Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Just One Word?????




And now for this week's blog challenge:


Have you ever tried to describe yourself in one word? One word that sort of sums up who you are, what makes you tick, what sets you apart. It's not as easy as you think. As women, we need to spend more time recognizing and celebrating the talents and positive traits we've been adorned with. Whether we're suburban upper-middle class moms or urban, poor, living-the-moment teens - we all have one thing in common: we're beautiful women with amazing talents, unbridled potential... and we're fabulous, baby. Fabulous. Go ahead. Describe yourself with one word. Then ask three other people to describe you, too. Celebrate yourself. I dare you!

Oh my, just one word.....hmmmm, so very difficult for me who loves to talk (at times ad nauseum, so glad to have to have been introduced to blogging). But here it goes:

Waspina: It's a word made up by DH. My sister, who loves to poke fun at my natural reservedness, so foreign to the Cuban side of our family, the side that she emotionally responds to more than I, was accused, herself, of being a bit cold by her Argentinian husband (of three hours but that's another story). I had to laugh as she had lovingly, for years, accused me of being a WASP (the side of the family I generally emotionally gravitate toward, even if I look more Cuban). So our needling at each other was put to a quick stop by DH who called us both Waspinas making us both giggle with delight.

It does describe me pretty well. Caught between two cultures, not quite fitting in either and yet also enjoying being a part of both. Being a little reserved at times can be quite beneficial when deciding on a course of action. Being a bit emotional can make you a warrior for your family when needed. I enjoy being in the middle, I feel well-balanced, empathetic and at times even somewhat wise.

There are some honorary Waspina's out there. Colleen, who grew up pretty much glow- in the-dark-anglo-saxon loved visiting her Italian family (married into her family, Italian), feeling the warmth, the tears, the love made her feel happy to even witness it. She's declared herself a Waspina. Martha, so loves the idea and has joined the club. Sis-in-law is a member (of course her children, given that she is of the WASPY persuation herself and my brother is Cuban, will be Waspina/os by birth).

So here's to us who may start the evening with a Martini, have some Picadillo and frijoles negros for dinner and finish it off with a nice Cobbler. Celebrating and embracing all of the cultures that make us who we are! And, yes, I do beleive WASP is a culture, you just need to look hard.
(Dad, Wasp, Mom, Cuban, and the two Waspina girls, the dark haired, one is me and the light one is Elena)

8 comments:

Martha said...

Enthusiastic: that's my word for you! You are committed 110% to your family, your friends, your community and of course, your faith.

Even when we occasionally do things that may not warrant your whole hearted support (I've not tested this theory personally, but I hear it when you mention your upbringing and your challenged sibling relationships)...you still are there.

Your enthusiasm towards returning to school actually inspires me to look into returning to the profession of nursing as well. That's because your enthusiasm is contagious!

It is your enthusiasm that makes me label you a "Margene" in this whole Sister Wife thing. She's excited, enthused, eager to see what tomorrow brings. That's YOU in a nutshell!

Yes my dear, your enthusiasm for all things in life will take you far, it is indeed a gift worth celebrating!

Lisaopolis said...

wait, is that the new Jose Doll there in that first picture? OK, I have to go back and actually read your blog entry now;) I love the name Waspina, do you do drag shows?

valiens said...

Waspina's hilarious!

Anonymous said...

:)

!

Gina Grace said...

I will go back and read the entry in a second, but first must comment on the TWO dolls in that picture: 1) The Jose dressed as a tired mother in the early 80's doll (YOUR MOM!), and 2) the JAKE dressed as a little girl in a night gown doll (YOU!)

Wow.

Gina Grace said...

Oh heck yes WASPiness is a culture- just take a few solid bites of Tuna Casserole that I grew up on and you'd know.

I can't wait to have little Waspinos some day...

I normally consider myself pretty open and carefree, but in the early parts of a discussion on the topic of sex with YOUR MOTHER and HER SON at DINNER (okay, it was during drinks) one night, I quickly realized just how Lutheran my roots really are.

tz said...

early eighties...wow i think you guys think i'm younger then i am...it's mid 70's....jose not even in the pics or born for that matter...first pic, me and elena, and yes, jake does so look like me...
and oh my gosh they did not start talking about sex! i'm soooo sorry. i'll try and get them to behave at your wedding!...oh what am i saying i'll do my best to be watching my sister and my own children, you're on your own with brother 2 and my mom....

Gina Grace said...

I think it started with a conversation about bidets, and how they were considered unwholesome or something in the US (must be our large WASPy population?)which got to your mom trying to explain why and HOW they could be used in an "unwholesome" way. And I she even threw in some of her personal recommendations.

On the outside I was smiling and nodding. On the inside, I was a wreck (having graduated from the University of We Don't Talk about Sex or Politics or Money or Anythinginteresting at the Dinner Table--- and Lisa might deny it was like that, but it was)!!


Oh- it's is you mom who looks like Jose! Seriously, put a wig on him and you've got her in 197something!