Coming Full Circle

When I was in the seventh grade, going into the eighth, I tried out for cheerleading.  My mother was a cheerleader in high school, and I used to gaze at her old yearbooks.  There was a shot or two of her jumping, yelling, smiling... generally being attractive and well liked.  Her squad got to wear cute outfits, and they always seemed so friendly and peppy in the pictures.  It must've seeped into my brain.  And although she never fed my notions, I was firmly establishing in my mind what it was to be beautiful, popular, and... a c-h-e-e-r-l-e-a-d-e-r.  I so wanted to be one, too, in the seventh grade, soon to be eighth.

First of all, although it may've seemed like I had all the right genes, I had several things going against me.  I had ridiculously short boy hair.  And at the time, I was trying to grow it out.  To add to that, I had ridiculously unruly curly hair.  Growing out curly hair from short to longer = disaster.  My hair was a little bit pitiful.  Second, I was short and stocky.  I wasn't necessarily strikingly beautiful, and I kind of sensed that about myself.  Cheerleaders are confident.  Things were chipping away at me in the confidence department at that time of my life. 

Me back then.  Oh, this poor thing. 

But, bless my little heart, I tried out.  And I don't remember being terrible or anything.  Life's plan lays itself out though.  I waited with high hopes on that Friday at seventh hour science with a nervous stomach and shaky hands.  In my head, strangely enough, popped the tune and lyrics to "Que Sera, Sera... Whatever will be, will be."  Right there at my desk, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach.  The end of day school bell rang so that we all could go and huddle, squeal, and cry around the list of names that was posted in the gym.  My name wasn't there.  I was absolutely devastated.   I STILL remember all of the words and movements to the try-out cheer.  It was a pitiful page in the Whitney Book. 

BUT.  Life has a funny way of coming full circle, doesn't it?  Let's fast forward some 22 years.  Yesterday, I helped judge the middle school cheerleading try outs.  How ironic.  Bless all those little girls in this gangly, pre-teen, awkward, but critical moment of their lives.  I sat there and tried to smile at every single little scared face.  But some will be heartbroken.  It's inevitable.

I have a message to all the little girls that didn't make it though.  I've been there too.  And I'll give you a sneak peek at the future.  Even though you didn't become a middle school cheerleader, your life is gonna be great.  Even though you didn't make the squad, you'll be an incredible success.  I predict you'll get yourself a great job.  You'll snag yourself a husband that you are sure is the handsomest guy in any room.  You'll have some pretty great kids that make your heart feel like it can't possibly hold any more "happy."  And you'll absolutely LOVE your life. 

And, here's the important part...  it probably wouldn't have turned out quite the same if you HAD become a cheerleader in junior high.  That's something to think about.  And even though you're sad right now, and it doesn't feel like yesterday happened according to your dreams, I guarantee... I guarantee... it did.

Staring Contest

I win.  HAHAHAHAHA!

Find the Fiction, Answer Post

Thanks for playing along.  Now for the results that I promised:

Numbers 1 and 3 are truths.  Number 2 is the fiction.  Let's explain. 

Yes, I am 34 years old, and I do still sleep with my old, dirty, ratty childhood blanket.  My best friend in the world was in shock, saying, "How come I didn't know this about you?"  In thinking about that, it's generally not something I go around shouting from the rooftops about myself.  I know it's generally not acceptable according to society's standards.  BUT.  I pretty much don't care.  My blanket brings me joy.  I like the way it feels (particularly on the edges where I like to rub my fingers). I like the way it smells.  And I like the way it can double as a sleep mask for blocking out light when the sun comes up a little too early for my taste on the weekend.  

Why would I reveal this about myself?  Well, I needed a pretty darn good couldn't-possibly-be-true truth for the Find the Fiction game the other day, and I'm pretty darn competitive.  And... well, generally, as I've gotten older, I've found that some of the things I like most about people are the things that seem endearingly weird.  For example, I like it A LOT when people snort when they laugh.  It makes me wish I was funnier just so I could say things to make them laugh.  All the time.  I REALLY LIKE  Fridays when the coworker down the hall sings her heart out to the same blaringly loud Aerosmith songs over and over and doesn't care who hears her.  And if I find out you're, for some reason that I can't fathom, really scared of birds, I'm probably gonna like you infinitely more than I already did.  Just because I think that's so perfectly... weird. 

Anyway, there you go. Maybe you'll find my blanket truth endearing.  Or maybe I'll be ostracized at the next Christmas Party.  Maybe a little of both.  We'll see.

My blanket.

Now, quickly for the others.  Number 2:  I did see Pat Sajak at Islands of Adventure a few years back.  But I did not get his autograph.  I was also disappointed that he isn't necessarily accompanied by Vanna everywhere he goes, away from the show.  That was such a let down.

Number 3.   I did go trekking and poking around in the Alps one summer when I went to Europe with my parents.   I have more old me-in-front-of-a-mountain pictures than I know what to do with,  but it sure was memory-making and beautiful. 

Again, thanks to those of you who played and even to a few of you who accepted my blogging assignments on your own sites.  That was great fun!

Find The Fiction

Let's play a game.  It's called "Find the Fiction".  Well, actually, it's not a game.  It's one of the many Kagan Cooperative Learning structures that I've been learning about during my teacher inservice days this year.  My coworkers and I had great fun with this particular structure today.  It can be used with kids as a bonding get-to-know-you activity or it can be used across the content areas. Our trainer today did not mention this structure's applicability to blog writing, BUT I don't see a reason why it's not a fabulous and terrific idea.  So... here we go.

Eventually, it was my turn to write my three statements.  Let's see what you know about me.  Two of the statements are true.  Only one is a boldfaced lie.   Now it's your turn to "Find the Fiction" about me.  Which do you think it is?

1.  I still sleep with my childhood baby blanket.

2.  I once got Pat Sajak's autograph.

3.  I have been hiking in the Alps.

Okay, so there you go.  Click on "comments" and take a guess.  If you were at my team of coworkers today (yeah, I'm talking to YOU, Beth)  keep quiet until the others have made their choices.  And for the handful of you that have your own blog... well, now you have homework.  Write a "Find the Fiction" entry about yourself, and I'll come play too.

Naming Your Toys, the Quick and Easy Way

These are Emma's Littlest Pet Shop toys. 

Meet (from left to right) Matricia, Matricia, Matricia, Matricia, Matricia, and Alex.

Who I Work With

This is who I work with. 
On your left and right:  Ashley and Danavee

Yes.  These are real people.

Tall, slender, just stepped-off-the-catwalk people.  

Like...  coulda been models kinds of people.

Yes, they do look like this. Every. Single. Day. 

You want to look again... closer... I know. 

Okay.  I'm ready to field your questions now.  Who's first?

Answer 1:  speaking into the microphone... 

"No.  I don't hyperventilate every time I go into work."

Answer 2:  slightly agitated now...

"No, I don't curl up into the fetal position at the end of each work day."

Answer 3:  losing patience...

"Yes.  It IS sort of a daily exercise in humility.  Thanks for that.  ... No more questions, please." 

(Thanks to Ashley and Danavee this morning for posing for my creative bloggy whims.  You are good, and freakin' beautiful, sports.) 

Wii Bowl

It's another snowday off of school! At least a foot of snow is keeping us all indoors today, and so we decided to have a Hoodenpyle Family bowling tournament. I was bent on winning, but quickly fell behind when I got distracted with moviemaking. These were worth the sacrifice, in my opinion.

Sweet, funny, and proud bowling.

Aaaand the more obnoxious approach. (Yeah, you only thought you knew Jack.)