[quaist]

Considering what you've been through, that's certainly no immature sort of wish, Sunny. God knows what kind of evil fantasies I would be having in your stead.

But heck... AIDS?! I doubt I even knew what that was in elementary school

You know, I think you really should run into one of these brats, if only to make them feel embarrassed by what they did back then.

[sunnykerr]

Well, AIDS, yeah.

I grew up at a time where the AIDS epidemic was always in the news and no one (certainly outside the medical community) necessarily knew how to stop it and even how it was spread.

So, really, the fact that they all thought I had AIDS was more about the fact that I was sick as a child, but not in obvious ways. I wasn't allowed to run and I wasn't allowed outside when it was too hot or too cold, because I had severe asthma. I wasn't allowed to play anything that could accidentally become a contact sport, because of the hydrocephalus. Because of the hydrocephalus, it also took an age for me to stop having "accidents" with my bladder.

To this day, I must look very strange for strangers, because I look normal, but then I will fall over if someone brushes up against me when I'm climbing or coming down stairs. I'm not drunk, but it probably looks like I am.

Anyway, I'm over feeling evil about the kids I went to school with and even about their parents or the teachers who put these ideas in their heads or didn't bother to step up and defend me. The kids were no smarter than I was, so there's no use blaming them for not knowing any better. And the adults were just human and this was a mistake they made. It happens.

Those kids will have grown up to be good people, you know. So I wouldn't want to force them to revisit a time in their lives when their ignorance was truly appalling. I've made some choices in my life that I wouldn't want to revisit either.

You know what they say, people who are bullied turn around and bully themselves. I'm ashamed to say that I can recall having done that.

[Nick HeyRee]

Originally Posted by sunnykerr (View Post) To this day, I must look very strange for strangers, because I look normal, but then I will fall over if someone brushes up against me when I'm climbing or coming down stairs. I'm not drunk, but it probably looks like I am.

One of those situations where you'd like it for people to instantly understand why it had happened, yet conversely don't wish to advertise said details on a daily basis?

With my partially sighted status this happens ever now and then. Indeed i was accused of being drunk myself when misjudging my footing whilst stepping onto a boat. lol There was no harm meant as it was simply a jest but this doesn't stop you chastising yourself mentally.

Elementary school is what, up to say the age of 11 or 12? You would like to think that those now grown adults would be mortified if every they thought back on it.

Christina, i assume that by your post that this old classmate of yours was neither a close friend nor somebody you disliked terribly? Certainly for the best if it isn't the latter.

So...my flight to Toronto leaves on Monday morning UK time, the suitcase is mostly packed but the hand luggage not at all. The CN Tower and Niagra are two obvious landmarks on the schedule there. Apparently there is a glass floor at the tower specially for those who love heights.

[quaist]

Sunny, I just meant that in my opinion, it wouldn't hurt these folks to realize that their behavior at the time was wrong. I'm simply not a big fan of sweeping stuff like that under the mat

And maybe it would additionally give you a sense of closure.

Nick, well actually we were friends back in school. But it's been a few years since then and we've been completely out of touch. So it remains to be seen how we'll get along

Originally Posted by Nick HeyRee (View Post) So...my flight to Toronto leaves on Monday morning UK time, the suitcase is mostly packed but the hand luggage not at all. The CN Tower and Niagra are two obvious landmarks on the schedule there. Apparently there is a glass floor at the tower specially for those who love heights.

I wish you all the best for your vacation and have fun!

[sunnykerr]

Nick I hope you have a really, really good trip... and that someone remembers that Niagara Falls are a good 125 kilometres away from Toronto.

As for my feelings when I make a fool of myself tripping over my own feet in public... well, it is indeed mortifying, and I wish people would understand. But, at the same time, I've had to explain it often enough to know that people never really get it. They assume it's the heels I may be wearing, or that with practice I'll get better, or something.

So I never quite have the desire to explain it to people, because I find it's a waste of time.

And elementary school is indeed until ages 11 or 12.

Christina I've also had to get closure about getting closure.

If I spent my life needing others to express regret or remorse or whatever emotion about treatment I received at that age, that would also be a bit of an empty pursuit. I felt that way for a very long time, for sure, but then I realized that I can't spend my life waiting for others to act in a way I would like them to act. Because my wellbeing can't depend on something I can't control like that.

Besides, it's been my experience that, when confronted with their own wrong-doing, most people get defensive rather than apologetic.

And it's all good.

I've dealt with my end of things, so I don't think I'd say I've swept anything under the rug.

[quaist]

Originally Posted by sunnykerr (View Post) I felt that way for a very long time, for sure, but then I realized that I can't spend my life waiting for others to act in a way I would like them to act. Because my wellbeing can't depend on something I can't control like that.

Kudos to your level of maturity, Sunny

Honestly, I don't think I could talk like that if I'd been through similar experiences.

[sunnykerr]

You could, if you'd had as much therapy as I've had.

It gets to a point where you either move on... or you don't.

I chose life.

Nothing much more to it than that.

Anyway, how are you? Is school around the corner for you?

[quaist]

Simply admirable. You can be very proud of yourself, Sunny

I am fine, thanks. School's nearly three weeks away as it's only starting again in October. Nonetheless, I'm pretty busy working, doing paperwork and studying for that exam at the end of September.

How's your week going so far?

[sunnykerr]

My week's quite busy, actually.

Lots to do at work and lots to stress about as well.

And then lots outside of work so far.

I had the first meeting of a book study/discussion at church last night. I had to run errands today and then bake a recipe (before the ingredients died on me).

Tomorrow, my brother's coming over to hook up the Xbox I got for my birthday so I can play.

My cleaning lady's coming this weekend and, I have a feeling, so might be my new bookcase. There's been a bit of a snafu. It'll be shorter than the ones I have. Bit of miscommunication by my mother there.

But, oh well, a shorter bookcase is better than no bookcase at all.

[sunnykerr]

I hope Nick is enjoying himself.

Lots of rain in the forecast this week.

[Nick HeyRee]

And that rain materialised with quite a downpor a little over an hour ago. Yes, i am now in Sunny's fair city of Montreal.

We arrived on the train ftom Toronto this afternoon, before takng a mini bus tour with the rest of the group. I just returned from dinner in Old Montreal which was very good, however another early start awaits toorrow as the coach takes three hours to reach Quebec City.

Too much to say on this iPad keyboard really. lol

Niagara was undeniably impressive, tHe CN Tower not so much as it happens.

[quaist]

Nick, so nice that you're checking back to give us an update on how your trip's going so far

I really do hope the weather's gonna improve for you, though.

Sunny, so did you already start playing with your new Xbox? What games do you have?

[sunnykerr]

Nick What wonderful timing you have!

And how did you find Montreal, despite the rain? Did you get to see a bit of it?

Where did you go to eat in Old Montreal? I work right by there, so this may be a recommendation I need to hear.

Christina I only have the games the console came with, which is apparently enough for my skill set.

Those games are Kinect Adventures! and Disneyland Adventures (no exclamation point). I tried Disneyland Adventures while my brother was still here, to see if I could get the hang of it. And I did get the hang of it, but spent a great amount of time trying to get around anything resembling a poll on the screen.

As I've never really played video games before, there will obviously be a learning curve.

But the point was to get me to move in a way I enjoyed and, so far, it seems to be working.

[quaist]

Great to hear you're having fun with it, Sunny. I never got the chance to try out Kinect or the PlayStation equivalent, but I gather it's pretty cool

As it's Friday yet again, any big plans for the weekend so far?

[sunnykerr]

The weekend promises to be as hectic as the week has been.

My mother and stepfather are coming tomorrow to bring the new bookcase, which will require some on-site assembly. Then we'll also go to Costco so I can get some of the larger items I get there because it's cheaper to buy them in bulk.

My cleaning lady's also coming tomorrow, which means I have today to run my errands, finish my house cleaning and whatever baking I had planned this weekend. I have laundry and dishes to do, baking to do (and the dishes that'll create), and I had hoped to buy everything I need for my zucchini bread yesterday but the store didn't have cranberries, so I need to find some soon.

I also have to complete the minutes of the church meeting I had last weekend and send them on to our coordinator for disemmination. I haven't had time to do that this week.

What about you? Any nice plans this weekend?