The Underachievers

There are two cousins on my mother’s side that are the closest to my brother and I in age. This is both fortunate and unfortunate: fortunate because we all get along really well and have lots of fun when we get together, and unfortunate because it is too easy to compare our accomplishments (as we are in such similar places in our lives. Comparisons are inevitable when part of an Asian family, but it’s kind of pathetic when you come off as the underachiever because you actually are one in comparison. Take note, for example:

• Cousin 1: Multilingual (Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, English, Shanghainese). Certified to give piano lessons at age 15. Youth Group leader. IB student. Slated to receive a bilingual high school diploma. Athletic.
• Cousin 2: Multilingual (see languages listed above). Qualified for the official Shanghai youth soccer team. Youth Group leader. Guitarist. Very athletic.
• Brother: Bilingual (Cantonese and English). Maintained aquariums as a hobby. Knows how to drive manual. Certified lifeguard.
• Me: Trilingual (Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, English). Slated to graduate from college in a year with a bachelor’s degree. Baker. Accomplished cross-stitcher.

There is one thing my brother and I have undoubtedly in our favor, however. We are taller. (Lame, but we take what we can get.)

Cross-posted from breakthesky.net. Please leave any comments there.