i went to visit a friend of mine that i haven't seen in quite some time. i was out and about riding my bike when i decided that it would be nice to see her. i went to her parent's house where i thought she was staying. no one answered the door, but while i was riding away i saw her father. i stopped my bike and talked to him stating that i had just dropped by and no one was there. apparently they had moved a few houses away and she was home, so i walked with him to their new house. when we arrived he looked at me and said in his irish accented voice, "my, amanda, you have changed SO much. you're so much more assertive and confident than when last i saw you." it has been several years, and i wonder have i truly changed so much? his last memory of me consists of my telling an elephant joke to him and his wife and being horribly embarrassed by it after i had said it. i liked the way that he looked at me . i liked being seen as a competent person rather than a scared child.