Birthmarks

Everybody growing up HAS heard of the rumour: "If you don't have a birthmark, you're an alien." AHAHAHAHA
sigh...public school
Anyway, I was riding on the bus today and I let my mind wander (as it usually does) to random things and it finally landed on the birthmark. Mine, if anybody hasn't noticed, is on the right side of my face (my right) and it is actually quite conspicuous. I mean, there are horror stories about people with all consuming marks on la visage, and I guess everybody has been turning a blind eye to this blemish (thank you for sparing me many awkward moments; however, try and refrain from looking at it when talking to me).

I proceeded to Google this birthmark issue and landed on Wikipedia (obviously).
"Birthmarks are called voglie in Italian, antojos in Spanish, and wiham in Arabic; all of which translate to "wishes" because, according to folklore, they are caused by unsatisfied wishes of the mother during pregnancy. For example, if a pregnant woman does not satisfy a sudden wish or craving for strawberries, it's said that the infant might bear a strawberry mark."
(Birthmarks are often called 'strawberry marks' because they may be red.)

So, If I take this example and apply it to myself...I can come up with a few hypothetical situations:
1. My mother had something on her face but for the life of her couldn't find a washroom or a wetnap to get it off.
2. My mother had a lot of ddae on that side of her face but could not for the life of her find a ddae mi ri.
3. My mother saw something on the right side of my dad's face and wanted to rub it off but he wouldn't let her.

In any case, I am left with this blemish of 'a localized imbalance in factors controlling the development of blood vessels.'

What is awesome about this article is they present a chart with all the different types of birthmarks existing, AND the slang names coined to match the appearances of each. Following are a few that I just found hilarious:

"The Stork Bite" or "Angel's Kiss"
Found mostly on the neck, head, or top lip and a pinkish colour (because if you know how babies are made, those 3 areas make it really easy for a stork to carry la babe).

"Mongolian Blue Spot"
First of all, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. They are bluish and bruise-like. They are also found on the lower back or bum. HAHAHAHAHA. -I have seen one before. Not on myself.-

"Cafe au Lait Spot"
These are light brown, milk coffee coloured marks and are the most common. I, myself, am in possession of the 'Cafe au Lait Spot.' And dang, they do not fade with age. Also, having two is common.

In conclusion, my general audience, that is the birthmark. Hopefully many of you will have a newfound appreciation of that pesky little blemish that may be on your bum, face, or anywhere in between.