Letters from Lisa

  I will try almost anything at least once. This philosophy doesn’t always lead to the next big thing in your life, but I’ve only ever regretted not following it.  My first example is surfing. I feel myself shaken as the words “Time to wake up!” flutter through my ears. I squint at the blinds, not wanting to move. We have fifteen minutes to get ready before we leave to go surfing. I have no desire to go, only the urge to get back under the covers and fall asleep. I have never been surfing before, only seen it on TV. Thoughts slug through my brain until I think I may never get this chance again. I pull myself together and get dressed, mentally preparing for the waves to come. We get to the beach, and the instructor teaches my brother and I to surf. We were pretty bad, but it was fun and I’d definitely do it again. So although I wasn’t in the mood to wake up so early (similar to how one would rather stay at home and watch TV than go out), I’m glad I forced myself to try i...

       I grew up a perfectionist. I needed everything to be just right before I let anyone see it. I wasn’t satisfied unless it was an A+. Yes. I was that kid. Disappointed by a 96. Don’t get ahead of yourself. That is not a testament to my intelligence. All that means is I lived in a bubble that was about to be popped.  As my 8th grade year trailed off in 2020, classes were barely taking place and most assignments were optional because we were still adjusting to the pandemic. I had a relaxed summer, watching TV. And more TV. When I happened to go outside around once a week, I was always shocked by nature and hadn’t even realized that I had been gone from it for so long. But then I went back inside and continued to…. you guessed it, watch TV.  As per usual, school started again in August. Yet the ongoing pandemic forced us to resume online classes. It started off swimmingly; homework was light, teachers were lenient, class was straightforward. Yet I had...