Nature vs. Nurture

i have always been a firm believer that we are shaped by the people around us...the ones that raise us and that impact our lives in other ways....but i am beginning to really wonder if we're really just born with our traits...genetics, you know. i guess it's not really an either/or thing, but instead a combination of both.

i am living with my mom this summer before i leave for prague...something i haven't done since i was eight. while the first eight years of your life are considered by some the time that you are molded into the person you will be in life, i believe it's the later years that really affect the person you'll be. but now i'm wondering if there are things you are just born with...some things your parents just pass on to you through genetics.

here are a few examples. everyone knows that i am all about saving money and getting the best deal for my dollar. i don't really think this is something i picked up living with my dad but ask my mom where milk is on sale, and she'll know every place and what it costs. another thing is that my mom does the dishes every night before she goes to bed...i know nothing major...but i did the same thing in georgia when i was living in my apartment.

ok, i know these are just little things and there are more i just can't think of right now, but i have just started reconsidering my ideas of nature vs. nurture and opening my mind to other ideas than i used to have. all this is not to say that i no longer believe in the nurture part...because believe me i do. i feel strongly that people around you and situations you go through make you the person that you are. this is just to say that maybe there are other factors that go into it.

ok...that is enough thinking for now.