Exploring Amanda's childhood helps look beyond the typical upbringing of an English student. Three early years in Amanda's life were spent in tight quarters of a 102 foot Pacific Eagle sailboat. Though these years were tough, she gained an immense amount of knowledge through practical lessons that are thought to have led her to her career--a high school science teacher. In exploring materialism, patriotism, and awareness of the world, Amanda pieces together an incredible story of her travels through Oceana, Australia, and New Zealand. These lessons and values are important to understand the viewpoint of a modern nomad landing in foreign soil.