It goes without saying, that I
learn something new everyday. While abroad, however, I find that I am not
limited to one thing. Everyday seems like a new revelation, especially when the
sun rises 17 hours earlier than you have come to think it. In ways, it does not
feel like I am ahead of everyone back home but rather ahead of my realizations.
This ever-changing list of things I have learned while abroad will eventually
prove my point and my self-awareness, maybe not to the reader, but to me.
To begin, us Grandlienard’s are
list makers, and not lazy ones at that. Our lists are ambitious and diverse.
They serve many purposes including to-do lists, bucket lists, grocery lists and
informative and analytical lists. With no order of importance or time, here is
my list of things I have learned while abroad.
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I am in
control of my life- I am heavily influenced by thousands of people, places,
memories and passions but I know I control my life. Ones independence
strengthens and grows for the better while abroad. In a world fixed with the
media and technology, I know how microscopic but significant people can be. In
a world that may measure people by their test scores and may set them up to a
standard, I know how immeasurable is measured. And in a world that revolves
around money, I know what is worthless and what is of immense value. To me, and
to my good friend Albert Rich, only one-thing matters, it’s all about
happiness. There are numerous factors that are out of our reach, but here I have
learned how to make the best out of everything, or at least to try. Ever since
he passed away, I have lived by these four words that were stamped as his
Instagram bio. In remembrance I say to be young and rich, what a gift it is.
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Australian’s
have the best and worst taste in music- Music is important to me. Great
musical tastes and talents have been passed down to me from my father and
brother. As a musician and a listener I empathize with bands or artists with
respectable talent. I realize now that talent is not limited to playing an
instrument, and I understand that music is brilliantly created in thousands of
forms. While abroad, I have met people (mostly girls) who have some of the best
taste in music. I have been lucky to meet fans of Brand New, Taking Back
Sunday, Envy on the Coast, Biffy Clyro, Say Anything and Blink 182. Even Lydia,
a small band from Arizona, has a few fans over here. And now I can happily say,
so does False North. The select few have an open appreciation of music and it
has grown on me. I have listened to numerous artists that I would never hear of
including Boy and Bear, Ball Park Music, Twin Atlantic, Mikhael Paskalev and my
current favorite, Ceres. But just like in the States, none of the music I am
truly passionate about makes it on the radio. And although I have listened to
the radio two times, I do not want to listen to it again. I may be quick to
judge but it consisted of girl pop and electronic music that I could not relate
to. At most parties and clubs, house music is all you will hear from the DJ. I
miss parties where you scream the lyrics with your friends in mateship and it
is those moments in music that I adore and not subconsciously waiting for the
beat to drop. Plus, I never hear a lot of rap here, what’s up with that?
Anyways, the highs have outweighed the lows and I may listen to whatever I want
during my own time. (Like CERES, Ceres-ously, listen to this band if we have
similar taste)
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Tim Tams
are heaven sent- It started off with a single bite, not being overly
impressed, but the addiction with Tim Tams was just beginning. To quote
Wikipedia, “A Tim Tam is composed of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit,
separated by a light chocolate cream filling, and coated in a think layer of
textured chocolate.” In my own words, they’re dangerous. I have never left the
grocery store without TimTams nor do I intend to.
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Travelers/Wanders/Internationals
are the best- I have always enjoyed meeting new people and people who love
to travel are full of interesting stories and will always love to talk about
them. Plus, they know what it is like to have incredible connections all around
the world, encouraging them to travel even more.
§
The
America drinking age is just ridiculous- I know, I know, I have been
legally allowed to drink for four months and now I think I know everything. But
the fact that there is a five-year gap between a drivers license a drinking
“license” is just crazy. We share the highest minimum drinking age with
countries like Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. Only the United States and
Pakistan have the five-year gap where you can obtain a drivers license but
never legally drink. In addition to that, we’re going to drink anyway! Fakes,
underage drinking that’s all part of the college culture, and that could all be
avoided. You could make an argument that lowering the drinking age could boost
the economy, just look at Colorado since legalizing recreational marijuana, even
if it is a small number. The prohibition is over, and I don’t know…maybe I am
just embarrassed because I will be the only one who won’t legally be allowed to
drink when I get home.
