Blogtember: Something Old

I am really surprised I still have this picture.  It was one of the first pictures that I ever took with a "digital" camera.  The quality is horrible, because I used a crap point and shoot camera that you could probably get for $20 at the time. 

That camera was given to me for Christmas one year.  It ate non-rechargeable AAA batteries like crazy.  Needless to say, I didn't use it very often! I didn't know anything about photography at the time or that it would become such a big part of my life.

 This picture was only taken because my sister was having a birthday party and I wanted to document her and her friends having fun and dressing up in my clothes.  Those hats? Mine.  That necklace the girl in purple is wearing? Mine.

Now, I have a question for you!

Do all pictures have to be artistic?

Because we are surrounded by photographs everyday, we tend to pass by photographs that end up looking like the one above.  I would consider it to be a Facebook picture; a snap shot of two friends that has no meaning to the viewer except for those who were there or actually know the two girls.

Personally, I think this picture carries a lot of meaning even though it's not artistic and pretty to look at.  It holds memories of that night.  Even if you weren't there and didn't know the story behind the picture, it is contains cultural significance: iconography, fashion trends from 2006, and a sense of youth.

But seriously, who flashes the peace sign without trying to be ironic anymore!? asians

Right now, I want to make a resolution to not discredit any of my family pictures for not looking artistic enough.  Memories are memories.  It doesn't matter what they look like, but they are always going to be important.

Do you think family snapshots are just as important as artistic photographs?

Blogtember: Coffee Shop

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I have been obsessed with coffee all week.  It seemed like everyone around me who doesn't like coffee was drinking it.  Maybe it was time for me to try it again.

Last Saturday, I got a Carmel Frappaccino with extra coffee from Starbucks because I felt like I was going to pass out as soon as I woke up and I had to go to a baby shower and take pictures later that day.  There was no way I could blow it off, no matter how much I wanted to.

It was kind of cold that day though, so I ended up kind of regretting my choice in drink.  I'm just not a hot drink type of person and I don't know what hot coffee drinks I would like.

I had planned on going to a coffee shop this morning, and actually drinking some kind of coffee, but I wasn't tired and it didn't feel necessary.  So, I passed.

Instead, because I didn't want to be at home, I stopped at a coffee shop and am now enjoying a Hot Chocolate, my go to Fall warm drink.

While I'm here, and thinking about it, does anybody else feel weird about blogging in public?

It seems like no one else understands blogging, except for bloggers, so writing blog posts where other people can see is kind of weird. People and their judging eyes, looking over at my screen, freaks me out a little bit.

But it's okay! It's good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes. 

How do you feel about blogging in public?

Blogtember: Royal Screw Ups

Everybody screws up sometime in their life, usually more than once and probably pretty often.  Most people learn from their mistakes and move on, but what about those royal screw ups that haunt you forever? 

Today, I'm going to tell you about the first time I remember royally screwing up.

Let me take you back to third grade, in Mrs. Laurenco's class.  Each week, there was an attendance helper who wrote down who was there and who was absent and then took the card too the office.  I'm sure everyone LOVED being the attendance helper, but that isn't really what I remember.

Mrs. Laurenco mentioned that one of the girls in my class was sick.  Being the attendance helper, I knew that wasn't the truth and I knew why she really wasn't in school.  Instinctively, I blurted out "She isn't sick! She has lice!"

I don't think I realized what lice was then, but a second later, I knew that I had said the wrong thing.  Everyone glared at me and my teacher said something along the lines of "I trusted you!"

Then, when we went to recess, my friends didn't want to play with me because I had told the girl's secret to the whole class.

I didn't mean to! I didn't realize it had been a secret.  If I could take it back, I would.

Nothing could ever top how humiliated I was that day.

I still think about that moment every once in awhile, but on the bright side, I'm still friends with some of those people who didn't want to play with me that day.

Now, tell me about one of your mistakes so I don't feel so bad about this one!

Blogtember: MacBook Pro Review

The laptop that I given as a graduation present in 2010 finally went kaputz in May, right after school was over for the summer.

I planned to be laptop free for about a month, simply because I felt that I used it wayyyy too often and I just wanted to unplug for awhile, but then those four weeks turned into another four weeks and then another four weeks. That meant I was laptop-less all summer!

It was never from lack of trying though!  I would go into electronic stores and look at the rows and rows of laptops and their prices and get so overwhelmed.  After awhile, I gave up and had to admit that I know nothing about buying computers and had to ask my computer enginneer of an uncle for help.

Unfortunately, he was under a LOT of stress all summer with his job and the remodelling they are doing to their house.  He ended up getting me a Dell and I was less than pleased.  When he told me what he decided on, I was a little disappointed, but I tried to be optimistic.  Even though the Dell wasn't what I pictured, it would be okay!

But it wasn't.  As soon as I opened the box, I started picking it apart.  It doesn't have this or that!  That day, I decided I was getting a Mac, even though they confused me to bits.  Nearly 90% of my school's population uses a Mac.  I would get used to it eventually.

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I went to the Apple store nearby in between classes because they were having a back to school sale and I needed a laptop RIGHT THEN.

I have always heard that Apple stores are crowded and "good luck getting any assistance."  That was definitely not the case in my situation!  As soon as I walked in the store, a friendly man asked me if he could help me and then showed me my choices.  He gave me time to look at them, even though I had done some research before hand, even though I kind of already knew what I wanted.

Then, a different guy noticed I had been looking around for a few minutes and he asked if I wanted any help.  I just pointed to something and told him, "I want that one!"  He helped me set everything up and I was out of the store in not even half an hour!

How's that for great customer service?

I was super confused the first couple of days, but after messing around with the laptop, I realized that Macs are not nearly as confusing as I thought they were and I now like them even better than windows computers!

Things I love about Macs:

• Macs have super cool features, such what I call the exploding hand motion, which brings up all of your apps and then makes them disappear.  I'm not sure what that is really called, but yeah. 
• The Calendar.  I love that the Mac comes with a Calendar that is exactly like the iPhone/iPod Touch calendar.  Windows computers don't come with cool calendars!
• Dictionary app.  I use this app ALL the time.  It's nice to not have to bookmark the dictionary website anymore. 
• Software Installation Times.  Windows computers take FOREVER to install software.  Macs install software in a snap.   It's like, drag, drop, BOOM NEW PROGRAM!
• Freebies! I was given an iTunes giftcard when I bought my Mac!

Things I'm not very fond of:

• The price. This is obvious.  Why are Macs so expensive?
• Macs don't have number keypads.  I don't like typing numbers with the row above the letters, but I'll get over it.
• Everyone's laptop looks the same.  I feel like I'm in the Apple cult when I pull out my Mac.  I really want to find or make some cool stickers or decals to decorate and personalize mine.
• I can't think of a name.  I'm the weird type of person who names all of their things.  My last laptops name was Preston.  May he rest in piece.  I haven't been able to figure out a name for the Mac yet.
• Freebies! Whenever I try to use a giftcard, I get overwhelmed with all of the options. I want to get my money's worth and things that I will use/like.  

Overall, I'm really glad I went with the MacBook option.  I'm sure it will last me YEARS, especially since I got applecare so I won't even have to worry about it breaking for at least three years.

Do you own a MacBook?

What do you think I should get with my giftcard?

Blogtember: Life Lately

This past week as felt so long.  I don't know if it was because of the season switch or what, but I felt soooo tired all weekend.

I had school Monday - Wednesday.  Yeah, I'm lucky and have a four day weekend!

This weekend didn't feel much like a weekend though.

On Friday, a few of my classes participated in Park(ing) Day, an annual event where artists and other people can rent a parking spot and transform it into a public park, but in our case, we were displaying art. 

I spent the majority of Thursday finishing my city for one of my classes.  I made the city out of cardboard boxes, acrylic paint, fake moss and hot wheel cars.

I had two projects for that day though.  The other one was a group project and for some reason, we had decided to sit in a parking spot for hours and create a mural.  We gave ourselves wayyyyy too much time, so most of the day was spent trying to find ways to procrastinate the actual art making.  I did the "SJ" part with the pictures and the clouds, sun, and rainbow over the mountains!

Saturday, was the boyfriend's sister's baby shower.  When I woke up, I did NOT want to go.  I just wanted to lay in bed all day and not move, but I had promised I would take pictures.  Rain also started falling from the sky while we were picking up wings and other food for the party.  I got a Carmel Frap with extra coffee from Starbucks and that seemed to make the day better, but now I'm obsessed with coffee.  Probably not one of my best decisions.

Last week, I baked Chocolate Chip cookies for a school project.  We had to make something that someone taught us that was not a fine art skill.  After I already made the cookies, my teacher changed the due date, so I had to remake them this weekend. Inconvienent, but it was nice spending time with family at the house.

Yesterday was also our 23rd Monthaversary.  After I was done making cookies and he was done watching the 49er's lose to the Colts, the boyfriend came back to my house and took me to his town's annual festival!  It was pretty fun, and filled with breakthrough moments.  We each had only been on a ferris wheel once and he used to be afraid of heights so he wouldn't go on any rides with me, ever.  But this time, he insisted until I finally gave in. 

What have you been up to lately?

Blogtember: Reliving Memories

Today, for Blogtember, we are talking about memories that we would want to relive.

I had a hard time choosing a memory for this.

I was leaning toward the  option of some type of injury, just because memories of my childhood injuries have faded into stories that people tell me every once in awhile, but then I thought that would be a little creepy.  I'm definitely not sadistic, I promise.

So, you have been saved from details of me slicing my finger open when I was three and shoving barbie soap up my nose when I was five.

Instead, we are going the cheesy route.

The memory that I would want to relive the most would be the day that I met my boyfriend.

FLASHBACK TO SEPTEMBER 28, 2010!

I had just started college, maybe I month ago and even though I'm a complete introvert, I managed to make some friends.  On this particular day, I was sitting with my friend Liz and one of her friends while they waited for their class to start.

We were talking, about who knows what now, when Liz noticed this guy going to sit near us and called him over.  Apparently, they were in the same class. 

He came over and sat with us and they talked for a while.

Then, Liz and her friend left to go get lunch. 

That was when things got awkward.

I didn't even know this guy and Liz left me alone with him! How could she do that to me?

Should I leave? No, that would be rude. 

Then, he started asking me a million questions, interrogating me.

Do you have a job?
What do you like to do?
Oh, you read? What kind of books?
Everything? Like Romance novels?

Even though I despise talking to people I don't know, I managed to answer his questions, but I couldn't help but question his sanity.  Who interrogates random people like that?

Liz never did come back and he left to go to class after what seemed like an eternity.  

I had never seen that guy before, but after that day, I saw him EVERYWHERE.

This memory, the first day I met my boyfriend, is such an important memory for me.  We have been friends for almost three years now, and dating for nearly two.  If Liz hadn't told the guy to come sit with us, I probably wouldn't know the amazing, handsome man that I now call my boyfriend.

I would want to relive this memory to make this important day clearer in my mind.  I remember a lot of what happened, but I wish I knew everything.  I want to know the exact questions that he asked, what I said, what we were wearing, everything. 

Instead, I only remember blushing (a lot!) and staring at the table, not wanting to look at him while I told him my life story. 

What are some of the memories that you would want to relive?

Blogtember: Dear Mom

Dear Maja,

When I moved, I knew what I was giving up, but I'm not sure I realized how much I would miss those things as much as I do now. 

I miss your spaghetti.  Nobody makes it quite the same as you do.
I miss singing to the radio with you while riding in the passenger seat, as we drive twenty minutes to WalMart.
I miss sitting in your break room after school, waiting for you to get off work so I didn't have to take the bus.
I miss renting a million movies from the library and watching all of them because we didn't have cable.
I miss you telling me to clean the house all the time.
I miss baking cookies with you.
I miss sitting on the couch and cuddling.
I miss crawling into bed with you after daddy went to work.
I miss walking everywhere because our car decided not to work that day.
I miss the little games you made up to keep kids entertained.
I miss your hugs and the I love you's.
I miss all of the little things.

Most of all, I miss you.

Thank you for being an amazing mother.

Love,
Caitlyn

P.S. I can hardly wait to see you in June when the siblings graduate! Having no one in the family in high school anymore is going to be weird!

Blogtember: A Self Portrait

While trying to take pictures for today's post, I realized that I hate taking pictures of myself.  Okay, I didn't just realize this, but yeah.  I think it has something to do with the fact that I'm a portrait  photographer.  Having a picture of myself that I actually like is really rare.

The wind was ferocious, whipping my hair in every direction. It kept going up my nose and in my eyes, causing my face to look weird in a majority of the pictures.  Or, I had my hand in my face, trying to bat away the strands of hair.

I really want to go back to the junior high and take pictures there again because I loved the column things I was using as a background.  Such pretty colors.

I really wish I could see a picture of myself and be happy with it. Without the self-criticizing internal comments like "Why does my arm look like that?" "What was I doing with my leg?" "I don't like that face I was making!"

These comments don't do me any good.  I try to be positive and find something that I do like about the picture, but it's harder to do that.

Then, there's the whole photographer critique.  I am my harshest critique.  If the photograph isn't up to my standards of what a good picture should look like, I probably won't like it.  So, to the people who are not photographers who take my picture, I'M SORRY! -coughboyfriendcough-

I took the selfie that I posted above.  At first, I didn't like that my hair had blown in my face as I pressed the shutter button, but while editing the picture, I grew to like it. 

I really like my smile and even though you can't really see my eyes, I still love them. 

I love the way the light is glowing through my hair, which is what I was kind of trying to accomplish while taking the pictures. It didn't turn out quite like I wanted, but it works.

Overall, I really like this picture of myself.  It's not one of my best, but not all of them have to be the best of the best.

How do you feel about selfies?

Do you get self-conscious when you see yourself in pictures?

Blogtember: Let's Go Shopping!

Hey everyone! I have two awesome online shops that I am currently obsessed with to share with you today as part of Blogtember!  I hope you like them as much as I do!

Bugs and Monsters

I actually met the owner of this shop on Friday during an Art Walk.  Naturally, I was attracted to her name.  I have an obsession with monsters. Then, I saw this.

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I am dinosaur obsessed, and the print was only $5 at the booth, so I bought it.  Then, while her boyfriend was processing my order, I saw a cute little mustache pin on the table for $5 and had to get that as well. THEN I saw a sign saying that her mustache totes were $4 with a $10 purchase, so I got one of those too.   Her etsy shop only has hand painted mugs, which are equally adorable, but you can see her other creations on Flickr. 

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PhotoJoJo

The other day, I was reading news articles related to photography and I stumbled across one that listed some of the weirdest things that are made for photography.  I don't remember where that article is, but They were pretty much all PhotoJoJo products. 

Then, I went on the PhotoJoJo website and scrolled through all of their products.  Can you say Christmas List?

Here are a few things that I would want.

USB Film Roll

 Just because they are amazing.   I wish we were given a choice between which film canister we wanted, because I'm pretty partial to Kodak Tri-X, the yellow one.  Any of them will do though!

Lens Cap Strap Holder

THIS! is genius.  I haven't permanently lost any lens caps yet. -knock on wood-  I tend to shove them in my pocket or my camera bag.  Having a special place to put it would be amazing.  This is one of my must haves from their store.

Camera Dial Laptop Decal

Ever since I got a MacBook Pro a couple of weeks ago, I've been looking for awesome ways to personalize it.  I swear everybody's laptop at school looks the same.  When I came across this guy, I knew I wanted it immediately.  In Nikon of course.  Canon's confuse me.  Then again, I said that about Mac's...

Lens Bracelets

I actually saw a girl with these bracelets on the first day of school.  I am in love with them and need them.  I want the Nikon and Original Sets.  The Canon Set is cool too, but I can live without.

What are some of your favorite shops I need to know about?

Blogtember: That Distinctive Moment

Let's me just be real here with you today.

Some of you may know this, others may not.

When I was seventeen, I moved across the country, away from my parents.  Away from my friends.  Away from a life that I knew for six years.  Those years that molded who I am today. 

Was I afraid? Absolutely.

But I knew the change would make me happy and that California was where I belonged.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

I didn't like living in Ohio.

Sure, it had it's good times and the state is beautiful.  But, at the same time, I don't like feeling hot and sticky in the summer or freezing in the winter.  I don't like having to drive twenty minutes to the nearest Walmart or over an hour to get to an airport.

My home life was not the greatest either.  Don't get me wrong, I love my family and wouldn't trade them for the world, but my parents have a very low income, which caused a lot of stress for everyone. 

With my parents always working, I was forced to act as the "mother figure" for my siblings.  I cooked dinner often, made sure everyone's homework was done and cleaned the house. This resulted in my brother resenting me and now our relationship is not the greatest, even though it is getting better. 

San Francisco, California

About a year before I decided to move to California, I felt the need to escape.  I started rebelling, in my own way.  I didn't get into drugs, tattoos or anything like that.  Instead, I shut the world out.  I stopped wanting to help my family because I didn't feel appreciated.

One day, my grandparents asked me if I would consider moving in with them.  Not because they knew how I was feeling, nobody did.  They just knew that I wanted to be a marine biologist and you can't really go to school for that in the Midwest. That plan didn't happen, but that's a different story.

The distinctive moment when my life took a turn was on July 20, 2013, when I stepped off of a plane in San Francisco and smelled the California air for the first time in  years. 

I miss my family so much, but I don't regret my decision in the slightest. 

Blogtember: ISFJ IN THE HOUSE!

For Blogtember today, Jenni asked us to take a personality test and blog about the results.

I'm pretty sure I took a similar test and got the same result: ISFJ.  Was I surprised? Not at all because this personality type describes perfectly.

Here are some attributes of an ISFJ:

ISFJ's have good memories.

 I find this one amusing because for about the first year that I knew my boyfriend, he called me his memory chip.  I saw him practically everyday and eventually met everyone that he talked to.  He can't remember names to save his life though.  He didn't know mine for five weeks.  How we became such good friends, I have no idea.  I was ALWAYS reminding him of people's names.  I'm just that type of person who pays attention during roll call so I know everyone, even if I have never talked to them before.  It's just nice to have names to put to a face. 

ISFJ's have a few, close friends.

I have always been envious of those people who are friends with everybody, but at the same time, I'm happy with the people I do call my friends.  I'm not sure if our relationships would be as good if I had to focus on more people.  I guess that's why most of the friendships of those with a lot of friends are superficial.

ISFJ's desire to serve others.

I think this plays into their need to be needed as well.  I would rather help someone than complain about my own problems.  I enjoy helping others and I'm always here for those who need someone to talk to, even if all I can do is listen.

ISFJ's are horrible at delegating.

"If you want something done right, do it yourself."  Occasionally, I will ask someone to do something for me, but then I end up saying "Nevermind. You aren't doing it right.  I'll do it." It's to the point where my dad once said I was going to need to build my own house, but he wouldn't do it for me, even though that's what he does.  I know I should ask for help, but it's hard trusting people to do things the way I see them done in my head.  My future wedding is going to be so stressful to me in this regard. 

Source Unknown

ISFJ's want credit, but think it's wrong to want it.
 Can you say confusing? It really is.  Just imagine being this way.  I like getting rewards, pats on the backs and great jobs! But I feel like it should be genuine, from the person's heart.  Otherwise, I would be fishing for compliments, right?

Did you know that St. Teresa of Avila, Queen Elizabeth II of England and Kristi Yamaguchi are also ISFJ's?

 Which personality type are you?

How accurate were your results?

Blogtember: Advice from the Princesses

I can't think of any useful advice that you will actually benefit from, so instead, I'm going to be telling you about what I learned from Disney. 

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Snow White taught me to never take food from a stranger. 
Or anything for that matter.  Food, drinks, candy, conversation, nothing. You never know what someone might have done to it!  Haven't you ever heard about not taking the free candy from the man in the white van? He is probably trying to either drug you, rape  you, or both.  Same goes for drinks at a party.  Never leave your drink unattended! Just be cautious of what you ingest. 

Aurora taught me that pretty girls don't even need to be conscious to get some action.
So, while she is walking through the woods, she meets a stranger.  But it's okay because they have seen each other in a dream.  First of all, she is breaking rule #1, "Don't talk to strangers!" Then, she goes and gets herself in trouble, resulting in becoming unconscious and the stranger dude has to come save her by kissing her.  They don't even know each other, why is he kissing her?  Because she's hot and he wants in her pants, that's why.

Jasmine taught me to never settle for a guy until you are positive your father will hate him.
 She actually has it pretty good at her palace.  Her dad cares about her and isn't really enforcing the rule that she has to get married.  However, she becomes a little brat and won't even look at the guys he has chosen for her to choose from.  That is, until she meets the ONLY guy her dad would never approve off, a homeless street rat who steals from the market.

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Cinderella taught me that losing my shoe at a party means a hottie will search high and low for the owner.
Seriously, guys do not care that much about you to return your shoe, especially after ditching them all of a sudden.  AND if they did try to find you, they probably hooked  up with some other girl after you left, so they aren't even worth your time.

Mulan taught me that as long as you are trying to protect your country, it's okay to pretend you are a man. 
I get that cross dressing is a little different for men than it is for women.  Women have more freedom in what they wear.  However, I draw the line when hair is chopped, voices are changed and the person tries to ACT like a man.  Just be yourself.  Being lied to sucks monkey balls and no one is going to appreciate it, especially that cute guy who thinks you are a guy.  Stop being confusing, Mulan!

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Ariel taught me that abandoning your entire life for one date is perfectly acceptable.
 I don't know about you, but my family, friends, and my body mean a lot to me.  There would be no way I would trade any of them for a man, no matter how hot I think he is.

Belle taught me to never judge a book by its cover.
This is some pretty sound advice.  That is until you realize that she basically sold herself to a guy, who isn't even human, in order to save  her father.  I'm all for not judging people, but jeez Belle, have some common sense.  Now you have your father all worried about you.  What did you really solve by switching places?

OH! and don't forget that we will all live happily ever after.

Hopefully these princesses taught you something new today, or at least gave a good chuckle.  :]

Blogtember: Three Months Off

If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?

 

This is  a weird question because I just recently had three months off of school and did NOTHING with my time. Some might see that as a waste, but it was really relaxing and I needed the break.

However, I would have spent my three months differently if money were not an issue.  

In July, I drove to Arizona to visit a friend. I only stayed for four days, but I wish I could have stayed longer.  I just didn't have the money to pay for a hotel room anymore.

If I had another three months off to do whatever I wanted and I had the money, I would travel.  Domestic and International.

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 Of course, there are many other places I would LOVE to visit. These have been at the top of my list for years though. 

Another thing I would want to do is visit my family in Ohio.  I haven't been back since last Christmas and I really miss them.

What would you do if you had three months off to do whatever you wanted?

**This post was written as a part of Story of My Life's Blogtember

Blogtember: Where I Come From

...It's cornbread and chicken.



Sorry, not sorry. I had to.

 Me, I'm a California girl.  I was born here and lived here until I was eleven. I love everything related to the beach and the ocean.  Also, I'm the type of person that loves wearing flip flops all year around. I prefer heat over cold and rain over snow (it does snow in Northern California, but not where I live.)

California has everything you could ever want, mountains, big cities, small towns, DISNEYLAND, beaches.  Not to mention it's beautiful.  Plus, the diversity allows you to experience other cultures in a way that predominately Caucasian middle America doesn't.

Even though I do feel like I belong in California, my family moved to Ohio when I was in sixth grade.  I spent my impressionable teenage years in the country away from gang violence, hard drugs, and repetitive stabbings (I'm sure they were there, I was just naive and didn't notice.  These things are much more open in California).

I didn't attend high school in California, but I've heard enough of stories to last a lifetime.  I'm really glad I went to a high school where I didn't fear for my life everyday I stepped onto campus.

Ohio is also much simpler than California is.  My aunt has two daughters.  One is six and the other four.  She is constantly struggling with the decision of where to send her kids to school.  In Ohio, you didn't get a choice, you just went to school, unless you were catholic, then you could go to the Catholic school up until you were in 9th grade.

Also, Ohio has it's own beauty.  When I see pictures of farms and the countryside, I can't help but miss Ohio.  That was my favorite part, besides my family of course. 

I really appreciate where I grew up because it shaped who I am today.  Who knows what I would be like if I finished growing up here in California.

How did where you grew up shape who you are?

**This post was written as a part of Story of My Life's Blogtember