For example, I recall the final years of my undergraduate degree. Absolute mayhem. Non-stop papers, sleeping every other day, the stress, the panic, I hadn't felt like that in years. In fact, if you want you can backtrack into my posts and find me worrying about the aforementioned problems. I'm not going to go find them, those were dark days.
So because I'm not as young as I used to be (and because I'm just doing pre-requisite courses for other programs now) I wanted to take it easy for once and relax. To which my Mother believes is a "waste of a year". Yes Mother, preserving what precious little health and sanity I have is a waste. Taking 3 courses a term as opposed to 5 is a waste of a year.
And here's the kicker, my Mother takes one look at my sister and says "Don't you feel sorry for Bree? Look how much work she's doing. She falls asleep studying halfway studying." No I don't have sympathy for my sister, because I actually managed to power through and perform all-nighters to finish my papers and notes. Just because I don't collapse in the kitchen where everyone can see me doesn't mean I'm not working hard too. I prefer to pass out in my room where no one can see me.
(Also I'm a terrible brother, shhh...)
Alright, so I have a lax term. And with that I decide to work more hours at my part-time fastfood job. Might as well make more money. Nope, unacceptable as well. I should be focusing on my studies. Studying for courses that I'm breezing through. Again, I apologize to all my Linguist and Sociologist readers, but I find all this material very, very, soft.
Fine, fastfood job is apparently undignified. That's what Project Cold was for. It addressed EVERY issue my Mother had with my previous job. Improved pay, acquiring different work skills, I don't come home smelling like grease, I set my own hours, AND I'm running around getting exercise.
Nope. Looks like marketing is an undignified job too. She clearly disapproves. To which I respond:
Again, if I was studying something that was really hard (e.g. physics or the dreaded organic chemistry) I could understand and I wouldn't have grabbed a second job. Because I actually need that time to learn everything. I don't need a lot time to memorize facts about the human life course or how babies babble.
Maybe my Mother just wants me to stay home. I'm rarely at home these days because I'm usually working after classes on weekdays. What she doesn't know is that if I'm stuck at home, I'm working on my third job, Project Derp. Yes Mother, occasionally I give in to a moment of weakness and spend a few too many hours playing computer games, but I assure you, I'm not always goofing about.
And I have no intention of telling my Mother about Project Derp (or any project for that matter) until I have deemed it successful.
Stay out.
This is because of the second problem with my Mother is that (and it kills me to say this) I don't really trust her with information. Before you call me a bad son hear me out. You see, if I confide or tell you something, I expect you to not tell anyone else, use it against me in the future, or mock me in any form revolving said information. Fairly simple, fairly standard.
If I aggravate my Mother in any way, she can (and will) throw everything and anything at me, including information that I told in confidence. It can be as simple as deciding to sleep in, or a petty argument. It has happened before in the past, and honestly, I don't need to have her use in an argument "You're never going to succeed in X because of Y" at me again. She will apologize for it later on but that isn't going to make me want to share stuff with you in the future.
In all honesty, I tried to keep Project Cold a secret for as long as possible (because of the mentioned issues) and because I knew of the stigma and the potential for the disapproval would swiftly follow. Unfortunately, there's only so many excuses you can use for slipping out of the house before they start getting suspicious.
That, and my manager dropping off flyers and other marketing materials at my house may have tipped them off.
Nothing to see here, shoo.
My Mother is an amazing woman, don't get me wrong. She exhibits nearly none of the stereotypical Asian mom characteristics (e.g. she doesn't want grandkids, doesn't want her kids to become doctors) and has spoiled me over the years with her love and affection.
How many of your Moms beat Ocarina of Time on the N64 or are replaying it on the 3DS? How many of your Moms will call their coworkers butthurt? How many of your Moms tried to bribe you with a laptop NOT to go to a prestigious high school because she was worried about the stress?
I love my Mother, and everything she's done for me. I've looked at a lot of other kids and I snicker because I have a way better parent.
I just wish she wouldn't nag so much.
