I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1994. Our family moved to Florida when I was 6 months old. Ever since then, we have lived in Gainesville, never moving and rarely traveling outside of Florida.
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I never was a picky eater. I didn't, and still don't, care about what appears on my plate - I eat it, and then move on. I don't make a fuss of what I'm eating (unless there are green beans... holy cow). It's like this little attitude I have that if you're given food, eat it. My dad would always remind me about the tribes and communities in Africa that were starving all the time... I'm sure this helped shape who I am now.
Now, I am a very, I think, well rounded person. We live not far from Gainesville, but far enough where we are able to have 5 acres of land. I love nature and the animals that come with it - just sitting outside before the sun sets is a beautiful thing. You hear the birds, the crickets, a few owls, the wind against the tall flimsy pine trees - all while a ginormous celestial body disappears behind Earth's horizon ever so quietly. The atmosphere turns purple and pink and orange, highlighting the existing clouds in the blue sky. I'm sure it's not hard to see why I love nature so much.
And then there's the city. Gainesville is a relatively small city, but it's the only thing I have to compare with, let's say, New York City for example. The lovely air polluted mess that encompasses you as you walk down the sidewalk, hearing all of the cars with radios screaming, mufflers, well... muffling, and horns honking - it is a very unforgettable image.
Nobody can forget those hobos standing on the side of the exit ramp of the interstate with their gleaming cardboard signs: "Need Food", "Will Clean For Money", "Housebroken" - those are only a few that I have seen. I always wonder where they get their bags, bikes, markers... Those poor people need money to buy food! But hey, it's not my decision; I'm just taking in the surroundings.
If I had to say what type of person I am, I would most definitely go with an "in-between-er". I can have fun in the city, on the river, in a cave, on a mountain (oh wait, we're in Florida), and anywhere else that you decide to place me. Because of my chill personality, the people in each different environment don't bother me either - except, of course, for the butt-holes that scream at you for no reason - which I think reinforces my open mind and heart. Having an open outlook on life can lead to great opportunities, so why not get one now and be happy? Or, you can get one later on in life when it's too late to experience the true fun and values of each environment.
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Being an "in-between-er" with an open mind is rather fun. I meet many new friends with different tastes and views, but I don't look at each person differently.
We're all here together for the long run, so why not get along now.
Mike:
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how everything in life is relative: your experiences being out in the "country" versus the (relatively!) congested, more hectic scenery of Gainesville is certainly a distinct contrast (and it really stands out in your descriptions), yet to a New Yorker, G'ville could seem like a quiet little 'burgh, even "podunk"! At first, I wasn't sure why you started the piece with a description of your eating habits, but then the CONCEIT of being open-minded to different tastes (different cultures+ perspectives) really brings home your thesis at the end! Clever construction of themes, with lots of useful imagery.
Michael, that was absolutly wonderful. I can see you as an inbetweener. just the way you act shows both sides of you. and not to be creepy but the third paragraph made my heart melt. XP keep up the good work!
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