide between the two). I came to this country with nothing, but by god, I’m going to make something of myself. I’m going to be frugal, I’m going to save all my money, and I’m going to work, work, work, so that I can buy into a wealthy white-bread neighborhood and taint it with my yellow skin.
Either that or I’ll give into my lazy, debt-ridden, instant gratification, Gen-Y destiny.
9 Responses to “First Generation Migrant”
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That is pretty interesting. It’s not a bad quality to have, though. It just means you’re hard working and always setting high goals for yourself. Just don’t go selling your body for money! But I know you wouldn’t. ;)
Caitlin on October 19 2008 #
I wish I was like that, but sadly I’m not.
I can go through a whole day with only a tv, remote control, and refrigerator and not complain about anything, i would just sit there, shut up, and enjoy the moment.
:’) it’s quite beautiful, try it out.
Yos on October 20 2008 #
I’m good at doing nothing for two days, three at the most. But I do like being busy and having something to do, although, like you, I procrastinate a lot when it comes to schoolwork!
Clem on October 20 2008 #
I go both ways… some weeks on my off days I don’t leave the house. On others I’m busy cleaning all weekend, or organizing. It’s been so long though since I sat down and read a book.
Since I don’t have internet at home my computer usually stays off all week, until the weekend when I can bring it in to work.
Some days I wish I was a bit more productive and not so lazy… It’s a struggle that I’m working on overcoming.
Does the busyness in you come naturally or do you find yourself forcing to do the things that need to be done.
Veronica on October 20 2008 #
Wow, I think we’re really similar in that we both believe that hardwork will bring in money which will yield rewards.
The other day I was trying to decide whether I should work at my call centre on Xmas Eve and Xmas Day. For the past few years my Xmas eve ritual has been to watch cute movies on TV w/ a cup of hot chocolate (while my parents have already gone to bed). I thought, hey i can do that at work as well! Since they need ppl so badly + not a lot of ppl call on Xmas, it might not be so bad!
Amanda, queen of multi-tasking!
Crystal on October 20 2008 #
Yeah, I’m lazy about my finances. I wish I was as determined as you.
Arwen on October 20 2008 #
Ha. Story of my life. We had a project last year in my English class where we had to do something new to us (some people went to churches they’ve never been to, someone went to a doll museum, someone dyed their hair red, etc.) and write about it. I was so busy with lots of other things that I didn’t have time to plan it out. What I ended up doing was do nothing for an hour. My English teacher was like, “Come on now… Really?!” Yeah. I never just sit down and do nothing… That IS a new, foreign thing to me. I’m a multitasker… And he actually quite liked the paper. I never realized that it’s a stereotypical first generation trait though…
Felisa on October 20 2008 #
I wish I was as motivated as you.
I start on something like keeping my room clean or other related things and I end up losing interest after a while. X_x Most of my time is spent in front of the computer, going to different websites. XD
Noellium on October 21 2008 #
God, I am the exact same way. I hate wasting my time, lord knows I can do it easily on some days, but I am usually doing 2-3 things at once. Not all the time, thankfully.. I’d think it’d drive me nuts if I was constantly moving and thinking of stuff.
So funny about the sex thing, though… hah!
Latrina on October 22 2008 #