Throwback Thursday: The Arness Family Archives- Tara's Childhood (Part 3)

I've spent a ton of hours in the past couple of months organizing, scanning, and posting about my family history.  I am thankful that my parents, now into their new house, also have sent me many "old" photos of my infancy and childhood and seeing old projects and friends from years past has been a nice trip down memory lane for me. I also feel quite a bit of pressure to preserve these photos digitally (despite not knowing what technology will be like in the future!) even though I don't have hard copies of most of them, because somehow they feel "retrievable" should my kids ever want to see them, just as I have benefitted from the history and documents that my grandparents and parents held onto for decades. I have, in the past, "printed" out my blogs (as it seems that photo albums are a relic of the past!), but I'm a few years behind. I think blogging about my ancestors and grandparents' history may help me get back to the regimen getting these memories and photos "on paper."   I used to be a journaler, but now just write blog posts. I don't know that I really have enough material for a memoir but hope that I and my kids can reference some of these posts if they ever desire to "dive deep" of have a sense of my childhood, later in their lives! Many papers and clippings also live in some folders and a childhood School Days Keepsake Album I filled.

How it started:  Rekha and Tara (fresh newborn), Cornell Medical Center, NYC, 1981. 

(My mom told me that I was breech until late in the pregnancy but turned in enough time to allow her a fast, relatively easy birth. I weighed 7 lbs 12 oz).

I don't think skin-to-skin and rooming in were as common back then!

Rekha, Craig and me, their first baby 

In 1982, we moved overseas to Kathmandu, Nepal for my parents' work with the State Department.  I enjoyed riding in trekking backpacks :) 

One year old with cake! 

I apparently had my first swim lessons at Kathmandu's Phora Durbar, 1983.

In 1984, Vanessa Lynn, born in Grand Forks, ND, joined the family. My Dad was overseas at the times, and my Grandpa Alton was in the waiting room while my mom labored. He told us the funny story about the odd ("You look too old to be a new Dad!") glances he (in his sixties) got when the doctor came out to say he could come and meet the baby. 

We religiously spent summers on the Arness farm, and were greeted (for years) with an array of frilly dresses my grandmother had picked out. We took annual photos with hair curled at JC Penney at the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks, ND.

with LeAnn Pearson, and cousin Tyler (about Vanessa's age).

1985

A great photo my Dad took, with Angie Wakamatsu

After three years in Nepal, we moved to Karachi, Pakistan. My parents even saved my application for nursery school and my Kindergarten report cards! I remember taking swimming lessons with Mr. Gupta and Bunder boating (crabbing)!

Christmas in Karachi, 1986

1987, with Uncle Arun, and cousins Pallavi, and Parthan

We were back in McLean for first-third grade (Spring Hill, the Haycock Elementary) .

Missing teeth in 1988 

McLean, VA with John and Inara Apinis, my godparents

Third grade school photo

I had started playing the piano around age 6, and studied with Suzanne Guy, a fabulous (but strict) teacher in Northern VA. 

~1988

with Grandpa Alton in Fisher, MN

1989

(Math ended up being my favorite subject!)

Tara and Vanessa in hula skirts, Hawaii

1989, Arness Family (Alton, Georgine, Amy, Richard, Duane, Marilyn) in MN

1989 with Bill and Carol Heimer, Fisher, MN 

With cousins: Lyndsey, Jessie, Nicole (1989)

We moved overseas to Bangkok, where I attended ISB and completed late elementary (3-5th grades). In my school keepsake album, I wrote if I could add one thing to my school, it would be a Mexican Restaurant :).

1990 

Freaky Friday, with Vanessa ~1990

Thai snake! I feel the same way about reptiles.

I took up the flute in about fifth grade and it became my primary instrument through middle school, high school, and college.

Music making with Grandpa Alton, ~ 1990 at the farm in Fisher

I also was quite the fish and loved swimming at our compound's pool (Sawasdi Villa), as well as biking around to friends' houses. 

Christmas 1990

I was often a "bag of jelly beans" (or grapes) for Halloween as a kid!

I lobbied HARD for a dog and in 1990, we finally brought home Toccata (named after Bach's famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor), a miniature schnauzer, our family's first of many beloved dogs.

In a Roots project in 1991, I wrote, "Some of my hobbies include trading and collecting stickers, collecting coins and currency, and listening to music. I take piano and flute lessons, but I don't really like to practice. I like getting mail and my favorite subject is math. My favorite foods are tacos and chili, and my favorite fruit is mango. I hate green beans and my least favorite subjects are art and science.

When I grow up, I think I'd like to be a children's book author. I would like to live in California and have identical twin girls. I hope people will take of our environment so that the ozone layer won't get any worse." 

[I had never been to California at that point!] 

With cousins Ty, Alex, and Jacky

witn my Maternal Grandma Helen

We enjoyed Thai beaches like at Rayong.

Corn Rows after a winter trip to Club Med, Phuket, Thailand.

More (better) piano playing

In the summer of 1992, we celebrated my Grandparents' 50th anniversary in MN.

with cousins Stacy, Jessie, Lyndsey, Nicole, Lee, Courtney 

Arness family at Maple Lake, c. 1992

with John and Inara

We moved back to Kathmandu for our second tour during my middle school (6-8th) years, where I attended a wonderful international school, Lincoln School.  I loved reading (Judy Blume, particularly), swimming, sports, and tacos!   Not that much has changed since I was eleven :).  Despite how challenging middle school can be, I thought they were some of the best years of my life!

1993

We did some amazing trekking-- with our family and with our school, while we lived in Nepal. 

Best friend, Keshari, 1993 and gang at Phora Durbar

Swiss Army Bear invention, 1993

Family road trip to Mt. Rushmore, 1994

8th grade photo

Kathmandu Friends

8th Grade

(Malee, The Pooles and Durstelers)

Rajasthan, India 1994

Taj Mahal

Family Trip to Australia and NZ

Sydney Opera House

Fox Glacier, NZ, c. 1994

I broke my left ankle on vacation in New Zealand, jumping over a ditch. I still remember how angry I was as not being able to swim with the dolphins on that trip! 

1994 with cousin Jacky

1995  Kathmandu

Last few treks (with the Boddes)

In 1995, we moved back to McLean, VA for my high school years. 

 I was very shy and had a bit of culture shock/trouble making friends upon returning to the US, but got involved in sports and band.  

I played freshman and JV basketball for MHS.

1996

Most of my friends in high school were "band nerds" from various music groups.

Playing flute at the White House, c 1996.

Church Choir

1996 Band Ttrip (Lauren, Stephanie, Jordan, Susan)

McLean had a huge snowmageddon in 1996, where I recall school delays and closure days! We lived just a mile from McLean High on Hallcrest Drive, which my parents just vacated. 

10th grade

1997 with the Whiteside family 

Family Trip to Glacier NP 

Family trip to the Grand Canyon

Dressed up for HS dances!

Wearing my grandmother's gown to prom, c1998

My parents told me I *could* quit piano at age 16, but I continued to play (they were right that I was happy to have learned)! 

11th grade: My favorite movie was "Titanic" and favorite food was granola :). Per my School Days Album,  I really disliked running and really loved tennis.

During our 1998-1999 season, our Varsity Girls' tennis team overperformed, beating rivals Langley and Madison, winning our Liberty District (for the first time in the school's 43-year history) as well as our region. I was one of three team captains and played #1 singles and #2 doubles. We went to the state tournament, upsetting undefeated E.C. glass from Lynchburg in the quarters, but ultimately losing in the state semifinals! 

Homecoming Court!

I graduated in 1999 as Valedictorian.

Grandma Georgine  joined us in McLean for the celebration!

MHS Grad Party with friends Ayumi, Anna

my 18th birthday in McLean!

I went on to study biology, chemistry and music at the University of Richmond. I previously blogged and reminisced about my time as a Spider around twenty years after college graduation.... and the adventures continue!