The algorithm doesn't define me
cultivating a sense of identity when you can't help but be different
As if moving abroad, raising American kids in Europe, having a sensitive soul prone to questioning my identity and purpose in life weren’t enough, the algorithms think I’m British. Somehow, even though my history, my credit card, and my stored addresses indicate that I am an American living abroad, the algorithm sees English searches from Spain and draws the more common conclusion: I must be a British expat. So my search results and the unwanted ads reflect British movies, authors, clothing brands, celebrity news, and solutions to British tax problems.
Even the neighbors think we’re British. Take this funny conversation I had this summer with a neighbor boy as I stood by the fence that surrounds our pool, watching my kids swim and splash.
—Are you English?
—No, we’re American (I used the convenient Spanish word for United Statesian, so I didn’t cause confusion with all of Central and South America.)
—So you’re English.
—Well, we speak English, but we are from the United States.
The child turns to his father behind him in the pool and yells in Spanish:
—They’re English!
People (and the internet) thinking I’m British makes me laugh every time, and I have to admit that I’ve been exposed to Instagram accounts, brands, and movies that I never would have seen from the states. Thanks to the UK Eurosport channel, we can follow Olympic events in English. I’ve embraced it, drinking a cup of tea in the afternoons while missing the US-centric coverage from NBC.
I can’t help it if Google thinks I'm British. It can only know so much, right? And it gets plenty wrong. For example, as a NASA junkie and a moon landing aficionado, I regularly watch space documentaries and read astronaut biographies. According to content suggestions from the internet, I'm definitely interested in the latest science fiction movie featuring astronauts saving the world from a moon monster. I will never be into a movie featuring a monster on the moon. I know because I watched the trailer just in case (do not recommend unless moon monsters are your thing).
So, what can this little quirk about being an English speaker in Spain have to do with my walk with Jesus? I’m part of His kingdom. I want to be known, but being a foreigner makes me… foreign. Every time I am a little strange in my host country, I remember that it is also because the kingdom of Jesus is not of this world either.
As for my internet recommendations…well, the algorithm doesn’t define me either.
Rosalie Reads
:: In January I read a few books but I would like to share two with you. First, for book- and list-lovers, Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson. At times this came across a bit pretentious. Sarah lives in Cambridge and studied at Oxford and there’s a lot of C.S. Lewis references and love of foggy British mornings. Some books on Sarah’s lists are on my “that’s never gonna happen” list because they are a) too ancient b) too long c) too boring or d) all of the above. However, while I was reading, I added at least 20 books to my to be read list, and discovered authors I can’t wait to know better (Elizabeth Goudge, for example). It was a quick read with engaging essays that had me dreaming of stepping where Lewis wrote Narnia myself.
:: Second, The Woman they Could not Silence by Kate Moore had me riveted for an entire day. The true story of Elizabeth Packard, whose husband sent her to an insane asylum, legally, because he didn’t like the points she brought up in church. Mrs. Packard overcomes countless obstacles and setbacks to get back to her six children, secure rights for women, and change history forever. Honestly, this should be required reading for understanding the fight for women’s rights as well as how a law becomes a law. When she explained her predicament (that her husband could send her back to an insane asylum even though she clearly was not insane) to a governor, he said, “well the law will protect you!” and she had to inform him that there was no law to protect her.
:: I have a folder in my bookmarks bar titled This Essay! and I recently added this essay from Terrain.org about the author and a pod of whales in the Salish Sea. Tragic and hopeful, arresting writing.
Rosalie Wears
On social media recently, direct sales is being criticized a lot. I know first hand how disappointing it is to make a new friend and discover they only want to sell to you or have you join their team. I promise I don’t do that. While ToH is direct sales, I want to share two things.
Trades of Hope artisans are the true beneficiaries. We buy all our product ahead of time and pay the artisan’s full asking price at the time of sale. When we sell a lot, we can buy more and keep the relationship sustainable, which is our ultimate goal.
I don’t have to build a team. I simply get a percentage of sales back when I sell Trades of Hope products, and lately I have been using that commission to support organizations or missionaries my hosts want to support. If you want to host a party and give the commission I earn to a charity, let me know! I’d love to support your cause.
I am proud to be a partner with Trades of Hope because I’ve seen first hand the value our business provides in vulnerable communities.
Supporting artisan groups in India, Peru, Guatemala, Jordan, East Asia, Haiti and the USA is a privilege and I appreciate everyone who joins me! When we host a party together Trades of Hope supports trafficking survivors through Elevate Academy, a program to help them heal, thrive, and help others.
Rosalie Writes
:: Over at Taking Route this month I wrote a tongue in cheek post about what it’s like to deal with Expat Paperwork Fallout.
:: The Taking Route newsletter is my favorite monthly inbox gift, and in March I wrote the intro letter. Don’t miss it!