My earliest memory is when I was at my grandfathers house in Korea.In the memory, I was sitting on my grandfathers lap and watching my mom peel tangerines for my grandfather.My mom was peeling the white filmy layer of the tangerines too (I cant think of the actual word for it).So basically, my grandfather was eating only the juiciest part of the tangerines, which was a totally foreign concept to me.I asked my mom if I could have one, and she told me that they were only for my grandfather.I became a bit depressed after that, but my grandfather quickly popped one of the tangerine pieces in my mouth.I still remember my surprise at the extremely sweet taste of the tangerine without the white filmy layer.
Approximate age: 4
Extraordinary circumstances:There werent any particularly extraordinary circumstances, but I believe that at least to the four-year-old me, the concept of my mom peeling the white filmy layer of the tangerines was totally new and spectacular.
Personality/identity:I think that to a certain extent, the person that I am now and the four-year-old me are the same.That is, obviously peeling tangerines does not enrapture me (as much) now, but I do still have a huge curiosity and interest in trivial things.I also still enjoy trying out new things, especially foods.
This reminds me of my earliest memory in that the element of food is involved (in my case, chocolate cake). I think the sense of taste plays a large part in memory--every time I eat mac 'n' cheese I am brought back to my elementary school days.
