The best of both worlds

I am Sri Lankan - American. That means that both my parents were born in Sri Lanka, I was born in Sri Lanka, but my sister was not. Well, that's a technicality. So I was born in Sri Lanka but grew up in the United States; hence, I classify myself as Sri Lankan - American, and consider myself a product of both countries.

I am Buddhist, but I don't have a complete understanding of Pali. I observe the cultural holidays, but I don't get the day off for Poya Day (Poya Day is the observance of the full moon each month). My parents speak Sinhala; I, however, have a complete understanding of Sinhala, but only speak when provoked. That is my general classification of being Sri Lankan - American.

My parents left the Isle of Serendipity (as the Motherland is also known) in search of higher education. My mother was born and raised in Kandy and she comes from a long line of proud "up-country" people. This being said, she was trained in the Kandian dance, went to an all-girls school, and knows every minor detail of every cultural rite. As Kandian as she is in her ways, she is Kandian in her looks: petite, almond-shaped eyes, fair skin, and perfectly curled black hair; a beauty at any age.
My Father came from a much different background. Born in Bandarawella, the second child in a family of twelve; his parents and siblings eventually settled in the Eastern provice, in a small village outside of Ampara. Apart from his humble beginnings, he has soared through the world of engineering, achieved his PhD, but will always be the first person to proclaim that he is from Ampara. A remote province in Sri Lanka, it is a stark contrast to the environment that we currently live in, the USA. Of course, he has no problem reminding us of his hometown, and at least once a month says: "You know, when I was small, my village didn't even have roads!"
To which I reply, "Pappa, your village still doesn't have any roads!"

As I said, I'm Sri Lankan - American. Brought up to be an independent and educated woman, I also have strong ties to my culture. I love the food, the people, and the country, but I take issue with a lot of things. I like to listen to Iraj, BnS, and DeLon. I love Bollywood movies and bhangra, and I wish that the Sri Lankan film industry could produce cinema along the lines of "Om Shanti Om" or "Jodhaa Akbar". I also wish that baila music could have more of a heavy beat, because I certainly hope that us Sri Lankans can outdo the Punjabis and ther bhangra music! So there you have it, I am Sri Lankan - American, I come from the best of both worlds, with a whole lot of confusion thrown in!