Discovery
Quarter Finalist 2009 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship
For my last big bang of fun for my summer, my sister Brynn, my cousin Paige, and I went to spend a week with our grandparents who live in New Jersey. We spent a total of two days in Jersey, two days in New York, and two days in Washington D.C.. We don't get to spend much time with this set of grandparents so it was a real treat for us. Our "Poppy" and "Gigi" were so welcoming and hospitable. This trip gave it all to me. Self-discovery, entertainment, appreciation, and education.
Our mom grew up in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. All of our lives we heard stories, how our uncles would play pranks on each other and on our mom. How our grandpa-who gives us practically whatever we want-would discipline them and make them eat all their peas! What tragedy. We got to see the things stories were told to us about, like the two mile walk uphill our mom supposedly took to school. Uphill and in the snow, of course. Yeah right. We also got to see pictures and hear stories about our grandma, we call "Angel MeeMaw", who passed away before either of us were born. My sister and I were amazed when we saw pictures and we could see me in her face. Family stories and experiences are a huge part of who you are and help shape you into who you will become. This part of the trip was one of self-discovery for me.
My sister and I dream of becoming famous together. When we saw the Lion King on Broadway we were inspired! I sat on the edge of my seat and had chills the entire time from the incredible power in the voices of the actors. When we did an NBC studio tour we were jumping for joy. Being in the studio of some of the shows we watch, hoping to one day make it big like some of the people we see on Saturday Night Live. We did a Circle Line cruise around the city, seeing all the sights and being the average tourist snapping pictures of whatever we could. We stood in the middle of Times Square, soaking it in so that when we saw pictures later we could say, "I've been there!" Along with the joyful was the sorrowful. We walked around and had a good view of ground zero, where the World Trade Center was. It was a jolt, and a reminder to look at who I was with and enjoy and appreciate every second I have with them.
Washington D.C. has amazing museums. The Smithsonian museums offer such a wide range to see as well. I learned about lots of art, spies, oceans, mammals, African cultures, butterflies, and precious stones. It made me not feel as bad for the nights I spent watching the television in the summer. I got to see historical sites and memorials that really give you a different perspective on things. The Lincoln memorial at night had to be one of the more inspiring things I had ever seen. The Arlington cemetery and the changing of the guard were so impressive, it gives you even more respect for the military.
All in all, my trip before my senior year in high school was one of discovery and learning. I learned about myself, my family, and my dreams.
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