The Whimsical Adventures and Idiosyncrasies of Elementary School
Elementary school, a place often filled with adventures, pranks, and sometimes, a bit of mischief. Here, I share some of the craziest and strangest things I did in elementary school, which, for better or worse, have become cherished memories.
Elementary School: The Big Erasers Incident
One of the craziest things I did in elementary school was showing my teacher these enormous erasers I had. I had been collecting these gigantic erasers discreetly, and when I finally showed them to my teacher, they couldn't help but make jokes about it. It was a simple act of showing off, but it led to some memorable moments in my early school days.
Middle School: The Helpful Hero
In middle school, I gained a reputation as a helpful friend. Once, I saw one of my classmates struggling with her chair; it had fallen down, and she was having a hard time getting back up. Without a second thought, I got up from my desk and helped her. It was a small act, but it showed my peers that I was a considerate and supportive person.
Elementary School: Growing into My Smile
One of the more serious incidents during elementary school occurred when orthodontists placed big metal silver-colored braces on my upper teeth. I became so self-conscious that I started smiling and laughing without showing my teeth. This lasted for nearly a year and a half, and to this day, no one from my class remembers that I ever had braces. It was a temporary solution to a temporary problem, and I was quite successful in hiding it.
Elementary School: The Early Humor Influences
Comedy and humor took a significant role in my formative years. I admired comedians like Red Skelton, Flip Wilson, and especially Bill Cosby. I would often bring a bit of their humor to school and perform a comedy routine during show-and-tell. Even though I had ADD and struggled in school, this might have been a creative way for me to cope with that. However, as I grew older, I realized the humor at times might have been a little silly, and I eventually stopped doing these acts.
Elementary School: The Struggle Under the Table
There was this one incident in grade 5 where I decided to do my math work under a table near the front of the classroom. As far as I can remember, everyone else worked from their desks, and there seemed to be a certain protocol for the rest of the school. My teacher let me get away with this, making me a strange kid in a psychologist's eyes for that year. Maybe she knew about my not-so-indulgent whims and decided to cater to a few of them.
The Glitter Incident
A particularly funny yet awkward moment occurred when I threw glitter at a classmate named Julio in grade 5. The teacher had gone to take a phone call, and I saw an opportunity to play a prank. I grabbed the glitter from my pocket and threw it at Julio's head. At first, everyone was just staring, but then they burst out laughing. It felt like a mix of triumph and guilt. After the teacher returned, I was marked for disciplinary action. I was also caught not bringing my homework, making things worse. The next day, I had to bring back a signed disciplinary log from my parents, which was a bit embarrassing. When my father, who was the school secretary, had to sign it, I felt a mix of shame and a bit of relief that things could not get any worse. After that, this mischief-loving friendship between me and Julio continued with no ill feelings.
Looking back at these experiences, they were all shaped by the whimsical nature of childhood. Though some might seem silly or even a bit reckless by today's standards, they are fondly remembered as a unique part of my early years and the development of my self-esteem and sense of humor.