really...who cares

My high school life was peppered with moments of greatness, sadness, frustration and success.

I would like to say that I found myself, but that is stupid. I wasn’t lost. I did however discover some hidden talents I had – from my scholastic abilities to my musical and dramatic talents. As a student, I was smart and had a great memory. I took copious notes and remembered so much detail that I didn’t usually have to study. I was happy to get B’s, thrilled to get A’s, rarely got anything lower and did it all with minimum effort. Valedictorian or top achiever? NO. Honor roll? Yes.

As a performer, I wanted to be in the musicals and plays but I discovered that I was mediocre at best. I was happy to be girl #7 in the third line or the nonspeaking shepherd in the Christmas shadow diorama. Star? Soloist? NO! Stage hand or nameless artist? You betcha!

I had all the credits to go to college and opted to get a summer job after senior year, at which time I discovered I could learn and earn money at the same time. I took a few night courses but my dreams of college died. I started with college English and then took cake decorating & party foods, needlepoint, gourmet cooking and a few computer courses. After a few years working, I saw that I should get more accounting experience so took a few accounting courses. I learned by reading books and looking things up. When people started the home computer craze, I was in my element. I could learn millions of things without having to go to the library or buy an encyclopedia. An encyclopedia was a series of books that were arranged alphabetically and you could actually pull a volume out and get info…. The better ones took up multiple shelves to accommodate all the info. (in case you are too young to remember them.)

I have officially condensed my high school years to a few entries. I could mention my individual successes but that is in the past. I will not be advanced today because I was able to take college classes during high school – or get elected to class office – or win a kite flying contest. I will not be more accepted by my peers because I learned certain things better than everyone else. It is that these successes and achievements shaped the person I am today. If I was good before…I had better be best now. If not, whatever good I did or was is not worth mentioning.