I do remember mine! I grew up in Washington State and my parents took us on what were standard road trips at the time: California, British Columbia/Alberta, Oregon. Those were fun but didn't take me far enough afield. Few if any friends ever even took the plane and if they did, it was to go to Hawaii....if they were rich enough. Then at 16, the youth orchestra I played in qualified for an international festival in Scotland. So I got to take a trip to...EUROPE! This was in the 70s, and I'm pretty sure nobody from my high school had ever been to EUROPE! We also went to Wales, England and Denmark. I could go on and on about that trip...what a sense of discovery!
Sounds brilliant - and life changing, Betty! It's so funny how your "standard" trips sound so exciting to me! I guess a lot depends on your starting point and expectations. I would actually love to explore more of the British Islesand the US. And heck, a lot of other places, too!
I was in public middle school in the US and I had my first ever language class! My French teacher was throwing around different color balls and asking us to repeat the color names. I was hooked 😊
It's interesting how you mentioned diversity as one of your values. I realized reading this that it's also one of mine but I never thought about phrasing it that way.
It's beautiful you had these opportunities as a child and now you are passing them on to your children ❤️
Thanks Veronica - yes, I was so lucky and I remember feeling that, too! My children are so much more international than me. For me it started with a dream and then slowly one step at a time. They had travelled to many countries before they were 1! And yes - variety/difference makes sense as a value for me. In terms of travel, work, friends, teams, activities, food ... everything!
I was captivated by your early car journey and the resonant description of experiencing those differences, Lisa. Thank you for all of it.
I can recall my metamorphosis moment of origin very clearly although it was some time before I came to understand that it was such.
Living somewhere in the north of Scotland, the sort of place where people go who don't wish to be found (yes, me included) and I was sat in a darkened hallway taking a phone call from my GP following a very routine blood test.
"Are you sitting down?" he asked.
I was.
"I don't want you to worry too much about what I am about to tell you."
I started to worry.
"You have a form of leukaemia."
At 45, this was a bit of a surprise.
But if I reflect now, that was the single pivotal moment.
Gosh, Matthew. That really was a pivotal moment, and a terrible shock I'd imagine. I'm getting the feeling that despite everything, some positives came out of it too. Or am I wrong?
So glad to hear that, Matthew. I thought you might say that and I see that you are thriving. I will stay tuned for more if and when you choose to share. What an experience!
I do remember mine! I grew up in Washington State and my parents took us on what were standard road trips at the time: California, British Columbia/Alberta, Oregon. Those were fun but didn't take me far enough afield. Few if any friends ever even took the plane and if they did, it was to go to Hawaii....if they were rich enough. Then at 16, the youth orchestra I played in qualified for an international festival in Scotland. So I got to take a trip to...EUROPE! This was in the 70s, and I'm pretty sure nobody from my high school had ever been to EUROPE! We also went to Wales, England and Denmark. I could go on and on about that trip...what a sense of discovery!
Sounds brilliant - and life changing, Betty! It's so funny how your "standard" trips sound so exciting to me! I guess a lot depends on your starting point and expectations. I would actually love to explore more of the British Islesand the US. And heck, a lot of other places, too!
I see what you mean. I guess the key point is that I wasn't really leaving my neck of the woods, although California did seem exotic.
I was in public middle school in the US and I had my first ever language class! My French teacher was throwing around different color balls and asking us to repeat the color names. I was hooked 😊
Wonderful! I can imagine your enthusiasm. It's like a whole new series of doors open...Thanks for reading and commenting, Brenna.
Lovely article.
It's interesting how you mentioned diversity as one of your values. I realized reading this that it's also one of mine but I never thought about phrasing it that way.
It's beautiful you had these opportunities as a child and now you are passing them on to your children ❤️
And thanks for the recommendation!:D
Thanks Veronica - yes, I was so lucky and I remember feeling that, too! My children are so much more international than me. For me it started with a dream and then slowly one step at a time. They had travelled to many countries before they were 1! And yes - variety/difference makes sense as a value for me. In terms of travel, work, friends, teams, activities, food ... everything!
I was captivated by your early car journey and the resonant description of experiencing those differences, Lisa. Thank you for all of it.
I can recall my metamorphosis moment of origin very clearly although it was some time before I came to understand that it was such.
Living somewhere in the north of Scotland, the sort of place where people go who don't wish to be found (yes, me included) and I was sat in a darkened hallway taking a phone call from my GP following a very routine blood test.
"Are you sitting down?" he asked.
I was.
"I don't want you to worry too much about what I am about to tell you."
I started to worry.
"You have a form of leukaemia."
At 45, this was a bit of a surprise.
But if I reflect now, that was the single pivotal moment.
Gosh, Matthew. That really was a pivotal moment, and a terrible shock I'd imagine. I'm getting the feeling that despite everything, some positives came out of it too. Or am I wrong?
The quick response is
When they told me I was dying, I started to live
A tad trite but with truth in it.
I’m not dying by the way. Well not any time soon.
That’s another story.
25 years on and still going strong. Or at least, going.
So glad to hear that, Matthew. I thought you might say that and I see that you are thriving. I will stay tuned for more if and when you choose to share. What an experience!