Recently I came across a journal of mine from 1992. I was a newly engaged 23 year old at the time, planning my wedding. Little Girl was using it as a coloring book- awesome! I used to be so good at journal writing. Now looking back at the person I was I am not so sure all that journalling was a good idea. Just kidding. But it was eye opening to read what I had written. I thought I was a bad speller in my forties, but in my twenties I really sucked. It was all I could do to not break out a red marker and correct myself on the page. I sometimes think I have a tendency towards self-centeredness. But my younger self could really teach a class on narcissism. I don't want to be too harsh because, after all I was young and in the mist of planning the biggest day of my life. However, I've decided that I am glad that I grew up and that with age came wisdom. Thank heavens!
I have decided to take it easier on the younger generation as well, who sometimes are a silly bunch who don't know the difference between two, to and too. The reason is that hey, we've all been ignorant at some point. I am pretty ignorant about many things still myself. But tonight as Middle Boy and I sat on a green plastic bench at a local pizza place awaiting our pizza order, I witnessed a level of stupidity that had to be judged and blogged about. The young teen who took our order was clearly in love with her co-worker who was teasing back playfully with her and it was getting pretty silly. She was trying to convince him that you pronounced parmesan "par-jamin." Said like Ramen (the noodles) or jamin' (as in we be..). I sat there just taking it in for some time and then I just couldn't take it any more. She had him convinced and even checking with the real Italians in the back making pizza. Still the debate went on. I finally called out in frustration "It's parmesan!" totally embarrassing my 14 year old son. Someone needed to rescue the poor guy from drowning in a pool of ignorance. I mean what are we teaching this generation of upcoming youngsters if we don't educate them in the cheese department?!
Anyway back to me and my old journal. : )
There is a day I am talking about how my fiance T was having a bad day after his wisdom tooth had just been removed. How I had been out with some friends to a movie and then came by later to see him. He was hinting to me that I shouldn't stay too late before on the phone and I got all bent out of shape about it. I was all happy and bubbly when I went to visit and he was feeling miserable. I just didn't get it and was totally insensitive to his pain. At least that is what I read between the lines in my journal. What a baby I was! Had I known what parmesan cheese was I probably would have mispronounced it as well. So tonight I just want to say how grateful I am for time and the lessons we learn along the way. And I am also thankful for a little invention called the spell checker.
12 comments:
I have an aunt, who is one of the smartest women I know, she is a therapist and is very professional, who is the WORST speller in the world.
She sent me a text the other day, and even her text speak was spelled wrong!
my ap english teacher was a horrible speller and said it was no reflection on intelligence at all.
its odd that you mention your old journals today of all days. i came across a bunch of them myself today. i wont even read them anymore because the last time i did, i just wanted to burn them. i just put them in a new box and walked away.
I don't think you could pay me to go back to my 20's! Love Love Love the lessons I have learned along the way including compassion and sensitivity!
I didn't keep a journal back then - I am sure I was horribly self centered. Oh my
Spell checker is the bomb!
P.S. I would have never guessed you were in your 40's from your picture.
Thanks Cherie!
You are my new best friend : )
To be honest that photo was taken at 36. Does that make me a big fat cheater as well as a bad speller?
Hahaha!! This really cracked me up. I really don't like going back and reading my old journals because I always feel like such a dolt.
But the thing is, that is how you learn. And I think we are all very selfish before we have kids. They really help you grow up quite a bit, don't they?
That is SO true Kat!
Just the other night I read one of my old journals while sitting on the toilet. TMI? Sorry. I'm torn between burning them and framing them - it's a toss up.
LOL!!!! And I completely understand reading on the toilet. It's the best place right?
Hey Kelly! Sorry I've been missing. Back to school was just draining all my available time since I'm home schooling 2 of mine this year. I TOTALLY get the lessons that come with age. Whenever I encounter a 20something mom who exudes self-centered-ness, it's like a blast from the past for me. The things I used to think were important. Ugh!
I avoid reading my journals from the past! I hope I have matured some over the years, not just physically but in every other way. (Although I still feel 19 until I look in the mirror)
One of my biggest pet peeves is misspelled words, especially on a sign or if done by a professional.
I learned the term to describe a person who is bothered by language mistakes. It's "linguistic chauvinist". (Thank heavens for dictionary.com and spell check)
Have a lovely day.
It's so funny that you say that Connie, because even though I can't always spell well, I am a linguistic chauvinist too (just had to check that spelling btw)...
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