Throwback Thursday: High School. (Also known as, I'm having a hard time at my new school)

Welcome to another round of Throwback Thursdays, folks! For those of you who are joining us for the first time, here's the rundown.

A SUMMER OF THROWBACK THURSDAYS

BLOG STYLE

Here's how it works:

Every Thursday through August we'll be throwing it back here at thelifeofbon.com.  We want to see pictures of course, but we want the stories that go behind those pictures even more!  And because I'm a total control freak, I've even mapped out a nice little schedule for all of us.  I figure the prompts will make it easier to come up with something to write about every week.

TH  6/13  A memory of learning to drive, your first car or the early driving days.

TH  6/20  Elementary school crush

TH  6/27  Throwback birthday

TH  7/4   Throwback fourth of July

TH  7/11  First job

TH  7/18  Moving away from home

TH  7/25  Memory of one or both of your parents from childhood

TH  8/1   Favorite summer vacation

TH  8/8   Childhood friends

TH  8/15  First kiss

TH  8/22  Memory of a high school teacher or high school class

TH  8/29  Back to school memory

Guess what, guys?  Today is the last day of my Throwback Thursday.  I know it was supposed to go until next week, but freak, people, I do what I want!  I feel too restricted by the prompt and I find myself not looking forward to my Thursday posts which is definitely a bad sign.  In addition to that, this Thursday and next Thursday's prompt were basically the same, so I'm just combining them and ending the whole shabam.  It was fun while it lasted, no doubt, but I want my Thursdays back!

Since the topic today is memories of a high school class or teacher I first want to share my memory from today.  In other words, I want to talk about the here and now for a second so humor me, will you?

My peeps at Copper Hills.  Trying so hard not to miss them.  It's not working.

Today was a rough day for me.  I feel myself really struggling to feel at home at the school, with the students, and with the faculty at my new school.  I don't have the confidence I did at Copper Hills, and I know that part of that is just adjusting to the school, and giving it time, but it is frustrating to me.

The students aren't helping any.  They have no respect for me.  I can feel them staring at me asking "Who are you to try to teach me about English?"  No one knows my name, no one has had me before, I'm just some nobody whose class they got thrown in.

I asked students to tell me a bit about their past experiences in English and one student wrote about his teacher last year, describing in detail what a fun and amazing teacher he was. Then, he added in a note to me-  "You could learn a thing or two from him."  Ouch.  I thought about telling him that he could learn a thing or two from Copper Hill students about respect and common courtesy.

It's just I miss my little Copper Hills tikes so bad.  I can't help but think of how they all whined and cried and begged me to stay when I told them I was switching schools.  I can't help but think of who would have been in my classes had I stayed- smart kids, funny kids, kids I love.  Not kids who come in and think I'm a joke and tell me to take some lessons from the other English teachers and then try to transfer out of my class first chance they get.

Sigh.  It'll get better.  It just needs time.  In the meantime, watching hours of Kardashians to distract you from real life never hurt anyone, right?

Throwback Thursday: FIRST KISS

A SUMMER OF THROWBACK THURSDAYS

BLOG STYLE

Here's how it works:

1.  Every Thursday through August we'll be throwing it back here at thelifeofbon.com.  We want to see pictures of course, but we want the stories that go behind those pictures even more!  And because I'm a total control freak, I've even mapped out a nice little schedule for all of us.  I figure the prompts will make it easier to come up with something to write about every week.

TH  6/13  A memory of learning to drive, your first car or the early driving days.

TH  6/20  Elementary school crush

TH  6/27  Throwback birthday

TH  7/4   Throwback fourth of July

TH  7/11  First job

TH  7/18  Moving away from home

TH  7/25  Memory of one or both of your parents from childhood

TH  8/1   Favorite summer vacation

TH  8/8   Childhood friends

TH  8/15  First kiss

TH  8/22  Memory of a high school teacher or high school class

TH  8/29  Back to school memory

Well, well, well.  Looks like it is time for the best Throwback Thursday post EVER.  I can't wait to read everyone's first kiss stories.  I'm guessing that for 9 out of 10 of you your first kiss was pretty horrific and that is exactly why I am looking forward to it.  What story is better than a terrible first kiss story?

For some reason unbeknownst to me, I made it all the way to age 18 before I kissed anyone.  During junior high I was a total freak, so that it explains why I made it through those years of angst kissless.  I don't know what happened in high school though.  I don't think I was overly weird or overly ugly or overly anything.  It was pretty simple really: the boys I liked never liked me back, the boys that liked me I never liked back. That's how I ended up my first few weeks of college still a member of the good old "virgin lips" good.

Ah, look at those virgin lips.  Just waiting for their first kiss.

After a few weeks at BYU I started hanging out with this boy Jordan who I actually didn't like much at all, he was just someone to keep me occupied until the apple of my eye, Josh noticed me.  You all know how that goes, right?  I could tell the story here, but lucky for you all I have documented the story in its detailed entirety in my journal from 2004.  The journal entry is so much better than anything I could ever write now.  Enjoy!

October 3, 2004

Last night Jordan called me to hang out.  He took me out for ice cream and that we sat down and at it in a secluded area.  Jordan started telling me about how his parents are getting divorced.  He knew exactly how to butter me up and make me feel bad for him.  We were sitting there talking for awhile, and then Jordan lay down.  I lay down too.  Dumb decision.  Our faces were right next to each other.  It was quiet and all of a sudden I realized Jordan was going to try to kiss me.  It seriously didn't dawn on me until that exact moment.  As I was realizing it, Jordan moved in for the kiss.  He missed and softly bit my bottom lip.  I moved my head so that he couldn't kiss me.  He didn't say anything and it was extremely awkward.  I didn't know what to say so I just kind of giggled and said, "Jordan, I can't kiss you..."  "Why not?" "Because I don't kiss on the first date." "Why not?" "It's a rule... I don't kiss on the first date."  That really isn't a rule of mine, I just thought it was a good excuse to not kiss him.  Jordan said in a disgusting, low, seducing voice, "Rules are meant to be broken."

At this point I didn't know what to do.  I wanted to kiss Jordan because I have never kissed anyone before and I would say it is about time!  However I didn't want to kiss Jordan because I don't like him and what a stupid first kiss!  Jordan continued to try to convince me to kiss him, "Why don't you kiss on the first date?" He asked. "Because girls who kiss on the first date are sluts." I replied.  Jordan acted appalled and said in a sympathetic voice, "No! I won't think you're a slut..."  Of course YOU won't, you idiot!  Everyone else will.  He is such a moron.  As I was debating how strong my desire was to not kiss Jordan, he went in to kiss me again.  I let him.  He didn't even start slow.  He just went for it.  I had no idea what to do.  I figure I must have been the worst kisser in the whole world.  I was completely disgusted by it.  I tried to turn my head so he would stop kissing me and he would kiss my neck.  I tell you, that guy did not know when to stop.

As much as I didn't like kissing Jordan, kissing was an interesting experience.  It did get kind of boring after awhile, though.  It didn't taste very good.  I think because we had both just eaten ice cream.  I kept opening my eyes while we were kissing.  I am pretty sure that is not a good sign.  I would open my eyes and look at him kissing me and think how ugly and stupid he looked.  I also kept thinking of Josh.  I can't tell you how many time I thought about Josh.  I'm pretty sure THAT is not a good sign, either.  I would open me eyes, look at the stars, and think about Josh as Jordan kissed me.  
Finally I got sick enough of Jordan kissing me that I told him I needed to go home.  He kept kissing me.  I said it again and he ignored me.  "Jordan!  I need to go home now!"  His reply?  "Yah... so I heard."  What a jerk, huh?  He has some nerve.  I sat up, which was kind of difficult with him kissing me, and told him to take me home now.  

Jordan walked me home and I was terrified as we neared my apartment that someone would see us.  We walked right in front of Josh's apartment building.  What if he was out front and saw us?  At the doorstep, Jordan kissed me more.  I pulled away and told him to stop because I didn't want people to see us.  His reply, "They're just jealous that they don't have anyone to make out with."  I was extremely disturbed by this.  Obviously that is what I was to Jordan, just someone "to make out with." I said goodnight and walked away.

And I never saw that boy again.

Pretty wild, huh?  It's funny now to read back on it and think how disgusted and weirded out I was by Jordan.  I may have been only 18 but it was still my first kiss and geez you can't go ape like that on a girl who has never even locked lips before!

It definitely wasn't the best first kiss, but it sure is a memorable one.  (And one I will probably never tell my children!)  Now link up your first kiss stories.  I don't care if you tell just the bare minimum or write it all out in its gory details- I just want to hear your Throwback First Kisses!

Throwback Thursday: Moving away from home

Welcome to another round of Throwback Thursdays, folks!  I hope you are having as much fun as I am throwing it back.  I have been reading old journals and looking at tons of old pictures... so fun to walk down memory lane.  For those of you who are joining us for the first time, here's the rundown.

A SUMMER OF THROWBACK THURSDAYS

BLOG STYLE

Here's how it works:

1.  Every Thursday through August we'll be throwing it back here at thelifeofbon.com.  We want to see pictures of course, but we want the stories that go behind those pictures even more!  And because I'm a total control freak, I've even mapped out a nice little schedule for all of us.  I figure the prompts will make it easier to come up with something to write about every week.

TH  6/13  A memory of learning to drive, your first car or the early driving days.

TH  6/20  Elementary school crush

TH  6/27  Throwback birthday

TH  7/4   Throwback fourth of July

TH  7/11  First job

TH  7/18  Moving away from home

TH  7/25  Memory of one or both of your parents from childhood

TH  8/1   Favorite summer vacation

TH  8/8   Childhood friends

TH  8/15  First kiss

TH  8/22  Memory of a high school teacher or high school class

TH  8/29  Back to school memory

THROWBACK THURSDAY WEEK FIVE:  

MOVING AWAY FROM HOME

My freshman roommates.  We took "family pictures."  We were so weird.

I moved away from home in August of 2004.  I had graduated in May, turned 18 in June, and was now ready to be out totally on my own.  Looking back, it's weird to me that I was only 18 and living on my own, but at the time I thought I was so old.

I didn't love high school and I thought the town I grew up in, Price, was super ghetto.  I couldn't wait to get out of that place.  (Which is weird- now I look back on my Price memories with great affection."  My goal growing up had always been to go to BYU.  I dreamed about it, saved up money for it, counted down the days until I would go.  I had never wanted something so much in my whole life.

Interestingly enough, when the move actually happened I was terrified.  I moved to Provo, an hour and a half away from Price.  My mom drove me up with all my boxes and I remember when it was time for her to go I was pleading in my head for her to say.  I don't know why, but those first days I was so homesick.  So so homesick.  I was convinced my roommates were boring prudes that I would never get along with (I ended up loving them, of course) and that I was dumb to ever want to leave Price.  I guess that's the way it is in life. You want something so bad and then as soon as you get it, you want what you used to have.

I've got a great journal entry that describes my first day at college.  Be ye warned:  I was quite the drama queen:

September 6, 2004

I always imagined moving into my dorn room, unpacking with my roommate, getting to know each other, laughing, music playing, etc.  This was nothing like it.  I was all by myself, my stereo didn't work, and I was completely miserable.  I had no idea where any of my roommates had vanished to.  I attempted to hang pictures on my wall, but they kept falling down and crashing.  I couldn't find one of my bozes or my cell phone and I was tripping over all sorts of crap.  I took one box of stuff to unload in the bathroom and there found a note that Mary (my little sister) had left for me.  On it she had made a list of "50 reasons I will miss you."  This was the breaking point for me.  I sat there on the bathroom floor with makeup and hair stuff all around and just bawled and bawled.  Mary's letter was so sweet and it made me miss her and home so much.  I was absolutely miserable and didn't want to be at college anymore.  It is so frustrating when everything you have worked for and looked forward to your whole life all of a sudden isn't what you thought it would be.

Given, that was the first day.  Within a week I was fine.

The roommate I still keep in touch with the most- Holly.  

(The first two or three years I had this blog she was the only person who read it.)

Things that I loved the most about moving away from home:

- I could eat cereal three meals a day.

- I could stay out as late as I wanted.

- No one made me clean my room.

- I felt like I was hanging out with friends all day every day.

Things I missed the most about home:

- Sunday dinners with my family.

- Our big yard to go outside and enjoy.  The dorm room left me feeling very confined.

- Having my own room and always feeling like I had space

- The house always being clean.

- Home cooking.

- My little sister.

- Having a piano.

Interesting that the things I loved about being away from home (not having to clean my room) were also the things that I missed about home (having the house clean.)  Ain't that weird the way it works?

End of freshman year, taking our 7 foot couch back to the thrift store from whence it came.  We had some good memories on that bad boy.

Oh- one last thing.  I remember the first month or so in my dorm room my two roommates, Holly and Jess, talking about this thing called facebook.  They kept getting on there and looking at people they knew and I thought, "Why would you look at them on the computer when you could just go hang out with them?"  My, how far we have come!

Alright, now it's time for you to tell me your first move out stories.  Where did you move to?  Were you scared?  Excited?  How old were you?  Link up, darlings!

Throwback Thursdays: First Job

A SUMMER OF THROWBACK THURSDAYS

BLOG STYLE

Here's how it works:

1.  Every Thursday through August we'll be throwing it back here at thelifeofbon.com.  We want to see pictures of course, but we want the stories that go behind those pictures even more!  And because I'm a total control freak, I've even mapped out a nice little schedule for all of us.  I figure the prompts will make it easier to come up with something to write about every week.

TH  6/13  A memory of learning to drive, your first car or the early driving days.

TH  6/20  Elementary school crush

TH  6/27  Throwback birthday

TH  7/4   Throwback fourth of July

TH  7/11  First job

TH  7/18  Moving away from home

TH  7/25  Memory of one or both of your parents from childhood

TH  8/1   Favorite summer vacation

TH  8/8   Childhood friends

TH  8/15  First kiss

TH  8/22  Memory of a high school teacher or high school class

TH  8/29  Back to school memory

2.  Follow www.thelifeofbon.com, slap that little button somewhere on your post, and link up your Throwback Thursday posts!  I'm so excited to read everybody's stories.

3.  Visit new blogs and make new blog friends.  No duh!

TODAY'S TOPIC:  FIRST JOB

My first job was working for my old man in his podiatry office.  For those of you who aren't well versed in the world of medicine, that's a foot doctor.  Growing up I often got asked why in the world anyone would want to be a foot doctor.  The jury's still out on that, people, but it's what my dad chose for a profession and at the ripe old age of 14 I got recruited to come assist in his office.  It was my summer job- I would go in every day for 1-5 and help file, clean up rooms, take patients back, help answer the phone, etc.  You know, rip roaring fun for a 14 year old.

Fourteen year old Bon.  I had yet to discover the miracle of teeth whitener and push up bras.

While it certainly wasn't the most exciting job, I'm so grateful that I worked in my dad's office because I got to see my dad in his work environment and spend more time with him.  I remember him showing me all the different tools, what they did, the different types of medicine.  My dad was loved so much by his patients.  It is weird as a teenager to go from seeing your dad as some old dad who doesn't have a clue to a well respected and liked man by almost everyone who comes in to his office.

I worked in my dad's office every summer until I graduated.  I think part of the reason why I was so close to my dad was because I had this extra time with him.  The summer I turned 16 I started going to Emery- about an hour drive- every Tuesday to help him in his clinic there.  That's the summer he taught me to drive a shift and I remember our talks on the way to and from the clinic- just the two of us.

I've got some real gems from my journal about working in my dad's office- some that are just hilarious and some that show the sweet experience it was to work with my pop:

June 7, 2000
Working in dad's office has its ups and downs.  I feel like I do everything wrong and Teresa (the office manager) is growing impatient with me.  It seems like everything is my fault, "Bonnie, what'd you do to the copy machine?  "Where'd you put Mary Mortenson's file?"  You know what I mean?  I suppose I'll get used to the way the office works, but for now I am very unsure of myself.

August 9, 2000
Today I was straightening up a room in the office and dad came in and said, "Do you want a dollar?" and I, thinking he wanted me to do him a favor said, "Why?" and he says, "Cuz I like you!"  Then he gave me one of those new dollar gold coins.  It made me feel so special!  I love my dad so much!  He always makes me feel so good inside!

May 31, 2001
Yesterday I worked 1-6 in the office.  My first day with patients with summer.  It was sooooo busy!  We were more than an hour behind!  It was a pretty good day at the office.  Mom and Mary were in Provo so dad and I went to Sherald's burger bar for dinner.  It was kind of fun.  I got a BLT, fries, fresh lime and an ice cream cone.  I love eating with dad because he lets me get anything I want!

July 29, 2001
Friday I had to work again.  I had SO much to do there!  Dictations, charts, statements, and cleaning.  I barely got done by 5:00 and I didn't even get Monday's charts pulled!

August 12, 2001
Today I have been so ornery.  I don't even know why.  When I was cleaning the room dad said to me, "Bonnie, you don't smile much anymore.  Are you happy?"  I didn't really know what to say.  I think today has just been a bad day for me.  Also, summer has been hard.  I'm the only one of friends who has a job, and it is hard always working.

August 21, 2001
Yesterday Teresa was sick so I worked 8:30-5:30 with only a 20 minute break for lunch.  I thought I was going to shoot myself.

June 10, 2002
Summer as a whole has been awesome so far.  I work in the mornings on Monday and Wednesday, the afternoons on Tuesday and Thursday, and not at all Fridays. I love this arrangement.  It's enough hours that I still get the money I want but I'm not always working.  I work some mornings so I have some afternoons to play.  Tuesdays I am going to go to Emery with dad to help him starting tomorrow.  I asked for a raise last week (I get paid $6 an hour) and mom and dad practically laughed in my face saying I got plenty of money for what I did.  It was embarrassing, insulting, and aggravating.

June 12, 2002
Yesterday I went to Emery with dad.  He was very busy and there were like 10 other doctors in the same building which made it so confusing.  I was very tired after we were done but decided to drive home because I need lots of practice on the stick shift car.  Ugh.  I almost got in two different wrecks.  It was so embarrassing and frustrating.  I am a terrible driver and driving the stick shift is even worse.

June 19, 2002
I love my dad to death.  I like working in the office with him (when he's not ornery) and kissing him goodbye.  Dad has been teaching me to drive a stick, and boy, does he have to be patient with me.  Dad's a little goody and nerdy sometimes, but he is tons of fun to work with!

June 25, 2002
Emery was good with dad today.  We were extremely busy and didn't get home until about 7:00.  Dad is really cool.  He can tell just what I'm thinking.  On our way there he asked if I liked Keenan [the boy I had a crush on at the time].  The craziest thing is I don't care at all when he knows who I like.  I just nodded my head.

Quite the gems, huh folks?  These posts always take me longer than any post of the week I do because I end up looking at so many old pictures and reading through old journals.  The experience has helped me revisit my past and has made me so grateful for those experiences.  The weird thing about life is sometimes we don't realize how great it is until we are past it.  I hope all of you will link up and take a stroll down memory lane- it really is amazing to revisit those old memories.

Link, link, link away!