
That’s some glamour shot – Not at all! Notice to the two tone jeans. Oh well, the friendship is 30 years and going strong, so I’ll take the bad photographic evidence that goes along with it.
My choice of school classes has me saying, “Hi, Idiot!” to my adult self. Growing up, I was usually in advanced classes. I was nowhere near the smartest kid in my class – I tended to do very well in classes I liked and average in the ones I didn’t.
I remember my freshman year of high school we all had to sample a different elective each quarter, like cooking, sewing and drama. We got to make a pair of sweatpants in sewing that, after cutting into shorts in college, I finally threw out a few years ago. Though I was proud of my sweatpants, I went through that obligatory year and then decided not to take any more of “those classes” after that. All electives I chose were more academic, blah blah blah.
I had a chip on my shoulder that no way deserved to be there. I looked down on classes like cooking and shop. And you know what!? Firstly, it’s not like I can tell you many / any specifics from whatever classes I did take. And Secondly – As an adult, I was the A-hole who couldn’t cook.
If I could do high school over, not that I’m itching to dive into that time machine back to big hair, Aussie Sprunch Spray and Outback Red, I would take as many as those life preparatory classes as possible. Cooking – Yes, for sure though I will say, a random bonus of cancer and being home all the time, was that my cooking skills improved. But we’re talking from 0 to maybe 40%. Sewing – Sounds good but this would be lower on my list. Shop – Yes! I actually love to build things. I have successfully put together many pieces of furniture with a trusty allen wrench. To have real skills in this department would be great. I actually think my school also had an auto repair class. I’d totally take that!
If I Only Knew Then…

I put this together!
Yes, I can learn some of this stuff now and I have and enjoy it. I just wish I’d had any kind of scope back then for actual life. An appreciation for the day in day out stuff. The stuff I didn’t ponder or took for granted growing up. The good stuff – stuff that matters.
I have noticed going through cancer that I’ve had a rebirth in myself to get some skills and definitely more appreciation in these areas. Perhaps as I continue to Grow Bolder, I’ll actually get good at some of these! From a person whose meals now taste okay though often look like hell, it’s hard to imagine. But at least I now, finally, have the right attitude that my younger self could have really used (along with a swift kick in the behind.)