There are a lot of fun things about marrying somebody from a different country -- the travel (because having to spend a few weeks in Brazil isn't all that bad!), the sexy accent (as it can make even the most boring word sound exotic and fun), and the many festas and futebol games that brought into your life. But by far, one of my favorites is being able to share important cultural gems with my man.
Things like why I said, "We were gettin' jiggy wit it out there!"
"Gettig' jiggy wit it? They never taught me that in my language school..."
Nope, they did not. And it is a shame. Because you missed an important part of the American heritage.
This is where YouTube has come in really handy. I just share this and instantly he understands...
Imagine the days before YouTube. I mean, obviously I remember them. In fact, I remember them quite well. The first time I ever saw something on YouTube must have been around 2006 when a friend wanted to show us all the Ikea commercials that were banned in the USA. But not in Europe! And so we had sat and we watched and we laughed, and then we watched some more and laughed some more until our sides hurt. What an incredible waste of time, right? But -- oh! -- it was so funny! Today it is just a part of our lives, and one that I am grateful for. I mean, how else could I have explained to my husband tonight why I started singing, "Well, this is the story // all about how // my life got flipped // turned upside down..." when he put his hat on sideways and started dancing around?
If a picture speaks a thousand words, a video clip must speak well over a million.
Noticing a theme?
Yeah. Will Smith and I apparently go way back, and he has shaped the way I see the world.
I am not so sure that is a good thing, but it sure isn't a bad thing. And now, thanks to the technology we have today, he can help shape the world of a Brazilian boy trying to understand this American way of life, one catch phrase or quick jingle at a time.
** Yes, I recognize that these are actually Vimeo videos, not YouTube. They just embed nicer into the post. But YouTube is my standard, go-to for important things like this ;)
WHAT A 90's CLASSIC!!!!! How could anyone have been deprived of watching the Fresh Prince of Bel Air??? Missing out on an important life education lesson! And Will Smith was Awesome in that show :-)
ReplyDeleteI know! I guess it just never made it big down in Brazil, because Paulo had no idea what I was talking about. But you should have seen his reaction as I busted out the whole rap with Will ;) Most of the memories I have from childhood come from the 90's, and this is definitely a part of my life soundtrack.
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