High School

High School changed my life. 

Or, rather, my life changed in high school. 

There were two major things that happened in my high school years that I do believe changed how the rest of my life has turned out.

When I was fourteen, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  After about six months of IV chemotherapy, a couple of surgeries, and six weeks of spinal chemotherapy, I was as good as new.  Except for not having hair (my favorite line from a movie, “Oh ____, your one beauty!!”*-I could so relate) and not having friends.  I mean, I had friends, but since I was gone every week out of four, I was kind of out of the loop with my friends.  High school is all about your friends and it’s hard to maintain that kind of friendship with you’re not around. 

Then, in the middle of my sophomore year, my family moved to another state.  I went from having about 100 kids in my grade, to graduating with 400 kids.  Making friends at the new, huge school was difficult, especially for someone who is very shy to start out with.  I ended up making some friends and it wasn’t a horrible experience.  The new school had lots more options for those who were academically inclined, and I was.  I was able to take Advanced Placement classes and after passing  AP tests, I started college with 12 credits and didn’t have to take English 101. 

Those two events changed my life when they happened, no doubt about it.  I think that they’ve had far more lasting effects, too.  Some good…some not-so-good. 

My outlook on life is different now.  I don’t trust my body.  I know that bad things can happen at any time, for no reason.  I also know that I would be able to get through it if it did.

Moving and attending that large school made me unafraid of new things and change.  After college, I got a job in a town I had never been to.  I was four hours away from anyone I knew.  Then, four years later, I moved by myself to a state I had never been to and started over again.   Neither of those things scared me in the least. 

 So, yeah, high school didn’t change my life.  But, my life sure did change. 

*If you know what movie that line is from, send me an email (knittingandreading@gmail.com).  The first two or three correct answers will get a little package from me.  If you’re a knitter, there’s yarn to be had.  If you’re not a knitter, there are other goodies to be had.  Google-fu is not allowed! 

(Another Madhouse Wednesday brought to you by Kate)

Magical Lies

I believe in providing as magical a childhood existence as I can.  We do Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy (hasn’t made an appearance, but will soon), the Easter Bunny, and any and all made-up creatures.  It helps that I have a child who loves fairies, princesses, and magic. 

We had a visit by the Dream Fairy tonight.  She delivered some Fairy Dust and a wand to sprinkle it with.  There was even a signed note. 

My daughter was thrilled with it.  She didn’t even care so much about the actual Fairy Dust, but was soooo excited and happy with the existence of the Dream Fairy.  It’s not like we talked about that particular fairy before, it’s just something I made up connected with the dust.  She’s been complaining of nightmares lately.  I don’t think she’s had really scary dreams, but has had dreams where not fun things have happened.  She’s very dramatic and has an active imagination, so I didn’t want her nightmares to become a reason to not go to bed.  We went through not-going-to-bed almost two years ago.  It was a bad time and I don’t want to repeat it.    I saw the Fairy Dust for sale online and it seemed like a cute thing and something that could become a nice before bed routine.  I ordered two of them, and if need be, I can make some more when the other one runs out.  Or, the Dream Fairy may send another note telling LouLa that she doesn’t need it anymore, or she ran out of Fairy Dust, or there are younger kids who need to use it, or whatever. 

Yes, I know that there will come a day when I’m confronted with my lies.  I think LouLa will look back on this time as a wonderful time, full of innocence and fun.  And a little bit of magic.

A Trip

I don’t need to rehash the Italian vacation from this summer.

But, in general, we don’t have a lot of vacations.  With my side of the family living some distance away (7 hours and 14 hours), all of our vacations involve going to see one of my parents.  I don’t really consider visits to relatives as vacations.  Usually, they’re a lot of work, which doesn’t seem very vacation-y. 

I’ve come to realize that a true vacation is a time for me to do nothing much and have no obligation to do much of anything.  I’m not bad at the doing nothing part when I’m at home, but I generally feel like I should be doing something.  That’s why I don’t consider time off of work a vacation unless I’m not at home. 

We have some vague plans for a possible DisneyLand trip in the next year or so.  That would be mostly for the benefit of LouLa and I won’t delude myself into thinking it’ll be relaxing for one minute.  It will be fun, but not relaxing.  Therefore, I won’t consider it a vacation, but more of a trip. 

 

(Just another Wednesday at the Carnival.)

Politics

Growing up, politics wasn’t discussed.

We were told that there are two things you never ask someone:

1.  How much money do you make?

2.  Who did you vote for?

 

The explanation was that those are rude questions. 

I get that.  As an adult, I would be offended if someone asked how much money I made.  It’s public information, but it’s not something that I’m going to discuss with anyone.  In my profession, that discussion would probably lead me to try to justify my salary.  Not productive.  It’s the kind of question that I can’t imagine anyone asking of anyone else.

The second question seems to be something that is acceptable to ask.  I have to say, I don’t feel comfortable with it.  I don’t mind discussing political issues and it wouldn’t be difficult for anyone to determine who I voted for in any election.  But, still, asking who I voted for seems to be going just one step further.  The way I fill in my mail-in ballot is my business.  To me, it’s kind of like sex.  It’s obvious that I’m a straight woman, and I don’t have a problem discussing sex in general, but I’m not going to talk about the specifics of what happens behind the bedroom door. 

Ask me how I feel about health care, education, the recession, etc.  Just don’t ask me who I voted for. 

 

(Part of the Wednesday Carnival)