All Human
Writing Exercise For YA Lit That Was Just Too Good To Waste
(Write about your school's social hierarchy)
First and probably foremost are the monks. The Benedictine brothers who run the prestigious Portsmouth Abbey and School. They're sort of like a religious gang--they dress alike (black robes and hoods, the latest infallible fashions), have the ( Read more... )
This quote really got to me - I completely understand what you mean.
"people who stare at the sunset just to stare at the sunset" - I was one of these people.
I used to always sit up at the boat house, on the roof, and stare out at the bay. I remember being so awestruck by these small little things in life, and my friends would come down and meet me and say "why the fuck are you so deep?". I felt as though I was the only person who had a third eye, who noticed the small cracks in the pavement, the leaves on the trees changing colors by the seasons, all that.
I remember mostly standing by the rocks on the bay, gazing at that nearby bridge, seeing all the cars racing by...wishing I could be part of real life...I was a boarder, so for me, I rarely got to go off campus - real life seemed so far away, I felt so isolated from everything.
I think it's good that you're so observant, it's a gift, so use that and nurture it. I can see the writer in you just by this post, and God, you remind me so much of myself back then!
Reply
It's equally funny to me that my lonesome little post was read by someone in Denmark--and someone who went to the Abbey! Talk about divine providence, or random coincidence, or some crossroad in between, huh?
I'll admit right away, I was in a summery, school-hating funk when I wrote this, and so although all of it is true and I don't regret writing it, I actually love the Abbey. I've spent three relatively happy years (I entered as a sophomore, now I'm a senior) here, and found my place and my people. That doesn't mean I don't see the flaws--there are too many--but I found my happiness despite them. I'm only sorry you couldn't, but I am glad to know you found it elsewhere. (I skimmed through a few of your posts back when you first commented on my post.)
The bullying is less of a problem, I think, mostly due to an unexpected and serious incident my sophomore year that profoundly affected the entire school and made everyone care a little bit more. Still, locker room rituals and various girlish theatrics do continue on as normal. The school has been trying to handle such things with care, treating certain issues like glass--yet they still don't hesitate to slam down the iron fist of disapproval whenever drugs, drinking, or sex is involved. The Abbey could learn to loosen up about that--especially considering what they used to be like in the past. There are some very interesting pictures in the yearbooks from the seventies, which shouldn't be surprising since it was the seventies, but is because it was Portsmouth Abbey.
St Hugh's is still awful though, full of jerks and jocks and morons. I like Leo's much better, even if they do have some hygiene issues...this is from an outsider's perspective, since I have not stayed in any of them. I'm in Benet's right now as a prefect, and I love it. It's unquestionably my favorite place on campus and represents, I think, a more relaxed and comfortable side to PAS in general.
"Kids at PAS have absolute no freedoms, that they go overboard when they do have free time, and they get into a huge amount of trouble."
The most accurate way to put it, without a doubt.
"I wouldn't go as far as to say there's rampant sex and drug use...in fact, it's nothing compared to other high schools. I thought it was extremely tame when I was there - too tame!"
A good point, but from my opinion it's not too tame. I'm not devoutly religious in any sense of the word (I loathe being forced to participate in organized religion, but I respect anyone who does so willingly), nor am I particularly tame myself, but I try to keep to some standards, and remain honest and stay out of trouble. There are too many people who only care about themselves, too many people who have hurt themselves and others with their actions, for me to see the Abbey as too tame. If anything, the Abbey is too reserved to realize the difference between a true wrong and a perfectly normal action--like having wine with dinner, and the like of which you spoke. Then again, so few students appreciate the real value of things that sometimes I can't blame the school for being overly strict.
Forgive me; I'm babbling. It's quite early in the morning here, which is simultaneously the most and least convinient time for me to write.
I very much liked hearing from you, and I appreciated the compliment. I'm not too worried about anyone finding or caring about this post--I'm firmly under the radar of the people who would care, and the ones who wouldn't care are my friends. Take care!
Reply
Leave a comment