In some ways, I did weird things to attract attention from others, but sometimes I found it totally amusing and interesting doing oddball type of things. And other times I was the weird kid that got picked on.
1. As a kid, I LOVED this one doll that my parents had given me one year for Christmas. I still have the doll actually...I plan on saving it for my child. The doll (aka Michelle) is a life size baby, probably accurate to 2 or 3 months old. I needed doll clothes, but she was so big, I didn't have anything, so I went to the nearby second hand store and I would buy baby clothes, for like 0.25 cents each...I think I thought it was quite a steal! I remember asking my Mom where they got the doll from (what store), and I remember her saying, it came from the hospital. Now, who knows....did she mean, at the gift store OR the doll was "born" at the hospital?
2. I can cross my heart & hope to die (and pinky swear, too) that my elementary ex best friend, Jenna had it in for me. After school one day, I got a call from Jenna's sister saying that I had punched Jenna in the face while in the school washroom after the bell had gone. That was all false, and when I left for school the next day, the patrols said I was in trouble for that false claim. I talked (CRIED) to my teacher when I got to school and told her the whole story and how I went straight home the day before. So the teacher believed me and I never did get in trouble. I was left with one less friend and sadness.
3. When I was in jr high youth group with my church, we would occasionally go for a weekend retreat - skiing, staying at a hotel, or going to camp, etc. We spent a weekend at a hotel, and I can't tell you what my youth pastor was giving us a lesson on...But he always had some new crazy activity for us to participate in. Well, I guess it's in our genes or something, because he asked if 3 people would like to drink a glass of water.....and swallow the live goldfish!!! Well I agreed to do it and my older sister got up there and so did another youth. I downed it no problem....It did feel kind of funny as it went down my throat. My sister on the other hand, was able to swallow it but it came right back up - with her breakfast!
4. I graduated high school and at the time, I was dating this weird guy.. I didn't really like him, but he wouldn't leave me alone. I found out about this Canada wide volunteer program called Katimavik. So it involved leaving home for 9 months, lots of volunteering, living with 11 other Canadian young people and a whole lot of new experiences. I couldn't wait to leave - experience flying! So awesome - except for turbulence! My parents took my boyfriend and I to the airport on the day of my departure and as I said I couldn't wait to leave. To my surprise, I wasn't emotional - but my boyfriend was sobbing!! And he gave me this gaudy cross necklace (apparently it was his grandmother's) and he wanted me to have it....like a promise ring, I guess? Whoa, I didn't even see a future with this guy. So he pushed it into my hands and begged me to take it.
I was having the time of my life on the trip...except for this baggage - I had to break up with him and it could only be done on instant messenger or by phone. He was not happy that's all I can say! I sent him the cross necklace in the mail....BUT would you believe it?? He sent it back to me! His Mom even talked to me and said she wanted it back! I said I'd keep it in a safe spot and drop it off when I come home6 months later - enough of the silliness of sending it back and forth.
-Carla
