Wednesday, January 6, 2010

More about Natalie


I went into the newspaper office today to check a few things and there was an email from Antoinette, saying she missed us here. And there was something else. She said she liked America so much that she was thinking about applying for Parkington next year. I'm not sure what to think of that one. As it is, she attends a ritzy private school in the French Riviera. Her family is fairly well-off.
While I was doing that, Natalie came into the office and spoke with Megan about the photographer position. Apparently Caelan, the boy who was the newspaper photographer, switched schools and now the position is empty. Megan asked to see Natalie's portfolio, and she said she'll bring it as soon as she can.
Speaking of Natalie, she has 4 classes (not homeroom) with me so I see her a lot. Today in science class I discovered something about her. She has a very noticeable bald spot in the back, and I know why she has it. I saw her pulling her hair. Not the usual habit that a lot of girls have where they run their hands through their hair, either. I mean actually pulling it. She yanked huge clunks of it out, and I saw them fall gently on her lap and on the desk. I'm in a delicate spot because I'm afraid if I say something, I'll lose what I think I'm starting to build with her.
Meanwhile, Meredith has already begun making her life a living hell, too. Just today in the lunch line she yanked on a piece of her hair and said, "How's that feel, eh?"
I told her to stop but Meredith just called me 'queen of the geeks' and told me to shut up.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Au Revoir, Antoinette... Hello, Natalie???

Hi everybody, this is my first post of 2010! Happy New Year!
I returned to town the day after New Year's after being in Colorado with my cousin Nicki for 2 weeks. Thing is, I thought I was leaving cold weather when I left there... and it's cold here too. Unusually cold, Vee says.
Over Christmas break, Antoinette returned to her hometown of Nice, France, as her stay at Adams for the semester is history. Gosh it went so fast. We did exchange email and IM addresses before she left so we'll keep in touch that way. And she turned in a final article for the newspaper, which was essentially a goodbye letter for the 7th grade and the school. It'll come out in this week's edition.
Meanwhile, while we're saying goodbye to Antoinette, we're saying hello to...


Natalie!
Her name's Natalie Noelle Spencer. She moved to town just before Christmas but decided to start school after the holiday.
When I walked in this morning (our 1st day back), Natalie was in the gym looking for the principal's office.

I hadn't recognized her, so I asked her if she was lost, and she said she was looking for the principal's office.
"Are you new here?" I asked.
"Yeah, I am."


While we were walking, Meredith and a couple of her little followers pointed at us and started laughing. I found out that Natalie had moved here from Ohio, that she was going to try out for the gymnastics team, and that she loved photography. "Good," I suggested, "the newspaper could use another photographer."