Delusion-Elle

I'm distracted from studying so I figured that I'd may as well blog.

Studying progress: I've gone through CPSC notes once and the Math 200 textbook once. Working on CPSC practice problems now. Going to try and read the CPSC textbook tonight just before bed. Yes, all of it. Mostly on track, just a bit behind, I think?

I am starting to just be confused by that MacLean's "Too Asian" article now. I don't want to go back and read the now edited version of it, and frankly, I think that the message they were trying to get across just kind of gets lost in everything else. Even the controversy gets a little lost. I just found this article on how our province's capital is condemning MacLean's. To be honest, I'm not sure what that means. Are they banning the magazine now? No, it doesn't look like it. And even if they did... that'd be censorship, quite the opposite of the "freedom of speech" aspect of Canada. Anywho, to me, this little "resolution" just seems out of place and random. And to be totally frank, Victoria was a very "white" city the last time I visited it. I'm surprised to see them all up in arms about this kind of thing.

More musings under the cut which probably make me seem very ignorant or something.

Also, the comments on this article only made me even more confused... about myself. Initially I was appalled by the commenters who complained about this shift in the "face of Canada". Immigration is something that will happen; you can't stop it. However, other comments mention how foreigners are taking all the spots in universities and I was about to protest mentally until I realized that I had thought that exact same thing when I was first applying at post-secondary institutions. Since then I've learned that there are only so many spots set aside for international students and really, given the exorbitant amount of money those international students shell out, I can see why universities would want more of them. But really, that's not where most of my confusion comes from. I'm being caught between cultures once more. On the one hand, if it weren't for immigration, I and practically everyone else in Canada wouldn't be here (if you trace back far enough). And on the other, I understand the people disgruntled with immigration who have been stuck in situations where the other person cannot speak English at all (and you can't do your job properly because you just plain cannot communicate with each other).

As much as I love the different cultures and the fact that people keep their traditions upon arriving in Canada, it can be quite maddening when interacting with non-English speakers. And as much as I used to scorn the idea of assimilation, I started to see positive sides to it some years ago. I'd love to be able to communicate with everyone in English and just have more similar culturally-based interests (e.g. hockey, skating, not sing K). Not that we have an especially distinct culture... I think. I don't know. I think it's mostly just normal to me. I can't really tell. It's just that as an immigrant, you're leaving behind many things, but you're also gaining new things. Maybe Canada's just made it too easy to not have to try and "fit in". And maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about because the whole concept of being an immigrant is rather foreign to me.

That being said... One particular comment: "[...]Thankfully, I got in where I wanted to but many of my friends didn't and if you go to UBC you will know that it's mostly Asians with horrible English. And the professors? Half of them can't pronounce a single term properly with their lack of English, it's disgusting to me. I go to a lecture and I can't understand what he is saying because he can't pronounce a single word."
Wow. Firstly, I'd like to know which Asians at UBC you come into contact with, honeybunch, because it seems like you've only ever talked to international students and/or recent immigrants. Horrible English, indeed. And in terms of professors, generally UBC's profs are known for their research work, not their exceptional teaching skills. If a "foreign" professor does amazing research, then good on UBC for trying to advance research in whatever fields by hiring him or her. Sucks for the students with the profs who can't teach worth crap. And there are plenty of profs fluent in English who can't teach worth a darn. It's not as though the only brilliant minds are those fluent in English. And with really heavy accents, it just takes an open mind and time to get used to.

Another comment: "[...] The people who complain about this article should go visit UBC in Vancouver where native English speakers are few and far between. I often get the feeling that Asians want nothing to do with Canada, Canadians, Canadian culture or making non-asian friends."

And this was when I realized that I really am not "Asian". o__o Though, I find that the non-Asians seem to be scared of the Asians. Or they just would rather not continue having conversations with me. I don't know. Am I intimidating?!?!?!?! <-- yes, that was on purpose. I hope you are intimidated by my overuse of punctuation. And by the fact that I can get fairly good marks in university English courses. Oh noes. Apocalypse!!!!!!!!

Honestly, based on some of these comments, I wonder if I'm living in a little bubble where none of these things are true.

I wonder what people think when they look at me. Unfortunately there is so much you cannot know just based on looks. But I doubt that enough people care to know about anybody who's "coloured", anyway. Stay segregated, Canada. Just the way you like it. v___v

As my guitar teacher said: "Everyone should just mix and we can all be a nice shade of brown. Then we can pick on each other about something else."

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An entry for the "$#*! My Mom Says" log...
Mom: Was it mostly white people at the concert?
Me: Yes.
Mom: Good. You were happy, then.
Me: Whaaaaaaa?
Mom: You were with "your kind"! Duh!