I'm a New Jersey suburban guy who sometimes feels like he should have been born in the South. While I identify as a Northeasterner, I often catch myself saying y'all and am a huge fan of country music (yes, country music is pushing north, but its reputation is still in the South, so...). My experiences thus far in life have proven that I'm just as comfortable in a crazy big city as a rural middle-of-nowhere setting, at least temporarily. This weekend, I had different events Friday and Saturday night that really played into those opposites.
On Friday night, I drove about 45 minutes east to Silver Spring, Maryland, to attend Jewish services with a bunch of other young Jews, most of whom grew up in the Northeast. There was definitely an element of my childhood there, bringing back memories of camp and bonding with other young Jewish people. We laughed and ate and drank and told stories and enjoyed the company of others of a similar background. I felt a part of the community and absolutely loved that I was included.
On Saturday night, I drove about 45 minutes west to Mountville, Virginia, to attend a bonfire with a bunch of other young professionals, who are from a smattering of locations around the US. It reminded me of vacations to Niagara Falls and Oregon, where we roasted smores and spent time outside. We laughed and talked and did headstands and enjoyed nature. I felt a part of the group and absolutely loved that I was included.
As I approached Sunday, I really got to thinking about just how different these two experiences were. One was reminiscent of an urban area, one of a rural one. And what I loved was that I was really happy being part of both groups and participating in both events. I also realized that I listened to different music on my drives to each occasion--pop music to Jewish services, country music to the bonfire. So that was my weekend of opposites, two parts that make me the person I am.
This is my current song obsession. Like most of them, I have listened to it incessantly and don't care that it seems to be on the radio every 10 minutes.
On Friday night, I drove about 45 minutes east to Silver Spring, Maryland, to attend Jewish services with a bunch of other young Jews, most of whom grew up in the Northeast. There was definitely an element of my childhood there, bringing back memories of camp and bonding with other young Jewish people. We laughed and ate and drank and told stories and enjoyed the company of others of a similar background. I felt a part of the community and absolutely loved that I was included.
As I approached Sunday, I really got to thinking about just how different these two experiences were. One was reminiscent of an urban area, one of a rural one. And what I loved was that I was really happy being part of both groups and participating in both events. I also realized that I listened to different music on my drives to each occasion--pop music to Jewish services, country music to the bonfire. So that was my weekend of opposites, two parts that make me the person I am.
This is my current song obsession. Like most of them, I have listened to it incessantly and don't care that it seems to be on the radio every 10 minutes.
