I did this on my Instagram and I'm going to do the same for my blog with a slightly similar agenda.
Instagrammers often asked me about my nationality and ethnicity. Nobody could ever get these 2 parts of me correct, with the most number of people asking if I am Japanese, Taiwanese, Hong Konger or Cantonese (Cantonese why??? It is a dialect and dialect group, not ethnicity btw).
I'm from Singapore and I'm a Singaporean Chinese. Whenever I'm in a foreign land and anybody guessed correctly that I'm from Singapore, I get really ecstatic. I'm bilingual in English and Mandarin-Chinese though my Chinese kinda sux. As for my Chinese dialect group, I'm a Hokkien. I can't speak much Hokkien but I can understand a smattering of it, especially the vulgarities. =D Some people mistake me for being a mix but I suspect it could be my grey or green-grey coloured contact lenses misleading them. Most Asians of Chinese descent, I reckon, don't have grey eyes unless you are Sayuri from Memoirs of a Geisha.
Old and new blog friends alike, I want to get to know where all of you are from, your nationality, ethnicity and anything interesting about yourself. Some of us have been the oldest blog friends for years but I only know the fashion side of you, the review side of you, the make-up junkie side of you, but I do not exactly know deeper aspects of you and I would love to get to know you!
Any questions for me? Leave me a comment and let's get to know each other better. Stumblers are welcome to comment too, if you do read the contents of this post. *winks*
Let's keep in touch via other platforms too! I don't do follow for follow but I would definitely return visits to your blogs and follow back if I find meaningful connection with you. Have a lovely weekend ahead!
bloglovin | GFC | Google Plus | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest |YouTube
Nice to meet you lovely and you have a great blog. Keep up the great work
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Sunday!
Kisses
www.kelpasdiary.com
Hi Kelpa, Thank you for your comment. Love seeing newcomers around!
DeleteSuch an interesting post, great read - you are really pretty!
ReplyDeleteThe Velvet Black // UK Style & Beauty Blog
Hi Alice, Thank you for your comment here and also the your sharing on the Blog Comments Dos and Don'ts post. I would get back to you on that one soon. I love seeing newcomers around here and hope to see you around more often!
DeleteI'm not surprised you got to meet more awesome bloggers through that post of yours! it truly showed the daily truth that lots of bloggers face everyday, annoying comments haha and you described them so good too!
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I guess something interesting about me is that I grew up in Lima, Peru. My first language is Spanish and I moved to Dayton Ohio six years ago where I learn how to speak and write English. I am also a graphic designer and work designing awesome bikes at Huffy! (I love my job :) ) and I married last year to a super cute guy from Ohio who does not speak any Spanish but bad words! haha together we have our two dogs Whiskey (his dog from college) and Lupi (my chihuahua) and yeah I think that is it! you probably already knew all of these about me but I felt like telling you anyways! so when did you and your hubby got married? and do you guys have any pets? Have you ever been to USA? I've never been to Asia but I would love to! is def in my bucket list :)
Hope you are having a great weekend so far!
to follow each other to stay in touch.
XOXO
Milu
www.hellolupi.com
Hello Milu. I love reading comments like yours coz I like to get to know you and understand you better.
DeleteI'm surprised that you have only been learning English for 6 years and you could converse so well in it. That's really admirable! I wouldn't know for sure if I could do that with a foreign language. Your job sure sounds cool and it is great to find a job you love so you won't ever feel like you're working! Remember how I when I found out your chihuahua was called "Lupi" and I always had the urge to go "Hello Lupi" to you instead of "Hello Milu" just for fun.
My hubz and I got married in 2009. We do not have any pets but I would love to have a cat or 2 when we get our own place. I would need to discuss this with him seriously. I'm living with his family now and my BIL has a cat who keeps scratching and destroying our slippers. Hubby doesn't want our future cat to destroy the furniture too. I would see what I could do to convince him to let me have a pet cat. I have been to NYC only and would love to visit more parts of USA. If you ever do come to Singapore, you have to call on me!
xoxo
I love these type of posts, it's always lovely to know a blogger a little better. And wow, girl, you've been blogging a longggg time! Wish I found your blog much earlier. Your previous post on 'comments do's and don'ts' made me chuckle, I honestly nod while reading through it. LOL! Thank you for the chuckle!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, HELLO from a fellow blogger and your latest follower, I am Sino-Kadazan who was born, raised and lived in Malaysia for all my life until 3 months ago, we've migrated to my husband's home country, Canada. :-)
Reflection of Sanity
Hi Shireen, Thank you for your comment here and for reading my Blog Comments Dos and Don'ts post. I love seeing newcomers around here and hope to see you around more often! Malaysian? Means we were very nearby 3 months ago! I've never heard of "Sino-Kadazan" before and I'm sure to google on that right away. I love learning new things so thanx for this opportunity. Ah, I didn't get any notification for your follow. Which platform did you follow me on? Would love to follow you back too as I appreciate connection with sincere bloggers like you. Would check out your blog soon!
DeleteHi Jo! I followed you on GFC and have also followed you on G+. Sorry for the late reply, my 6 months old is driving me bonkers today. LOL! xx
DeleteHi Jo, I'm Canadian... I was born in Nova Scotia... my mom was an American. I only speak one language English, I dated a Portuguese guy and new only the bad words and then I married a Russian guy and once again I only know the bad words ;-) ..
ReplyDeleteI love posts like this, it's a great way to get to know each other... these are some interesting facts about you ;-)
Have a great weekend ♡
Hello Launna. I sometimes get mixed up with my American and Canadian blog friends so I make it a point to remember where all of you come from. It's so funny that we usually learn the bad words of foreign language. I guess it is fun that way right? Thanx for the sharing. Now I feel like I know you better!
DeleteJo, I am happy to have found you on Imogen's blog, I enjoy getting to know the people I follow, really getting to know them... Have a great weekend ahead :)
DeleteMy name is Jenn, I'm Canadian and I speak English. Canada is a bi-lingual country that speaks English and French. I know very basic French but rarely get a chance to speak it (though I just filmed a movie with a French cast and I got to try and remember some phrases from high school!). I'm vegetarian and I work in the tv & film industry as a costume designer. I've recently become interested in travelling and want to visit at least one new place a year. This year I was fortunate enough to visit Florida, England and now British Columbia. I've always wanted to do a tour of Asia that included Korea, Japan, Singapore and China. (Okay maybe Philippines and Thailand too -- told you I have the desire to travel!)
ReplyDeletex Jenn
www.augustweekend.com | Every look tells a story.
Hi Jenn, Thanx for visiting back. I'm glad to see you here coz I love 2-way communication and interaction with fellow blog authors. Ah, and before I reply you here, I made sure I clicked around your blog for some "about me" section to get to know you better, esp after I see the part when you said you just filmed a movie. Totally got me interested in what you do. Travelling is great especially to get away from the stress at work and just to soak in new knowledge and culture. Ah, you're a vegetarian? You have to avoid my blog at times when I post on food coz we might just become enemies. Haha... Appreciate your sharing, Jenn and thanx for the follow. I would follow you back too; I'm sure we could get along well!
DeleteI'm glad that we were able to find each other in what often times seems like a huge community of bloggers. I'm really enjoying my time away and making sure to eat a lot of good food! Don't worry, you won't make an enemy out of me - after all I wasn't born a vegetarian :) Thanks for the follow back and looking forward to reading more from you!
DeleteSo lovely! Nice to know about your ethnicity and hearing about you! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Hope to stay in touch in the future! You are adorable and your blog is so cute!
ReplyDeleteDenise
www.fashionloveletters.com
Thanx for visiting back and for your sweet compliments, Denise. I appreciate the 2-way communication and hope we would be seeing each other around more often! =)
DeleteHhaha! This is lovely! I'm so glad to here that you've been having more interaction with your followers and are enjoying it! I try to leave more detailed and personal comments on blogs I follow as I find generic comments nice but I want to show personal interest! The guesses are typical I guess for an east asian looking girl! But yes, Cantonese is NOT an ethnicity! I was asked before if I was indonesian when I had a tan and I've been asked if I was from hong kong because my english 'was really good for a chinese person'...lol, the things people think of! I'm never offended though, as I'm sure you are too! I think your contacts are sooo lovely! I used to wear grey contacts for 2 years and then I did green, turqoise, hazel and some other shades of browns. It's been a while since I ordered colored ones, I really want to again as they're so fun and easy to use! I also need quite a bit of power for mine so it's not just purely for fun :p
ReplyDeleteHey Sharlynn. I loved at your comment coz I find the things people say about Asians coz they dunno us really very funny. I tend to be amused by them and laugh it off too, like when people guess you're from HK just coz your English is good for a Chinese-looking girl. Many people are often impressed by my English too but hey, English is our first language here. You know, so many people on social media, esp YouTube would ask if I'm Cantonese. I wonder what made them say so. My hazard guess is that they think I'm from HK and that Hong Kongers are all Cantonese. I think it is nice that you show personal interest in a blog when you comment. I appreciate people like you who read and take an interest in blogs. Thanx for sharing, I enjoyed reading what you have to say!
DeleteI can understand some of the Penang Hokkien dialect, but I'm not sure if it's exactly the same as Singapore Hokkien or not! I've always thought colored contacts would be really cool, but I don't want to put contacts in my eyes!
ReplyDeleteHello Rachel. I think Penang Hokkien is very different from Singapore coz I couldn't quite understand it. Just like Hokkien in Taiwan, I couldn't understand it too. I think they sound a lot more refined than our Singpore Hokkien.
DeleteIt great to know something about you, dear! I think that Singapure has to be beautiful city and I had no idea that there is so many dialect in place where you live! So let me to introduce myself - my name is Iwona, I'm from Poland, I'm a student of administration's faculty at University of Wroclaw and I'm on my last year of studies now. I love DIY and everything conected with art or fashion, but I also adore to travelling and I want to visit Asia someday (I truly believe that this dream will come true!) :)
ReplyDeletehttp://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/
Hi Iwona, You have a gorgeous name. Thank you for dropping by here. I really love seeing newcomers around especially when there’s meaningful communication! I’m not sure about other Asian ethnic groups but for Chinese we do have a number of dialect groups. I seldom have Poland readers. But I think now I know 2 of you. I love your creativity and I wish you all the best in your final year of study and achieving your dream of travelling to more countries! Hope to stay connected! =)
DeleteOh wow I can't believe someone had asked if you're 'cantonese' before!! Hahah that would frustrate me so much xP
ReplyDeleteI actually had no idea you were Singaporean! I'm from Australia but my background is Hong Kong! I can speak cantonese and understand a tiny bit of mandarin hehe! Hokkien sounds really interesting though and would be pretty awesome if i could understand it too :P
xx
www.beautifyinglifee.blogspot.com
Hey Fifi, thanx for reading and commenting on my older post on blog comments too! Lol… Lots of YouTubers and Instagrammers ask me this; it tickled me so much that so many people could hold the same thought. They probably think I'm from HK and that Hong Kongers are all Cantonese and now here you are telling me your background is HK and that you can speak Cantonese. So coincidental. I think that’s a beautiful-sounding dialect. Singapore Hokkien sounds crude but when you understand it esp when they use it in local movies, those are always the hilarious moments of the show.
DeleteYou are so pretty! Singapore seems like such a lovely place to visit! Maybe one day!
ReplyDeleteI live in London! <3
xoxo,
BerryBloomXO.com | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
also on BLOGLOVIN
Hey dear, thanx for dropping by and for your sweet comment. I love seeing newcomers around here. I love London and would go back to London many times over again!
DeleteNice to get to you you ^^
ReplyDelete恵美より ♥
www.emi-doll.blogspot.jp
JOIN MY GIVE AWAY: www.emi-doll.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/463-moo-mooo-moooh-navy-blue-lace-polka.html
Thank you Emi. =)
DeleteTo be honest I can't differentiate between Japanese or Chinese or Singaporeans, they all look pretty same to me. I must say you're so pretty, you look like a real life doll :) I'm Areeba and I am from Pakistan! Glad to know you more.
ReplyDeleteHi Areeba, thank you for dropping by here. I really love seeing newcomers around especially when there’s meaningful communication! Ah, thanx for your compliment and honesty. Many Asians of Chinese descent look the same to many non-Chinese so that’s pretty normal. Now I know another Pakistani! Hope to stay connected!
DeleteLoved reading more about you. You have such pretty eyes! X x
ReplyDeletewww.beyondthevelvet.blogspot.co.uk
Hi Leah and Rachel, thank you for dropping by here and for your sweet comment. =)
DeleteAw, this is a nice idea for a post! I visited Singapore with my dad way back when I was eleven. We were only there for a couple of days, and did the usual touristy things, but I loved every minute of it. I'd really like to go back someday. :)
ReplyDeleteAbout myself - I'm Indian, but I've been living in the UK for more than four years now (although it feels like a lot longer!). I'd say I got used to this country quite easily, and it couldn't be more different from Bombay, where I spent 23 years of my life. I do miss India, but it's more about missing the people than anything else. :)
And now I'm off to follow your Instagram!
x Sneha | www.snehakadaba.com
Hello Sneha. Thanx for this sharing coz I never knew your ethnicity before this. I sure hope I don’t sound ignorant when I say you don’t look Indian. Perhaps the only image I have of you is your profile picture here so it is hard for me to really know how you look like. Also, I agree with you that usually it is the people we miss from our hometown and not the country itself at times though for me, I know I will definitely miss some of my local culture and food. I think I missed out on your Instagram notification! I would go search for your profile and follow you back. I can snoop around more of your photos too and form a physical image of you!
DeleteHi Jo! Of course you don't sound ignorant about that, but I am curious about what ethnicity you thought I was? Just because this isn't the first time I've been told that. :) Thanks for checking out my Instagram, I only started using it a few months ago (VERY late to the party, lol) but I am enjoying it. :)
Deletex
At least to me for 1st impression on your profile pic, you look like you had mixed Caucasian, Indian, Chinese blood! now that I see more photos of you on IG, you look like you have Indian and Chinese blood. lol
DeleteAh, you're stunning. I'm really bad at guessing peoples ethnicity!
ReplyDeleteI'm caucasian and I'm from the UK. Not very exotic!
Have a lovely weekend,
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
Hello Corinne. Thank you for your compliment and yes, I’m bad at guessing ethnicity too. Caucasian from UK is so straightforward. Simplicity is beautiful too!
DeleteJo, first of all, how beautiful you are in that snap! Love so much your skin, is so flawless and smooth, seems porcelain and with the colored lenses look even more stunning. I know you are from Singapore, I remember first time met you I googled cause, till I know it I didnt have clear in which geographic location was. Id love to know Chinese, first have to improved the English since is the only foreign language I could quite write (but not speak well at all) . Now my turn: I live in Cagliari, in Sardinia, an Italian island and I lotally love my city and country, I cant stay without the sea, the beach and this sky. As already said I have a passion for languages and I always translate the words on web, Id like to learn others ones in the years ahead. Hugs and hope u had a lovely weekend! xo
ReplyDeleteHello Lilli. Thank you for your sweet compliments. My skin is only flawless and smooth with make up and filters. Haha. That’s the beauty of make up and photo editor. Your hometown sounds so beautiful. The coastal and southern part of Italy is another travel itinerary on my mind. We focused more on the northern touristy area in our last trip. As I mentioned before, I’m very impressed with your command of English and also appreciate that you write to your English-speaking blog friends/readers in English. When I was in Italy, Italians who could speak English only did so a little bit. It must be quite an effort for you. You write beautiful English and I didn’t know you can’t speak it well. I’m glad that we have translator tools on the Internet. I’m so happy to know more about you!
DeleteOh yeah, guessing the ethnicity is indeed not one of my skills, lol. I'm from germany but most people think I'm from Sweden!
ReplyDelete♘ www.sugarpopfashion.com ♘
Hi Stella, thanx for popping by and sharing. I’m bad at guessing ethnicity too and I wouldn’t be able to figure out why people guess you’re from Sweden instead of Germany. =)
DeleteIt's always a pleasure to know a blogger better... interesting post and you are so beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm an italian blogger and I hope you will check My blog soon!
Love, Paola.
Expressyourself
My Facebook
Hi Paola, thanx for dropping by. I love seeing newcomers around. Thank you for your sweet words. I love Italy the last time I was there. Would be checking out your blog soon!
DeleteHi! I just found your blog and it's amazing<3 You're so pretty~ ;u; I really want to visit Singapore, it looks so nice there! Nice to meet you, too ^^ I'm part Taiwanese and Japanese!
ReplyDelete~Kiyomi <3
kokorosasa.blogspot.com
Hi Kiyomi, thanx for dropping by and your sweet words. I love seeing newcomers around and esp having meaningful communication. Thanx for sharing with me more about yourself. Would check out your blog soon!
DeleteJo, I love this post! Such a fantastic way to get to know you and your readers on a more personal level. ^__^b Also, you look radiant as usual in the picture above. ^.^ <3 I'm Laotian-American. Both of my parents are from Laos and I grew up in the states. ^.^b I can speak and understand Lao, but I am not fluent, and I wish I was ;____;
ReplyDeleteHello Anna. Yup. So fantastic that I got to know you are Laotian-American from this post! I think I'm so ignorant to assume that you are Chinese-Amerian coz you do look Chinese. I have to make a mental note about this fact of you. I love how I'm learning a lot more about my blog friends starting from now.
DeleteHaha no worries, I often am mistaken as Chinese. I've also been mistaken as Filipino or Vietnamese before too. I think there may have been one or two times where people have guessed that I was Thai or Cambodian. It's so much fun to learn more about blogger friends! ^.^
DeleteYou look lovely! very sweet and tender:) Are you Cantonese ? ha ha, that one made me laugh.
ReplyDeletePeople often question me about my race...one lady even asked me (when I was litttle girl) when did my parents exactly adopted me from Africa. I've been told I look like a Native American, South American, Indian and Asian (- all these by West Europeans or people from the USA. The Indians tell me I look very European to them (I haven't met a Native American and the South Americans and Asians never commented on my looks). I think that for a lot of people (let's not name them) everyone who is not anglosaxon in apperance looks different and they have the need to comment on their looks which can be annoying at times. I've noticed that a lot of girls from Turkey get asked are you a mixed blood or etc....Obviously people have some kind of stereotype about how people from Turkey look like. The same goes for the Italians.
There is nothing exotic about my origin. Both my parents are from the same region of Croatia (Dalmatia) hence I'm a Slav by ethnicity. I'm dark because that is how most Mediterranean Slavs are and that's about it.
Hi Ivana, I read your comment with great interest. Firstly, your cheeky first line got me laughing. And then came the part about how ignorant people are. You know what? I really agree with you that many Anglosaxon or what I call Caucasians (in a genearlizing manner) are usually the ones making such comments about race and ethnicity. I'm not referring to all but to many on social media like YouTubes etc, I find mainly the American keyboard warriors being ignorant to the point of racist with their comments that indicate lack of intellect. On my end, the Asians usually don't ask such questions. I think that the lady who asked if you're adopted from Africa really insensitive. She probably didn't mean to sound demeaning but she's just insesitive because of her ignorance. Now on to my ignorance... I really enjoyed your sharing coz I do not have any Slav blog friends (or not that I know of). I'm so curious about Croatia, Dalmatia and Slav that I just had to google to know a little bit more about you!
DeleteThank you for the follow. I enjoy connecting meaningfully with people all over the world and I'm also following you back. Hope to see each other around more often!
You look stunning as always!! Beautiful face. I knew you were from Singapore, but I didn't know anything else. It would be good to learn more about where your from. I learned a bit in school, but it's always better to learn from someone actually from there. I'm from America...and ethnicity is mixed. I have African roots, Irish & Scottish roots. German roots from my Grandmother's side. And Native American - the Cherokee tribe as well. A good mix, haha. No one ever guesses my ethnicity right really, I have been asked if I am Mexican or Brazilian or lots of other things too, but I don't really mind. I just tell them. I like all cultures and learning about them. I hope you have a gorgeous week my dear xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment, Kizzy. Oh my, I'm so glad that I know so much more about you from this post. I didn't know you have such a mix of roots in you! I've often wondered about your ethnicity. I would probably have guessed Brazilian coz you do look like one so pardon my ignorance. Lol... It's so cool that you have Cherokee roots too! I must make a point to remember all these interesting facts about you!
DeleteGreat idea, Jo! I didn't know much about you so thanks for letting me know! As you know, I am a Bulgarian student, living in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. Hope you have a great day! xo
ReplyDeleteHello Stanislava. Lol... Whenever I see your capital Sofia, it would make me laugh at my embarrassing boo boo about thinking I've been calling you Stanislava wrongly all along when your name is Sofia. A good thing I've gotten it right the 1st time!
DeleteHappy Monday Jo! Whenever I get a meaningless comment I think about your post hahaha. Of course I know that you are from Singapore. I have to admit though that we Europeans are not the best when it comes to the differences between all these Asian countries. I was born in Germany but my parents are from Serbia. I speak both languages and English too. Guess you knew about the English part ;-). I always wanted to make a post like things you didn't know about us. Guess it's time for it.
ReplyDeleteRYC: Haha I'm so glad I made you laugh. I always try to write funny posts :D
xx
I'm so glad to be remembered this way, Mira. An honour really! Ah, we are not very good at guessing ethnicity too but I must say that you are better than the Americans on social media (totally no offence to all my lovely American friends). It's interesting to know that you are trilingual. I'm in awe of people who know 3 languages or more. Ooh, I would definitely look forward to a post like that coz I'm so curious (or nosey) to always know my blog friends at a deeper level. Keep up your humour! I love them!
DeleteYou're so funny, but I know that Hokkien is from The Lord of the Rings!!! Nice try!
ReplyDeletelol, sorry, I'm in a silly mood this morning. I'm happy that we know each other pretty well (and you don't mind when I'm goofy). But just for the record, I'm mostly of German and Irish descent, with a little English thrown in. I want to have that DNA test done that shows where all of your ancestors are from.
OMG Rick... I took a while to realise why you said Hokkien is from LOTR until I focused on the spelling and not the pronunciation. Lol... J. R. R. Tolkien! Yep I know. You're always in your silly mode every now and then. I didn't know about your mixture of German, Irish and English descent coz you work in Washington and I always just think of you as Rick from Washington who has a cool museum job. I'm glad that you shared this info with me and I would make it a point to remember this fact of you!
DeleteYou're so pretty and it was so nice getting to know you better! I can't believe that people call you Cantonese....-_- Although I do get some of that, too. People ask me if I am Arabic (a language). Not only am I not a language but I'm also not Arab--they just guess because I am a Muslim and cover my hair. I am originally from Iran but I was born and raised in Oklahoma, USA and now go to university in Chicago!
ReplyDelete<(') Hoda | JooJoo Azad
Hi Hoda, I read your comment and LOL at my phone. The part on asking you if you're Arabic really made me choke on my laughter. I too am ignorant about ethnicity but I would never mix a language with ethnicity. Thanx for sharing more about yourself. I enjoy learning from people all over the world. I love seeing newcomers here esp when there is meaningful connection. I'm gonna pop by your blog after this.
DeleteHi Jol and thank you for your visit! I'm Eni, a blogger from Italy.
ReplyDeleteI have a little more than thirty years. In addition to all the aspects related to fashion and shopping, I love the sun, the sea, and for this I would live forever from 20 degrees up. I am Albanian by birth and Italian by adoption. Although I love practically forever Barcelona and Spain in general, I think the best place in the world is the one where I live: Italy. I love his city, its streets, its history, fine wine and its delicious cuisine. I love dinners and lunch would replace quietly with a drink. I’m in love with my boyfriend and my beautiful granddaughters. I love music, entertainment and travel. Behold, this is me, in a few lines.
Today I have started following you on Google+ and GFC. Hope you follow me back. What do you think to follow us also on Bloglovin? Let me know....Have a nice day, kisses,
Eni
http://eniwherefashion.blogspot.it/
https://www.facebook.com/eniwherefashion
Hi Eni, Thank you for visiting back, commenting and sharing. I appreciate this meaningful connection. I think we are about the same age and it is great to know that! I'm glad to know another Italian blog friend. I visited Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome last year and I really love Italy. I would love to visit the not so touristy parts of Italy next time. It is such a beautiful country. I do not think I know anyone from Albania and it is nice knowing you. You have granddaughters at such a young age? I'm getting all curious. I enjoyed reading what you have to share and I would love to keep in touch. Would be following you on the 3 following platforms- GFC, Google+ and Bloglovin after I hit send. xo
DeleteYou look absolutely gorgeous!! I just read your post about blog comments and I was nodding constantly... We all know who those people are who leave the same comment under every single blog post... I have a tactic: I start commenting on their blogs with the same exact comment until they get the hint... most of them don't come back to read my blog though..oh well :D
ReplyDeleteBella Pummarola
Hi Anett, I love seeing newcomers around here. Thanx for reading my old post on blog comments dos and don'ts. Hahaha... I know of some of my blog friends who did the same tactic as you and you know what, even if those people don't come, it's ok. Coz we know we wouldn't hold meaningful conversations with them as well.
DeleteHaHa Jo! I didn't know your ethnicity! I'm african-american, and live in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both my grandmothers were half white and half black.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
Hey Kim. I'm so glad that you shared here. I would never have guessed you are African American. It is always nice to learn something new about my blog friends!
DeleteHi Jo! It has been awhile since I've blog surfed and actually had time to blog hop and check out some fellow bloggers! It's nice to have a fellow Singaporean in the blogging community, even though I don't reside there anymore. But I always enjoy looking at your photos of home, and time spent with friends and family. AND your food pics!!! All the shiok food I miss every day hahaha. Even though I think we've been reading each others' blog for quite some time now, I have to say until this post I actually didn't know too much about you! We def have to touch base more! Esp next time when I'm back home :D
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing well girl!! Have a wonderful week ahead!
Tessa
Tessa, it is so nice to see you here again even though we are alwats seeing each other on Instagram! It is quite difficult to find a fellow Singaporean in this blogging community. Ok actually there are a lot of sg bloggers but somehow I don't feel so connected to them. I find many sg bloggers writing diary-like entries and for those more famous ones, their posts are full of reviews. There isn't much interaction with readers too. That's why I really appreciate the warmth from international bloggers. The connection feels more genuine. Yes, I realise that I dunno much about you too even though we've known each other on our blogs for a few years. We have to get to know each other more!
DeleteI had no idea about the complexities of the Chinese language. I know it's hard (for me or westerners in general) but no idea there were different dialects etc. That's actually really fascinating to me. I wish we could have this conversation in person though and I feel like if we ever it'd feel like we've known each other for years! I find blogging has that effect on us. In a way we spend our days with one another, not just through posts but Instagraming and stuff. We share things, looks and even personal issues (at times). Back to your question. Well I was born in Australia but my parents are Portuguese, migrating here for a better life. Well my mum did because her siblings moved here and my dad followed two years later and they got married the day he landed. (They're childhood sweethearts or something like that) As a family we're not really Portuguese (don't say that in front of them, they get super mad lol) we don't speak it, I can understand and (weirdly) write and compose (to an extent) but my pronunciation is really, really bad. So I don't bother! Plus the last time I holidayed there (around 6 years ago now) I made an effort and everyone just spoke back to me in English so....
ReplyDeleteI don't really know what much else to say. I could rabble on and on about nonsense though I fear a word limit would hinder it all. Perhaps one day over coffee, or tea or brunch Jo!?
Sxx
www.daringcoco.com
Hi Sonia. Ah, we are not very good at guessing ethnicity too. I’m not sure about other Asian ethnic groups but for Chinese we do have a number of dialect groups. I was surprised to know that there are also dialects in certain European countries when I learned that in university. So am I right to say that you're an Australian but your ethnicity is Portuguese?That's really interesting to know that your parents are Portuguese but get super mad at that. I wonder why. And it is so sweet that your parents are childhood sweethearts! I don't think I know any Portuguese people and all I know are from History textbooks that they are one of Asia's colonial masters and also know of them from football. Lol... I too, feel the same way about you. We haven't really known each other for a few years but it's the connection that makes me feel this way. I'm glad I found your blog back then! Thanx for the sharing. It felt like we just chatted over a virtual cup of tea!
DeleteHi Jo, I told you once I been to Singapore before when I was working at import - export company (about fashion) back when I used to lived in Bangkok, Thailand. which where I'm from, and then the import - export company sent me here the US, since then and am here forever after met my husband during the work. I wish I could make a trip to Singapore when my next trip to Asia. It has been a pleasure to know you and other lovely bloggers around the world. Sorry for a little late, as a mom and work, I'd tried my very best as you said.
ReplyDeleteWish you a lovely week:).
http://www.attraction2fashion.com
Ah, Tanya. So you are a Thai in ethnicity and now you're a US PR or citizen I suppose? Thanx for sharing this little fact. I felt like I know you a bit more. It is so sweet you met your husband at work and relocate. It must have taken quite a bit to shift to a new country. I'm so glad to have met you on blogosphere too! Such a lovely place with lovely people.
DeleteThanks for sharing your ethnicity! I am really curious about those asian eyes! I am currently living in japan, and it is really hard to figure who's chinese, japanese or korean here! But I always love this fashionable place!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
www.fashionerza.com
I can rock any outfits, come follow my online diary
Hi Nerissa, I love seeing newcomers around here. Thanx for sharing your view. Yes, it is difficult to tell people of Chinese descent apart at times though as a Chinese, I could sometimes guess it quite well. It's more of the attire, mannerism and language rather than the way we look.
DeleteI face something similar too! I am from Bengal, India but thanks to my small eyes, fair skin and straightened hair, most people think I'm from the North East of India or that one of my parents is from there. People from North East India have Asian /Mongoloid features but from the part I'm from, locals look completely Indian (brown skinned, big dark eyes) In fact, my parents look completely Indian but I've got my grandmother's small eyes so I look more chinky :)
ReplyDeletexx
June Wants It All
Hey June. I certainly think your eyes are big and beautiful. Thanx for sharing your ethnicity and experiences with people guessing it. It is really interesting to know! Many have the tendency to think that North Indians are more beautiful than their Southern counterparts. So in a way when people mistake you for being from the North East, I guess they meant it positively. But it is true that you look a little "chinky" like you have some Chinese roots. Or at least that was what I felt when I saw you. =)
DeleteI love how unusual this post was, it's always nice to come across something or someone refreshing whilst blogging! To answer your question, I am English through and through, however have German blood in my family. Whenever on holiday, nobody ever guesses that I'm from the UK though and I am usually spoken to in either German or Russian because of my appearance haha. It was lovely getting to know more about you through this post and hope there'll be more like this in the future, for just like you I like to know more about people than their 'review' side or 'makeup' side etc! :) have a lovely week! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://aglassofice.blogspot.co.uk
x
Hi Gabrielle, you look so cute and sweet that I haven't really thought you have German or Russian blood. Oops... No offence at all to my German and Russian friends but I do think that if I were to generalize, Germans and Russians look bigger and have more stern/ hard features. Thank you for sharing. I feel like I know you a little better!
DeleteI personally find it really fun to hear more about my fellow bloggers who I have a relationship with (as in, we actually try to engage each other with meaningful comments and blog posts), especially if they hail from my homeland of Singapore! Although I consider myself a full-blown Canadian, my entire extended family lives in Singapore and I did just visit during the summertime for a month. I am Singapore-Chinese with a sprinkling of Peranakan on my father's side-- I wish I spoke Mandarin like my mom but she didn't teach me enough during my early years for it to stick... So now I only speak broken Malay and French, as well as I can understand a word or two of Mandarin and Cantonese. But I really wish I was fluent in another language! I think Singaporean sayings in Hokkien are the funniest things ever, I can understand most of them too and I love hearing Singlish haha.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your question on my blog post, I'm sorry I'm not sure what font it is because the girl who designed my new layout imported a different font type onto my blog. Thank you for your encouragement on my trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle!
Hope you are having a wonderful week!
xx Debbie
www.whatdoffydoes.com
Hey Debbie! It's always thrilling to know another Singaporean (ok I still consider you a Singaporean or maybe ex-Singaporean?) coz it is pretty hard to find another Singapore "lang" on blogosphere! So nice to know about our similarities. Ah, I just visited the Peranakan museum in Singapore and I do enjoy the trip so much. It is so cool that you could understand so many languages and you're right about Hokkien being very funny (most prob because it sounds so crude in funny when heard in local movies). Thanx for sharing. I felt so connected when I read your comment! Also, no need apologise and in fact thanx for answering me about your fonts. xo
DeleteHi Jo! Thanks for your thoughtful comment on my blog. It is reassuring to know that others are around the same age and going through the same stages in life. I am naturally impatient I need to be reminded that I should not worry too much about the future I can't control.
ReplyDeleteI follow blogs through RSS readers like Feedly so it never occurred to me to set up a widget on my blog to allow people to follow me more easily! Let me look into that and get back to you when I finally figure out what to add. Another good reminder so thanks for that! :)
As for the question on this entry - I was born and raised in the US but my whole family is Taiwanese so I speak English, Mandarin, and limited Taiwanese. I also visit Taipei 1-2 times a year so I feel pretty connected to my Taiwanese roots. Now that I'm older, I definitely take more pride in being Taiwanese! :)
Jemily Life
Hey Emily, I used to save all my frequent reads on bookmarks and folders but after I opened my blog up to public and esp to international readers, I started to use GFC and then when Google warned of the demise of GFC, many blog authors started bloglovin and I followed suit. Recently, Google started taking over with Google + and now there's that platform too. So confusing right? I like GFC the best coz I like to look at all the blogs I follow from 1 interface just by logging into blogger. I hope you have some follow widget too so that I could save your site!
DeleteWhen you mentioned Taiwanese as a language, do you mean Taiwanese Hokkien? When I watch TW variety shows, it seems like Taiwanese is Hokkien. I love TW Hokkien coz it sounds so refined. Singapore's Hokkien sounds crude (but funny). Thanx for the sharing. I enjoyed learning more about you!
Hey sweetie, thanks for your comment on my blog. I'm sorry for the problem with the translator, you can find all information on redken.com. That's a very nice selfie, I'm happy for your achievements after that post. Kisses!
ReplyDeleteconrdereymara.blogspot.com
Thank you, dear. That's so sweet of you. It's not your fault at all so you needn't apologize. xo
DeleteI must say, I totally relate to your Comments Dos and Don'ts post! I really like it when someone actually wants to communicate with me instead of just a generic pass-by "I should leave something here" comment. I love actually talking with people! A few of my closest friendships started from talking online, and now I have wonderful friends from around the world! The internet is really great sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAlso I love your contacts! What's their name? I've only recently got into colored contacts and wonder if you have any recommendations on brands/colors?
I'm Agatha (aga for short) and I was born in the States, but I'm Chinese-Indonesian (my parents are Chinese born in Indonesia! sadly they don't know Mandarin, and neither do I. I do know Indonesian though). I'm currently a student, I love photography - it's a way to express the artsy side of me since I mostly just do math and science all day hahaha. I also like learning about different cultures and languages! I take Spanish currently, but know a bit of basic Korean from studying in my spare time. I would love to learn Mandarin or Japanese someday.
I really enjoy photography and painting - mostly because it's a nice break sometimes from the constant math and science I do everyday. It's so satisfying to look at a finished piece you worked hard on - though sometimes I get really nit picky as my detail oriented perfectionist side comes out.
I really like how you want to connect with your readers and know them more! It's really great and touching. :)
Hope you have a lovely day!
Hello Agatha. Yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly on the communicating, the close friendship forged on the Internet and how it feels like we have wonderful friends all over the world. I love the Internet for this! Thanx for your compliments. My coloured contacts is Freshkon disposable monthly. Those are the best so far. The last I had cornea infection was when I was wearing Geo lens but I don’t think it is just about the brand. I was probably unfortunate at that time. Thank you for sharing with me about yourself. I find that I know you better. Lots of Chinese born in Indonesia do not know how to speak Mandarin I realise. It’s great that you know so many languages. I’m always in awe of people who know at least 3 languages. I tried to visit your blog but both on your profile are pretty outdated. I was wondering if you have other blogs? I would love to connect with you on your blog as well coz I find it so meaningful when it is 2-way. Have a good weekend!
DeleteI'll look into Freshkon lenses thank you! It looks like they have a /lot/ of colors (something I'd like to experiment with since I have just been using brown). Ooh that sounds awful. :( Yeah, sometimes certain conditions happen and you get unlucky. The blog you see is my current one haha, I'm just very... slow with updates because I don't get to go on as much as I'd like (which explains this super late response sorry ><) I am on instagram more than blogger - I think because of the ease and quickness that I can see and share content on school nights.I hope to find a better balance and blog a bit more this year though. Hope had a good holiday and are having a great weekend! (and apologies for the extremely late reply ><).
Deleteyou're very pretty and very nice to know you and stumble upon your blog!
ReplyDeleteAnimated Confessions
Hi Libys. Thank you for your compliments. Love seeing newcomers here!
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea you had, and what a nice background you have! I am Italian and I lived all my life in Italy, but two months ago I moved to the U.S. to marry the love of my life, who happens to be American...and here I am, married and in a foreign country!
ReplyDeleteNow my question is: how are you fluent in English even if you live in Asia? Do you guys speak English there?
Have a wonderful day!
Arianna, Nymphashion ♡
Hi Arianna, it is nice to know another Italian blog friend. You write good English. I would always tell my Italian readers/ blog friends about how I love Italy. So sweet of you to marry the love of your life and relocate to a foreign land. I hope your hubby dotes on you a lot since you have got no closed ones with you in this foreign country. What an interesting question you asked! Singapore is one of the Asian country which uses English as a medium for teaching (and I’m so glad for that). English is our 1st language here and 2nd language or rather Mother Tongue would be the language of our ethnicity. So since I’m Chinese, I’m supposed to be effectively bilingual in English and Mandarin but I’m a lot more comfortable conversing in English than Mandarin.
DeleteJo, the Cantonese thing is so funny! Cantonese is a language, isn't it? I was born in Vietnam and came to Canada when I was 5. I speak English, Cantonese, and broken Mandarin. :)
ReplyDeletexo Jo
http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/
Hello Jo. Yes, Cantonese can be a language or a dialect group so maybe they weren’t so wrong after all as they might not be referring to the language. But it is still very funny how they think Cantonese is a race or ethnicity from the way they asked. Thanx for sharing! I must make a mental note that you have Vietnamese roots. From all your Instagram Chinese food, I always thought you were Chinese like me!
DeleteWow, its sooo interesting that you are from Singapore! I would loooooooove to travel there!
ReplyDeleteI am from germany and I love the whole Japan culture.
I would really appreciated, if we could follow each other on BL and GFC! So that we can keep in touch!
Just started following you and would be delighted if you could do the same!
xoxo Colli // my blog - tobeyoutiful // Bloglovin'
Hi Nicole, I really love seeing newcomers around esp if we have meaningful connection. Thanx for sharing. Sure, I would check out your blog and follow to keep in touch. =)
DeleteIt's really cool how blogging can connect people from all across the world and I'm happy to have gotten to know you thais way Jo :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to learn more about you. I would have to dispute the Cantonese thing as I am half Cantonese and half Taiwanese. It's not an ethnicity but more of a provincial thing. My mom's family is from Guangdong, China and we definitely consider ourselves Cantonese people. There is even a wikipedia page about this - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantonese_people.
Anyway despite my ancestry, I was born in new York City and have lived here all my life except for the few years that I lived in Taiwan as a child which I had previously mentioned to you. I speak English, Cantonese and some Mandarin. I owe my Cantonese to watching TVB dramas when I was growing up though you couldn't pay me to watch one these days. My Mandarin is a little shaky and I understand it better than I speak it but I guess it's still good since my husband is Taiwanese.
Hi Rowena. Yes, I’m so glad for our friendship. You’re always so sweet. I wished I could speak my dialect fluently and it is so good that you speak Cantonese. Yes, Guangdong is Cantonese. And being provincial, it is also related to dialect. My paternal grandparents come from Fujian and my maternal come from Chaozhou. So I’m Hokkien and Teochew but we follow our father’s dialect when known officially. TVB dramas are still interesting from the number of friends watching. But I guess English dramas are for me (and us?) anytime. Speak Mandarin to me next time! Lol… I’m so glad I know more about you from this post.
DeleteThank you, Anita. =)
ReplyDeleteHi Jo: first of all. I suck at blogging as of late and pretty much on Instagram too..haha. I have always wanted to blog but whenever i get home from work, cook, care for a little one until she is in bed, i am done for the day..sigh. You are right we have known each other via this space for years, perhaps 3-4 years by now. I have always enjoyed visiting blog buddies (which i don't have that many but i am grateful i have amazing ones, you included) until this summer when life got in a way. Hope to get myself in a routine of blogging again. Miss all of you.
ReplyDeleteI am of course originally from Bangkok, Thailand. My dad's side is Chinese and my mom is 100% Thai. I studied Mandarin in college but already returned the wealth of knowledge to the teacher. So sad. My degree in college was in Travel Industry Management but it has absolutely nothing to do with my job now. I work in HR here.
Hello Nelah, I’m so glad and touched to see you here! I understand how difficult it is to blog as a working mum so don’t feel obliged to. Instagram is really more instant and less work. I sure hope we continue to keep up with our friendship whether on any platform and that you don’t disappear one day like our good friend Peh Sun and many other mutual blog friends from years ago who don’t seem to be around anymore. I know about your Thai roots but I didn’t know the part about your dad being a Chinese and that you used to know Mandarin. I think most of us don’t end up working what we studied for. Thanx for sharing. I’m so glad to know more about you!
DeleteDear Jo, thanks a lot for sharing your nationality and the languages you were educated. Honestly I'm not sure if you would have been able to guess where your really come from as I have to admit I never have met in reality a person from Singapore and that you are a Singapore Chinese. Nevertheless I'm convinced you united the best parts from this mixture <3 What do I want to know from you? Maybe you want to share what you work. And I like it really that you like it to be married as for me it's exactly the same although I never heard before that wonderful quote.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would be happy if you ever will visit Bavaria that then I get the opportunity to meet in live the first person in my life from Singapore!
Wish you a happy start into the weekend.
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
Hi Rena, I’m getting more and more Germany blog friends and I’m so happy that this circle is expanding. I’m glad to be your only Singapore blog friend but I hope you get to know more of my fellow people. If I do get to visit Germany I must read up more on Bavaria coz you seem to be living in a beautiful picturesque backdrop each time I visit your blog. What a beautiful place. Thank you for your sweet words and for always typing to me in English. I really appreciate it. Which marriage quote are you referring to? I didn’t write any quote in this post unless you meant in my “About the Author” page? What an interesting question! I work in the government sector in the defence line and I won’t say no more than that. It’s a secret. Lol.
DeleteHiya Jo! Thanks for your lovely comment ^_^
ReplyDeleteI obvious love to blog because one of the things
I love in blogging is meeting people around the
globe!
Haha, I don't blame people if they 'miss raced'
me for something else but yeah Cantonese is
a language and not an ethnic :P silly people..
I'm Dutch with Chinese roots! I can speak
Dutch, Cantonese and English c:
Xx
Hi Ice Pandora. Hehe we have “known” each other for years but I never knew your name. It’s ok though as I think that there are some aspect of yourself that you would not be revealing on your blog. You look Chinese and I never knew you have Dutch roots. I’m so touched to see you here and I’m glad you shared this fact with me. I sure hope we continue to keep in touch!
DeleteHi Jo
ReplyDeleteThank you for your nice comment you wrote on my blog, hope it's not too late to introduce myself hehe.
My name is Sandy. I'm a CBC (Chinese born Canadian), i've been born and raised in Toronto, Ontario my whole life. My parents are both from Quang Zhao, China. I can speak catonese, english, and my parent's dialect (don't know the name of, but i only speak it at home). My cantonese is still pretty bad, but i can speak and listen, cannot write or read though except for my own name. My Mandarin is very minimal, close to non existant actually...but i can listen better than speaking it.
Write now i am very facinated with the japanese culture and so i am self learning how to speak the language in hopes of going there one day.
So glad to see you here, Sandy! And wow... I'm so surprised at how much I didn't know about you before this. I didn't know you are a CBC. I thought you might probably have moved over to Canada when you were young. It's great to be able to speak 2 dialects! I'm always in awe when people know many languages and dialects. I hope you would be able to go to Japan soon!
DeleteHi Jo!
ReplyDeleteOmg I'm late but but but late better then never right? (justification) Wow how time flies, you're right that we've known each other through our blogs for a few years now! However you've clearly been able to keep up with blogging while my blog ethics has just fallen off the charts. How do you do it? What's your secret? Are you a magical girl that transforms every 2-3 days whose magical powers include whipping up blog posts, editing and uploading photos? Or maybe you have a secret team of cute dwarfs that do the work for you and you reward them with scones and jam?
You probably know this about me already but I'm Canadian born Chinese, Cantonese speaking. I'm so happy that you keep blogging as it gives me inspiration to keep blogging too. I'm hoping to draft up a blog post by tonight since I'm in the mood.
I hope you're having a wonder beginning to this month of Christmas!
I am so glad to see you here, Sam. So touched that my old blog friends have come here (maybe coz I "forced" you all... haha) to share with me more about yourself coz I would most often be referring back to this post in case I forget anything about you and other blog friends.
DeleteHaha... I sure hope that I have elves and minions and dwarfs helping me to do the many things on my list. They would be really useful. Actually I've slackened in blogging a lot. I've been wanting to update about all my travels and months became years. =( I just can't find the time but I try to make it a point to post once a week or at least fill my blog with "filler" post (those that don't require editing of photos and crafting of paragraphs) to keep the cobwebs from forming. It really is an effort to blog but coz it is a hobby, I make a point to keep up with it. I hope you find the time and energy too!
I hope we continue to stay in touch and have a wonderful holiday season! =)
ALRIGHT, THIS RESPONSE IS LIKE, 5-ISH MONTHS LATE (time flies, man, it flies, and I'm going to devote my night catching up on your blog because it's been a very long while!) But anyways, you left a comment on my own '10 facts about me' post back in November when I was on blogging hiatus, so it's only fair that I check out your own version! (I NEVER FORGET)
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I know diddly squat about Singapore--I MEAN....WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU GUYS EVEN SPEAK THERE? (BRB Google)(This is what happens when the only Singapore blogs I read are in English, so I'm assuming English has to be a major language there) When I was younger, I went to classes for Mandarin, but my Mandarin is absolutely atrocious, and I'm forever in awe of my parents being able to speak English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese...with pretty good proficiency. Unlike me, where my Cantonese comes out all weird and accented, hah (THAT WILL COME TO BITE ME LATER IF I DECIDE TO GO BACK TO HONG KONG ONE DAY, I SWEAR)(Luckily though, English is a major language in HK but knowing different languages is nice just in case somebody decides to smack talk you not realizing you understand the language, hah)
Vanessa! I'm so glad that you are here! I haven't even realised that you were on a blog hiatus as we are still connected via Instagram thankfully. Ah, you're so nice to never forget. I love to return favours too and I'm always thankful when people do the same. So your country of origin is HK, you live in Canada and you are part Chinese and Vietnamese? That's so interesting. Oh for those HKgers who live in HK, they would know quite a bit about Singapore. When Asians meet overseas, somehow the HK and the SG always tend to click better. Haha... Our official language in English, that's why all the Singapore blogs you see are in English. I agree about knowing more languages. It is always good to pretend you don't know anything when people are talking about you in a language that you understand, thinking that you don't. Some PRCs spoke in Mandarin about my hubby and me when we were overseas thinking that we were Japanese. They weren't talking anything bad though so I just continue pretending.
DeleteNope! I was born in Canada, but both my parents are from Vietnam. If we take it one step back, half my grandparents are from China, which makes me half Viet + half Chinese, hah.
DeleteLOLWHAT. HOW DID THEY GET JAPANESE FROM LOOKING AT YOUR GUYS? (I mean, I suppose it is rude to guess people's ethnicity based on their appearances though) Yeah, I found out that night that English was the main language in Singapore, which is kinda weird to me! I really should dig into the nation's history to find out why though.