Nicolette’s parents are fascinated by ghosts and purposefully bought a house that is haunted by the ghost of a previous owner who hung herself in it. They say that they regularly experience “chills” or the feeling of a spirit passing through their bodies at the same time when they are in the same room.
Irish/English Proverb
“He didn’t lick it off a stone”.
This one is really funny because Nicolette’s grandfather is English, but often says this Irish proverb so much so that it has become something of an inside joke amongst the family. Nicolette didn’t even really know what it meant, but I looked it up and found that it means someone’s attributes are always influenced by someone else.
Family Tattoo Tradition
Everybody in Nicolette’s family gets a tattoo of a bull when they are 18, because her last name is bull… but everybody’s bull tattoo is done in a different style that accurately reflects their personality.
Russian Folk Song
Oh, not the evening is a Russian folk song that my friend learned in school. Amina does not remember what it is about, but these are the lyrics:
Oh, at this evening, at this evening, I was sleeping so little, I was sleeping so little. Oh, and I saw in my dreams… I saw in my dreams, that my horse was crazy under my saddle. Oh, evil wings came from the east. Oh, and took the black hat off from my head. But my esaul was clever, he understood and explained my dream “Oh, you will lose” he said “you will lose your head” Oh, at this evening, at this evening, I was sleeping so little, I was sleeping so little. Oh, and I saw in my dreams…
She learned this song in school when she was young. She guesses it was around the 3rd grade.
Russian Vodka Tradition
When drinking vodka with family, you can’t leave more than 60 seconds between taking the first and second shot.
Amina says that her family and friends followed this tradition for fun, without acknowledging symbolism.