I forgot to talk about my parents. My mom seems to have an absence of hobbies or an elaborate personality. I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m demeaning her. We often joke that about her, actually. I tease her when she keeps playing 2048 on my iPad. I’ve seen her read books sometimes, but the last time she did was because I forced her.

I guess we’re quite close because I can do this to her. I love to hug her, but not so much talking. I ask her about her favorite music and she doesn’t have much to say. She cooks but that’s because it’s a necessary thing to do everyday, but at least she tries new recipes from time to time. She doesn’t reallt see it as her expertise or anything. She’s retired now but used to work in a bank. None of my siblings like corporate/financial stuff that much, besides, it’s not really a good conversation topic.

I also rarely see her go out with friends. Occassionally, perhaps.

My dad is interested in Jazz, running, movies (although my interest in film as an artistic medium is quite different from his entertainment-orientation), drinking (no worries, there is no alcohol abuse in my family. It’s just that my dad’s side of the family likes social drinking), and he seems to have made a lot of friends with my 31 year old sister’s friends. Nice, huh?

However, I am not close to him. I do not like him that much because sometimes he has a temper. He makes fun of me sometimes (but he thinks he’s just trying to bond with me). It’s not his fault. He’s not trying to hurt anyone. I just don’t really “vibe” with him, that’s all. I’m not scared of him but he kind of annoys me and I don’t want to talk to him all that much.

He seems to be an ambivert. He has social anxieties as well, although in different situations from mine. Likewise, my mom doesn’t have a lot to teach me regarding socializing, considering her personality. She is good at mediating between arguments, though. If my dad gets a temper in any way, she does not fight back, which helps dissipate anyone’s temper, of course. But she doesn’t “intervene” when maybe it might be more necessary too. It should always be a balance, of course.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by helleia.