Today was Kathryn’s last day of school. She doesn’t have exams tomorrow and she insists the teachers don’t want to see her on Monday either. We went out to dinner to celebrate the end of a successful freshman year. I deem it a success because:
1. She was able to make new friends, but keep the old.
2. She wasn’t beaten up or bullied.
3. She didn’t miss the bus once.
4. She did well academically.
The academics is last in my eyes. There’s so much pressure on these kids to do well, that is it counterproductive. They are freaking out, worried that at age 14 or 15, they are washouts. We are fortunate she’s like her brother Jonathan – a self-motivated student. In fact, there have been a number of times when I’ve asked if she wants to go do something only to be told she has to study. This is said, of course, in a tone that implies I am a bad influence on her.
As I sat waiting to pick her up today, I noticed some of the outfits the kids were wearing. Why, when it is the hottest day of the year, are they in sweatshirts and pants but in the winter, when the wind chill is fierce, are they in shorts? I mentioned to Kathryn “What Not to Wear” might want to come and chat with some of the students. When I described the outfits I saw, I was told that is what is in style.
We were talking some more about the outfits and she mentioned that a friend of hers was going bathing suit shopping and was told, by a guy friend “Modest is the hottest.” This made my day because I’m covered up at the beach so no sun can reach me so I must be the hottest thing there! Woo hoo! We both had a laugh over that. Kathryn might have laughed a bit too hard…
Today’s song from my IPod is from the Go Go’s “Vacation” – another great 80’s hit!
spooningwithsmokey 