A Foreigner

By Johnny Nghiem

October 25^th, 2018

"Just try. You don't know unless you try. Try Asian girl." - Mom

My mother used to blame my dating life on my, or what she thinks, resistance of seeking an Asian girlfriend. This, to her, was my way of never fully rejoicing our culture and evidently always ended up heartbroken, distraught, the end of the world alone.

She was right and also wrong even though she'd never admit it, proud woman she is.

As I grew older, the impact of the word Asian became bigger, so did my curiosity.

I was just in Seoul for the first time with my business partner (Dennis) on a job documenting an Esports team.

I accomplished three things:

Finally hitting my limit on Korean food
Experienced an epic come from behind victory on Summoner's Rift
And, reaffirmed who I am

Growing up in Toronto and never having the chance to visit the motherland (Vietnam), I always asked myself "are we always foreigners?"

Going to places like India, Russia, and Spain, there's an obvious reminder that I'm not native to the culture so there was/is always a subtle disconnect.

Now having explored a handful of Asian countries, there was this level of comfort I found that can be described as someone meeting their mother's distant cousin Thuy for the first time; you trust them, but you don't know why besides them being somewhat family.

Next year, mom and I decided that we're going to Vietnam so I can understand why:

Bánh mìs are god's gift to everyone and everything
I'm not yet a man if I haven't drank snake's blood (according to mom)
Personal growth requires patience and a lot of layers

Thoughts:

Who I was ten years ago just began to realize this curiosity.
Who I was twenty years ago just began to realize that his NBA aspirations were over.
Who I am now still can't land an ollie.

Whatever I'm going to do and however I'm going to think, I'll always have mom constantly reminding me of my roots even though we speak Chingrish together, at least we're try-ing.