The Girl From Utah

The Girl From Utah

A few weeks ago I tried to give my daughter advice on going out on the town. I promptly heard, "Mom, seriously how many times have you gone out in your life?"
"I went out a fair share!" She looked at me over her glasses as I interjected, "I did!"
I started frantically naming the times; trying to prove my point. "I can remember about five times in Kiel, once in Hamburg and well...then I had kids. Does the Montreux Jazz festival count?"

She roared with laughter. 

I grew up a Mormon girl in Utah; partying was not exactly part of my forté. 

Years have passed, I have moved, lived in five countries, acculturated, changed what people call me (I am Allison now), and still... you find my culture imprinted upon me. Ali, that teen girl from Utah,  who was slightly crazy, loved to dance but was oh so serious is still part of who I am. 

The good thing about that Ali.... if you have gone dancing with her you will know, she can dance, let her hair down and be a load of fun...she just happens to need to feel the vibe and choose to go out. This doesn't happen very often but if you happen to catch her on a night out.... 

I have chosen to embrace my past rather than scorn it. It's an excellent place to be. Maybe that's why I love hearing Gloria Gaynor sing, I am what I am.

–Allison Ochs, Social Worker M.S.W. , Coach, Expat, Mother of three, Wife

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash