I was ten years old and going on my first vacation without a parent. Nine days and $100 in Washington D.C. Wowza.
Today, I went back to Mt. Vernon almost eight years to the day. I have changed so much since my little feet tried to keep up with Mr. G and the rest of the Classical gang. Obviously we can start with my appearance; I traded in horribly uneven cowlick bangs for a peroxide pixie cut that was unquestionably the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have traveled, learned about different cultures, loved and lost, and am a part of all that I have met these past eight years.
But get this, I thought I would focus this post on how I have changed in eight years, but to be honest I see astonishingly strong traces of who I am today in my little ten year old, fifth grade self. Let's start with the money thing. Could you make $100 last in D.C. for about eight days? I bought two meals a day AND gifts for family and friends. I was a budgeting fiend even at that age. I don't know how I did it.
Secondly, I bought my first i-pod for this trip. I knew I wanted a nano, so I saved up from my birthday and Christmas and bought that thannng. That decision set the pattern for the rest of my life; I see purchases as investments and can be patient until I can actually afford what I want. I then bought a Casio point and shoot camera freshman year, followed by an I-Pod Touch sophomore year, an Olympus EPL-1 camera Senior year and the gorgeous MacBook Pro I am typing this on right now.
My love language is still gift-giving, I am still stubborn and hate heights (flying. ugh) and my technology of choice? You guessed it. Apple lover before it was cool ;) You know what else has not changed in eight years?
See that red coat I'm wearing? Still fits like a glove.
{Random Note: I am afraid a lot of my generation has lost that ability to be patient and to deny oneself a luxury one cannot afford. It is truly sad}
I can think of many other ways in which I have not changed, but I won't bore you with those!!! I just want you to take a moment and think back to your childhood too. It really is true that we are who we are from birth.
We have characteristics, tendencies and thought processes that reveal themselves when we are children and mature as we mature. If you think back to when you and your siblings were little or if you look around at your children, nephews, or the kids you babysit you will see they are just little people. Little versions of the fantastically individual souls they will one day become. I do not see how people can think that we are animals.
Just a thought, prompted by nostalgia and hanging out with my step-nephew and niece today.
Hope everyone enjoyed their President's Day!
