# 9 - comfort vs. vulnerability

I like to be comfortable.

Correction. Maybe "love" is a better word.

I love to be comfortable.

Then again, life isn't always about being comfortable.

There are parts of our lives where we are called to be comfortable, to live in and with people, places, things and times that are familiar to us. However, there are those people, places, things, and times as equally as important, and even more so, I would argue, that cause us to step out of the comfort and into the vulnerability.

Comfort connotes that one desires to be in a place that one is familiar with. Comfort suggests that I make the choice to be involved with these people, places, things, and ideas. Vulnerability connotes that I desire (either by my own choice or not) to step out of the familiar and into a time and a space that is not my own. It is unfamiliar in the fact that I may be uncomfortable with the uncertainty and unknown parts of this person, place, or thing. On the other hand, vulnerability forces me to try something new: that is, to get to know a new person, new place, or a new thing. When every part of me resists the vulnerability or the uncomfortableness of this change (and believe me, it has), I fight. Hard. So much so, that I sometimes fall flat on my face in the circle of life, all because I am becoming introduced to something new.

Now, there are some differences between comfort and vulnerability. I would first argue that comfort can be broken down into two parts:

1) Comfort that is healthy
2) Comfort that is unhealthy.

In much the same way, vulnerability can be broken down into two parts:

1) Vulnerability that is healthy.
2) Vulnerability that is unhealthy.

If you are confused, let me being by explaining my thinking and logic on these two very different, yet very important, concepts.

First, let's tackle comfort that is healthy. Right now, I am sitting in a coffee shop. I am comfortable sitting in this coffee shop. I have my coffee, my blueberries and carrot sticks, my computer, my phone, and my books. One could say that I am comfortable. (Keep in mind, however, that my possessions should, in no way, define who I am. But, more on that in a future post.)

In dealing with comfort that is unhealthy - Let's take this same coffee shop. I have all of my possessions like books and coffee, with me. I would be considered (at least in my own thinking), to be experiencing "unhealthy comfort" if I was in this scenario all of the time. For example, I would be demonstrating that I am experiencing unhealthy comfort because I have refused to try and move to another location, like type at the mall, or in a park, or on a mountaintop.

In terms of vulnerability, a person can experience one of two types as explained above: vulnerability that is healthy and vulnerability that is unhealthy. Take, for example, a first date. A guy and a girl start off their relationship as friends and then they gradually discover that they have romantic feelings for each other. They decide that the next logical step is to go out on a date. This type of situation may be considered for some, healthy vulnerability. A typical guy asks a typical girl out. This act requires the guy to step out of the comfort of "just friends" and into a more deeper and defined relationship. In essence, the guy is putting himself out there for the girl to either reject or accept his invitation. I call this situation, "healthy vulnerability."

On the flip side, there is also, "unhealthy vulnerability." Let's take this scenario of this typical guy and this typical girl once more. Say this typical girl accepted the invitation of this first date. During the date, this typical girl tempts this typical guy by using flirtatious techniques that are very difficult for this guy to resist. This interaction makes the typical guy feel uncomfortable, and thus, the date itself feels incredibly awkward. This is an example of "unhealthy vulnerability." The girl put herself out there for the guy way too much at a time when their relationship was just beginning.

In life, I think we can all agree that we have experienced instances of healthy and unhealthy comfort and healthy and unhealthy vulnerability. It is important to reflect and learn from these situations, whether we are currently experiencing them now or whether they happened in the past. Equally important, is the ability to learn from and grow from these experiences. Some of us may feel comfortable sharing our situations with others in order to hold ourselves accountable and/or to help others going through the same thing(s).

This week, I encourage you to journal and talk with a trusted friend about your comforts and vulnerability experiences, in order to grow and learn from them.

# 8: new beginnings

Well, I suppose I should be on # 12 in the series "24 things you may not know about me." But, life is consuming and time, fulfilling. For now, here's number 8: new beginnings.

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I love new beginnings.
I love the unexpectedness in not knowing what's around the corner.
I love the joy and happiness - comparable, to a relationship that's first starting to bloom; with the excitement and giddiness from both parties toward the other person.
I love the dreaming and the wondering of new beginnings.
I love how the whole world seems within reach -especially when you have great friends to share it with.
I love the butterflies in your stomach (the good kind).

In a way, new beginnings remind me of first dates. In the Hallmark movie, Remember Sunday (if you haven't seen this, you totally should), the man Gus, has a brain aneurysm that impacts his short-term memory. As a result, he has to relearn EVERYTHING each day. One day, he meets this woman, and they really like each other, but she doesn't know abut his medical condition until she becomes very attached to him. You get to witness their relationship develop over the course of the movie; he approaches each day with a fresh, new perspective and his girlfriend helps to expose him to new things everyday.

The way this man experiences new things and the way that this woman shows him, (in her own special way) to embrace the uniqueness of life, reminds me of myself. I approach each day with a new mindset (as challenging as it may be) but I also have a way about me that likes to explore and to try new things. For example, when my friends and I went to Newport, they encouraged me to try an oyster and to climb a lifeguard chair. I enjoyed the thrill and the newness of these tasks. And granted, it took me some time to muster up the confidence, but in the end, I am proud of myself that I did it!

New beginnings can be scary, yes, but they are also filled with limitless and profoundly beautiful possibilities.

Here's to new beginnings.
Cheers!

# 7 - nostalgia

Nostalgia.

I feel as though today, I've been reliving parts of my childhood.

Cookouts.
Awe of seeing a mother and her ducklings swim across a sunset pond.
Old invitations from my 16th birthday party - - cosmic bowling!
Dinner at the pond.
Dance recitals at the park.

Nostalgia.

The innocence of childhood can be a beautiful thing. Just this morning, this Fourth of July felt different. And then, I figured it out: I am getting older. I was missing the excitement and joy of seeing my grandparents - and my relatives coming together when I was just a little girl, with blonde hair fashioned in a waterspout on top of my head. Now, we lead our own separate lives, but those memories are still there.

I miss watching the fireworks with my parents from our kitchen window, brilliantly glowing over our backyard. And though, our trees have grown just a little taller - I still eagerly look outside my window and see sparks of colorful fireworks dancing across the night sky.

Nostalgia.

Sleeping in the backseat on long car rides.
Watching the clouds change shape.
A reflection and stillness - that all (at least for now) is right with the world, and that I can finally relive those precious parts of my life, known as

nostalgia.

# 6 - failed expectations

The past few nights I've woken from a sound sleep. Thoughts have been knocking on the confines of my head, such as past events, present troubles, and future concerns. Fits of tossing and turning and a spinning mind, have caused me to develop a new habit: write my thoughts down at 3 am on the "notes" app of my phone and talk to God about it. Most often, these times will turn into prayers.

One such issue that I am experiencing is that of failed expectations. Just to be upfront and honest, I fail. A lot. Now, I'm not saying this for people to look at me or to have a pity party or even for people to think less of me. What I am saying is that I am human. And, as a human, I make mistakes, I learn from them, and I try not to make the same mistakes again.

In some areas of my life, I am slow at learning. During my quiet time with God this morning, I read an excerpt from Jesus Calling, where Sarah Young talks about submitting our broken dreams over to God in exchange for his dreams for our lives. This is a very hard thing to do. Submitting control and trusting, are very challenging and adult topics to wrap our minds around (at least for me). Once we come to that place where we submit our own failed expectations of ourselves over to Jesus, change happens. It may not happen as quickly as we'd like, but it does. We may be very resistant to this type of change at first or we may  even experience happiness and a longing for more. Either way, it's important to thank God for this revelation.

Within the past month or so, I have learned how to trust again. I trusted before, but it was a different kind of trust in which I placed my hopes in myself and not in Jesus, where it ultimately belonged. The results that I experienced were different and less fulfilling. When I finally decided to let myself trust and to be vulnerable again - I experienced genuine happiness. I was overjoyed that my vulnerability led to something even greater than myself. After that, I experienced hurt again, and learned how to trust once more.

I've come to learn that hurt and trust are cycles. In order to trust, one must be willing to let his or her guard down (in a healthy way), thus making themselves vulnerable to be hurt. Once we are hurt, we may retreat back into the comfort of our shells for a while, but ultimately, something draws our heads out again experience Jesus' love and longing for us.

All that I pray (hope for, really), is that the people that I've hurt, will forgive me. And for those who have hurt me, I say that, from the depths of my heart, you are forgiven.

# 5 - scents

There are some smells that I really like.

I love walking outside to experience the smell of rain just after a storm.

I love the smell of freshly cut grass.

I love the smell of notebooks and of bindings that haven't been cracked yet. I always feel inspired to write right then and there. Oh, and new pens are always a plus, too!

A little bit of cologne on a guy is nice - just as long as it's not so overpowering that he took a bath in it. It's just comforting to have a little hint of it on his shirt. Just so that you know he's there with you.

I love the smell of grilled, stewed, or pan-friend vegetables.

I love the smell of scented candles.

I love the smell of ocean water, with a tinge of sea salt (or seaweed) in the air. So, when I close my eyes and take a deep breath, I know that I am at the ocean.

Bath & Body's Warm Vanilla Sugar hand lotion smells amazing! Though for a while now, I've been buying the unscented because it's so much cheaper.

And with these loves, there also comes some, well, dislikes. (or, things that I prefer).

I dislike any piece of meat or gluten-free hamburger or hot dog bun or piece of toast that is burnt. Correction, I will not eat a piece of meat or gluten-free hamburger or hot dog bun or piece of toast if it is burnt. I will put it on a plate or throw it away and make myself a new one. all of the time.

I will not eat a piece of pork if applesauce is placed right next to it. I will, however, eat both if they are contained; that is, if the applesauce is in it's own separate dish.

I dislike when women use WAY TOO much perfume. It's actually quite hard to breathe.

I dislike the smell of pollution in the air and burning rubber from the landfill.

I dislike the smell of mugginess when it's in the air.

# 4 - pet peeves

Everyone has pet peeves. Here's a sampling of mine.

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• People talking on the phone in a restaurant. 
• Talking while chewing gum. 
• "Dancing" around an important question instead of asking it straight out. 
• Drivers cutting me off in traffic or on the highway.
• Waking up to an alarm. 

# 3: ---> "Alex, what are your hopes and dreams?"

This was a question posed by a friend when a group of us ventured out to Newport last weekend. Across a rectangular wooden dinner table filled with oysters, ribs, gluten-free pizza, beverages, and deliciously smelling bread, I found myself lost for words. After a few laughs, I composed a nice, neat little answer; but, in some ways, it was not a true reflection of me. I've realized that this is a loaded question that cannot be answered in a neat little bow. My apologizes go out to my friends who eagerly sat waiting and listening for my response. Upon further reflection, here is my list that will probably keep on growing, but hopefully provides you with a better view of who I am. So, I give to you, loyal readers: my hopes and dreams list!

Alexandra's Hopes & Dreams (in no particular order)

• Visit the specific countries of my ancestors and grandparents, including Italy, Ireland, and Europe. 
• Meet my friend (in person and for the first time) who lives in Jamaica that I have been writing to since freshmen year of high school.
• Get a full-time teaching job.
• Have my own place.
• Have a boyfriend who cares about me and likes me for who I am. Then, we can talk about marriage. (:
• Publish a book of my own poetry.
• Attend a writing conference.
• Go hiking.
• Go horseback riding on a beach.
• Milk a cow.
• Raise my own children.
• Adopt a child or two.
• Go on an African safari. 
• Travel overseas.  
• Return to one of my first loves - dance (and open my own dance studio - or work at one.)
• Work at an orphanage. 
• Plant my own garden and harvest my own vegetables. 
• Go on a glass bottom boat tour. 
• Go para sailing. 
• Spend a night on a sailboat.
• Run a 5k.
• Go to New York City.
• Visit Mt. Rushmore.
• Stand in the "four states at once" on the western part of the United States.
• Travel by car across country. 
• Make a piece of clothing by hand.
• Visit all of the places where the things that I rely on daily, are made. For example, travel to the country(ies) that make my clothes.
• Go on a Ferris Wheel. again. 
• Go on a carousel. again.
• Get married on the beach. Or, have some aspect of my wedding on the water.
• Tell kids about the love of Jesus.

Unexpected Love

So, I know that I said I would only write one post a day; however, I couldn't help but share this special addition. Here's an entry that I wrote in my journal tonight. May it bring a renewed perspective on love, relationships, and the theme of "waiting," to your soul.
Cheers.

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Today, I re-read the story of Ruth and Boaz. This is my favorite story in the Bible. It's so amazing to me how a young woman who was so committed to her family and who chose to wait (for what seemed like a long time, though the biblical account does not actually say) for a second chance with love. Her heart totally and completely worshiped God; something that mesmerizes me. She was clearly infatuated with doing His will, too - something that I fall short of every single day. Yet, His promise of new life through His death on the cross, gives me the hope that I need to try again and again and again. Ruth had a heart that honored God, her Creator, and sought to do His will, first and foremost.

And then, this man, Boaz, comes along. Well, he was there all the time, in Naomi's homeland. Ruth really took quite a risk in deciding to stay with her mother-in-law by going to an unfamiliar land. Yet, in some ways, Bethlehem was familiar because Boaz was related to Naomi's son, (Ruth's former husband) who had passed away.

I love how in Chapter 2 of verse 1, the account says: "Now Naomi had a relative on her husband's side, from the clan of Elimelech, a man of standing, whose name was Boaz." Ha - God certainly knew exactly what he was doing the entire time.

This story resonates so much with me because I see so much of myself within the person of Ruth. By no means am I her; nor am I trying to make a comparison between us. I admire the commitment that she had to her family, the waiting she endured from the time of her husband's death to the time where her marriage with Boaz was made official; the loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, when her other sister-in-law, Orpah, returned home; and finally, the perseverance that Ruth showed in the face of hardships, such as relocating from a place of famine to a place of harvest.

Boaz heard all about Ruth through his foreman, yet never once do we read about him being captivated by her beauty. I'm sure that Ruth's physical appearance was marvelous, and there are many other biblical stories that talk about the physical appearance of women. Yet, that is another post for another time. It was because of these things that made Ruth attractive to Boaz. It was because of Ruth's commitment, her loyalty, her waiting, that made Boaz ultimately pursue her. And, if you have ever been pursued by God (or even by another person for that matter), you know that it's a lovingly beautiful mixture of emotions, desires, hopes, and dreams.

I love how Ruth and Boaz's relationship happened so unexpectedly. Neither of them were looking for love. There was no Match.com or ChristianMingle.com in those days. They did not expect to find love, not to mention, each other. It was God that built the bridge between them so that they could walk across to see each other. He is ultimately the Creator behind all of these things.

I also find it completely amazing that Naomi and Ruth traveled from a famine to a harvest. This story tells of God's provision not only in terms of food, at a time when people were starving, but also shares the concepts of relationships, and our role(s) as people in them.

God does provide, and, in a media infested world where all we hear (as women at least), is how to make our appearance captivating for men; because as such, we will truly be appreciated solely on beauty alone, is a lie. To hear, however, how God makes us beautiful not because of what we do but because of who we are, is really quite counter-cultural. Imagine if this thought process sat in the check-out lines at the grocery store and in the magazine racks at Barnes and Noble. What image would People Magazine conjure up if they chose to instead showcase men and women based upon their relationships with others, with their Creator at the forefront? Instead of the all-too frequent "Top 10 Tips to Get a Guy," what about highlighting the story of an everyday average woman and the good that she is bringing in the world? (Cheers to the sites, corporations, non-profits, etc. who are doing this latter part already for both sexes. Thank you!)

The unexpectancy in Ruth and Boaz's relationship continues to surprise me. Even the way that Boaz treats Ruth, with such gentleness and hospitality, are traits that are typically associated with women. This is, again, another counter-cultural example to the litter of lies that society feeds us in the 21st century about the roles of men and women. Just imagine if all men and women treated each other in the same way as Ruth and Boaz did? How different would our world be! I tend to think that we'd have healthier familial relationships and a decline in divorce.

Finally, the humility that Boaz had for his next of kin is worth noting. As a part of the culture, he had to approach the next of kin about purchasing the plot of land, which, as a part of the transaction, also acquired Elimelech's widow, Ruth. If I were Boaz, my humility would be at a minimum. I'd be jumping out of my skin saying: "I found her! She's mine!" When in reality, it was God that found both Ruth and Boaz. It was God that made the connection for both of them. Again, Boaz showed his loyalty not only to God and to his family, but to Ruth as well by simply, waiting. From experience, this act that we refer to most times as "simple," is actually quite hard and frankly, takes serious amounts of time. (At least, that's how I've experienced waiting.) Finally, Boaz was given the "okay" from the next of kin to acquire the land and Ruth when the man first in line could not accept the offer.

Ruth and Boaz's story is a wonderful example of how relationships (whether personal, familial, or romantic) should be. Reading this story gives me hope that, one day, I can experience the same joy that Ruth and Boaz shared together so many years ago.

# 2 - - > cravings & loves

Since I discovered that I had a sensitivity to gluten and dairy, my dietary needs were forced to change. As one who was so accustomed to eating pasta and chocolate, I needed to give that up for something better. At the time, though, I had no idea that I would fall in love with fruits and vegetables, a now huge staple of my daily dietary intake.

Anyway, as I had to get used to the texture and taste of gluten and dairy free products, my cravings started to change.

I now LOVE vegan chocolate. More specifically, Life Is Good, mini chocolate morsels. Put a small handful of those on some mango sorbet (another one of my absolute favs) and life, truly is, good!

Since I could no longer bring Sno-caps  into the movie theater, I had to adjust to a new craving, too. Swedish fish are also up there on the list. I prefer the large Swedish fish, because I can squish them a little before I pop them into my mouth. Squishing the candy fish actually makes them softer. The small fish do not have the same effect, and therefore, in my opinion, do not taste the same. I have heard from friends that the Whole Foods Swedish fish are amazing as well. I have yet to try them.

I have also developed a craving for coffee. I try to only consume it on special occasions, such as writing this blog post right now. hehe!

I used to drink coffee with a package of sugar, but now, drink it just black. Sometimes, I will put a little bit of honey in it to make it sweeter and cut out some of the bitterness. Either way, it's a great beverage in the coldness of winter or in the hot days of summer in an air-conditioned place.

I love breakfast for dinner. I haven't had it in a while, though. It culminates the notion of something greater than yourself - a simple calming act. I love the whole nine yards: eggs (either scrambled or over hard with the yoke broken), Virginia baked ham with syrup on it, home fries, toast, a cup of fresh fruit on the side, and a warm mug of coffee. All gluten and dairy free, of course :)

Moving away from food, (gosh, all this talk about food is making me quite hungry), my cravings also extend into other facets of my life. The best days are the ones that are not planned. When I was a kid, my parents and I would get in the car on a Sunday morning after church and go for a drive. These rides came to be known as "mystery rides" because we never knew where we'd ultimately end up. I loved it. Sadly, there haven't been many "mystery rides" in a really long time anymore.

On rainy days, like today, a cup of warm coffee, and a good book is just what I need.

In terms of fancy restaurants, my favorite is The Old Canteen. It's an amazing, old, little Italian restaurant on Federal Hill. It's all pink inside. I have a pink jacket that matches the walls. They serve a 7 course meal and you have to get dressed up to go there.

For flowers, I prefer Zinnia's over roses. I love the bright colors and roses, in my opinion seem a little cliche when overly used. However, the blush colored roses are absolutely beautiful.

I love perusing old bookstores ad spending hours in antique shops, because you never know what you are going to find. They also make for some great conversations with the store owners, too.

I love fair trade items and would much rather buy all organic foods and go to farmers markets than huge grocery stores if it wasn't so expensive.

Lastly, I love the ocean. If I could spend the entire day at the beach, with my toes kissing the sand and the seaweed floating between them, I would be in heaven. It's so calming and relaxing and makes for a beautifully wonderful day.

Well, I could go on and on, but that's all until the next post, folks.
Happy Thursday!

-alex

# 1 : height & size

I have viewed the world from 5 feet tall since fifth grade, so I guess not much has changed on that end. Don't get me wrong. There were times where I'd lay my head on my pillow at night and pray the next morning that I'd grow. But, that didn't work either. When school started again, every one who went through the summertime growth spurts - always came back to school incredibly tall. I recall senior year in high school when a couple of my guy friends and I were playing basketball in the classroom. You know, the little hoops that attach to the top of the door. It was hard to make the basket. But, put me in a basketball game, and I can go in and out of the paint and shoot those baskets like its going out of style. Though I loved basketball and was really quite good at it, I often got benched during my elementary and middle school years because of my height. Whether it be going from one part of the state to the other on the travel team or the town league, I was often benched. I remember one instance being benched the whole game until the last minutes or so. I was finally put in. I remember crying the whole ride back home. It wasn't until I got to high school that I was finally recognized for the skill that I had, not for my height.

I also remember the day that I walked into the doctor's office for my yearly checkup. She went through the "doctorly" routine and then it came to my height. She printed out a record of my growth since I was first born, picked up the line graph and said: "Well, I think you have evened out. You're probably not going to grow anymore."

Well, she was right. Twenty-four years later, and I am still 5 feet tall. And you know the funny part? Every time I've been to the doctor's since my pediatrician, they are always eager to see how tall I am. Again and again, I find myself saying "I am five feet tall." Yet, most times, I have "magically" grown an inch or two, and I hear them tell me "oh, well you're 5ft, 1 inch" or "5ft, 2 inches." Could it be that perhaps it's because I've had a little extra help from the footwear that I have on? My running sneakers give an extra inch or two and when I am in heels or wedges, I also get a little extra height. But seriously, I could save them a step with this process, every single time - and I could get out of my appointment earlier!

Speaking of footwear, I have not grown much in that department either. Well, not at all to be perfectly honest. In fifth grade when my doctor told me that my days of growing taller had come to an abrupt end, my feet also stopped growing as well. (Hmm, could there be a connection?) I was and continue to fluctuate between a size 6 or a 7 in women's. Sometimes, I do get surprises. Just last summer, I walked into Dick's Sporting Goods to buy a new pair of running sneakers. I walked passed a sale table and I found a pair of blue sneakers that I really liked - (more about my favorite color in a later post.) I picked them up, tried them on (they looked to be about my size) and they fit! So, of course I had to look at the tongue of the sneaker and saw that they were a size 6 and 1/2 in KIDS! So, yes, I guess there are those times (relatively few) where I fit into a kids shoe.

More than not, I dread any type of sneaker and/or shoe shopping. Not so much anymore, but it's still pretty hard. I've inherited the small, wide, tall arch foot from my family. You see, I'm not one that can go into a shoe store, spend 20 minutes trying on shoes, and then leave. I'm the type of person that walks into a shoe store, sees all the shoes that she could have and that are her size, try on several pairs for a couple of hours and can't have them for a plethora of reasons: either one shoe fits fine and the other hurts somewhere around the front of my toes; the cut of the shoe is too narrow and not wide enough, the arch is too small and not high enough, or, when I walk around in the store for a few minutes, the shoes start hurting. Thankfully, I haven't had to go shoe shopping in a while.

My height is now something that I joke about with my friends. When the time comes up, it usually helps to break the ice and makes people laugh. For example, I was over my friend's apartment last night. She lives with two other roommates. One of the guys has a door frame pull bar between the kitchen and hallway. He lifted himself up with ease and then my friend tried it. I was next. I was in my heels which usually adds another 2 inches to me but, I could just about reach the handles. We all laughed. If I were to try this again, I would need a stool for lift off. Ha, I should have realized this because even trying to grab the handles to do the pull down bench press at the gym is hard. I have to stand on my tippy toes to reach that one.

In terms of men, I usually go for the ones that are taller than me. No offense to those who are on the shorter side. It's just preference. (: If they are humorous, muscular, physically fit, and like to run, that's always a plus, too. First, they easily solve the height issue. They can reach things that are way too high in the kitchen cabinets for me. Every time I cook at home, I always have to ask my dad to get a pan down from the top of the refrigerator or a bowl that's too high in the cabinet to reach. Second, having tall guys for friends and even as a future boyfriend will also help when we are walking from the car to a store. Drivers are more likely to see a taller person walking around/ between the cars then they are too see a shorter person who blends in height wise with them. Finally, taller men, for me, usually exhibit a sense of protection and frankly, I like being able to look up in a guy's eyes when I talk to them.

In terms of clothing size, I have been the same size (though have toned up quite a bit and since joining a gym) since fifth grade. It's really quite remarkable, actually. I have this teal dress that I love to wear in the summertime that I have had since fifth grade that I still fit into. And, I have some overalls from fifth grade (a navy blue one with shorts and one with pants), that I sometimes wear on special occasions.

As a teacher, I feel that I am able to relate to my students better. They do not see me as overpowering but as someone who looks facially like them. Bring out the heels and makeup! In elementary school, all of the students are usually shorter than I am. Once I get to middle and high school, they start outgrowing me. It always makes for fun discussions when I walk into a classroom to teach and the teenagers ask "Where is our teacher?" And I reply with "Here, I am!"

So, you see, fifth grade was an influential time for me. It not only marked the end of elementary school but the beginning of middle school, too. It set the stage for the height, shoes, and clothing sizes later in life. I literally smile every time I slip on that little teal dress because I have so many fond memories in it. These will make great stories to tell my kids someday.