The stuff I get myself into.
Alright, so listen here, last night I was talking to my “gym boyfriend” via text message. We have learned that he is in fact Macedonian. I figured it best to research where Macedonia actually is because to tell you the truth I thought it might be situated just north of a place I think we are all familiar with called B.F.E.
I consulted the most reliable source I have these days for quick information: Wikipedia. I spent about 30 minutes reading all about where Macedonia is, the geology, history, topography, governmental and economic structure. What I learned was, apparently Ned Bailey’s 11th grade mandatory, geography tests did not stick. Not only did I learn where Macedonia is, but I also learned that I apparently did not understand where Greece is either, which is disappointing considering my love of all things Greek, including but not limited to: Feta cheese, Baklava, Annual Panegyri Greek Festival at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Erie, PA, Nia Vardalos (writer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding), My Life in Ruins, Mama Mia!, and Jesse Katsopolis (Uncle Jesse on Full House).
Apparently, Macedonia is just North of Greece and was formerly Yugoslavia. So, automatically I am thinking of people driving around in Communism in unusually small cars with deadly gas tanks.
Turns out, Macedonia is a very beautiful and interesting country. The culture has survived occupations, communism, socialism, the Holocaust, Nazism, and a bunch of other isms I can’t even pronounce. Macedonians are a resilient breed, culturally rich, dedicated to history, architecture, and the arts. They even have an annual jazz festival in their capital city. Who knew?
For a long time I thought my “gym boyfriend” was Greek, and so discovering where Macedonia is, only supported my theory and proved that I was not far off. As a matter of fact for years the Greeks fought for the rights to the word “Macedonia.” Since there is a region in Northern Greece also called Macedonia. Typical Greeks, they think they invented everything: The Gods, the heavens, the underworld, the stars, incredibly delicious baked goods, gyros and the Olympic Games. Give the Macedonians Macedonia. For heaven’s sake, you got everything else!
In 2011, I seem to keep acquiring new friends from different countries and cultures. I think this is great considering that I have grown tired of being a wasp. Wasps don’t have fun cultural things, genetic traits or dances that make us fun. Basically we have Yorkshire pudding, potatoes, anxiety, a love for cocktails, and I don’t think we can even claim the hokey pokey because I think it’s closely related to the chicken dance, which is a polka. We can’t claim guilt either because the folks of the Jewish and Roman Catholic faiths have had that sewn up for years. We do however have the Royals, the Crown Jewels of England, and the late great Dudley Moore to name a few.
The best thing about having friends from different cultures/countries where English is their second language is text messaging with them. I think it’s great because they actually write their accents into the words as they text them. For example: “I would go to Zumba class with you, I know I would make a full of my self (insert Macedonian accent here).” Or, “Hey Shels hony can you bring of you have some lemons (insert Cuban accent here).”
I personally think these text messages are the greatest thing I have ever seen or heard in my entire life. First of all, if I were dropped off in either one of their countries, I would not be able to read or speak and would inevitably be found lifeless in a gutter somewhere sucking my thumb and asking for my mommy. So the fact that they are here, working, communicating, facebooking and texting, blows my little wasp mind.
When I was texting with my Macedonian friend and he said he needed to go to bed, but he was trying to look up or identify a song that he heard using the Internet. I tend to pride myself in being particularly adept at “Name that Tune” so I asked him what the lyrics or artist were. He said he didn’t want to tell me because I wouldn’t like it. Turns out it was a Sting song covered by some Cuban band: Sting: Fragilidad Rhythms of Cuba. I said, “What makes you think I wouldn’t like it? I like Sting. I like Cuban music. Sounds good to me!”
I asked him if the reason he liked this song was because he liked to dance, possibly at weddings or a little smile and a two-step in the corner at the club. He told me, “I like dancing at weddings and Macedonian dances.”
Perked interest.
“A Macedonian dance, what does that involve?” I asked.
“You Tube it, it’s fun for us, but maybe funny for you.”
“Okay, I’ll check it out.”
“Haha don’t laugh.”
(As fast as possible) Pause. Safari. File. New Window. Google. Macedonian Dances. Go.
Check out the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaVD9sNN_CU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYvv7kzRJrQ&feature=related
Me: “Okay so do we get to hold hands and dance in a line and a circle? …And Sing? Because I’m really good at all those things.”
“Yes. And Yes.”
Me: “Can I be the girl that runs around twirling the little string? Because that looks fun.”
“How is that u Macedonian too? You are funny, see it’s fun.”
Ohhh, it’s fun alright. I haven’t seen fun like this since the bubble machine on The Lawrence Welk Show reruns on PBS Saturday nights at 7 p.m. Honestly, I can’t wait to try it.
God Bless America. I love this country. Give us your tired, your poor and your hungry and we’ll let them text message. It will be great.
