Monday, July 13, 2015

OPA!!


Along our life journey, I think that we have defining points - points that we use and describe as “before X” or “after X”.  At least that’s true for me.  I can group important decisions, areas lived, and even cars I’ve owned by saying “Before my first child was born...” or “Before I got married...”,  (which, by the way, has been so long ago now, I can’t use that reference point much anymore).  However, there was a time in my life that was not only defining, but incredibly fun (and sad), and, in some ways, life altering.  That time happened in high school.  Not just ordinary high school, mind you; I went to high school my freshman, sophomore and junior year at ACS, Athens, Greece.  (Yes, I look sadly on the situation that brews in Greece now.  I love the Greek population and I love the country.)   I am not alone in this, of course.  There are many that grew up in situations that required family to move multiple times while growing up.  Military families, families of those engaged in global business, embassy families, expats, and the list goes on.  I was part of the military family.

I was 14 when I arrived on January 2nd 1969.  Innocent, awkward, too big for my age and looking older than my 14 years, I was thrust into a school where I knew not a soul.  Those that know me now would never say that I am shy, but what 14 year old, (no matter what the outside bravado) is not shy or terrified at the thought of going into their first year of high school?  Add to that scenario the fact that there was no history of friends, I lived on the economy, (that means, for those of you that have no military background, that you live in the community rather than base housing surrounded by others in the same situation), I didn’t know a word of Greek, (makes the old adage ‘It’s all Greek to me’ take on a highly different meaning) and I had to jump directly into school when I got there.   To top it off, my dad was Navy and the predominant military base in that area was Air Force.  The Navy base was much farther away (closer to Marathon than Athens) and was very small in comparison.  I was not a jock, a superlative student, a cheerleader, (in fact, I remember trying out for drill team in the 8th grade and was so grossly out of time with everyone else that I swore I had no rhythm at all.  Turns out that was not true, but it killed my desire to try out for anything else for fear of looking ridiculous), or particularly good-looking.

 Note of warning here, I am a “stream of consciousness” type writer.  I can get off track at any time, but it’s my blog, so I can do anything I want to.

Here’s an example of how well known I was.  In the 1970 yearbook, (got there too late to make the 1969 yearbook, so I didn’t exist as a freshman anywhere in the world) the name listed for my picture is Dora Freeman.  Yeah, my name is Debbie.  I made quite an impression, didn’t I?  It’s OK, because when I look at that picture, I’m glad it’s the wrong name.  It is really bad.  I owned and wore several wigs and falls during this time.  Looking at my real hair in that picture, I think that was a good choice.

It wasn’t too long, however, before I was making friends and doing what teenagers do.  When you move a lot, you learn that you jump in or you stay alone.  The student body was small and very diverse.  In this school, even though you might be a freshman, you may very well be hanging out with much older or younger students.  Everybody knew everybody on some level.  You were either good friends, “school friends”, or you knew the names of whomever it was that was the center of the conversation at the moment.  I actually was invited to the senior prom my freshman year by a SENIOR.  I mean, really, how many people can say they went to the Athens Hilton for a prom?  See? It wasn’t all bad.  Of course, there was the “in” group; you know - the cool ones that we all were afraid to speak to.  There were the smart and popular kids too; they were friendly and inclusive for the most part, but if you didn’t keep up, it was a lost cause.  These kids were the ones that had control of everything going on in school for good reason; they were focused, involved, and had direction.

The teachers at ACS were another remarkable component of this experience.  They were incredibly diverse, influential, kid centric, involved, and taught us very well.  When I came back to finish my senior year in the States, I was so far ahead of everyone else that it was pitiful.  I barely had to do anything to make straight A’s.

I could probably write a book on the time I spent in Greece.  No, not probably, I most definitely could write a book.

The saddest thing that seemed to repeat itself during this time was one day your best friend would be there and the next they would be going back to the States (or Italy, or England, or Liberia….don’t feel sorry for us, we were quite lucky.)  This sense of loss happening over and over had an impact on all of us.  Sometimes it was sudden, sometimes we knew it was coming, but it was always hard.  Before the days of texting, Facebook, and all other forms of instant communication, we would face the loss of friends on a seemingly permanent basis.  (We all knew how to write a letter, but come on now….)  Keeping in contact was not impossible, life happens after high school, some kept in touch…I didn’t seem to get that far.

I was 17 when I came back to the States.  I was definitely not the same person.  My Greek was pretty OK (I can still hold an almost half-way decent conversation), I may have looked a little better (my hair was still an issue), I had friends,  (that I had to now leave) and I had an experience that few get to have.  Some would argue that ALL teenagers change between the ages of 14 and 17.  True, but this was quite different than just the physical and mental maturing that goes on naturally.  I understood how delicate freedom can be.  I understood that it is possible for different cultures to get along and be humane to each other in the process.  I understood that we belong to a family larger than our own immediate one, and that we should care about that.  I understood that we do not have to abandon what we believe to encompass and understand the beliefs of others, and I had a good understanding of ouzo.  (Oh yeah.)

I have recently learned that we can be friends forever.   I also have learned that I was not the only one that mourned the loss of a defining time point in my life.

Enter Facebook…..suffice it to say that something wonderful developed.  A Facebook page now exists that has put many of us back in touch, and this past weekend a reunion happened.  (Need I say that some of those wonderful people who were so focused in high school, also made this happen?)  Not just any reunion…a reunion for any and all that attended ACS, you didn’t have to be a graduate; you just had to be a former student.  We understand broken years, and moving, and starting over again, and making new friends, and remembering old friends, and distance…  I was astounded to find so many others that felt the same as I did about this period... a defining point in life.  I shouldn’t have been surprised, it makes sense. It has always been so difficult to explain this experience to people.  I have kept it in a little compartment in my heart where I have taken it out and examined it over the years.  It gets lovelier with age.

Was I a little nervous about this reunion?  I was! Am I glad I went? You bet I am!  Did I feel like a teenager again?  Hell no….who wants to feel like that again?  (Plus, I now hurt in places I never hurt when I was a teenager.)  I remembered many that were there, and some remembered me, and those that I hung out with then I hung out with again.   I wish more friends had been there, but I know life gets in the way at times.  It felt good, it felt right, and there was ouzo!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Day -1 Packing Day March 17 2013


This is packing day. I hate packing day.  I have this weird ritual I go through when I fly.  For some reason, I have to do housework, so things seem orderly before I leave.  I should probably do that prior to packing day, but packing day is always preceded by thinking about packing day.  It's not like I haven't had enough time to think about this.  It's been in the works for a long time, but still I wait until packing day to finish the laundry, clean the bathroom, finish paying any bills that are due before I return,  and thinking about what I need to take with me.  I never get it right.  No matter how long I am gone, I take a couple of things that I end up wearing the whole time leaving the other clothes to take up space that I could have used for other things I probably wouldn't use but might have.  The other thing I do on packing day is make lists.  I want to make sure that I take everything that I want to use that is not related to clothing.  I have gone on trips where I have forgotten toiletries and had to go buy them, so toiletries are always on my  list along with cell phone, chargers, laptop, ipad, chargers, cameras, toothbrushes, a book, a movie, sun screen, boarding passes, etc and so on...Why I need a laptop and ipad on this trip I do not know, but I am very connected to my laptop.  It's like an umbilical cord , and I get a little anxious when I can't get my nourishment from cyberspace.  I will not be working, cause I don't have a job right now, but I do start a new one when I come back.   I may check a few email, post a few things on FB and of course get this blog online.  I am sure there are transformers in French Polynesia, but I went and bought one anyway.  A small one that shouldn't be used for more than 10 minutes at a time. (Better than nothing, I guess.)  I do find that I rest easier with my laptop along, even if I don't use it.  It's kind of like an inhaler in case of emergency, IT'S THERE.

So I have no clue what to pack.  Shorts, bathing suits, shirts, underwear.  I can deal with that, it's the SHOES that take up so much room.  I always bring too many shoes. Flip-flops?, Dressy sandals? Sneakers? I bought 2 new pair of sandals that I am taking, I'll wear the sneaks, (although I don't like wearing sneaks to the airport, slip off shoes are much more practical.) I end up packing 5 pairs of shoes.....no flip flops, I will be sorry about that I just know it.  I guess the philosophy is, if you don't have it, you can buy it.  Maybe I should just take an empty suitcase and work it out from there.  But I did buy a new bathing suit...I hate myself in a bathing suit.  You can't cover all the flaws like you can in clothes.  I'll be in the water, I'm old, no one cares anyway....keep repeating that... The strangest thing happens when I travel.  Everything that is so neatly placed in the bag with room to spare, expands on the way home.  Really!  Without adding one purchased item, the bag either shrinks, or my clothing magically expands to fill every nook and cranny of the bag leaving no room for the other stuff that,  prior to leaving, fit perfectly.  I have yet to figure this out.  Some random physics thing, I believe.  The Law of Conservation of Packed Clothing...You know whatever you pack cannot be reduced, but can be enlarged after being on an airplane.....Just a guess on my part.  

So I am packed, but when I have an early flight, we leave at 5:30 in the morning, I cannot sleep.  I will stay up the entire night, thinking about what I have packed, making my bed, adding things, subtracting things, going online to check the flight, making sure I have my passport and my boarding passes, hoping I will sleep on the plane.  I take a shower, check my lists, revise my lists.....It is quite maddening, really.  I drive myself a little bit nuts.  OCD?  Maybe. This trip is international, so It is even worse.  I worry about vouchers, and transport and money, the list goes on and on.  I will say this:  Once I am on that plane, it all goes away.  Anything I haven't  thought to do is now forgotten and  just too bad.  I will handle anything that may come up.  Wayne is up at 4:30, Anthony is going to take us to the airport, the dog  is going to Brent's house.  (I hope he doesn't go crazy, he doesn't like being away from home...that worry will also go away once on the plane.)  The kids will just have to do without their parents for a couple of weeks. Shawn will be Big Daddy while we are away, I'm sure.  They will all deny that they need anyone while we are gone, but we are still the glue, even though they are all on their own.  At least that's what I like to think.  So packing day is done.  I am going on an unbelievable vacation.  I just need to check my list one more time.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Mortality

Why does being sick have to feel so crappy? Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the good health that I normally enjoy, and I know there are others that suffer much more; but if being sick helps us appreciate being healthy.....really, I get it.  One big sickness in life should take care of that, right?  As I lay here with fever and chills and body aches, croaking like a frog, hoping I don't cough up a lung and wanting to cover up my head and pass "peacefully into that goodnight",  I wonder how people with chronic illness cope.
If we chose the maladies of our life prior to coming here, we must have had counselors to walk us through the process.  I know what mine said. "Oh no, Deb, don't choose illness, you are way to wimpy for that. Pick a big nose, (well, don't pick a nose, but you know what I mean) or superficiality, or being a royal pain...that's much more up your alley." (I think I chose all 3 plus a few more that I would rather not admit, but I'm working on them...except the nose...that just keeps me humble.)
I must say that working with people that are ill will harden one to their plight. I have experienced it as a nurse and especially as a hospice nurse. It is sometimes necessary to protect your heart.  Maybe I have been shielding myself a little too much lately. Maybe I haven't been quite as compassionate as I should be.  Maybe that's the lesson for this round of feeling like crappola.  Maybe I just feel horrible...yeah, I'm going with that for now.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Milestones

I haven't blogged for so long that I am actually angry with myself! I did, however, find 4 draft posts from 2010 that I never published.  As I read them, I think I'm glad I didn't. 

I love to write and I haven't taken the time to do what I love to do .  It's different now! I am not sitting at my desk posting away on my computer, but laying in my bed  posting away on my iPad. So many changes have happened since my last post.  I lost my job...but was able to take retirement, so, not a pity party or a total loss.  The severance package was good, the retirement is OK,  and the time off has been heavenly.  I am, however not one that can sit about doing nothing. I kept my second job and I opened a business of my own. We"ll see how that goes.  I have an interview on the 4th of March to pick up a contract for the new business.  I'm looking forward to having something to stimulate the brain cells again. However, as I think about what I want to be when I grow up, I wonder if I am playing it safe doing what I know how to do while hesitating to jump into something I am not so experienced in performing, but love to do. Safe isn't always fun. How old is too old to do the things you love to do? Never? I know that's the advise I would give. I think I need to follow my own advice, I think. So what is it I love to do? Write, yes, but what?  A book? Maybe.... A column?  That's what I would like, but t it keeps getting pointed out to me that no one reads magazines or books or newpapers anymore.  I don't know, maybe I can stick with the blog to get my need to write fix.  Photography? Yes, I even have a lead for a volunteer spot to do amateur photography. Can't wait to follow up on that. Travel? Definitely!  I have some big stuff coming soon which I will share here. I do have to make some money. That's the problem with doing things you love; often they bring little to no income.  Not always, but sometimes. Songwriting? Yes, done  alot of that of that, mostly when I was a lot younger, even have a copyright on a piece. There is always another song inside somewhere.  I also love teaching kids with music....I've had this idea of teaching some American history through folk tunes that are being lost....have to pull out the guitar and toughen up my fingers again. Know what a tarrier is?  How about the history of the Erie Canal?  Revolutionary war?  All have some folk tunes to go with them.  There is fun stuff too.  "Oh Far and Far to Zanzibar" is a great song.  Some say that kids are too sophistcated for that anymore...I say kids like what kids like...My "professional" background is nursing which, although physically difficult at times, I love, and clinical research, which I find fascinating and challenging, albeit a bit dry at times.  My ADD makes my mind race through so many things that I have a difficult time getting the brain train to stop at any one station. I jump through stops saying "Yes! I like that, and that, and that.... " Focus has always been an issue for me. If I get hung up on something, my train derails and it is one heck of an effort to get it back on track again.  I  think that's what makes me, at the same time, interesting, or scary...take your pick...

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Do I need an intervention?

Ever seen "Hoarders"???  You know those shows where the people have kept everything for the last 50 years without throwing out anything?  I think I have a touch...and I think I am an electronic hoarder too... I have 1060 emails in my inbox right now......and I just emptied a lot out.  I have 106 sub-folders with anywhere from 5 to over a hundred emails in each of them.  I think there is something wrong with that......I think.  I have 258 unread emails........What the heck do I think I am going to miss if I just hit delete? 

It's kind of like I have this history in email and maybe someday I'm going to put it together.....kind of like the boxes of stuff in the basement that I'm going to put together of my kids...You know, their school stuff and all.......  Did I mention that my oldest child will be 32 next week? My youngest will be 23 next month.... but I think I'm going to get organized....maybe this spring......it could be a good retirement project, if I ever retire.  Don't see that happening anytime soon.....Maybe I could hire someone?? My sweet husband wants to toss it all...."Just throw it away!! It's junk!"  He doesn't understand...I have to let it go a little at a time.

Macaroni Christmas trees made in first grade, homework assignments with an "A" in bold red, Valentine hearts with "I Love You Mommy"....I can let the macaroni Christmas trees go.....(but that's a little bit of history now that we don't say "Christmas" in schools anymore!!! So maybe I should hold on to that!)  Maybe I could get rid of the homework, maybe...the Valentine's??  By the time I get to them, I'm sitting in the middle of the floor wanting my babies back...then, of course, I can't throw away anything...I just have to come back to it and try again later.....

I will say that most of my pictures are organized, but many are not in albums..which brings me to digitizing,  I want to digitize and organize and burn a CD of every hairdo I have ever had (which have been MANY)  I could call it the history of my hair.....and there have been some pretty awful hair styles.....but mostly I want my progeny to know who the people ARE in the pictures.  I remember growing up and having boxes full of pictures not knowing who most of them were.  Mom would name them all off while I tried to capture it on the back, but there are still many more I don't know than what I do know.  There is nothing sadder than going to an auction and seeing old family pictures......I always wonder who they were and why are they here being auctioned off in boxes of frames....hmmmm, probably hoarders who died with all their projects yet to do.....

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Need a date?

OK, I haven't posted in awhile...I've been busy.....you know holidays and everything...stress at work, sitting in the dark pouting over things I cannot change....(What, you don't do that?)

Anyway, I have noticed lately that I have been getting these spam (I can only hope it's spam) emails trying to get me out on the dating scene.....You read that right, email that wants to match me up with someone local, "See pictures of local singles!"  But that's not what upsets me.  What upsets me is the fact that all of these email solicitations are for local SENIORS.....Well, I guess what SHOULD upset me is the fact that I am not single, so I shouldn't be looking for anyone, but REALLY now, do I have that much personal information out there that they know if I AM looking, I should be looking out for a hotty with a walker??

The one I got today declares " A Local Senior Single Wants to Join You This Holiday!!"  For What?? A bed bath?? Will I be clipping toenails??  Cleaning dentures?? Helping them feed themselves??  Do they know I am a nurse? 

OK OK I may be a little more touchy than I should be, but for crying out loud, I certainly don't consider myself a "Senior".  I don't get a senior discount yet.....that should count for something.  And where the heck WAS I online to become the target of these lovely invitations?  And why do they assume I am in need of a date?  I am a woman over 50, I guess I should be divorced or widowed at this point.....I can find my own dates thank you very much..... if I was single.... if I wanted to.....I think.....but I don't have to so I'm gonna stop thinking about it......I'll probably forget anyway, my memory isn't what it used to be.....

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Yeah, you are right!

My daughters said "Mom!!" An 'ageless wild horse'??? What the hell does that mean???

 Hmmmmm.... when I said it out loud, I actually snort laughed again.  That does sound pretty stupid.  I was waxing poetic, I guess, and it didn't quite work. Especially since I am not anything close to a poet.  If you look at the post again, you will see that I did a strikethrough.  My point was, I don't feel old on the inside, I only look old on the outside.

Thanks girls for helping me keep it real, your mother can be pretty simple at times...but I guess I don't have to tell you that.