Author Archives: mycrazydna

So, where are u from?

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You know I recently read about (in 2 separate articles) a project that National Geographic is conducting. The project is called “Footsteps of my Ancestors.” The premise of the research study is to trace DNA to specific regional areas to help determine who your original ancestors were. Having a varied and mixed background this sounded so neat to me. I had visions of seeing my ancestors mapped out on the globe. Proudly looking on as I traced the generations before. My aspirations were dashed when I checked the price! $100! Come on, give a working girl a break, my purse only holds coins.

I am a frugal spender. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy buying stuff just like the next person. BUT I am an Actively Neurotic Analytical Lunatic. This means I like being in control of just about everything. I am a total planner. Spontaneity is not a part of my vocabulary. I will scour the net for the best deal, which includes me searching on 50+ websites searching for the best (insert any consumer product here) deal. I will even create spreadsheets to document where I found the deals (I know what you are thinking, just remember at least I know I’m Crazy).

Anyway, I don’t think of myself as cheap but I do take every purchase seriously. Spending $100 to participate in this test just seems excessive (picture whining and long face). I would love to find out how my genes ended up here but that goes on the “when we win the lotto” list.

I don’t know why this is annoying me. I suppose I just saw another home kit that allows you to have your mercury levels tested. That was only $25, that’s 1 dinner out, for 2! I bet your wondering though why this even caught my eye? Well I have been a vegetarian for about 15 years and about 5 years ago my doctor suggested I start eating fish again…so now I eat A LOT of fish. I spend a lot of effort trying to take care of myself…and as I move towards thoughts about having starting a family, I have been thinking more about the levels of mercury that could be swirling around in my blood.

So after pondering this for a bit, I think the best I can do for now is to send off for the mercury test. Who knows maybe I will decide that satisfaction of knowing more about my ancestors and how they have shaped who I am in even the smallest subtleties will mean more then the money I pay. I mean come on who am I kidding I can easily spend $100 in Whole Foods on tomatoes and nuts.

Hiya

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Gosh, nothing more I like than dominating a conversation to thrust my thoughts on everyone else and yet, there is nothing I hate more then describing myself. Why? Because I don’t I fit any traditional labels. In the short, I am a biracial woman, married to a caring (and crazy) Englishman. We currently live in the Washington D.C. metro area. But I AM so much more then that! The long of the story is in fact that my mother is African-American with some Cree & Cherokee Indian and Irish mixed in. My father is German-American, with some English introduced by way of my grandmother.

O I bet you think this is all rather boring, I mean aren’t we all a little mixed up? Isn’t all of our DNA blended from the generations before. I agree completely (me nodding) but I wonder how many of you are stopped on the street, asked something in a strange language with the complete assumption that you speak said mother tongue? Only to have to say back that you are not culturally enlightened because you only speak English and haven’t a clue what they are saying (all the while smiling, painfully).

I am *EASILY* mistaken for so many different ethnic groups that I used to feel embarrassed and frustrated, now I find it flattering. I have been asked if I am:
Spanish
Aboriginal (although I think the guy was just trying to hit on me)
Black
Mexican
Brazilian
Indian
Native American
Middle Eastern (Iran, Libya)
French
Pilipino/Asian (another one I am suspect about)

I have just entered my 30’s and for some reason this has brought so much to my life. Stability, home ownership and thoughts about what’s next? Lately, I find my mind wondering towards thoughts of parenthood and if this doesn’t seem like a big deal, well it so is for us. After nearly 9 years of marriage this is a huge transition. BUT you will soon realize that I am not a rusher, I am a planner and just because we are talking about it doesn’t mean it will happen anytime soon. As a result, I decided to start this blog to express these and other constant ramblings in my head. I like discussing politics, even though I am terrible at it and my mother always said not too. Ditto for religion (but I am better at expressing my wacky thoughts on this topic (at least I think so). But I am most interested in people, particularly the relationships we develop, the connections we make and the opinions we form. I have spent a lot of time thinking about my background and what it means; to me, to others and so on. I have a large circle of ethnically and culturally rich friends. I suppose I look at the blog as a way for me to express the things I never seem to be able to say out loud. A way to connect with others whom I can learn from and I hope can learn from me. And to realize that underneath the skin, we really have so few differences.

If I do or say anything that you think is offensive (not just stupid, because I can say a lot of silly things), please bear in mind it is not my intention to offend you. All I can say is I make mistakes too. So, please be nice and I hope you enjoy this slice of my life.

So, let the sharing begin!