A friend of mine told me that I have changed. I am a different person than the person they knew a while ago.
This friend told me that I am a lot more American than I was before.. but at the same time I am a lot more Egyptian too.
I do not know how that can be, but I think it is true.
The American and Egyptian parts of me are equal. There is no major part nor minor part.
They are equal.. but they are not only half of me. They are me and I am them. At the same time, I am not them, I am different.
Somehow my whole is more than 100%
This makes no sense, but somehow it does make sense to me.
I guess this is the irony of being a dual-national. You belong to both, you love both, you are both.... and at the same time you are neither.
5 comments:
I read the first page of your blog--I LOVVVVVE it!!! So glad I found you.
I have many friends who are dual nationals (for whatever reason: a foreign parent, raised in another country). It's hard for most of them. The clash of ideologies is always apparent. Our kids will be dual nationals, and I personally want them to get the best of each culture.
eva:
Thank you. I am flattered!
Cairogal:
I think I am lucky to have an American mom and Egyptian dad. Without doing anything I have a broader vision on life and things in general. I think that as a parent it is hard to make sure that the kids are able to get the best of each culture...
Sometimes remembering what is good about each culture is a bit hard.
Good luck!!
Nora, I hope you don't mind my asking: Did you spend most of your childhood in the US or Egypt? How did your parents reconcile western traditions (like dating) w/ Egyptian traditions? How did it affect your religious devotion having parent from the west, and presumably from a Christian upbringing?
Cairogal:
I do not mind you asking at all...
I started to reply here but realized it got too long. So, I answered it as a whole new post...
Feel free to ask me anything... ;o)
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