My aunt gave my sister two pairs of earrings saying, “One is for you and one is for your sister.”

“But she doesn’t have pierced ears,” my sister responded.

I don’t. Even though I am reaching a quarter century old. And at dinner, my aunt gave me a hard time…noting that all the females in the room (except those who have sensitivity to earrings) already pierced their ears. Or that the parents forbade their daughters from piercing their ears until they were 18. Neither was the case for me. Firstly, I was afraid of needles. By the time I got over the fear, I just couldn’t justify the cost. And furthermore, why did I have to be like everyone else?

It’s interesting how pierced ears is a sign of beauty in our culture. A gift of jewelry is a symbol of I give you beauty because you are beautiful. Or at least it is an easy no-think present for females.

It’s awkward for me sometimes to…deviate from the norm. It’s like several weeks ago when a friend bought me a drink at a bar. I smiled and said thank you. And then as my friend turned away, I leaned over to Chris, Drink it without him noticing!

But it’s just like that bottle of wine given to an Asian family by an oblivious guest. The family graciously thanks the guest. The guest hopes it’s going to be opened during dinner, but it’s not. And they don’t know it will be placed in a display case of wine. And then at the next dinner party, the Asian family presents the same bottle of wine. And the host graciously accepts it thanking the family…