In 2008 I was transitioning to the whole 'adult' thing... well, sort of. I dropped out of the social radar. I didn't have much of an interest in socializing, I really wanted to hide in my room whenever I could. I did make appearances to a few birthday events that friends had, but that was it.
What really impacted this was being reacquainted with someone from high school via facebook. I have no idea how they found me, but they did. They inquired about what I've done since high school. My answers offended them. They said that. "It makes me angry and I'm offended." I re-read those messages various times to see if I said something offensive, if I worded something that could come off as offensive... it just really got to me. Finally, I asked a couple who have opinions that I respect. Each time I heard, "well, that is what you did, you told the truth." Then I said, "it was via 'email' so you can lose a lot of translation that way.. there's no tone!" Finally, I sent an email saying that I didn't mean to offend them and I had answered their question honestly. Finally, they told me that they shouldn't have said that and had apologized. They had explained that they couldn't believe I had done those things and they don't know anyone who has done such things- graduated from high school without kids, finished college, traveled the world, developped a relationship with God, and etc. They finished high school and had another kid shortly after... they didn't get to do the things I got to do because of their decisions. From my understanding, the timing of our correspondence wasn't too great either. (obviously).
That experience made me think about the way I explain what I've done since high school to other who ask (and trust me, there were a lot of others as I started using public transportation again). I haven't had an experience like that since, but it really impacted my way of communicating that.
My great grandmother had started going down hill a bit. This also played into me dropping off the social radar. I started helping my madre take care of her full time: weekends, spending nights, etc. My great grandmother couldn't get around without someone and needed someone there to help with basic things. It was hard for her to start allowing my madre and I to do so, but she eventually came to terms with the reality.
We had some really great moments though:
She loved watching the Travel Channel and then retelling HER version of the history during that time period, or when she visited that historical site, when she took a cruise here or there, and etc. That was always hysterical because there would be some key point that just seemed off, but none the less true.
She started learning how people depended on computers. She thought my blackberry was amazing and always asked about my ipod (and my madre's) as if it were a person, "how's your pod doing?" She learned about business and liked keeping me informed about Apple vs. PC stocks and etc. I'm an Apple girl and she liked my laptop more than my madre's, so she kept me updated.
She liked hearing stories and pictures I had of friends who have kids. She always wanted someone with a dog to visit. I would wheel her around in the wheelchair on nice days and she'd comment on how I shouldn't have to do such manual labor, we should know a man so he could push her around. She had a crush on Anderson Cooper... I always encouraged her to write him a letter, but she never did.
I was always lectured about making sure I teach, because they have great pensions for when you retire. Sadly to say, I currently put that idea on the back burner.
I also started enjoying hanging out at the retirement home and hearing stories from the other residents about their lives. Whenever I did have a free day, I spent it at the Ritz seeing movies and taking very long walks throughout the city. It was a nice change to the normal routine, even if that became a routine for having a free day.
I spent my birthday at a Frida Khalo exposition and ate Greek food. I also had my right foot in a boot, because I had fractured a teeny tiny bone that created a lot of pain. I felt so stupid, but it turns out that anyone can do it walking along the street.
Between all of these lovely moments my brother still continued to create drama, despite not living with me anymore. He had communication issues with everyone he knows and continued his involvement with alcholism and drug use. It's sad, but true.
This wasn't an exciting year for me, it was a year of busy-ness with family, life, and trying to maintain sanity!
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