In the days of my youth ....
What didn't you learn, stick with or do in your childhood that you wish you did? For example: I wish I learned to speak Portuguese fluently, learned to play the piano, had an opportunity to take dance lessons, etc?
What was the biggest, most pleasant surprise you received as a child?
When did you learn to:
- ride a bike?
- swim?
- french kiss?
- do a cartwheel?
- whistle?
Any scars or war stories from using/doing any of the above? Such as almost drowning, falling off, getting slapped, that kind of thing.
posted by punky @ 9:17 PM
5 Comments
5 Comments:
I wish I'd learned to play the piano as a kid - but I'm tone deaf and have almost zero musical ability. Other than that, I wish I'd stayed in touch with some of the people I knew in Malaysia. I'd love to know what was going on with them now.
Biggest surprise I got was the Christmas when all I wanted was an Action Man tank - and I got an Action Man articulated personnel carrier instead. I thought that was the coolest thing and started running it over any obstacles (usually my sister's dolls!) Second biggest surprise was that we were actually leaving Malaysia!
I learned to ride a bike in the parking lot of a hotel that was built at the top of the hill from our house in KL. I remember my dad running after me holding the seat. Trouble is, I didn't learn how to brake, so going down the hill back home was hazardous the first day! Around 7, I think.
I also learned to swim in Malaysia. A really nice man - Mr Tan - taught me, my brother and sister - and my mum! I was 6.
French kissed - learned around 13 with a girl - I kid you not - named BJ.
Do a cartwheel - I don't think I've ever been graceful enough to pull off a cartwheel. Maybe 8 or 9.
Whistle - learned at age of 8 after watching the Andy Griffith Show in Malaysia. I had to learn how to do that opening tune!
Scars - none from those things, really. All mine are from other areas.
My mother wanted me to take ballet lessons when I was 4. I told her I didn't want to because the other girls would tell me I was fat. I did take dance when I was a teen and thinish. It was a lot of fun!
I rode a bike when I was 6.
I swam when I was 9. I was afraid to put my head under water. Do you see a pattern here?
I am so pathetic. My first- and totally separate - three french kiss experiences were gross. Guys I didn't even like grabbed me and shoved their tongues down my throat. Gross!
I tried to do cartwheels all the time but wasn't good at it. But amazingly, that didn't stop me from trying.
Like Higgy, The Andy Griffith Show inspired me to learn to whistle. I was probably about 8. I'm a really good whistler.
I did almost drown, literally, once. I saw imaginary photos of my life as I went toward the light. Actually, the light was the sun above the water.
It took me a long time to get over the icky french kiss trauma. Actually, I still don't like certain styles of it.
TMI time again!
1. Learn: piano and music in general. Have picked up a little over the years and can sight read music badly. Would love to be able to sit down and pickout a few Johnny Mercer tunes,
2. Biggest, most pleasant surprise: Finding out my parents weren't destitute. It was my birthday (in january about a month after Christmas). I had shaken my largest gift for a couple weeks. Was sure it was one of the big LEGO sets I wanted. On the morning of my birthday, I anxiously ripped open the package only to find a used box with a few random pieces of my own LEGOs. I recall my Mom saying something about not being able to afford gifts. Obvioulsy, I was upset, but maintained a stiff upper lip. Would we loose the house? Where would our food come from. During the course of the morning, I was sent to the garage to retrieve something from the freezer, take out the trash etc. Finally, my parents took me into the garage to point out the brand new ten speed bicycle that'd I'd walked by several time. Obviously, I was distracted by our new financial plight. Now that I think about it, my parents were a bit twisted. But we weren't poor, so surprise!
3. Bike: Probably around second grade. I had an old, second hand beater bike with a banana seat, lots of reflectors and one of those tall, orange safety flags. On my next birthday, I received a brand new ten speed (see item 2 above).
Swim: It was early on when I learned. By second grade, I was like a fish. I was a little afraid to swim the length of the pool down the center at first, and preferred to swim along the side. I think the swim instructer mocked me for that fear (see item 4 below).
French kiss: Seventeen, but it wasn't until many years later that I actually enjoyedd it. Oh, and when you first kiss me these days, do not go striaght for the french kiss. Work up to it until the passion builds. Your tongue directly into my mouth upon first contact is not welcome.
Cartwheel: Never did.
Whistle: While playing with toys (don't remember which) and simulating a hurricane or jet engine, I kept hearing whistling. Eventually, I realized it was coming from me. So I refined my hurricane noise to a whistle.
4. All emotional. It's probably obvious.
1. I was a really good flute player in grammar school. Ditched it in highschool. I wish I studied music more.
2. Zip.
3. Ride a bike: I was probably about 9 years old, sitting on a big banana seat with huge chopper-like handle bars, my dad pushing me down the street at our lake house. Swim: I was born swimming. French Kiss: I think that Junior year in highschool is when I really learned. But before that, my first boyfriend in 8th grade got a tonguefull of braces when he tried french kissing me. Cartwheel: No idea. I'd guess around 7 or 8 years old. Whistle: ditto.
4. I remember almost drowning once, watching the water swirling over my head as I stayed under water. My mom dragged me out.
Ok, I finally remember one pleasant suprise. I woke up one morning to hear my sister, with whom I shared a room, snuffling and sneezing. I rolled over and spotted a pure white impossibly small kitten in a box on the floor between our beds. I think my eyes popped out of my head. She brought it home after being out late the night before. She didn't get permission to bring it home, but it's not like my parents could say no once they saw it. :)
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