This goes out to the people who read this who I have actually met. So this is really an ideal post for cyberstalkers* because they CAN’T comment on this one. HA! So there!
Other than my appearance (Hey everybody! Come see how good I look!), what is the first thing you noticed about me?
There is a purpose to this other than just to have another post, but I’m not ready to expound on that just yet….
*Cyberstalker: Apparently cyberstalking is a really scary thing. I only mean it in reference to people who consistently read my blog, but never ever comment. Never. Not once. Or they comment, but do so anonymously. You know who you are….
you were gentle and inquisitive.
it’s hard to remember that far back. (12 years?!)
but i do recall your confidence, ease at building friendships, and incredible ability to articulate your heart. you were poised, a natural leader, and you instantly gained my trust. AND you made me laugh like not many can.
(all of that still applies.)
you were funny… after that, everything else just seemed like minor details ;)
-dan
i see a little girl with pony tails who has an inate ability to turn a smiile into a new horizon. your eyes are fixed on whats ahead of you, reflecting a bit of apprehension and fear of the unknown, yet steadfast and anxious because the little girl in you knows that all that lies ahead is new and exciting,whoo ha
All I saw were ninja monkeys.
well, i first technically met you in alece’s comment land and it was your sense of humor that got me reading “what i really want to say is…”.
then in real life, i’d say it was how genuine and easy to talk to you are.
I was going to say your smile, but that’s not quite it… What I remember most about you (no, not quite what I notice first, but since I’m a visual person, I do notice it when you comment on my blog because I visualize folks when I read what they write!) It’s that moment right before you break into laughter. There’s this little break in your mouth and I know something halairous is going to come out… That’s what I remember and miss about you! I knew when I saw that look on your face I was going to be laughing soon, too. thanks for making me laugh!
Ok, this is going to be a very hard question for me. I’m remembering almost as far as Alece, but without so much clarity (which will give you an idea of just how foggy my first impression of you is). I don’t remember. I think I met all five of you at the same time. I remember walking with my Dad, finding my room, and turning the corner, reading the sign on the door (I think welcoming me) and going in. I’m not sure any of you were there right then …. so I don’t know. I remember where everyone’s bunks were (you were right underneath me – and we’ve already discussed the alarm thing, but that was hardly first impression) …. One of my most vivid memories of you was when you were telling Trisha and Alece about your dream of heaven, and how the colors were so different. Hm. Other than that I don’t think I got to know either you or Alece too well while I was there. Shame. You too are such awesome people.
Holy cow. I really am a good speller. Well, my brain is. My fingers … not so much. I meant ‘you _two_ are such awesome people.’
I have know you always and during different times in your life I have noticed different things. When you were little, you were bouncy and lively but also reflective. As you grew, you became more pensive and introverted around all of us in IN. This last time I think I really noticed what an interesting, fun, ambitious person you were. It was great getting to know all over again.
Areta
okay, this will sound entirely lame, but if i’m truly honest about what i really FIRST noticed about you, i must say that it was your wedding ring.
i thought, “hey! she’s married, too! i wonder if she’d wanna be my friend????”
haha, sounds so primary as far as building friendships go, but honestly it seemed like a good idea.
ooooh ooooh! i remember also thinking, she seems really mature for her age (not mature as in lame, boring or lacking in incredible sense of humor), haha….but that’s probably because i thought you were so much younger…
;)
i’m sorry i’m no real help…and that i couldn’t come up with something a little deeper than mature and married.
i should have waited to answer until the day after standardized testing.
Ok, Joy Renee, I don’t want you to be truly honest. ;)
Seriously though, now that I’m not wearing a wedding ring (which I think would count under appearance anyway) what ELSE did you notice. Dig deep now.
Whoops. I am at Danielle’s house. That last comment (and this one) is Natalie.
Natalie…. I promise.
Well, let’s see. You sat up at the front desk in our dept. at TMM – I always thought you were quiet until we the I.O. parties began (good times!) and then I realized how funny you were. And then I REALLY got to know you after TMM because we lived about 45 mins. away and would see each other from time to time. You were silly back then. You are silly now. Silly is a good thing – we all need a lot of silly in our lives. :)
Okay…so I was careful to scroll down and not read because I have known you so long I am not sure my memory will serve me right…and it could be swayed by all of those good answers above. So…the first thing I noticed….that you look like a Natalie Wood…classic…oh yeah, not your looks…so then I talked to you and you were very witty….deep thinker…but not nerdy…and then there was the baby voice…I love that voice!
okay, i noticed that you were sincere. i could tell almost right away. and as far as howard payne goes (no offense to anyone), it was a breath of fresh air. i was drawn to you because of that. sure i found out that you were funny and endearing…but it was your sincerity that made me really hope that we could be good friends. you could be sincerely serious, sincerely honest, or (even funner…haha, “funner”) you could be sincerely humorous! which apparently is not the same as insincerely humorous.
hope i’m not confusing!
eyebrows
I remember that I used to want to be just like you. I thought every thing you did was “cool”. The clothes that you wore, your sense of humor. When we were young I used to look up to you. When you got married and moved away, we lost touch and I no longer knew the person that you were or the ways that you had changed. Now I often wonder what your life was like during those times that you were away and what must have happened to you and your sense of who you are and your confidence that you would have to post blog after blog fishing for comments to validate your sense of self worth.
To Anonymous:
It is interesting that your perception is that “blog after blog” I have been fishing for comments to validate my sense of self worth. I’m not sure I agree that wiper blades, taped eyelids, funeral stories, and ridiculous videos are usual indicators of a person who lacks self awareness.
I too, wasted time and energy of my youth wishing I could be like the “cool” kids… always wanting to be someone else.
I don’t know who you are since you have chosen not to identify yourself, but I’m assuming based on what you said, that you have no idea what the past eight years have been like for me, or what I am currently going through. Therefore, I am not certain why you would feel so confident to assume that this, or any other post is a way to build myself up.
The question was a very specific one. The purpose of it was for a questionnare, and one of the questions was “Other than your appearance, what is the first thing others notice about you?”
Obviously, I can’t answer that question myself. Even so, it is not a question of worth or identity, but of first impressions.
I have taken the time to address this here because I do not think this is the first time you have made a comment of this type on my blog. If there is some unfinished business between us, or if you feel the need to confront me, please feel free to e-mail me at natalie-dot-palscak-at-hotmail-dot-com. I would sincerely enjoy being able to have resolution and forgiveness between us.
Natalie
I often wonder if I have a split personality… like one day I’ll wake up in my other skin and find that I have a whole other family in Ohio. This would actually explain a lot for me, like why I always wake up tired as though I had been running all night.
I say all that to say, wouldn’t it be funny if I was the other “anonymous”? Like there was this other side of me that didn’t know you at all and would make all kinds of crazy assumptions. Don’t worry, if I find out that it’s me, I’ll kick my own ass ;)
-dan
Wow anon! Doesn’t seem like the kind of comment you leave on someone’s blog unless you are asking for a whole lot of people to tell you how wrong you are.
I have personally seen a level of confidence in Natalie that is not found in many people. Though knowing one’s self is a continuous journey for all, Natalie has a strong sense of self which is demonstrated almost daily through her blog.
I suggest you take Natalie’s offer to confront her, so you can see how wrong you really are.
Talk about drama….forget young and the restless…I will retreat to the blog world where annonymous people leave crazy comments. I hope you find resolution…annonymous…I really do.
Aw Nat. I just came back to check this blog. So sorry on your anonymous commenteur. None of us (the real ‘us’) see you that way. And good for you for being the bigger person and offering resolution. Great job.
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