Thursday, February 28, 2013

From 21 To 31




My birthday is only five days away, and so a bit of self-reflection has been going on in my head lately.  About a month ago, as I sifted through the contents of the keepsake boxes hidden away at the top of a cupboard, I stumbled upon some notes from my friends’ speech at my 21st birthday celebration ten years ago.

Reading through what they'd written however and looking at the photo above of the fresh faced, sun tanned 21 year old girl at her party, I can't help but wonder where 'that girl' has gone...

My friends talked about my adventurous spirit and busy social life.  They described me as a perfectionist who had schedules and lists for everything, 'typewriter' handwriting and who put a lot of thought into all that I did.  They said I was dedicated to my waitressing job in Fremantle which I fit around my uni studies, was a beach lover, loved all things blue, always had perfectly painted nails in some pearly hue, jewellery coordinated with my outfits and refused to change my boring mobile phone ring tone.  Reading about the qualities they thought characterised me brought lots of memories flooding back.    

Since then, the past ten years have been such a decade of change for me.  My fun loving, bubbly persona has given way to a more nurturing and serious side. I'm more homebody than social butterfly these days.  I’ve become a wife and a mother.  I've experienced several hardships (which have made me a little bit stronger and a little bit wiser).  I've developed firm beliefs, values and ideals.  I've experienced great joy and great sorrow.  I've worked hard.  I've travelled. I've made a home for my own little family.  I've achieved goals.

Underneath however, I hope I’m still the same thoughtful, sensitive, talkative girl they described. With such changes over the past ten years, it makes me wonder what the next decade has in store…
 

 

23 comments:

  1. Enjoy your reflections Amanda.
    remember that we're all a tapestry of our life experiences - they make your own tapestry that much richer and more vivid:) keep this post handy for when you're 41 (or God forbid almost 44 like ratty old me!!!)

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    1. Thank you for your wise words Libby. It will be interesting to look back on this post down the track...

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  2. In my opinion, you still look like that fresh faced 21 year old. Who would have thought that photo was 10 years old. It's nice to look back and reflect on what was. :-)

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    1. You're so kind :) Photos can be deceiving :)

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  3. you might be wondering where that girl has gone but on the outside you look almost exactly the same! gorgeous. happy-nearly-your-birthday :)x

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  4. I enjoyed reading this Amanda. That bit about refusing to change your boring ringtone sounds just like me! I think it's enevitable that we all change, or maybe just grow, still keeping those characteristics but adding to them.
    xx

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    1. Thanks Sarah... and for the record, my ring tone is still boring :) I like my phone to sound like a phone :)

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  5. Look at you and Paul, this is a gorgeous photo of the two of you, you haven't changed a bit. I loved reading about these little things about you. I remember having my nails always long and painted nicely, these days they are short and neat with rarely a coat of polish on them. I like sticking to the familiar too, it's rare I change me ringtone. The last photo of you and Sophie is such a lovely one. xx

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    1. My nails are always neat and short these days :) Often painted, but not always. I almost didn't include that photo of me and Sophie from back at her birthday... I a bit self-conscious about close up shots like that, but I read a post over at the blog Piper & Poppy today about the importance of having photos of yourself for your children, so it ended up making the cut x

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  6. Amanda, you were beautiful then, and you are beautiful now. Though we've never met, I can tell you are a thoughtful, sensitive and kind person from your writings and reflections. Enjoying your blog,
    Claudia

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    1. Thank you so much Claudia :) You always brighten my day with your sweet comments x

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  7. You'd never know 10yrs have gone by! You're as stunning as ever -inside and out. I'm so glad you included that picture of you with Sophie. I love it! It's important to ensure you have photos with your family -especially for the girls. They will treasure them. Happy Birthday my fellow Piscean pal! xx

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    1. Thanks so much Lyndell, you're too kind. I so appreciate you taking the time to comment. Big hugs xx

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  8. I think we all go through change as we get older, you were social and bubbly back then as we are in our 20s and then you find your contentment in your family and home life and start to settle down and feel more relaxed. I am exactly the same, except minues the kiddies but still such a homebody now. I think its just evolving into ourselves. You are still as beautiful as you were then. I hope you have a lovely Birthday xx

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    1. There's definitely a contentment and self-acceptance that comes with your 30's I think :)

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  9. Still drop dead gorgeous Amanda!!! Such a lovely post. Like you, so much has happened in my life over the last 10 years that I really can't believe I'm still the same person. But growth and change are good I think and I'm quite grateful for some of the hard life lessons I've had to learn over the years. Your personality certainly shines through every post so you are every bit the same in that regard :-) Mel x

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  10. Life changes constantly doesn't it & once kids come into the picture it seems to fly by..Happy birthday!!!

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  11. You still look the same Amanda, and you definitely still have typewriter handwriting if that beautifully addressed envelope that I received from you is anything to go by (I couldn't believe it was hand written it was so amazing!) Life just gets richer doesn't it! Happy Birthday!

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  12. Amanda! First thing I thought when I saw that b&w pic was "oh what a stunning photo" and then I read that it was taken 10 years ago - I couldn't believe it, you are so lucky to look just the same! Still drop dead stunning today. Love this post, beautifully written.

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  13. Wow what a decade it's been for you. So many highlights and many sorrows. Your dad sounds liks a beautiful man and having had the good times with him in the years before his passing sounds like a very special memory to keep hold of. I thought that you were the same age in each picture as well! 10 years has done you well, you look amazing.

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  14. Wow! You have not aged at all- you are beautiful! Love this post. Nothing like birthdays to let you reflect on life's ups and downs. Xx

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  15. I loved this post. You really write with such ease and honesty...You've achieved an enormous amount in the last 10 years....Oh - and I've just done the count back - your birthday is today? Happy birthday sweet lady. I've loved getting to know you in this space of yours. Sending love x

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  16. HI Amanda-I found you via BYW e-class today. Happy birthday for yesterday...I loved your post. It made me think of what I was doing at a similar time to you (but I am a couple of years older than you). xLisa

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