Thursday, March 27, 2008

The Best of Both Worlds

With a nod towards Rudyard Kipling; for my daughter, my little half-breed, I wish her:
  • The freedom of the New World and the humility of the Old World.
  • An English vocabulary, the American confidence to speak up.
  • The drive and ambition of America, coupled with a sense that the greatest happiness can come from a quiet and unassuming life.
  • The competitive spirit of American sports with British fair play and good sportsmanship.
  • A good education without the need to wear it across your chest or on a bumper sticker on your car.
  • That knowledge is an end in itself, not just a step in the pursuit of the almighty dollar.
  • To know that beauty is not defined by blonde hair, blue eyes, a size zero or straight white teeth (sadly both of her countries will fail to teach her this).
  • To live in a country where neither the Old Boys Network nor a lack of money will determine her future.
  • The confidence of her own opinions without the need to enforce them on every person she meets.
  • The 'freedom' to support the Lakers, Manchester United, the Dodgers and England football club otherwise she will be disowned.
  • To be as happy knee deep in muck on a windy hillside as lying on a million dollar yacht in a sun-drenched harbor.
  • American generosity, without overeating, over-dressing or over-killing.
  • To be comfortable with her own body and able to physically express herself, with the knowledge that she won't die if she sees a naked breast on TV or on a beach.
  • To have fun, play, and be a child, yet be able to behave with dignity and class.
  • To dream big, like Americans, and still be happy with living small.
  • To forgive her mother her idealistic ramblings.

23 comments:

Little Britainer said...

This one made me laugh out loud:
A good education without the need to wear it across your chest or on a bumper sticker on your car.

All of these are spot on and so true - if only both cultures could be mixed up so perfectly. It really is a good mix, being English and getting to live here - but it would be even better to be brought up with a good mix of both culture's ideals. Good luck to you!

Great post!

Mary said...

This was a great post Ali!

I'm with little britainer.......loved the education one!

Anonymous said...

Superb comparison....

Daffodilly

KG said...

Damn! I have a bumper sticker on my car of my good education! Well, not of my law school (because I'm rather embarassed about the lawyer thing) . . . but undergrad! I guess I suck!

Almost American said...

Great post Ali - that's a keeper!

Sugarplum's Mom said...

Wonderful wishes for your munchkin. I hope she gets it all.

Expat mum said...

Totally agree with you on all of these. Hopefully we can help our kids keep the balance.
My friend has a great car sticker which looks like the typical school sticker, but when you look closely, it's for the local prison!!!

Carrie Nicole said...

Absolutely wonderful post and totally spot on. I'm trying to absorb the UK side of the balance from all you expat-ers...in a former life I think I was a Scot :)

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful ... I need to write a post like this for my daughter;)

I want to extend an invitation to list your Blog at HerBlog Directory.


Kay
http://www.herblogdirectory.com

Kris said...

Hi Ali! So happy you visited my blog. You have a great blog yourself. You are living someone else's American dream? I'll tell you what, you are living my American dream! My husband and I dream of one day living in Southern California. For now we remain content with this English weather.

Anonymous said...

I LOVED this. I remember thinking a long time ago how wonderful it would be to raise my children in another country for almost all of the reasons you mention - I love what the United States has to offer them (as well as me), but struggle sometimes with the egocentricism (for lack of a better term) that comes with it.

I am enjoying reading through your archives and will definitely be back! Thank you for stopping by my little corner as well!

Anonymous said...

I'm happy my daughter has a friend as insightful as you. Fluffy

Unknown said...

Great post. And something to work towards even for the non half-breeds.

Iota said...

This is fantastic stuff. I loved reading it. It captures so much about the strengths and weaknesses of the two cultures, and I would echo all of it for my kids.

Jane said...

Wonderful post Ali. I can see it all. Hope my kids can successfully negotiate their way through the good bits of all the cultures that have affected them too.

Anonymous said...

That's beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

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RiverPoet said...

Ali, this is a great list! I love that you want balance in your daughter's life, along with humility, good sense, and confidence. If only they all had a health dose of it!

Peace - D

P.S. - Found you through David.

Cath said...

Over from David's. What a wonderful wish list for your daughter. Beautifully written.

Merisi said...

Hi,
I came over here thanks to
David McMahon's POST OF THE DAY<, congratulations to you!

"The 'freedom' to support the Lakers, Manchester United, the Dodgers and England football club otherwise she will be disowned"

*rofl* Aren't a little bit too tough on your sweet little one? ;-)

lime said...

here via david's

what a wonderful list of wishes for your daughter. to be able to see good and the bad of each culture and to pick the best of each is something that seems so sadly lacking these days. you've made a marvelous blend.

P M Prescott said...

Coming by way of David McMahon. I really liked what you said. I think I'll pass this on to my daughter.

Almost American said...

Hope you don't mind - I tagged you on my blog. Feel free to ignore it though if you don't find the questions interesting!