making me who I am

I'm getting ready to head off to my twenty year high school reunion in a couple of weeks. It's lead to lots of reminiscing and thoughts about my story.

Ruyton Girls School

In December, 1987 my family moved from the only home we had known in Horsham, Victoria, to Melbourne, Victoria. I had just completed year 8 (2nd year of high school), my sister had one year of primary school to go, and my brother had just finished his first year of school (prep year).

My parents ran their own business, and made the move to pursue government contracts and seek "a better life" for the family. But it was only with the passing of years that I can look back and see that those years played a large part in making me the person that I am today.

I didn't have any friends my first three years at the school. It was hard work, just getting there some days - we lived over an hour's travel in. each. direction. from the school, and often left home in the dark mornings, and returned in the dark evenings.

Resilience is probably the biggest thing I learnt in those years. To get up each day, move through the motions, get passing grades (and they were passing, but only barely.) But it came crashing down when I was in year 11 (the second last year.) I got glandular fever, and was unable to complete the end-of-year exams, and with barely passing grades the school recommended I repeat the year.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about going back. I still didn't have many friends in my final years, and most of them have drifted off (or we were torn apart many years ago when I left Melbourne for Queensland. Remember, we're talking pre-internet days, here), although I am going to the reunion with my best friend from high school, thanks to facebook.

Now I just need to figure out what to wear.