Tomorrow, I will turn 40. So far, I feel no mid-life crisis emerging and hitting what some consider "middle age" hasn't made me depressed or scared or anxious or any of those things. I'm probably a bit more reflective this week than most and it is really true what they say about age sneaking up on you, but in the end I'm pretty satisfied with my life so crossing one more milestone is par for the course, I suppose.
Similarly, my British Literature students are entering into their final weeks of high school. From what I can tell, on the outside at least, they all seem to be managing fairly well but I'm sure, like me, they catch themselves in moments of reflection. This is a good place to be, in some ways, as we enter into Portfolio, their final one of their high school career.
So for this FINAL blog post of your high school career (!!!), let's have a little fun and a little reflection. I want you to post two pictures: one that was taken of you during 9th grade and one from this year. How have you changed, not just on the outside but on the inside too? What advice would 12th grade you give 9th grade you? This is it, folks, your last blog entry. Make it count! And because it's no fair to ask you to embarrass yourself if I'm not willing to participate, below you will find mine... no laughing, please.
Since I get the benefit of being old, I'm going to send a message to both of these Greg's from the (almost) 40 year-old Greg. The first thing I will say is to ENJOY THAT HAIR because man do I miss it... Also, never stop wearing shirts featuring your favorite bands because music is still your escape even all these years later. I'd tell both of them to stop worrying so much about what other people think and stop trying to control the future because the best moments are the ones where you let it all go and just trust in yourself. I'd tell them to cut Mom and Dad a little bit of slack because what I now know is that they were just trying to do the right thing (as are most parents) but even they sometimes screw up from time to time and parenting is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. I would tell them to be a whole lot nicer to everyone and that the quirky, weird kids are the ones that end up growing up to be the most interesting so befriend them instead of the "cool" kids. Finally, I'd say travel more, worry less and never underestimate the redemptive power of a long run on a cool morning before the rest of the world wakes up.
Similarly, my British Literature students are entering into their final weeks of high school. From what I can tell, on the outside at least, they all seem to be managing fairly well but I'm sure, like me, they catch themselves in moments of reflection. This is a good place to be, in some ways, as we enter into Portfolio, their final one of their high school career.
So for this FINAL blog post of your high school career (!!!), let's have a little fun and a little reflection. I want you to post two pictures: one that was taken of you during 9th grade and one from this year. How have you changed, not just on the outside but on the inside too? What advice would 12th grade you give 9th grade you? This is it, folks, your last blog entry. Make it count! And because it's no fair to ask you to embarrass yourself if I'm not willing to participate, below you will find mine... no laughing, please.
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| Me, on the first day of 9th grade. Jealous of my Red Hot Chili Pepper's t-shirt? |
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| This is me in the 12th grade at the "senior tables" with my best friend. |
Since I get the benefit of being old, I'm going to send a message to both of these Greg's from the (almost) 40 year-old Greg. The first thing I will say is to ENJOY THAT HAIR because man do I miss it... Also, never stop wearing shirts featuring your favorite bands because music is still your escape even all these years later. I'd tell both of them to stop worrying so much about what other people think and stop trying to control the future because the best moments are the ones where you let it all go and just trust in yourself. I'd tell them to cut Mom and Dad a little bit of slack because what I now know is that they were just trying to do the right thing (as are most parents) but even they sometimes screw up from time to time and parenting is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. I would tell them to be a whole lot nicer to everyone and that the quirky, weird kids are the ones that end up growing up to be the most interesting so befriend them instead of the "cool" kids. Finally, I'd say travel more, worry less and never underestimate the redemptive power of a long run on a cool morning before the rest of the world wakes up.
