Reliving It Part V

I did not want to go to an all girl's catholic high school. I wanted to go the public high school two blocks from where we lived. I lost that battle and ended up spending four glorious years at St. Hubert's Catholic High School for Girls.

The horror of it all began on the very first day of ninth grade when I wore my uniform to school. No one bothered to tell me that the first day of school meant pretty dresses not uniforms. Did I mention I stuck out like a sore thumb? Again? Every morning in homeroom, the girls had to kneel on the floor for uniform inspection which simply meant our uniforms had better reach the floor or else we were in deep shit. I bet our brother school Father Judge did not have to submit to such nonsense, but then again they were of the male variety. I hated every single day of my first year of high school so much I failed science and ended up in summer school. Did I mention, I would go on to college and be a science major and receive A's?

Anyway, the second year was much better. I met my best friend and future Maid of Honor because she sat directly behind me in homeroom. I was a Weleski, she was a Wike and neither of us were in the school council and/or cheerleaders. Those girls were the important ones in our world at the time. Those girls were also petite and pretty and giggled a lot. By contrast, I was tall and did not giggle in that "Oh my God, you are so great kind of way". I got honors that year.
I also had my first real boyfriend who by the way was a senior at the public school. Man, I was so cool going out with a senior who actually had a car and could dance. He also introduced me to beer and pizza. He was also a little crazy waiting outside my last class just to drive me home so I could not hang with the girls and/or guys in my group. I used to sneak around the building when I spotted his car and take off up back alley ways until I got home. One night he drove by and shouted out the window, "I am breaking off with you". I responded with, "Oh Well". He was pretty pissed because I was suppose to go to his prom, but opted to go to another prom instead at Father Judge, the all male catholic high school.

I have to say that year was fun. The guys at Jack in the Box built a fort down the woods where we would have parties on the weekends as well as run from the police on horseback. Winter meant ice skating on the pond and/or creek. It also meant sledding down Austin Meehan. We also hung in an abandon trailer where the guys would hide their illegal beverages in the vents. That was fun too until the cops found out. I remember having this amazing crush on one of my brother's friends. My brother and I were close in age, therefore, shared many of the same friends. This guy never gave me a second look. As a matter of fact, several of the guys in our group did not give me a second look. I thought it was because I was too tall and flat chested. I later found out it was because they were afraid of my brother. That year I got my first job at Jeanes' Pizza which did not last long because my father believed my job was school not work.

The summer of 1976 I spent in Southern California with my grandparents, uncle, aunt and six cousins. It was one of the best times of my life. We traveled the coast up to Nevada. I thought I was in heaven. The waves were huge in the pacific and I remember being knocked down and dragged all the way back to the beach by one. In the evenings, I would fish out on the pier with my grandfather. He not only taught me to fish, but he taught me how to shoot pool. I was pretty good at both. Another amazing memory of my grandfather was his ability to tell stories. The stories may have been real or false, but the way he told them made you feel as if you were experiencing them yourself. He also gave great back rubs. I adored my grandfather and thought he was the best man God ever gave to this earth. He had integrity, strength, love, compassion and a protector. He was also a man before his time. He taught me how important an education was. That a woman should have a career and never depend on a man.