Category: Random Musings

I Promise Myself to Stay on the Beam

I was taught by parents to strive for excellence. I try my best to carry that message, hence this blog.  For whatever reason, I decided to really focus on this year’s Olympics. I have watched them in the past but  not with too too much interest.  Mostly because the athletes are completely out of my scope of reality. And they intimidate me. This summer, though, I am watching with awe and respect. When I see these athletes working so hard for the gold, I think to myself, wow that is truly excellence. Just MAKING it to the Olympics is a feat.

It was interesting listening to the commentators talk about off a degree or that foot was still on the diving board or the synchronized swimming for Italy wasn’t so synchronized. Yet, I was still impressed because I cannot do any of that. The closest I got to flying through the air with the greatest of not so much ease is when I went trapezing. I couldn’t do a catch and was just fine hanging upside down and gliding through the air.  Clearly I am not for the circus.  

I had a moment while enjoying the Olympics. I thought,  “hmmm, how many bad days do they have before even getting to this point?”  They probably have many bad days as such is life. We have experiences good, bad and indifferent. On the outside,we judge and assume because that’s what we do as humans. However, we can never ever know what lies beneath. At the end of the day or diving board or beam, we just have to put our best foot forward. I do appreciate when the commentators give some back story to a competitor. Especially if there is a struggle. Gymnast John Orozco traveled a long way to London.  At any time, he could have pulled out and said no more, especially after his ankle injury. He didn’t. He had a goal and went for it.

So we just have to remember that even when we feel like we are down and out, we should still strive for our own personal gold. Maybe it will be a silver or a bronze. But you know what? It’s still a prize and it’s still a goal. 

Now back to the 10M womens’ synchronized swimming. I honestly can’t wrap my head around how they can do that.

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Rant II: What Do You Mean By What Am I?

I have been asked for as long as I can remember, “What are you?” or “Where are you from?” So for my whole life I have had to take a moment to decipher the question or just answer the question. When asked what am I, I usually push the person to be clear. When asked where I’m from the answer is very automatic. I am from New York. Oh, but that’s not usually a good enough answer for the interviewer. “Oh, no, no! WHERE are you from?” Hmm. New York? That’s where I was born and raised. That’s what I identify myself  first. That’s so part of my DNA. I also follow it up with what they really want to know. What people are really asking me is, “What is your ethnicity?”

My answer is “Well, I’m Indian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French.” That doesn’t satisfy them. So I tell them that my family is from Trinidad (where I’ll be in a week! Woot!). Well, why did I even say that! Because I have always always gotten this response, as recent as Friday…”But you don’t look Trinidadian!”

Oh my goodness. What does that even mean? What is it you want to know? Do I have to give you a lesson on the colonization and enslavement of the people of the Caribbean? Okay well, I’m not going to. Wiki Trinidad and Tobago and you’ll get a lesson or read The History of Trinidad and Tobago by Eric Williams.

I just find it irritating that I am questioned about my true self. Someone said to me the other day that I am passing as a Trini. Passing? Really. I am proud New Yorker who is fortunate to grow up in a city with diversity. I am also proud Trini who can tell you the history of the twin islands and promote its tourism (really, you should visit because it’s not as expensive as the other islands). I am also a proud descendant of the many cultures who make me who I am. I embrace my Catholic and Hindu upbringing. I enjoy Indian dancing and soca and merengue (and hip-hop and headbanging). I love that I can appreciate roti and curry chicken, arroz con gandules, and macaroni pie on one plate. I have a shalwar and those who know me know I love a scarf.

For the last decade I have now had to explain the McDonald portion of my name. That just brings a whole new set of confusing information to the person interested in me. A woman said to Ian and me that she never saw a couple like us. Really? We live in New York City. Interracial couples and families a go-go. We are both products of interracial couples. Just because Ian is caucasian doesn’t mean he doesn’t have roots. He is of Irish, Sicilian and German descent and all three of those cultures are proudly represented by him. His German grandmother’makes a kick ass stuffed cabbage, his Sicilian-German mother can cook just about anything and his Irish grandmother makes a wonderful plum pudding. People have told us to our faces that he isn’t really Irish because he was born here… *sigh* His Irish grandmother wouldn’t appreciate that.

I know that I am stuck with this until I die. I just want to be accepted for me and not pigeon-holed by my ethnicity. Not fitting in feels awful by itself. When you add the snarky and, at most times, insensitive question, it feels like I am not who I thought I am. Granted that lasts a moment but  still. Stop being obtuse.

And no, we are not going to have children for the sake of seeing what they would look like! Yes, I have gotten that question too. That’s another blog.

I want to take a DNA test so I can find out my percentages. I know that I am made up of more than what I listed and I love that.

My name is Malini Singh McDonald. I am a tough New Yorker with Trinidadian sass. Two snaps and a whine.

by Categories: Rants, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Random Musings I

Sometimes I have nothing to write about but I know if I don’t write something then that muscle will not be exercised. Mostly this week has been full of one timers for me.

1. I didn’t watch the Oscars because I didn’t see any of the movies that were nominated. I have been so focused on the theater and tv, I haven’t been seeing many new movies. I’ll wait until they are On Demand or Netflix. 

2. I saw Missed Connections down at The Kraine which was awesome. We saw it with a special guest, George Salazar from Godspell and tonight, Julie Mattison is guest starring.

3. I spent the whole weekend in the theater taking care of the audience and cast. I got to exercise that PR muscle. Matinee audiences are a tough one.

4. I spent time with my family which was really lovely plus I got fed.

Here’s what else is going on.

 The Man Who Came To Dinner is having a great run. Ian and the gang close this weekend.  Check out www.parksideplayers.com for more info.

I am also doing a reading of Pirandello’s Sicilian Limes at The Players Club.  You can check out my Facebook event for that info. That will be on March 6th at 7pm.

We are also in pre-production for Twelfth Night which is part of the Black Henna 2012 Summer NYC Parks Tour. That’s always fun. If you know anyone who’d be interested in audition or being part of the production team, have them email your_friends@blackhennaproductions.com 

by Categories: Random Musings, UncategorizedTags: , , 2 Comments