This months topic was to talk about how our teens/childhood have influenced our choices.
Now, I have to admit, this was a hard one for me. I know lots of people have childhood icons or people they admire during their teenage years, but me, nope!
Don't get me wrong, there was and is plenty of music, artists, groups etc I liked. But apart from a few years where I loved Bucks Fizz (which I'm not ashamed to admit!) and the non-stop playing of Garbage while I was attempting to write my dissertation, no artist, group or person has ever stood out for me. I don't recall ever admiring anybody's style or aspiring to be like anybody. Maybe that makes me unique? I don't know, but over the last few days, I tried hard to think if this really was right.Was I going to draw a blank on this topic??
And then I realised, there was one big, almost huge influence that was just so big, I couldn't see it for looking. As a child I was intrigued by all things American. I watched as many tv shows and films from there as I could. I loved the Bionic Woman (anyone remember that?).
Early influences - how many do you remember?
I thought Las Vegas sounded like a dreamland, the deserts were full of cowboys and everyone in New York carried a gun. As I got older, it became an obsession, a goal to visit, to go and see all the places I'd watched on TV and experience all the things that Americans take for granted.
And so I did. To date, I've visited 37 US states. I've watched sunrises in Hawaii and sunsets in Key West. Drove through desert floods in Arizona and snow in the Rockies. Ate pizza at the top of the Twin Towers in New York and days later watched them fall while sat in a bar in Las Vegas. I've met the most amazing people, and been treated to wonderful hospitality and kindness.
How can you not fall in love with views like this?
I kind of dress American when I'm there!
They say you should never meet your idol, that they can never live up your expectations. I half expected this before visiting Las Vegas, after all, this was the big dream - and you know what? It exceeded all expectations. So much so that I've revisited the city many times since. I am the person you will find wandering through the casino at 2 in the morning people watching.
So I truly think that America, it's people and culture was and still is my biggest influence. Look carefully and there's pictures of America all over the walls at home, the bookcases are filled with American books, fiction and non-fiction. One wall in the kitchen is covered with an American map and my inbox is full of American newsletters. If we could move there tomorrow, we would.
For me, it's an everlasting love and my biggest influence in terms of what I read, watch and aspire to travel to. There's nothing better than picking up a car and just heading out far away from all the tourist areas into the heartland and meeting real people. Whenever the plane lands on American soil - I feel like I've come home. I don't know how else to describe it.
These are the are the other lovely folk taking part in Plus40Fabulous, be sure to check them out.
Betty Pamper: http://www.
Christy: http://www.
Daisy: http://daisysays.co.uk/
Kaye: http://www. polishedcurves.com/
Kellie: http://www. bigfashionista.co.uk/
Leah: http://www.justmeleah.co.uk
Lisa: http://www. kitandkoboodle75.blogspot.co. uk/
Mookie: http://www. mookieslife.com/
Lisa: http://www.
Mookie: http://www.
Nikki :http://www.nattynikki.com/
Sarah: http://www. plussizeproud.co.uk
Thanks for reading
Cathy
xx
HHAA I am wracking my brain RE Childhood influences.. So I hear you. The pic of you with the scenery is to totally amazing that it looks fake! :) Gosh I love the mesa pic!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I know - the scenery doesn't seem real when I look back at the photos! :-)
DeleteThis is a great post Cathy and I love that you thought outside the box. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you xx
Deletewhat a great post! I was also obsessed with all things American, and actually had two American boyfriends in my 20's. Both didn't work out, but at one point I was going for a Green Card etc. Oh well LOL. What lovely pix, Christy x
ReplyDeleteThank you xx Ahh - the elusive Green Card! We're hoping there'll be a retirement visa one day! xx
ReplyDeleteI love this post from you Cathy. :) Wow, I'm impressed with you travelling 37 states!!! That is very impressive. I've never had the same love for USA. I've been to a few states(thinking about it, I've been to 8 states), but I fell in love with Canada. :) I used to live in Canada and misses it a lot. But I really enjoyed reading this post!!!
ReplyDelete