I was terribly quiet as a child. I determined early in my teen years (when I was able to analyze myself a little) that my odd combination of self confidence and shyness did not give most people a good impression of me. I’ve always been quiet, but not in a timid, self-conscious way. I just…
Bed Bugs
No, I’m not talking about the bed bug epidemic. I’m talking about the overwhelming, paralyzing fear of finding bugs and spiders in my bed at night. I don’t often talk about my childhood fear of bugs in my bed. In fact, my fear of bugs in my bed is one of those topics that I…
The High School Years
I’ve been recording my youth once a week for the last few months, and I have finally come to the last week, where I’ll talk a little about my memories from high school. My 17th birthday School My family moved during my sophomore year, so I went to two high different schools. I think the…
Kindred Spirits
I’m recording my youth, one year per week. This week I’m talking about life in the 8th grade (age 13). I can’t think of eighth grade without thinking of Amy. As cheesy as Anne Shirley’s term “kindred spirits” might be, it really is the best description of the kind of relationship Amy and I had….
Boy Crazy
I’m recording my youth, one year per week. This week I’m talking about life in the 7th grade (age 12). As a mother of daughters in the 6th and 9th grades, it is a little disconcerting to think back on my middle school and high school years. Granted, like my own daughters, I was a…
Moving On
The house I grew up in As much as I loved my elementary school and as much as I loved the friends and the home I’d grown up with, when sixth grade rolled around I was ready to move on. In 1986, my family found a house in Pleasanton, California, just 45 minutes from San…
Stretching: School Secretary, a Soccer player, and a Swimmer
My fifth grade year was a year for stretching. Having spent the good part of my childhood in ballet, when my schedule suddenly opened up, I decided to fill it up with new things. I signed up for a soccer team and found out that I stunk at soccer and didn’t really enjoy team sports…
Off to See the Wizard
Me as a Poppy in the Wizard of Oz ballet production, 1984 My life in 4th grade were composed mostly of three main things: ballet, piano, and writing. I never considered myself a stellar piano player. I could read music and play the notes, and that’s about it. I loved writing stories, though, and considered…
Statement of an Adoptive Parent
Statement of Adoptive Parent April 8, 1983 I desire to adopt Laura for several reasons. The foremost reason is that I have come to love Laura as I love my own children. I am concerned for her welfare and well being. I share her joys of success and sadness of failure. Another reason for her…
My Name is Laura. I’m 7 Years Old.
Excerpt from a short diary I kept when I was seven years old (in the 2nd grade): My name is Laura. I live in San Jose. I’m 7 years old. I’m in 2nd grade. My teachers are Mrs Wong and Mrs Fenner. Mrs Wong’s name before she was married was Miss Ong, so she just…