Usually when someone asks me where I'm from I just smile with a dumbfounded look on my face. For me (and many other Military Brats) it doesn't get any easier to answer that question no matter how old you are. "I'm not from anywhere really" is my usual response. Then comes the look of confusion with the expression "how hard is it to answer such a simple question?" on the individual(s) face(s). Then depending on who the person(s) are I decide how I'm going to explain. Is it going to be the long version or the short version? How much do they realy care where I'm from? No matter what I say it usually follows with more and more questions that turn the conversation into the long version anyway.
Lately I've just stuck with the answer "I'm not from anywhere really-see I'm an Army Brat." Which then moves on to "Well I was born in one place, but never lived there, but raised in Germany for 11 years, but I'm not German." That's when there eyes bug out (GERMANY!?) and the question "do you speak German?" is asked. That's when I have to explain my stupidity as a teenager. "Yes, I spoke German as a child, but forgot it when I moved back to the states. When I returned to Germany at the age of 11 it was uncool to pay attention in german class and actually learn that really difficult language." By the time I was 17 and realized how dumb I would look having lived in another country most of my life and not speak the language it was too late and I was back in the states.
The truth is I don't speak it fluently and do regret it (hey, that would have been an easy A in college), but could probably survive lost somehwere in Germany better then any average person who's never been there. I've since attempted (and failed) to learn two other languages and have come to the conclusion that I am "foriegn language impaired" and can't learn any. None the less being an Army Brat has allowed me to visit many countrys in the world (including Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Romania and Kenya, Africa). I can't complain and can honestly say that being an Army Brat is more then just my upbringing- it's who I am and who I will always be; it defines my thoughts, my personality, my beliefs, and habits. As an Army Brat I was exposed to so many different people and cultures and they all became a part of me and defined me. I can't speak for everyone and all military brats, but I take comfort in knowing that there are thousands out there who know the joy and the pain I go through being a military brat. I dedicate this page of my site to myself and all those out there who know what I mean. Below are links related to the subject. There's my high school in Germany, the city where I grew up, sites to help find long lost friends and more.
Army Brat links
Wurzburg American High School
Free Directory Assisstance (find a long lost friend)
Military Family Resources
Military Brats Online
Wurzburg, Germany
Personal Links
I AM AN ARMY BRAT
You Know Your An Army Brat If...
Back to Tyleia
Back to Main Page
