MIDDLE SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL: (1976-1979) I went to middle school in the seventies. It was just like what you see in the movie, Dazed and Confused!

I think I almost hated middle school more than high school. I just remember realizing that I felt like a child among all these preadolescents. The other students seemed to be embracing the change, which I was totally disgusted with. I did not want to become a young woman. I was so painfully shy, that I could hardly handle the socializing that happened in the hallways when I got into my locker for school books.

I attended one school dance during 7th grade. A boy asked me to dance and in my mind it was a set up, a joke. I walked home crying. (I look back on that and realize that I have a certain social paranoia/phobia to this day).

I had a friend who was middle eastern. Her name was Wafa Katan. At her house, I remember eating eggs with sheep brains in them. I don't remember being disgusted. I wonder whatever happened to her.

I also remember that I really never got in trouble. In 6th grade, I was in a rare playful mood. There was a drinking fountain in the classroom. I remember spitting a mouthfull of water on a friend. The teacher I had that year was so disapproving, making a comment about not expecting such misbehavior from me. That really made me feel bad and returned me to my shell of compliance.