I'm so proud of you!!

I know the official Hollywood version of high school is that it is a horrible place where the jocks hate the nerds and vice versa. It is humiliating and boring and tantamount to a living hell. That was not my experience. I am one of the big dorks willing to admit I loved high school. I had a ball and made friends I have kept my whole life (so far). I had some amazing teachers who really cared and read all the classics (I started all of them anyway). I do recognize that I did not go to the average school. We were a compilation of hippies and gangsters, and everything in between. It was an odd mixture, but mostly seemed to work. Johnston High (R.I.P.- it is now called the awful “Eastside Memorial High”) was tucked away in a corner of Central East Austin, surrounded by houses in a multitude of conditions- some neat and tidy, others reaching crackhouse status. Because we were sort of secluded there were lots of scary stories passed around other Austin campuses. When I told people I went there, there was usually a grim pursing of the lips and an “Oh.” That was always funny to me because I never felt unsafe there. I think I was lucky to be there when I was, 1990-1994. I met some of the most creative and intelligent people I have ever known. Even as teenagers, they had lots of interesting things to say and really wanted to know things. Working in a high school now has shown me that that is somewhat rare. (I love teenagers, but they have changed a lot.)

Well before facebook popped up, I kept up with people. I am a person who needs people, as Barbra would say. In the 20 years since I first walked the halls at JHS, I have seen many of these people become parents (during and after high school), graduate from prestigious universities, travel and live amazing, quirky lives. They are artists, designers, writers, photographers, musicians, firefighters, teachers, moms, dads and a million other things. Lately, I have found myself feeling an almost parental sense of pride in their achievements. I’m not sure if that is normal or if my maternal instinct is on overload. I love to read their writings, listen to their music and hear about their lives. I have not followed the path I had in mind at 17 years old. I don’t really know anyone that has. It has meandered and changed directions completely along the way. I fell in love early, had too much fun in college and studied too little, married young and had a surprise baby at 24. I am who I am because of all of it so to regret anything would be silly. So I sit here on a Tuesday afternoon in my supremely ordinary job inspired and full of excitement for what my friends and even what I will do next.

(just a very few of the many examples)

www.ilovesweetmeat.com
beautytipsforthebereaved.blogspot.com
www.bentleya.com
www.lucianread.com
just google Farhana Ali- wow!