Whats it like to be a nerd.
Growing up, my older sister was the talent, my little sister was the beauty. And I was?
The brains.
While they focused on theatre and boys I had my nose stuck in the books, my hands were busy writing papers. And my weekends, when not spent doing homework were consumed with either forensics-speech-competitions, or babysitting for extra money. Back then, I never thought myself the nerd. Nor the smart one. I just did what I was told. Did what I needed to do. I didn't care that Burgandy was off acting in play after play, starring in major college plays. I tried to ignore the fact that my blonde haired gorgeous little sister was cheerleader, was the girl everyone wanted. Instead i focused on my homework, my papers. My future.
Sure I was made fun of. Hillary never really got what I was exactly working for. To her, things came pretty easy and if it didn't? All she had to do was smile that pretty smile and she would somehow get what she wanted. Including grades. She had that effect on people. I can remember a couple of teachers telling her all she had to do was show up and she would pass, I on the other hand worked my ass off to get the grades I got. To pass some of the classes I took.
There were times when I didn't exactly think it was all fair.
Fast forward to fifteen years later, my older sister is still the actress, though she teaches it rather than acts. And Hillary, while may have hung up her cheerleader skirt. Still goes around chasing the boys. And myself. Myself is still the nerd. Still going to school, writing papers. Juggling a family, a husband and school. I am still the nerd.
In fact come to think about it. Little has changed.
This past January Hillary decided to start her own quest for a degree, applying and getting accepted into University of Phoenix. Considering she was one who barely made it through HS, deciding to go to college after so many years away was actually surprising. Though let it be known, we were very proud of her for this decision because I for one knew it wasn't going to be an easy thing to do. And so come the end of January, she began her quest to earn the degree she wants.
Fifteen years ago, my sister would have never come to me for help. She would have said she knew what she was doing, and didn't exactly need the help. Yet, as she goes on with her courses, I find the sister that for so many years refused to receive any help help from her big sis, is doing just that. Asking me help. To read over her homework, her papers. She comes to me if she can't understand what is going on. And while at one time I may have been offended at the fact she calls me the nerd.
I now take it as a huge compliment. And there is something about it, the fact that she is coming to me. The fact that she thinks I am the smart one.
That makes me feel really good. About myself.
The brains.
While they focused on theatre and boys I had my nose stuck in the books, my hands were busy writing papers. And my weekends, when not spent doing homework were consumed with either forensics-speech-competitions, or babysitting for extra money. Back then, I never thought myself the nerd. Nor the smart one. I just did what I was told. Did what I needed to do. I didn't care that Burgandy was off acting in play after play, starring in major college plays. I tried to ignore the fact that my blonde haired gorgeous little sister was cheerleader, was the girl everyone wanted. Instead i focused on my homework, my papers. My future.
Sure I was made fun of. Hillary never really got what I was exactly working for. To her, things came pretty easy and if it didn't? All she had to do was smile that pretty smile and she would somehow get what she wanted. Including grades. She had that effect on people. I can remember a couple of teachers telling her all she had to do was show up and she would pass, I on the other hand worked my ass off to get the grades I got. To pass some of the classes I took.
There were times when I didn't exactly think it was all fair.
Fast forward to fifteen years later, my older sister is still the actress, though she teaches it rather than acts. And Hillary, while may have hung up her cheerleader skirt. Still goes around chasing the boys. And myself. Myself is still the nerd. Still going to school, writing papers. Juggling a family, a husband and school. I am still the nerd.
In fact come to think about it. Little has changed.
This past January Hillary decided to start her own quest for a degree, applying and getting accepted into University of Phoenix. Considering she was one who barely made it through HS, deciding to go to college after so many years away was actually surprising. Though let it be known, we were very proud of her for this decision because I for one knew it wasn't going to be an easy thing to do. And so come the end of January, she began her quest to earn the degree she wants.
Fifteen years ago, my sister would have never come to me for help. She would have said she knew what she was doing, and didn't exactly need the help. Yet, as she goes on with her courses, I find the sister that for so many years refused to receive any help help from her big sis, is doing just that. Asking me help. To read over her homework, her papers. She comes to me if she can't understand what is going on. And while at one time I may have been offended at the fact she calls me the nerd.
I now take it as a huge compliment. And there is something about it, the fact that she is coming to me. The fact that she thinks I am the smart one.
That makes me feel really good. About myself.