Wednesday, 8/24 I saw a couple of people I knew. I like my teachers. I switched back to tennis shoes. Life is good.

The students are so interesting at this level. Most are here because they have to be here. They paid for their education and they deserve the best money can buy. One of my teachers was very clever and gave us an article about the consumerism of higher education. It came to many of the conclusions that I, too, had drawn. Among classmates enthusiasm is not looked well upon. I can get away with it because I am “old” and different. A young man in one of my classes showed just a spark of passion in answering a question. The two gals behind me (both around his age) spent the next ten minutes trash whispering about him and calling him a “suck up”. I thought it was kind of sad. That young man will do fine in the world. The two young women will probably find rewarding careers as well. The young man will be happier.

In addition to my homework tonight, I will be helping my daughter make a Hawaiian dress for her first dance. It would take less time to just make it myself but then how would SHE learn? She has enthusiasm for sewing and designing. It won’t be perfect but it will be unique. If anyone trash whispers her, I might want to hurt them. – Not really. I wouldn’t of course but it is a normal tendency for moms to protect their own children. Not just protect them physically, but to protect their right to be creative and enthusiastic.

Thursday 8/25 Just when I thought I could not see a shorter pair of shorts, I did. The gal was about 5’8” and wore three inch heals. Her shorts were about 6” long (from top to bottom). She wore a t-shirt reading “Feeling Good.” She was a knock out and if I looked like that, I would be feeling good too! I never looked like that – not even in my own mind – not even on my best self-esteem days. I would like to look like that for one day. I wish I had worn fewer clothes when I was younger.

I learned a couple of new things today. Never drink more than your bladder can hold for one hour and twenty minutes. If you choose to stretch the outer limits then you must know the location of all the bathrooms within your immediate area. (I’ve got them all scoped out now).

The second thing I learned was that it is a bad idea to schedule major dental work between classes the first week of school. I got a permanent crown put on. I did not realize that I was going to need Novocain. I arrived at my afternoon communication class numb and a little loopy from the stress of the visit. (I am the worst dental patient!).

Overall it was a good week. I completed my first week at a university. I managed to avoid any major embarrassment, and the blisters on my feet are healing.

Back to Laughs