I recently took a trip back to high school to say my goodbyes to graduating friends and retiring teachers. And of course, when anyone returns back to their old high school, Memory Lane is opened for business. As I sat in the Journalism class’ last “Circle of Trust” that would most likely ever be conducted, tears began to swell. As Mr. Hon went over the last little activity his journalism class would ever turn in, it made me want to participate as well. The assignment? Write about something awesome about everyday life. You know, just those little random occurrences that bring a smile to your face. So, in honor of my journalism pals, here it goes.
As a girl, I use Chap Stick all the time. My purse is just teeming with various lip-glosses, lipsticks and lip balm – basically an arsenal any drag queen would love to get their hands on. Why do I need so much lip care product? Because those little containers always want to jump out of my pockets at the worst possible times, i.e. on a boat at the lake. For the most part, us lip balm users always lose our tubes before we completely finish it off. You have a better chance of finding Bigfoot than finishing out your Chap Stick. But, on that one historical day when you twist your tube for more lip balm and it’s down to the very bottom, the overwhelming sensation of achievement washes over you. A new sense of responsibility seeps into your soul and a chapped smile crosses over your face. Awesome.
I recently saw “The Avengers” in theaters, which is an epic, must-go-see film in my opinion. But movie theaters have become such a nuisance recently. People file in with crying babies in rated-R films, obnoxiously bright cell phone screens that nearly blind you in a darkened screening, and let’s not forget the kicking of the chairs. Had I wanted to move this much in front of a screen I would have gone to a flight simulator. Nonetheless, I took my chances to go see this movie. As my boyfriend and I walked in to the theater, my heart was pounding and I was anxious of how this viewing experience would end. Would all the distractions take away from what has been called a mind-blowing superhero flick? I took a deep breath and we proceeded to open the door to Screen 6. As we rounded the corner, we found ourselves in a completely empty room. I couldn’t believe it! A whole theater to ourselves! When the movie was about to begin, two other people entered, but the four of us were quiet and respectful. I guess going to a Monday show at noon while schools are in session is the way to go. You feel like a billionaire renting out the entire screen for yourself. Awesome. After a long day of work, you get pretty eager to hit the sheets. You brush your teeth and put on your comfy pajamas to get nearer to your bedtime mission. As you crawl into bed, your sheets are crisp and soft because you just washed them earlier that evening. They smell fresh and new, almost like an upscale bed and breakfast. As you lay your head down on the pillow, you know you’ll have to flip it over so you get that cool side of the pillow pressed against your face. Then suddenly! You’re head sinks in to the pillow and you realize, you’re already lying on the cool side. Without having to get up to mess with your pillow, you drift into an icy, tingly sleep much swifter. Awesome.
Do you remember in grade school when a kid was called up to the principal’s office? I do. The intercom would ring into your classroom and say, “Pardon the interruption, but could we have ______ (insert name) come to the principal’s office immediately,” and the students would all respond “Oooooooooh” as in that poor little kid got busted for something. We all dreaded that because we all secretly feared that it was going to be our names next. As you’re doing busy work, the intercom rings and startles everyone from their work. Stunned silence and the wait begins. They start to call out the first name. It’s yours. Your heart is out of control and you try to keep thinking about what you could have possibly done wrong. Your short little life flashes before you in those few moments. Your life is over! Then, as they start to say the last name, you get ready to do your walk of shame out of the classroom. The last name is called. It’s not yours. There is another student with your first name, and they are called to the office. Not you. Awesome.
I’ve had moments when I’ve completely lost my train of thought. I know I’m certainly not the only one because it runs in my family. You are going to say something profoundly important that may or may not change the way we view the entire universe and alas, in the blink of an eye it escapes you. You rack your brain for hours upon hours trying to dig out that beautiful sentence you desperately wished to share but to no avail. As you begin to realize that it’s just no use, you give up and you sigh sadly. Oh well. Not long after, while you’re deep in sleep, it comes to you. You bolt out of your bed to proclaim what you’ve remembered to find everyone is in bed. Your genius statement? “Have you ever noticed the rain is wet?” Upon hearing your statement, you realize how stupid you would have sounded earlier. And, while you enjoy that second of epiphany, you also are relieved your mind saved you the embarrassment of revealing it to your friends. Awesome.
Those are some of the awesome moments in life that I have encountered, but here’s a list of quick daily awesomeness to close my column:
•Reaching for the last chip in a bag and discovering there are actually two.
•Finishing your bottles of shampoo and conditioner at the same time.
•Running late and then realizing your clock is running fast so you arrive on time.
•Stretching right after you wake up and your back pops and it feels so good.
•Getting a package in the mail wrapped in unpopped bubble wrap. Awesome.
Jessica Brown is the staff photographer for the Barrow Journal. You can reach her at jessica@barrowjournal.com.
