A Musical Journey to Vermont

     These days many people don't put thought into what they value. Instead of choosing something special, much less a memory, they choose things that have the highest material value, even if they never use it or it means nothing to them. If what you value is something more, then what must a material object possess in order to be a value to you? These days people are willing to spend a good chunk of money, even it is on something that isn't valuable as opposed to putting a lot of thought into buying something that will become a prized possession. So what is valuable? Does it even have to be a material object for that matter? For me the things I truly value in my life either connect to me in some emotional way, is a tradition, or provides me with an aspect of life that helps me concentrate or has a deeper meaning and helps me with something.

     A couple years ago my ipod went through the wash. However, I told my parents that I lost it. Either way I no longer had an ipod. My friend, Ashleigh, gave me an mp3 player, but it didn't work that well. Also, I couldn't put any songs on it either so I had to rely on her to put the songs on that I want. Not only that, but after we went to Cape Cod one year, my brother lost his ipod and was really upset, and got a new one that Christmas. That one however got water damage so he wanted a new ipod as well. My mp3 player worked for a couple of years, but like all things, it had to end right? So, last Christmas I asked for a new ipod. The one I wanted was the ipod nano. It was on sale at the apple website and holds one thousand songs, can hold four hours of video and 3500 pictures. I told my parents that it was a great deal, but they seemed skeptical. Every day I pleaded with them to get me it, but still they said nothing.
     So, on Christmas day, Evan, my brother, and Lauren, my sister, got me up at seven thirty like always. They are morning risers to begin with, and now that it is Christmas, they not only got up a little earlier, but they insisted on getting me up. Part of the reason they got me up though was the fact that they weren't allowed to go downstairs until I was was up to find out what they got in their stockings. So as opposed to sitting in their rooms stewing, they decided to get me up and walk around making a lot of noise so that mom and dad would get up too and we could finally see what we got. As we went downstairs we noticed that there were three white boxes sitting on the trunk. They were about the size a phone would come in. However, as we got closer, we realized that the AppleTM apple was in a light gray on the box. Slowly we started to realize that they were ipods, and it was my sister who shouted it out first.
     We got down and assumed our usual positions: me on the chair by the stockings, waiting for every one else to be seated, so I could pass the stockings out, Evan in the other chair by the TV, Lauren on the carpet, and my parents on the couch. Naturally, we open the "mysterious" white boxes first. To our content, inside each of the boxes, were brand new silver rectangles of music. Finally, I had been waiting for this moment forever: I now had my own ipod, brand new, strait from the case. I was so excited I didn't even want to hold it because I was afraid I would get it dirty.
     Now, for as long as the ipod would last I could control what I wanted to listen to without commercials. This item was the holy grail of listening to music for me. Now, whenever I was bored or feeling down, I could just pop in the ear buds and listen to what ever song I wanted to get me in whatever mood I feel like. If I'm down in the dumps and have the blues I just listen to an upbeat, spirited, happy song to lift me right up. If I want to get pumped for say, a soccer match, something with a fast beat will do just that. As far as I was concerned as of that moment my world was complete.

     The sound of boat's wakes lapped at the shore greeted me a soon as I stepped out of the car. We were here again, my favorite place to be: Wilmington Vermont. Every year my family, my grandparents and I go up to the property that my grandparents own. Usually we will all meet up at Harriman Reservoir and have some lunch. While we are there Evan, Lauren and I usually take a swim, provided the water isn't too cold. Grammy and Grandpa will talk to mom and dad while we are swimming. If the water is low enough we will sometimes build sand castles too. This is a great way to start the day. All of us together having fun and enjoying each other's company. After that we travel about four miles to the site.
     The site is homely: with a log on two stumps for a gate, no paved driveway, and a camper that dates back to before I was born. There is also a fire pit which provides loads of fun. When we get there, and after the water is hooked up, we all rush to use the bathroom, and unpack the food and drinks to put in the fridge. At this time we (my siblings and I) have a fair amount of free time until supper. Usually we bring bikes, a Frisbee, a football, and a ball and mitt. Because I am so into mountain biking, and the terrain around the site is hilly to say the least, I usually hop strait on my bike and go for a spin. I get bored quickly though so I'll head back. By then my sister will have gotten antsy, so when I ask Evan if he wants to play catch, I usually end up having to play with her first.
     By then supper is ready. It usually consists of hamburger, hot dogs, and grilled check, or any combination thereof. Grammy also brings one of her famous fruit salads. I will scarf all this food down in a matter of minutes because of the calories I've burned with all this physical activity. I will then want to get up and start looking for kindling, because I know I'm going to have to. So, I wait as little as possible and start out into the woods looking for the fire starter. After my siblings grab at least two handfuls each, we wait for dad to start the fire.
     This is the best part of the trip:the fire. My dad is very methodical in his fire making methods. After the fire pit is cleared, he crumples up a few sections of The Republican and then piles the kindling around it. Finally, the anticipated moment: he starts the fire. After all the wood has caught and one log has been thrown on, we go and get the marshmallows. We all roast marshmallows for at least an hour, and bask in the small heat source amidst the surrounding black. Finally, it is time to put the fire out, pack up and head home only to start building the anticipation until we can come up again next year.

     These values are completely different, yet one in the same. They both take me on a trip, whether it is real or completely metaphorical. My ipod gives me peace of mind in rough times, while my Vermont excursion provides me with a knowing that tradition continues as well as giving me a chance to relax and catch up with family. My silver piece of music takes me on a journey to a far away land where only the two of us exist. My trip to Vermont however is relatively close, and there is much more than just me and what I want and like. So, through all this, what is valuable? For me valuable is something you love and enjoy. In this case music and tradition.