Assignment 8 – Dilni Abeyrathne

Fears: losing touch with my extended family, losing my best friend, the fate of this world

Annoyances: foolish arguments, littering and unsustainable practices, unnecessary noise

Accomplishments: learning English, getting my poetry published, maintaining good grades

Confusions: lessening appreciation of the Earth (sustainability)

Sorrows: being separated from my extended family (who are very close to me), growing up without my cousin

   

Dreams: publish my first book, do something of value for this world

Idiosyncrasies: very introverted, nerdy (I am not ashamed), book/poetry lover

Risks: I tend to not take risks often, but I can’t say I haven’t (i.e.: jumped off roof of one-story 

house—I know, extremely foolish, but I was young)

Beloved Possessions: my three four-foot dolls (then); my violin, my friendships, and my books (now)

Problems: not having a sense of humor (most of the time—I just don’t find funny the things the general population does)

A sense of humor—a guaranteed way to seem amiable. Unfortunately, I don’t have one, most of the time. These problems mainly stem from the difference in cultures I have experienced since coming here. The things that people of my country find funny are far from what the people of this country find amusing. As such, having been raised by a different culture, I lack an “American” sense of humor. However, curiously, I don’t laugh at the popular mainstream humor of my country. It seems that my sense of humor is near to nonexistent in both cultures, though I do find some of the humor in my country extremely amusing. This peculiar trait is the source of endless teasing from my friend, who attempts every so often to make me giggle or laugh by showing me videos or telling me stories. Alas, these attempts often fail, only eliciting a small smile or a blank expression from me. However, I will giggle at her antics, to which she excitedly points out that she has succeeded, earning a smile from me. Truth be known, I do not suppress my laughs or giggles to maintain an emotionless disposition. No, the real reason is that often, I do not understand why something is funny, thus leading me to not laugh. I may merely smile, but it’s not genuine sometimes; occasionally, I smile for the benefit of everyone else. The truth is, this may present me as an emotionless individual sometimes, but I cannot change that. What I do not find funny, I simply do not. Not all is solemn, though. There are some things that do manage to tug a smile or laugh from me, a genuine one.