I was 16. It was the summer between my junior and senior year of high school.
I sat at the airport feeling both nervous and excited. Was I at the right gate? Would I miss my flight if I went to the bathroom again? Would I know where to go once the plane landed?
This would be the first time I flew on a plane alone. The first time I would spend an entire summer in an entirely new place, not knowing a single soul.
I remember feeling like an adult on the plane as I took out my book, bulky CD player and headphones, and whatever else I managed to overpack in my bulging carry-on.
Once I arrived at my destination I walked around the airport, hoping I was in the right place. Soon enough, I was boarding a giant van with several other jet-lagged and smiling faces.
I spent that summer volunteering at a camp, where I woke-up early and went to bed late. The days were filled with cleaning cabins, washing sheets and scrubbing toilets. It was so. much. fun.
I arrived not knowing anyone and left hypnotized by southern hospitality and sure that I would remain friends forever with the other ladies I had befriended over sweaty brows and my first taste of grits.
Unfortunately, I don’t even remember a single one of their names today.
Even though the outcome of that summer isn’t what I expected at the time, it still changed me. It planted a seed for adventure, exploring new places and getting comfortable in my own skin.
While I’m no longer intimidated to fly on a plane alone or travel somewhere new, there are still some things that intimidate me. One of them is was bagels. And just like I learned over 10 years ago, it’s always good to face your fears.
These bagels are warm, soft and fluffy and taste so much better than anything store-bought. The Asiago Cheese adds the perfect flavor and I highly recommend spreading a layer of cream cheese or butter before serving.
I’m not going to post the recipe because for about the first time (ever?!) I followed it pretty much exactly (I did cut it in half; it made 6 bagels). The recipe is from How Sweet It Is; you need to go there for this recipe and so many others.
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~What used to intimidate you that you’ve done? What still intimidates you today?
