In Response to Teague's Entry about Middle School
When I was reading Teague's entry, it, as it undoubtably did for most everyone who read it, made me stroll down memory lane myself. I will briefly try to describe my experiences in middle school. Middle School was the worst time of my life.
I love DeForest. Well, no I don't. I love the people I know in DeForest. Is that fair? But I didn't when we first moved here. Looking back at pictures, I wouldn't have wanted to be my friend back then, either. Now I try to embrace everyone, but in middle school when all you care about is what other people think, you try to stick close to what everyone will approve of. Back in Peotone, I truly didn't care what anyone thought. I was 12 years old and could care less what people were saying about me.
And then I moved here. I was suddenly dropped into Middle School, where everyone had already formed cliques and weren't willing to make room for "fags" (a.k.a. new kids) as I was called on more than one occasion by complete strangers.
Funny how life makes circles, huh? I started off a bit too confident and was thrown for a loop when I wasn't accepted for who I was. And now, after my first love, freshmen year, more fights with friends than I care to count, I'm back to being someone I like being. Hell, someone I love being. In middle school I didn't like myself all that much, but I HATED the people who I felt put me down all the time. And now, I don't care. I know what I want in my life and will not let anyone or anything stop me. (That's something I never would have known/done in high school) And I guess, I have my experiences (even in middle school) to thank for that. If I hadn't been picked on or self-conscious, then I never would have been challenged. Meaning, I never would have overcome people challenging who I am.
Challenge my personality all you want, now. I will win every time.
Thank you, Teague for the inspiration to write this down.
I love DeForest. Well, no I don't. I love the people I know in DeForest. Is that fair? But I didn't when we first moved here. Looking back at pictures, I wouldn't have wanted to be my friend back then, either. Now I try to embrace everyone, but in middle school when all you care about is what other people think, you try to stick close to what everyone will approve of. Back in Peotone, I truly didn't care what anyone thought. I was 12 years old and could care less what people were saying about me.
And then I moved here. I was suddenly dropped into Middle School, where everyone had already formed cliques and weren't willing to make room for "fags" (a.k.a. new kids) as I was called on more than one occasion by complete strangers.
Funny how life makes circles, huh? I started off a bit too confident and was thrown for a loop when I wasn't accepted for who I was. And now, after my first love, freshmen year, more fights with friends than I care to count, I'm back to being someone I like being. Hell, someone I love being. In middle school I didn't like myself all that much, but I HATED the people who I felt put me down all the time. And now, I don't care. I know what I want in my life and will not let anyone or anything stop me. (That's something I never would have known/done in high school) And I guess, I have my experiences (even in middle school) to thank for that. If I hadn't been picked on or self-conscious, then I never would have been challenged. Meaning, I never would have overcome people challenging who I am.
Challenge my personality all you want, now. I will win every time.
Thank you, Teague for the inspiration to write this down.