Freshman Flurries

 Reminiscing about high school, now that its 10 years since graduating, there's an interesting and entertaining remembrance of it all. Here's to Freshman year, my memory of it, the good parts, funny parts, learning curves in the big world of drama, academics, popularity and finding your friend group. 

Surprisingly, I couldn't find many photos from my Freshman year. I also unfortunately couldn't find my notebook from that time. I wrote about my first day, my first impressions, and just other writings throughout the year. I would be surprised if I tossed it, but oh well, I will do my best to recall the distant memories. 

My sister and I experienced 2 years of high school together. She was a junior when I was a Freshman, and we went to school together in the morning, early morning, 7 am rather for first period class. Our dad dropped us off on his way to work, and then we would take the bus home together. There were interesting people we met while taking the bus, other students, classmates, peers who we would see regularly or get to know. It was like my sister and my own pilgrimage commuting together and then almost always getting off the bus a little early to go to the local church and make a visit in the chapel. It was a wonderful routine we had, but I didn't always understand it. Susie was always punctual and serious about making time for prayer after a busy school day, and then walk home a little longer distance together from the chapel. I sometimes would just want to go right home, but it was a very good habit and her example, conviction and passion for her faith at a young age was enlightening, inspiring and eye opening for me for my 15 year old self. 

Getting ready in the morning was enjoyable for me. I remember dressing up more than I normally did in middle school and started wearing make up regularly. I became concerned with the dark circles around my eyes, and always tried to apply foundation and liked to apply eye shadow. Fashion was something I was taking more interest in, and I remember I sometimes dressed more formally than Susie. I enjoyed dressing up or wearing fancy shoes- wedges! But part of me had a secret crush that I was aware of, but its kind of funny since I only had one class with him my whole time in high school, and it was P.E., a class you wear sporty clothes and get sweaty. I feel slightly embarrassed to admit, this crush of mine would linger until right before graduation, and then it all disappeared and I totally forgot all about it, and him.

I had recently had my braces off and was so happy about it. I had this annoying and embarrassing thing where one of my front side adult tooth never came in. So in 8th grade, the baby tooth got pulled off and I had a space there and it took a while getting used to and for others to not instantly notice that about me. It was a big insecurity of mine. I was excited for picture day going into 9th grade, but I realized I wouldn't have my bridged tooth in in time to make it look normal. I took the picture but decided to do a retake. The lady who saw my first picture asked why I was doing a retake. She wasn't sure why since she said I looked cute in my first photo but I told her about my missing tooth and now I had it filled in, but she still didn't understand why I didn't want to keep my first picture. I don't have that photo since the retake is in the year book, but I kind of wish I did since her comment was very reassuring and even though I had my 'fake tooth' in, it made me not worry as much as what others thought about my teeth or my smile.

The first day of school was a bit scary, but having my sister to reassure me was helpful and perhaps thinking I would see her during the day was an encouragement. I vividly remember some of my classes, such as 1st period English with Mr. Fuller and all his students getting some kind of card from a deck that would match with a seat placement in class. I would sit with 2 boys I knew from elementary school and a girl named Susie. I also remember Mr. Fuller called my home phone the afternoon before school started, but I wasn't home at that time, I was at the park relaxing and talking with my sister.

Another class I also remember well was my Math class with Mr. Meier. I got switched into this class for good reason, since it was a slower paced class of Algebra 1 and the stigma is you are likely classmates with other low performing math students, and a number them on the popular and annoying side. I did actually like this class and I'm grateful I was in it since I was scheduled to be with a supposedly hard teacher in a 'regular' math class. I had failed 8th grade math, so it was a wise decision that I was put in Mr. Meier's fun, quirky, and lighthearted class. 

The first day of school he instantly almost knew who I was, or rather, who I looked like. "You look like a spitting image of.." And then I said, "Elisabeth Redmond ?" Already knowing full well about him, this class and that my dear sister had him not too long before me, and he remembered that she was a great student since she was always clarifying and asking questions. And he said ecstatically, "Yeah! How is she doing?" I felt a little bit embarrassed having the attention and eyes all on me, but I could already sense he was a friendly with an open and warm demeanor. I told him my sister was a sophomore in college at SFSU. From then on, he too called me 'Redmond!', always in an excited and happy way. It made me feel special and felt like I was 'the good kid' after my sister made that first impression for me. A few months later my sister dropped in to say hi, as we both came in together and he I remember he was happy to see a former student of his, and again my classmates were all just watching haha.

Overall, I liked that class, and I was pleased I was understanding the material and doing well on quizzes and tests, so unlike the year before with my fast paced, intimidating Algebra teacher. But there became one thing I began to dread, and dislike early on. It was a boy in this class who tired to talk to me, come up with things to say, face me, and I just found it annoying. He was one of the more socially awkward classmates, and I had no interest in getting to know him or giving him any attention. Homecoming was coming around and he didn't full on ask me directly to homecoming but he wanted to know if I was going to go. I also had no interest in going to that dance, I just wasn't excited about it and caring about high school dances hadn't seeped in yet. I told him I wasn't going and he asked why. I said that I wasn't very excited about going. 

The next Monday he asked me (I think our desks were right next to each other) if he had to give a girl flowers if he were to ask a girl to a dance. I thought it was weird and made me uncomfortable as if he would hand me flowers directly in class. I think some people in that class already knew that he liked me and even when he asked me the flower question I remember I heard a girl near me say, 'awww'. I was afraid he would hand me flowers the next day, but to my fortunate luck he didn't, and I think he got the hint. But throughout the school year he would try to keep talking to me as I remember and ask about my weekend or what book I was reading since I was reading in class (it was Anne of Avonlea!). I remember that class well.

Freshman year brought about its own challenges with creating new friendships and savoring old ones from middle school. From the advice of one of my sisters, was to make an effort and even just introduce yourself and start talking to someone since everyone was in the same boat. So in P.E. class the first week there was a lot of standing around and I didn't really know anyone, so I approached a girl who was also alone and I started talking with her, her name was Chloe. We became friends in that class which was a life savor since P.E. can be a weird and awkward class especially if you don't have people to make it more enjoyable. 

At lunch time on the first day of school, I was trying to find somewhere to sit or someone I recognized. All of a sudden I heard someone calling my name, and I didn't know what direction it was coming from. I turned and then saw my former friend Ariel. I met her in elementary school but shared an English class with her in 8th grade and we became closer. We sat together at lunch that day and I was grateful to find a familiar face and friend to last at least part of Freshman year, (its a long story).

Freshman year had things outside school such as basketball (my last year playing with PYB) and dad coaching my team. And also starting confirmation classes with Susie (I was only the Freshman, but the teacher knew I was mature enough, and no one else knew), the majority were sophomores. My oldest sister had her first child that spring, so we had special and quality time seeing them and my parents experiencing being grand parents for the first time and myself and all of my siblings, the gift of being aunts and uncles! I also helped out with a catholic girls camp each summer and had planning meetings and functions with other girls throughout the school year.

Another class I took was French. I had taken it only it in 8th grade but the class was surprised how much I knew since I learned the basics from my good teacher, Madame Ottoway the year prior. Freshman year I also got really into classic old movies, and saw for the first time, 'I Love Lucy'. I fell in love with it, and we had a form of cable on out TV that showed old shows and I would make time to watch episodes of I Love Lucy on TVLand. I also too art that year and for one of our drawing projects, I drew the classic image of Desi and Lucy Arnaz. I even read a biography or 2 about them and the show from a book at the library. It became my favorite show, and to this day I still enjoy an episode here and there. 

Overall, I have fond and good memories of Freshman year of high school. There were a lot of things that are seen as nothing new or special now like Facebook, YouTube, ipods that were new and just evolving. Some songs that were big were One Republic and Timbland Apologize; Taylor Swift Tear drops on my guitar; Plain White Tee's Hey there Delilah; Alicia keys No one; Colbie Caillat Bubbly. 

First selfie!