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Compare and contrast
1:13 PM
Compare and contrast

I love my parents and the independence they give me when I'm abroad, but sometimes their chilling-ness just astounds me.

Examples:

1. Me on board Ryanair flight to Venice trying to remember if I told my mum I'm going to Venice today. Picks up phone and calls her..

Me: Hey mum, just called to let you know I'm flying to Venice today. Did I tell you that?
Mum: Hmm I can't remember. Okay. Have fun.
Me: So do you want anything from there?
Mum: Nope, just enjoy yourself.

Tbh I sort of prepared myself for a "Why didn't you tell me earlier statement" but so far my parents rarely say that.

2. Exams

Parents: So how was your papers?
Me: It was so bad, I think I'm gonna fail or at least just scrape through.
Parents: I thought you've been studying in the library?
Me: Yeah, but I just only studied for that paper 2 days before it.
Parents: What have you been doing throughout the year? I'm sure it will be fine.

That's it. No nagging or recriminations.

3. Coming home

Parents: So......when are you coming home again?
Me: 10th July
Parents: Okay, you might have to take a cab back cz daddy will be in China and mummy will be working.
Me: What? No warm homecoming reception?
Parents: Yeap, just make sure all your luggage can fit into the cab.

2 weeks later

Parents: So when are you coming home again? We've kinda forgot the date.
Me: =.= I'll get a cab if everyone is busy.

4. Studying

Mummy: So what're you still doing up at 2am? Don't you have class tmr?
Me: Yeap, my class is at 9am but I'm not going.
Mummy: Why not?
Me: Don't like the lecturer, he's boring and he just reads off slides. Plus 9am is so early and cold.
Mummy: For all the money your father is paying... well its up to you, just make sure you know what's going on.

Contrast it to when I'm back home:

1. Going out late at night

Parents: It would be nice if you're home before 1am
Me: Okay

At 12midnight...

Parents on the phone: So, where are you now?
Me: Outside. Its not 1am yet
Parents: You don't have to come home at 12.59am you know
Me: Yeap, I know. Don't worry about it, I'll come home on my own. Besides, in UK I stay out till much later
Parents: Yeah but that's UK. This is home, Malaysia therefore you have home rules.

2. Not telling them where I'm going

Parents: How come you didn't tell us earlier you're going out?
Me: I mentioned it earlier. You just forgot.
Parents: No we didnt....you didn't say
Me: Yeap I did. I told you just now when (insert wtv time or event my parents were doing)
Parents: Hah! Conveniently slip it in when we're not paying full attention
Me: Did not! I told you. Can't help it if you didn't rmb.
Parents: Okay but next time please tell us earlier and remind us.

I'm wondering, is it just my parents who are so chilling when I'm in UK and more strict when I'm back home....or is this a syndrome for parents who have children studying abroad?

Written on Wednesday, July 08, 2009; 1:13 PM


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Siew Yen
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