Yes. Just work with me now.

My first ever memory was my 3rd birthday. I know that we had just moved into our house in El Paso and none of the furniture had even gotten there yet. I recall traveling to a department store to get my present. We were also shopping for a lawn mower. We went to the lawn and garden section and there were shiny red lawn mowers hanging from the wall. I remember hoping with all my might that that would not end up being my birthday present. It wasnt. I ended up getting a Dudley Furskin. He stayed with me for a long time until I lost his boots.

My next memory is my preschool orientation. Yes. I was the most excited child. Even tho I used to be as timid as a mouse, I couldnt wait to begin school.

The first day, I got lost in the lunchroom. It was slightly intimidating. Actually I cried and started hyperventilating. A first grader helped me to find my class room. This was the same first grader who explained to me that babies come from sex.

Every Friday, my teacher read us a book and the best 4 listeners got to go to a table and listen to the book on tape. As I loved books, I was always one of the top four. I couldnt imagine not being. To not be sent to the glorious table to re-hear a book that I'd just listened to? Preposterous!

And then every day we colored worksheets. The had the letters of the alphabet with corresponding pictures and colors.

The day before my worst day of preschool, my teacher praised me in front of the class for never losing any of my crayons.

But little did she know that my brown had gone missing. What was I to do? I knew the next day was B. I checked. We had to color a brown bear.

I wanted to fake sick, wanted to do something to avoid the situation. But, none of it worked. I was there the next day and as she passed out our coloring sheets, I began to panic.

She handed me my paper, I refused to except it. She laughed and tried to give it to me again. I refused. Ok. So again, she hands me the paper.

"Colllbbbyy, take the paper. Stop acting up."

"NO," I screamed, tears in my eyes. "I WONT!"

Giving up, she finished handing out the papers and then called me to her desk.

With a heavy heart, I admitted that I didnt have a brown crayon. I can only imagine how pathetic I looked. She only laughed and hugged me. I told her that I hadnt wanted the whole class to know that I was a bad student.

So, she silently walked over to the stray crayon box, picked up a nice brown one, and handed it to me, without a soul seeing.

I appreciated her so much for that. But I realize now that making a big scene about not taking my paper was a whole lot more embaressing than not having a crayon.

Whatever. It was preschool. Right after that, you could have found me feverishly coloring a big brown bear, most likely with my little tongue sticking out of the side of my mouth.

I loved school. I loved my teachers and recess and everything. I cried when summer came around.

Wow. That was a trip down memory lane. It's great to be a nerd.

2003-06-03 - 11:57 a.m.
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