the last first day

It was the last time I would have to eat that same breakfast of fruit, water, and a cinnamon roll. I’m pretty sure the reason it tasted so good was because I’d never have to eat it again.


Rebellious, I sat with my great friends at a back table. Remembering the previous meetings and what I felt each time.

The first time I was there I felt more awkward than I have ever felt in my entire life. It felt like I had just gone to a foreign country and I didn’t know the culture. I spotted a blonde haired girl that I had met the day before at church. Relieved, we both awkwardly sat at a table and listened as the teachers introduced themselves, as we got confused by the jargon used, and as the knot in my stomach grew three sizes. At least I had my food to occupy my attention so I didn’t explode from information overload.

The next time I sat at this “mandatory celebration” was a little bit better. I had made it through the first semester. The tears and headaches made it more meaningful. And now, being a level two, I felt like I could do anything. I sat at the table, this time with friends, and this time knowing the language and culture. And although I had a better idea of what was coming, I’m sure that I was more nervous at that time than I had been previously. Hearing our teachers introduce themselves got me even more nervous. I would be spending a lot of time with these people, and I knew only a few things about them. One, that Selwyn was really cool, and two, that Professor Howard was scary. Or so I was told. I tried to get a feel of what was about to come. But I guess I would just have to experience it myself.

The third meeting of this sort found me more excited than ever. As strange as it sounded to others and even me, I had missed school over the summer, and I was ready to be smart again. The greetings this time were more friendly than usual, and I smiled. I couldn’t wait to get back into things. This was going to be a good semester. A good year. I was ready to get lost in my text books again. Our teachers introduced themselves once again, and this time instead of wondering what it would be like, I knew it would be okay. I couldn’t have been happier to be there.

Today was a little different. Although I was happy to be there for my last time, I was annoyed to be back at school again. I entered the room and got my usual water, pineapple, and cinnamon roll. I sat with friends that I have learned to love so much. And we sat back and listened to our teachers introduce themselves. The last time we would hear them announce who they were and what they taught. The last time we would cringe when they announced Janet’s name. The last time we would laugh when Betsy said something stupid. And probably not the last time we would laugh at Kriepl’s idiocy. Because, let’s be honest, she has many of those moments.

It’s hard to believe that today was my last first day of school.

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy about it.