A Decade already? Year 2001 & 2002

In 2001 I had my first real Valentine's Day (it's the only Valentine's Day I ever had a date)... it was really cute and lovely. Not much happened until about May-ish, because I went to a youth group conference one weekend, broke up with my boyfriend, and then got home to be told that we're moving again.

It was my fourth high school that I've attended and I remember asking my mom if I could graduate from whatever high school I attend because it would be nice to have people who know me to write college reference letters for me. I started attending an inner city public high school that required you to be prodded and poked, walk through metal detectors, take EVERYTHING out of any pocket you had, and put your bag through a scanning thing. There were rails set up for the lines of students coming in and scanning their IDs (which took attendance). This place was rough, but I survived. It was the best change that ever happened for me, actually. The things I learned from this change molded me and make me who I am today. I was exposed to things I never thought I'd be exposed to, but it's really helped with my people and communication skills.

I was the only white girl in most of my classes. At first I was thought to be deaf (there was a high population of deaf kids), Albanian (apparently being pale, brown hair, brown eyed was THE Albanian physical description... plus, another high population), or foreign of some sort and didn't know English. I was absorbing all the social change around me, because there was A LOT. Eventual it was realised I spoke English, really well, and shocked the class when it happened.

I had more pregnant classmates than non-pregnant classmates.

I only ate in the cafeteria for about a week... I then become BFF with my French teacher who let me eat lunch with him in his office. We formed a bond & he's one of the most interesting people I've ever met in my life. He appreciated me being a smart ass.

My mom forgot to pay the cable bill one month, so we went without tv for about a year. I had to watch Felicity and Gilmore Girls at my nanny's. I had impeccable grades and read more magazines and books that I could have imagined. I also bought lots and lots of c.d.'s. I started going to concerts in the basement of a church downtown where you shared sweat with strangers (there were no ceiling fans!).

I read: lots of books on feminism, more memoires (about American figures), and then started realising what types of books I hate (my AP English teacher had us read some awful books).

I listened to more Coldplay, the Strokes, more Fiona Apple, Mirah, the Moldy Peaches, Arab Strap, Belle & Sebastian, more Ben Folds, and Marah (who you could still run into on the street). I also dabbled into the whole "emo' stuff with Dashboard Confessional and Taking Back Sunday.

My therapy sessions ceased this year. I wrote a lot more too... I wrote so much my hands cramped.

I also had a crush on a boy who was so out of my reach because we belonged to complete different worlds. it was so stupid.

September 11th: I was in class when it took place. It was demanded over the PA system that we turn the tv's on and watch what was happening. I distinctly remember the sinking feeling in my chest and stomach when seeing what was happening. I remember thinking about all the kids who I went to school with in the suburbs who had parents that traveled their for work everyday... which then made me think that my dad goes to that exact area for work everyday. I then thought about how it's been nearly 2 years that I've seen or spoken to my dad. The city shut down for several days until everything was... better (?).

I later saw my dad that month for the first time... it was weird. I told him that the phone works two ways, however I'm the child and shouldn't have been expected to pick up the phone.


2002:

I started working at a Chuck E. Cheese this year. It was, by far, the funnest job I've ever had (I haven't had many jobs). I learned that you don't mess up birthday parties or make slight mistakes because the parents will curse you out! I learned my parenting skills at this job too (I'm currently not a parent). I got sweet tip money that allowed me to buy more c.d.s, books, and concert tickets.

I found out that I was thalesemic minor this year too. I gave blood and should have never given blood or passed their We Are Going To Prick Your Finger Tip Test. I passed out 5 hours after giving blood while holding a (then) close friend's hand while they gave blood. I woke up on the gym floor, was sick for 3 weeks following, and looked like I was in an abusive relationship because of the black and blue marks on the left side of my body from hitting the gym floor.

I attended more concerts with my (used to be) high school boyfriend. Specifically we saw The Strokes... as I had introduced him to them.

I still didn't bother dating anyone, I was too busy having fun hanging out by myself and occasionally hanging out with new friends I made at work.

I took my SAT's at a local Catholic high school and had a nun yell at me about how it wasn't correct to take tests while wearing mittens... I told her that she should turn the heat up then because it was freezing cold in the room.

I remember reading Perks of Being a Wallflower, Madame Bovary, some Colette, Camus, Gabriel García Márquez.

I listened to a lot of the same stuff, but developed a strong love for Shakira and other Spanish pop music. I started a French pop collection too. The Frida Soundtrack was popular... Damien Rice, Madeleine Peyroux, Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams, Jesse Malin, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

I had also joined LiveJournal and met Last Year's Girl. Who has become one of my closest and best friends.