Orange, Yellow, Brown, Gold, Green, Pink, Sermon and all kinds of Red were the colors of the trees as we were driving through Iowa from Minneapolis to Kansas City, Missouri. My colleagues and I were on our way to a UMR conference, which is essentially a res life conference. The drive to Kansas City was very long and peaceful. The route we took was very scenic. There was sunshine outside but it was still cold. Most of the trees were without their leaves, the green grass is covered by brown leaves. The ever greens were also hanging on their greenness. We would pass through farms and see all kinds of animals. There were highways and streamsand then we would drive an hour and find beautiful homes. There would be an industrial plant in the middle of a field, there were also single houses in the middle of farms.

While we were driving, through the car radio the ipod kept us alive with sounds from Josh Groban, Elton John, to Cher, Billy Joel and Mika. I had to repeat Kelly Klarkson’s “breakaway” as the words of the song were fitting of the moment. Here I am spreading my wings to come to America, taking a chance and working in a field I have never thought about. Klarkson says:

“I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly

I’ll do what it takes till I touch the sky

And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change

And breakaway

Out of the darkness and into the sun

I won’t forget the ones that I love

I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change

And breakaway”.

As I was listening to this song, I couldn’t help but think of where I come from. How I am spreading my wings and learning how to fly on my own inforeign land. The song reminds me of how I love change and that taking chances in part of this growth and development thing. Most importantly the words reminded me how I will never forget the ones that I love that are back in South Africa. Although I “broke away” and am making wishes, flying high to touch the sky and taking chances, I will never forget who I am, which is a product of where I come from.