Questionnaire

One of my pals posted a list of questions on Facebook and I found them to be quite thought challenging:

I'm curious, actually. Started thinking about cultural differences and how much I don't know about people I know only online, or even those I think I know well. You know I like the listies. Thought I'd come up with one to explore folks a bit. feel free to send me a private message if you care to share that way. No pressure to answer every question. I'm just interested in learning what you care to share. I'll add a reply with my answers below.

Questions I'd likely eventually ask if I saw you every day:


1) How did you get your name? Does it mean something special? Are you named for a relative? Who named you-mom, grandfather, the nurse?

My parents are immigrants and know absolutely nothing about English names. My sister gave many suggestions but ultimately they chose Sherry because my dad loved to drink. Guess you know how I got here.

2) What feature did you inherit from one of your parents that you especially like? Do you have your father's nose?

My family says I look most like my dad but I'm fair-skinned like my mother. I am glad I inherited my dad's athleticism!

3) What feature did you inherit from one of your parents that you especially dislike?

My dad's bad teeth...

4) Tell me about your relationship with your hair. Do you love it, hate it, fight it, alter it significantly, identify by it, associate it with something other than appearance?

I have no emotional attachment to my hair, but funny enough everyone else does. I'm not afraid to experiment. I'll have short hair one minute and long the next.

5) What is your favorite celebration? Do you call them "holidays"? How do most people celebrate it, and do you have your own way?

I enjoy holidays with my mother's side of the family. They're all I've got and they're who I most enjoy being with.

6) Comfort food: what's yours? What do you eat when you are angry? Tired? Celebrating? Honoring your past?

I have something called mood food: mashed potatoes, collard greens, tacos, nachos... I usually eat one or all of the above one week a month.

7) Pick a culture that you associate with. What is one thing this culture is known for that you are proud of? One thing that you distance yourself from? One thing that you think is a negative cliche? One thing you really want to see improve about the 'outside' perspective of your culture?

I'm Chinese. I've always been trapped between two cultures. It's been a lifelong struggle to define. Stereotypes means nothing to me because I'm completely outside the box on stereotypes. I'm bad at math, I can drive...

8) What is something you'd actually, with full emotion, fight for?

I'm fighting for my ability to love someone, regardless of race or income. It has been hell for the past year dealing with my family.

9) What motivates you to do good?

I've always challenged myself to excel in everything I do.

10) When were you last a member of a group that felt like family, though not made up of relatives?

There are two people in my life who, for the past 9 years, have encouraged me, comforted me, and rejoiced with me in every stage of my life without judgment or criticism. Without them I could not have gone as far as I have. They know who they are.... Read More

11) What culture, aside from one you identify with, do you admire? (Choose one, doesn't have to be the only one.)

None. I'm proud of who I am. I look no further.

12) Do you ever listen to/read/ watch news from sources that report news from a perspective you disagree with? How much effort do you regularly give to understanding the concerns of people on the opposite end of the political spectrum?

News is supposed to be unbiased but it never fully is. I like to examine things from all angles. I never have an opinion until I have sought all perspectives...

13) Are you known for a special recipe? Is it something you'd share? Did you learn it from family, a friend, a book, experimentation?

I don't cook even though I come from a family of chefs. But I'm slowly trying, and it's not too bad!

14) What was the most significant gift you ever received?

I don't think my parents intended this to be a gift but they bought me a piano when I was 6 and it has been an important mainstay in my life.

15) What was the most thought you've ever given to a gift you were giving someone else?

My brother in law and sister have two kids and are extremely hard working. I have none. Although I work two jobs, I take some time to babysit so they can go out on dates once in awhile to maintain their loving relationship and sanity. My sister gave up her teen years unwillingly to be my guardian, I knew from the time the kids were born I would reciprocate the same if not better.

16) If you could instantly change one thing about your appearance, what would it be?

One thing will correct everything: losing weight. ...

17) If you could guarantee one basic human right to all people, what would it be?

It would be the right to love who you want.

18) When was the last time you realized that you had said or done something inadvertantly offensive to someone? How did you handle it?

I'm always offensive because I speak my mind and I''m an equal opportunity racist. I talk shit about all races and religions because every "great" thing has an antithesis and sometimes people are just too narrow minded to accept the other perspectives.

19) What does prayer mean to you?

I'm agnostic. Religion was forced upon me at a young age. I'm still struggling to define what it means to me.

20) How do you know where home is?

Home is a place where I can be one with myself and be at peace. There are only two places that exist in my life: Mountain View Cemetery and Leona Heights.