We've Come a Long Way From Lunch Pails

Today, I opened my lunch sack to find a sandwich on white bread.  I detest white bread.  Call me a snob, but I only eat whole wheat bread.  This problem could have been overlooked if it had not been one of the many lunch blunders my mother has committed just this month.  One was packing me Cool Ranch Doritos which in response, I promptly sent her a picture of the unopened package as visual evidence of my distaste.  A couple of times, she has forgotten the flavor packet to my water bottle.  So guess what I got to drink?  Water.  Plain water.  Now why on earth would anyone want to drink that?  Recently, her blunders have been more excusable though.  For example, giving me Snickers instead of Twix.  I can cope with that, I suppose.  Except today I got no candy.  And white bread.  If this pattern of irresponsibility continues, I might have to start packing my own lunch.

Every Seven Years

Cells replace themselves every seven years.  Every seven years, I become a new person.  Well, same heart, same brain, same Rachel, just a new chapter of life.

Birth to age 7:  I moved to the family farm.  I watched very little television because I was always outside, imagining and creating new worlds.  Days were filled with my small elementary school down the road, playing Risk with my brothers, going on hikes, picnics, fishing, and catching fireflies. 

Age 7 to 14:  I lived in Waxahachie, Texas for 11 months.  I attended middle school.  Well, actually I attended four different schools in this time.  I grew up, and thought I had matured.  I found a love for books, performance arts, and school.  I made and lost friends, and began to experience the world of boy crushes and girl drama.

Age 14 to 21:  I’m still in this stage, realizing I’m not as mature as I once thought I was.  It’s been a period of firsts.  First real party, first friend fight, first job, first kiss, first car, first genuine “thank you” to my parents.  Hello high school, I can’t wait to meet you.  Goodbye high school, I can’t wait to leave you.  It’s time for college, and time to grow up.  Time to realize who I am.  Is it the future already?

Age 21 to 28:  Bring it on.  

Do Not Disturb

There are two types of people:  introverted and extroverted.  Extroverted get their energy from other people.  To do their best work, they must be around others.  Whether it’s finishing a paper at the library, reading the paper at Starbucks, or simply bird watching in the park, extroverted people blossom in the company of others.  Introverted people are quite different.  Their energy flows best when they are alone.  Sure, parties and friends are fun, but at the end of the day, you’ll find an introverted person alone, with ideas flowing.  They need alone time.  I am an introverted person.  Quoting C.S. Lewis, “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”  Yes, I am a tea and coffee junkie, and yes, I love being alone.  Group projects annoy me; I work best on my own.  I’m a moody person and my friends can easily testify to that.  Sometimes, I just need a break from everything.  Nothing appeals to me more than sitting inside in front of my lap top or a book, exploring the world.  It’s my escape.  I am my on my own; I can do as I please.  Everyone needs time like this.  I could be for pleasure, to work, to hide, or simply to stay sane.  Oh, and a big cup of hot tea always helps too.