I wasn't going to post today, but I watched the film "Amelia" last night and was totally inspired. The film itself was pretty great (with the glaring exception of some dope casting Richard Gere. Ugh. Sorry to any Gere fans, but I really can't stand his so-called acting. Meh), and I adored Hilary Swank as Amelia. So I recommend watching it if you haven't yet.
But back to the real Amelia Earhart. This woman is probably one of my favorite women in history. I remember back in 8th grade we had to do a dress-up report on a historical figure and I was Amelia Earhart. I haven't done a lot of in depth studying of her life, but just what she did is so much a part of my spirit. I feel like if I was born back in the day, I would so be an Aviatrix like her. As much as I love modern times, I do wish sometimes that I was born in an era where you could sail unknown seas, or be a settler in new territories, or be the first to fly across the Atlantic. Nowadays it feels like there's nothing that we can do to really break boundaries, unless you're flying to space. But I don't really want to fly to space anyway.
In a way, I feel like I am a kindred spirit to Amelia. She didn't fly because she wanted to be famous or set records, she just loved flying. She loved the freedom of being in the sky, the horizon her only limit. I feel the same way on an open highway. It's a freedom that no one can take from you, a freedom that you hold in your heart. I won't be driving in the Brave to break any records. I'm pretty sure a 23 year old driving around the country isn't really anything groundbreaking. But still, I feel something profound when I think about what it means to be on the road. It's so much more than the travel itself. It's the feeling of uneven asphalt beneath my tires. The way the rubber reads the road like braille. It's the way the sun carves its way across the sky as you make your way east. It's the smell of gasoline and exhaust trapped in my hair. The journey will be as much a spiritual one as a physical one.
I think there is an Amelia within us all and we just have to find it and let our passions run wild...
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12 musings:
Awesome post. I love Amelia. When I was a kid, every single time we had a biography project in school I'd always do mine on her. I used to have tons of books about her.
Growing up, my two biggest role models were Jane Goodall & Amelia Earhart. I did all my reports on those two for school. Just like you, I still feel a deep connection with her. I will definitely have to check out this movie. I still think about Amelia quite often, actually....
Agreed, I'm so bored of Richard Gere. I also despise George Clooney (though I admit I'll probably enjoy Up In The Air) and Brad Pitt. Vastly overrated and Benjamin Button is one of the worst films I've ever seen.
Being British, I never really knew much about Amelia. We were brought up on Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria :)
Incredible woman, wonderful post!
Great post! I sometimes wish I was born in a different era too. I mean how exciting would it have been to discover a completely new land.
xoxo, jaz
I watched that movie during my flight to Frankfurt.....not such a good idea.
but it was a good movie :)
I love Amelia Earhart, I did all of my projects in school about her!
Amelia was born in her grandparents home in Atchison, KS--which is only about 15-20 mins away from where I live :) If you ever drive through KS, you should check out her home and museum.
Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
http://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/
Since I started following your blog, I knew you reminded me of someone I couldn't place. Now I know!
Everything you said is exactly why I love driving so much. The feeling of freedom you get while driving, especially on a highway is fantastic. I love the feel of the car moving on the road and the idea that I am in charge of where I'm going. And the possibilities are endless which is the best part! :)
I Love this post. (:
We recenetly discovered that Amelia is a long lost relative.
We even have a giant old family trunk in my living room with the name Earheart carved on it.
She was so inpiring, I'm so blessed to be even something as silly as related to her!
:D
Good movie but a little slow for me :: shrugs ::
She definitely was a huge inspiration to many men and women!!!
great post! what an amazing woman to look up to. and she had such a distinctive and foreward-thinking style for her time. i love the combination of her close cropped hair and the bomber jackets. in an age where most women were still wearing dresses and fighting for a vote, amelia was breaking down barriers in both the style and the aviation department.
Betty Noir
Betty Noir
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