a tribute to the asian skin

When I came to America, it became apparent to me that I have grown up in a culture where the lighter the skin is, the more attractive a girl seems. I have always bought products that will enhance my natural light skin. I avoided staying under the sun for long hours if I could. Some people thought I had Caucasian roots.

But when I came here, to my dismay Wal-mart doesn’t even have products that contain “papaya extracts” or “whitening agents” in them. Nope. Apparently, no one cared about getting a lighter skin since most Americans already have white skin, and blacks would have to go through what Michael Jackson went through to become “white”. So that leaves a question as to whether an Asian like me should become lighter, or keep her natural color. I didn’t go through this dilemma when I was in the Philippines. Usually I can just drop by a skin care store and find the lotions and soaps that I want. There are hundreds of variations and each one proved to be effective in enhancing my light skin.

Summer is here and I have been in the outdoors almost every week. My family would go to the swimming pool at least twice a week, visit a waterpark on the weekend, and go hiking. Last July fourth we camped out in Lake Texoma and spent the whole day under the sun. Fortunately, I didn’t get a sunburn. But I did get dark. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find papaya soaps or lotions to bring my light skin color back too soon. Or at least a tan line remover from wearing bikinis too much!

My husband loved my light Asian skin. I’m proud of it. But if you ask me, there are still conveniences in my country that being here in the US cannot give me. I get too dark under the harsh Texan sun and there’s no relief. The Philippine weather is mild and nice, just like in Florida. Most people bring umbrellas for protection. If I walk around with an umbrella here, people will laugh at me. I get confused looks from Americans who go sunbathing in the pool at noon while I hide my body from the sun with a towel. I must look like a real weirdo ha-ha!

a week of recollection

You cannot truly appreciate something unless it has been taken away from you. Today I have been browsing about what’s going on in the Philippines and I suddenly got nostalgic. I told my husband that I will never miss the smog and the crowded streets. Yet here I am telling him about planning to go back there someday.

This is a week of recollection. I do not advocate the so-called gruesome things that are happening in my country, but I certainly get insights as to how different it is compared to the US. Different in a pleasant way.