Falling Apples

I prefer a home-cooked meal over eating out. I cut my own hair instead of going to the barber shop. I'll eat anything in the refrigerator. And I can whistle any song on-key.

Lesson learned: My sister was right.....I'm turning in to my dad.

2nd grade

I think the most significant moment in my life happened in 2nd grade. I was in elementary school, at the blackboard trying to learn long subtraction (e.g., 342 - 289). I was standing in front of the entire class with everyone looking at me and I just couldn't understand it. I was almost in tears from embarrassment and self-doubt. Just as I was ready to turn around and give up, my teacher (Mrs. Brown) said to me, "Oh no you don't! I am not going to let you give up. You stay up there and work thru it. Just take your time and work thru it." I stayed up there, and you know what....I got it! In that one instance everyting clicked, and to this day I still believe there is nothing I can't do.

Lesson learned: There's that one moment in life when every kid needs a "Mrs. Brown".

"My future's so bright....."

One time I was in the mall shopping with my mom and I was looking for a pair of sunglasses. As I perused the sunglass stand looking for a $20 pair like I always do, my mom said to me in frustration, "You're getting to the age where its OK for you to spend $100 for a nice pair of sunglasses. Stop being so cheap."

Lesson learned: Getting older is expensive.

Lost In Translation

During my junior year of college, I decided to spend a semester abroad. The only criteria in choosing where I wanted to go was that it had to be an English-speaking country. What better a destination than the country named after the language - England! So, during my four months in London, I joined a dance group where I became aquainted with a bunch of local college students. At one of our practices, I asked my new friend what his parents did for a living. He said with an English accent, "My dud's an engineer and my mum's a barista." I was astonished. "No way," I said, "I used to work at Starbucks, too!" He looked bewildered, "No, she's a barrister. You know, in England that's a lawyer."

Lesson: Even though you think you may know the language, don't forget to learn the jargon too.

Submitted by: Anonymous