Many people are confused of where I am originally from even though they've known me for a while. Well, I don't blame them for this. Sometime I have to think before answering a simple question "Where're you from?". Not that I am holding dual nationality. Not that I'm a harmful illegal immigrant. I just need more than a sentence to introduce myself briefly.

The doubtful moment for answering this sort of question is more frequently popping when I am at another country (that is neither my home-country nor where I am studying now). I could remember when I was with AA visiting Disneyland, the lady at the ticket booth asked whereabouts we were from. AA answered without a second thought. I paused a second and was thinking how should I answer her in order not to make my answer sounded complicated, I just told her, "I am from Country D." I wasn’t lying. I was returning to that country after that trip.

During my recent conference trip, I was chatting with a South American surgeon at the poster exhibition halls. Again, I was asked where I was from. This time, I decided to give a more elaborate answer. After my 30 seconds of introduction, he stared at me, flabbergasted.

Sometimes even my coworkers and my supervisors always mistakenly thought that I was from Country C or Country B. I worked in Country C for 2 years before I came over, whereas I studied in Country B for 5 years for my senior HS and my college. It has occurred to me in numerous such occasions, I basically just clarified on the spot to them. I was just trying to be specific. But I guess the extra piece of information about me is not significant for the visitors to know at all. I bet they must think like this, “Geez, this girl is strange. Why is she introducing herself so much? We are not interested in her.”

There are also a number of times that some people are puzzled a little when I told them I was Chinese. “Aren’t you from Country A?” Then I have to explain to them, Chinese is more of an ethic race than a nationality. There are many Chinese residing everywhere in the world. One thing I have to mention is the people in China are considered as Chinese, which comprises of different ethic groups including the Han, Man, Miao, Meng, Hui and Zhang.

Sometimes I really wonder does it matter so much of where we come from. Why do we always mention where we are from when we start to make new friends with others. Why do we have to include this piece of information in our introduction at formal or informal occasion? And why are we so curious to find out where does he/she from when we meet new friends? Well, that’s really nothing wrong in asking. I am curious about the people I meet too. I guess it makes us understand our new friends better. Or this is just basically part of a conversation. I mean we need to start somewhere in making conversations with someone who is yet to be our friend right?

“Hello, I’m Jade. I am Chinese but I am from Country A. I studied in Country B and worked in Country C before. Now I am studying in Country D. But all these are not important. Most importantly is I’m pleased to meet you. And hey, if you know me well, I can be witty most of the time, sing, and smile and laugh a lot when I’m in a happy mood.”

Next please. Hey it’s your turn now. Now tell me about yourself and where are you from?

♥ every page of my imagination

Viewing the fleeting world
- a star at dawn; a bubble in the stream; a flash of lightning in a summer cloud; a flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream together with Jade