Greek Life

     Throughout society and in life, children constantly try to break away from their parents's expectations. Children try to establish their own identity, and even differ from their siblings. 

     My parents both came to the united States from Greece for grad school of college. They started a new life away from all their family and support. Raising a child alone is hard, especially when trying to keep your own culture and tradition, yet assimilate into a new one. My older brother was born first, and connects more closely to Maggie from Everyday Use.  He fit perfectly into their expectations; a great student (valedictorian), pianist, tennis player, and intelligent beyond his age. Like Maddie he's more loyal and stuck to his family. 

     I on the other hand, differ from him. Where he is quiet and reserved, I'm smiling and amiable. Where he excels in academics, I have to try harder,and still can't reach him. Is it a bad thing? Is it wrong that I didn't fit into the same mold? Not even a little. 

     What good could I do being a replica of my brother? There already is one of him. By breaking out of the expected shell, while I may disappoint some, I prove myself. I shape my own decisions. Like Dee, I see the results of the shell, and chose to not fit. While not all of it is choice, once I saw the shell wasn't for me; I had to make a new one. 

     The only difference is, while making this new shell, and new character, you don't have to shun your values and teachings. Coming from a Greek family I embrace my culture, dancing, speaking, writing, eating. By mixing both my past and choices I can escape the mold yet not stray from my beliefs. 

     While I'm not exactly Greek, I'm not NOT Greek. I go home to Greek culture, and visit Greece and my family every summer. Its not only the legal term, its how you express and feel. I am Greek. I am American.

~Georgia