Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Where are you from?


One of my favorite questions that I get asked all the time is "where are you from?" Now my typical response is "I grew up outside of Seattle, WA." But this response is usually met with the same question again "no, but where are you FROM?" To which I respond that my ancestory is Welsh, Irish and English. This weekend I was reminded of a funny story from BYU (Jeanine - you should remember this one since I believe it was your idea). We had just moved into Liberty Square for the start of our Sophomore year and it was the first night of FHE. I was the FHE "Mom" that year and everyone in the group was supposed to tell about themselves. Before we got there - Jeanine came up with the idea to tell everyone I was Greek but my family had moved here when I was two and that explained why I didn't have the accent. Apparently this was very believable (I think we had to carry it on for a little while). I seem to pass for a lot of different nationalities. I was FHE "Mom" that entire year and my "Dad" believed the entire time that I was from Greece. I don't think we ever told him otherwise and my roommates helped come up with some convincing stories to continue the little lie. Anyway - fast forward to this last weekend when Rob and I went to eat at Greek restaurant. It was a little family owned restaurant where the owner was from Greece but had married an American girl so they moved here. The entire time we were there - the owner kept talking to me and couldn't believe that I wasn't Greek myself. When I was in Jerusalem I passed for Arabic, I've had some Brazilians say that I look like I could be at least part Brazilian, and can fully pass for Greek and Italian. At one job I was known as the "Persian girl" and at another job as the "Iranian girl". At least it makes life interesting right?

On another note - what did you think of American Idol? Blake is my hometown Seattle boy but I think I'm going to have to go with the Arizona girl Jordin on this one. She was 10 times better than Blake tonight!

6 comments:

Kristen Michele said...

I'll have to agree with you going with Jordin over Blake. I love Blake just as much as you...also because he's the hometown boy! But Jordin sang 10 times better and the winner's song was just so much more suited for her. I'd rather hear her singing it on the radio, than him. But it's great either way because I love both of them and they'll both be successful :)

Will and Natalie Giddens said...

Lachelle,
LOVE the post! Especially because I can relate. I've gotten everything from Polynesian, Hawaiian, Chinese (my personal favorite), Native American and Israeli. Ironically enough, most people never guess Mexican. And yeah, I love the "Where are you from?" question or even better, "What are you?" C'mon folks! Have some tact!

Nikki said...

Lachelle, for some reason the past two comments I've left haven't shown up! hope this one works. Anyway, this post made me laugh so much. I remember first having met you and having to take a double-look because you were so exotically beautiful. And I remember being surprised that someone as beautiful as you was so sweet and humble in nature. I can kind of understand why so many people ask you "where you come from"... they just wanna know what combination makes such a rare beauty!

The*Evans*Family said...

I think I told someone you looked like an "Indian Princess". :)

American Idol - I love Blake too, but go JORDIN!!

My advice on painting ceilings...hire someone. We had a friend spray ours. Rolling it would be way more work.

The Blakes said...

What fun you must have with your chameleon-like looks. I'm sure everyone just thinks your pretty good looking, wherever the heck you come from. I've got the standard blond hair, blue eyes. No one even asks about my country of origin.

Oh, and GO JORDIN!

JTA said...

Its your birthday right??? Happy birthday persian girl. If its not your birthday, I loved your post anyway.