Roots

When I was getting ready to graduate, I wanted to move away from Alabama. Not because I don't like where I grew up, not because I want to leave the South, but simply for a new adventure. Possibly, because it was something my siblings hadn't done. Being the youngest, it can be difficult to find things to do that the others haven't already done.

Sometimes I am sort of the black sheep of the kids - the one who does things differently and the others don't understand. Other times, I am so much like them that you can definitely see we all grew up together (well, sort of, minus the age gap).

The older I get...as I grow and meet people from other cultures...I start reviewing my own culture. Through the generations, the cultures my ancestors came from have been lost or forgotten. We don't eat a lot of food passed down - like if we lived in Minnesota or Michigan with Polish influence. We don't dress in kilts for special events, even though some ancestors are Scottish and Irish. I have a melting pot of several European countries...and possibly others. But for the most part, all the customs have been lost. I am the "melting pot" that is America. I have American customs and culture.

For me, my culture is the South. The good, the bad, the ugly. Additionally, I have a small town culture. I don't know if I realized how much small town was in me until I moved from a college town (another culture in its own right) to a small town - not where I grew up, but in the same state. Things happen that my friends don't understand. Knowing everyone's business. Waving when you're driving down the road and pass someone. Not being able to do anything after 12 on Wednesdays. Not being able to go out to eat after 8 p.m. Not having a variety of restaurants - and definitely no delivery! No Walmart.

Sidebar: When did Wal-mart become Walmart? I have recently realized that there is no longer a hyphen in the signs or insignia. There used to be. I'm sure.

Back to the topic: I am not a small-town girl. But, I get the culture. I can cope. I can survive. Sure, it's probably not what I had pictured in my life dream. But for now, it's home. And once a week, I escape to the city...even if it's a small one. And I admit it, sometimes I thrive on it. Not dealing with traffic (other than people who refuse to use blinkers and not drive the speed limit). Having community. Being able to go completely from one side of town to the other (and maybe the next town) in 5 or 10 minutes.

Maybe dreams change. What you have pictured evolves over time. When I was young, I colored all the time. Sometimes, mom bought me those huge coloring books that have no rhyme or reason to the pages, just lots of activities. Other times, the book had a theme - animals, cartoon characters. I think life dreams are kind of like themed coloring books. Each page is a little different, and if you don't like how you colored a particular page or element on the page, just flip to the next one to try it a little differently.

After searching the US for a job, I realized I wanted to stay in the South for now. Maybe one day I'll venture out and try another culture. For now, Alabama is still home, I'm just in a different part of the state. I'm learning about hills, groundhogs and things that make this area unique. I get to forget about love bugs. I get to miss the beach. But, through it all. I get to explore - my culture, the ones I visit and those I meet through work.

So, go color a picture...or a whole coloring book. And think about culture - what you value, what you don't - the good, the bad, the ugly. Which stereotypes are true? Which ones are false? Which ones would people not understand if they aren't part of it? Remember...stay in the lines, but be creative!

my new home in the blogosphere

It took me a long time to finally decide to create a new blog. But, I feel like with growing and changing, sometimes a new start is needed. I decided to use Blogger instead of my old Live Journal. I want something a little more than I did this today with this person and took this quiz.

I don't really like to write. I wish I enjoyed it more. I wish I had a creative outlet for my thoughts. I can't write music. I don't enjoy poetry. My music level is mediocre; my painting skills nonexistent. Maybe I can make myself write and learn to love it.

Usually, my thoughts are superficial. I don't have depth and philosophy. Sometimes, I still feel like a 16-year-old giggly girl. I relate things to shopping, friends and happiness. My analogies don't always transcend ages and stages of life. But occasionally, something deep crosses my mind.

Speaking of deep thoughts...that brings up relativity. What is deep to me may be shallow to you. Or what's deep to you may confuse me completely. I don't think my new blog is going to be like that at all.