Monday Meme – Age

Good morning folks. Hope this Monday’s treating you well. I like this meme. Each answer could probably be a blog post in itself, but I’ll try to keep it brief here. Onward!

Age Meme

What was the age at which you….

1.  … learned to read?

 Unfortunately, it was way before I went to school. I say unfortunately because I was SO fucking bored in school that I grew to hate it very quickly. I finished my work too fast and had teachers who didn’t challenge me at all. I could always find something better to do at home, since my parents always provided me with interesting things to do, and I felt like I was wasting my time in school. Nevertheless, I was still an over-achiever and did well. I didn’t feel challenged until grade 7, when I had an awesome teacher that treated us like adults. Then in grade 8, I had a teacher that treated us like kindergarten kids, and I had one of the worst years of my life. But yeah, I learned to read when I was about 4, I’d say.

2. … learned to ride a bike?

 Fairly early, probably around 4ish. I grew up in the country, remember, so we did lots of out-doorsy stuff. I remember getting a Cabbage Patch Big Wheel early on, then got a tricycle, then a real 2-wheel bike.

3. … got your first pet?

I was born with pets… my parents had two cats when I was born. I sort of took to one of the kitties, Margie, when I was little. The first cat we got that was “mine” was Midnight, a nice kitty who died shortly after I went away to university. I think I got her when I was about 5.  

4. … broke your first bone?

 I broke my wrist when I was 10. I was at my Aunt & Uncle’s place for a visit, and was playing tug-of-war with their golden lab. The dog let go of the rope and I fell backwards down a hill, landing weirdly on my arm. It hurt initially, but I guess I didn’t really put up much of a fuss, because everyone thought it was just sprained and we didn’t go to the hospital. I had it wrapped in a tensor (?) bandage, and stayed at my Aunt’s place for the rest of my visit (about a week). When I got home, mom looked at it, freaked a bit, and we went to the hospital. After x rays and stuff, we found out it was broken and my Aunt felt terrible.  

5. … had your first kiss?

I used to kiss my childhood best friend, Aaron, a lot when I was little. So that probably happened around 5ish. My first “real” kiss was probably around 14 or so.  

6. … experimented with drugs/alcohol?

I think I started that around 11 or so. My parents didn’t make a big deal out of stuff like that, they just explained why NOT to do it, and tried to get us to do it responsibly if we decided to. I think that’s probably why I never had a problem with drugs or alcohol – it didn’t feel like I was doing anything particularly forbidden and I knew what shitty stuff could happen. I’ve always had easy access to both, but never bothered. Myparents only really bugged me about eating healthily, and I watched my mom diet and junk, and I’m pretty sure that’s related to my eating disorder(s).

 7. … travelled by plane?

 First time on a plane was when I was 25, flying to the UK. My dad took me for a helicopter ride when I was about 6.

8. … got your first job?

My first formal job was as a tutor for a kid who couldn’t go to school. I think I was about 17 or 18. Before that, I was always cutting grass or babysitting or doing other odd jobs around town.

 9. … experienced your first significant death?

 I was 16, my friend Aaron (see first kiss) was killed by his father in a murder-suicide. I guess it was a slow news day, because it made some major newscasts and I remember just watching it on TV and only really having it register then. I think that event messed with me more than it should have. I still think about it and often wonder what Aaron would have done with his life. The house that it all happened in is now for sale, and I wonder if the real estate agents disclose the history of the house. Two people died there, and a third was seriously injured. Does anyone know if real estate agents are required to

10. … had your heart broken?

Honestly, I don’t remember, if I ever had at all. Most of my relationship breakups have been under weird circumstances or I was the iniator of the process, so it didn’t feel so bad. I’ve been very angry at people, but I don’t know if I’d call it heartbreak. It’s been the other (non-romantic) relationship events, like family members being complete assholes or friends dying, that have caused the most pain.  

11. … drove a car on your own?

 Dad used to let us drive the car in the driveway (we had a long drive way) way before we legally should have, so I guess I was 11 or 12?

12 … went to a concert?

I saw the Crash Test Dummies with my parents when I was about 8. I remember it being pretty awesome at the time. 

 13. … moved out of your parents house?

 I was 19, and it was for university.

14 … got arrested?

Not yet.  

15. … found someone you could settle down with?

 27… possibly.

16. (bonus) … filled out this meme?

27 :)

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