So I was pondering the immensity of the age turning process and all the wonderful things that I have done, learned, and experienced over the years. I at first thought I’d make of list of 36 things I have learned over the years, yet instead I thought I’d share 36 memories from my life-starting from the first year up until the present one- some I truly remember, others were told to me.
1- Almost drowning in bed. I was in the crib, which happened to be under part of the roof that was covered with a tarp as my parents were mid construction on the house. It had rained recently, and apparently water collected on the tarp, and the weight of the water was too much and caused the tarp to slip- allowing water to fall on my face. I was in a brace to help turn my duck legs into dancing swan legs, and was unable to move. Luckily, mother’s instinct alerted my mom and I was saved. I love water to this day, just not in bed.
2- Apparently I was quite precocious as a youngster, and was speaking sentences by 2 years (in better stories it was 1.5 years) and would turn to strangers in the supermarket while pointing to my mother and say, “Do you know that woman has 6 children?”
3- Gymnastics. My teacher’s name was Paul. He scared me. I must have insisted on wearing a tutu to class because I have a vague memory of him threatening to take it away if I did not comply with his request. The idea of no tutu! It was cukoo!
4- Going to Mexico baby. I remember leaving Joel behind at Grandma’s (lucky!) and a vague memory of piling into a taxi (our family of 8) in Mexico (maybe it was Tiajuana?).
5-Flunking my first year of school. As my birthday is in December, I was able to go to kindergarten early. As my speaking non stop inspired others to believe I was of high intelligence, they sent me to a private school. Unfortunately, my skipping skills were not up to par, and it was recommended that I repeat kindergarten.
6 - Meeting my new neighbors that came from Ing Land. Mr. Joyce had long shaggy hair (just past his ears) and a wall full of records. Melanie had Barbies ( not an item in the Headley House) and Becca was a YOUNGER sister. Mrs. Joyce invited me for tea!!! I drank hot cocoa.
7- Getting caught in the second grade stealing a Twinkie out of Sarah Willard’s lunch box. The classroom appeared empty, until I realized my teacher was staring at me with while I held the Twinkie in one hand, and Sarah’s box in the other.
8- Getting baptized. I couldn’t wait, ‘cause it meant I got to choose a restaurant to eat at for dinner. I chose this kind of dive bar place in Los Altos called , The Echo, so that I could order a baked potato.
9- Riding on the Boy Scout banana seat bicycle that one of my brother’s earned/won?, on the first day of fourth grade in my purple draw string and tie in the back overalls with a white puff short sleeve top. There is a picture of this somewhere, which is most likely why I remember this. Yet the distinguishing moment was that I remember feeling pretty in this outfit. My first memory of clothes making the girl.
10- Directing my first play, “Paddington Bear”, starring Jenny Pettibone, Annie Norbey, and Courtney Rowe. I remember there being drama during a rehearsal and we got in a fight that the principal, Mr. Anderson, had to help us work out. I have recollection that I did not like the way he handle it! None thespians.
11- Getting my period and debating whether or not to tell me mom- cause I knew she’d say something awkward AND tell my Dad even if I asked her not to (geez). I was right. She said, “Welcome to womanhood.” and told my dad. (double geez).
12- Becoming a Beehive (start of church youth group) and getting to hang out with Anne Packard and Barbara Whitman, two adult woman who seemed to know how to be silly and fun! I wanted to grow up to be just like them!
13- On a water-ski trip with my church youth group, my girlfriends and I huddled in the campsite bathroom reading the directions for how to use a tampon.
14- After studying for months over a hundred ballet terms in French, improving my strength and flexibility, and taking more classes as to pass the test to be on pointe-I provided an unsolicited answer to a friend during her test..after I had passed, and while she was stuck….I was caught, and caused us both to flunk.
15- End of freshman year, the day after the last day of school. I am in the home economics room finishing my sewing projects as to avoid a failing grade, as Ms. Grennals took pity of Mr. Headley’s way to talkative and not so talented at aligning darts and cutting out interfacing daughter. This class brought Carolyn Balfe and then subsequently her sisters Marianne and Kathleen into my life.
16- Claire Soucie made a sign for my birthday picnic at school during lunch that read something to the effect: “Kory’s sweet sixteen birthday lunch. If you don’t have a present or chocolate….BUZZ OFF!!”
17- Receiving the call that my grandfather passed away. I tried to call my dad at school, yet they would not transfer me to his room!! My friend Ali happened to stop by in her car, thus providing me with a way to get over to my dad.
18- Riding at a full run on a horse in beautiful Southern Utah. I took a road trip with Becky Sampson and met up with Ali while exploring the amazing sites of natural in Capital Reef, Goblin Valley, and Bryce Cayon. Becky’s family had a camp with horses that we were able to ride during the trip. It was so exhilarating! I was terrified and excited all at the same time.
19- Moving out to become a nanny...in Los Altos! I offered many apologies to my mother for complaining about dinner, not putting away my laundry, returning unfinished lunches, and my overall snot attitude to her.
20- Watching Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth…wet shirt) with the Slaugh sisters and Kim. I then decided our house needed a name as done in Jane Austin’s time…so I slapped a pad above the door and dubbed it the , “Maxipad”.
21- Turning 21 in Paris. I had 3 Nutella, with various other deliciousnesses- like banana/strawberry- crepes, saw the Paris Ballet perform Swan Lake, and bought a dress! Then was flirted with by a cute fellow traveller. Oh la la!
22- Becoming close thru writing letters to family and friends, yet especially my brothers Jacob and Joel while all three of us served missions.
23- Working for Jared and Rick at AfterImage. We would tip toe around the office when burning a CD. It would take an hour to burn, and another hour to finish. Often, if the door closed to hard, or someone bumped the table, the CD would fail and we would have to start all over again.
24- Riding in the California AIDS Ride 4. I was so amazed by the financial and emotional support family and friends gave me while I fundraised and prepared for the bicycle ride from SF to LA.
25-Deciding to leave the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) because it did not support marriages of love for all people.
26- Falling in love.
27- Teaching my first full year in Saratoga. It was a disaster. Yet, I have made such wonderful and lasting friends through that job. I remember hiding in the closet from a parent one day, ‘cause I just could not take her daily gnawing.
28- Falling out of love.
29-Learning to scuba dive in Thailand on Koh Tao (Turtle Island) and realizing that my heart and soul were opening up to life again while swimming with the fishes.
30- Running a marathon in Hawaii. I was super slow…5.5 hours…yet I raced the last quarter mile and leapt over the finish line. Directly upon returning to SF, I had some amazing friends come together to celebrate my birthday with me….my mom made me my favorite cake to take to the dinner party.
31- My dad’s graduation gift to me upon earning my Master’s degree (first Headley!). He went around to different stores to buy all the different types of specialty chocolate bars that he could find. He then wrapped them each individually, and came over to my house and hid them all over. My roommate had to help him relocate them out of her dog’s mouth reach. He also made a photo book from cards and pictures of me from special moments of my life.
32- Celebrating Christmas in Costa Rica with Danny and Drew and some other new friends. We danced to Madonna’s Immaculate Collection (who knew it was such a great Christmas Album), poured the pie (minus the crust) that never set into the blender, and shared gifts of sparklers on the moonlight beach. True spirit of giving!
33- On my first night in Sparspach, France visiting Sebastien’s family, his niece Antonia (then 5 years old) asked if she could sleep with me. I was so blown away by the love and trust of his family, and the way children can feel free around others.
34- My parents coming over with comfort food (chocolate covered pretzels and mini brie bakes) when I told them that my boyfriend and I were splitting up. I felt so loved, cared for, and normal. I think the number of dinner invites by my brothers and their wives peaked in those following months.
35- Wading through the stream at the hot springs in Jamaica, a little boy pointed to me and said, “Chinese! Chinese!”
36- Dancing to “La Bamba” sung by a Tanzanian band in a little bar called, First Left, in Sakina, Arusha, Tanzania, after drinking my first Krest- as a Stonie was not available.
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