A Box of Growing Pains: A Story On Belonging.

A bell jingled; one sounded so frequently that heads did not seek to catch a glimpse of her entrance. With drizzled hair, Georgie walked in, her arms interlocked trying to eliminate the numbness from the cold. However, the aroma of freshly ground beans instantly gave her warmth.
“A large white chocolate mocha to-go, please,” she said, rolling the request off her tongue almost routinely. Her eyes were drawn to a family of four laughing in the corner of the room. Their faces were familiar; they were regulars. They were smiling. And it wasn’t long before the corners of Georgie’s mouth lifted and she found herself smiling too.
“That comes to $4.50, thanks Georgie.”
“Thanks, Don,” Georgie Beamed. “I’ll see you later.”
She started humming an effortless tune as she took her first tingling sips of coffee. Without forewarning, the pocket of Georgie’s red overcoat vibrated and a melody began to accompany her humming. She answered.
“Sweetie, someone’s here to see you. Are you far from home?”
“Who’s there? I’ll be home in five. Tell them to hang around.”
“It’s your father. He’s waiting in the car. I’ll tell him that you’re coming.”
Georgie answered her mum’s words with silence; she had very few words to say. Out of confusion, and perhaps a hint of bitterness, she muffled a reply and hung up. It took years for Georgie to bury the hurt that had been inflicted on her. Although this pain had managed to seep through the cracks over the years, she didn’t know how she could possibly face it all at once. The man who abandoned her sixteen years ago – the man who continued to send her bundles of disappointment when he pleased – was at her doorstep. At the one place where she felt secure and loved. She hesitated for many moments, but finally her feet came to a decision.
Raindrops burst into glass fragments as they hit the shining roads. Georgie ran across wet streets and zebra crossings tinged red and green, sheltering herself with the palm of her hand. In the near distance, she recognised a rusty Mercedes Ute parked on the road outside her home. She approached warily, and her heart jumped for the split second that her eyes locked with his through the rear-vision mirror. In the drizzly weather, he stepped out of the car in his dusty boots, torn jeans and flannel shirt, slamming the door closed behind him. Holding his arms out wide, he greeted Georgie with a crooked smile.
“Dad…” Georgie was lost for words.
“Hey squirt. Are you happy to see me?” He replied.
“But why, did something happen? What made you come here?”
“Nah, I was just visiting a mate in town. And well, I haven't seen ya in years George. So I thought I'd drop by.”
They continued to chatter idly. But before long, words Georgie had not meant to say slipped her tongue. Silent arguments were exchanged, and the man she had once called Daddy walked out of her life once more. It wasn’t the feeling of abandonment that filled her with resent; she had already been through that long ago. Her thoughts spindled like a broken cassette and taunted her mind. They flickered back and forth between buried memories. Moments of laughter and joy reopening and stinging old wounds. Each memory that came flooding back linked to now. Before he departed, he left her with hug of false hope; a hug of false security. He left with few words.
Georgie’s eyes glimmered with hurt, bitterness and other raw emotions. After all those years it took to muster enough courage to lock away the pain, her efforts had been destroyed. In her private sanctuary, she hid away, skimming through letters that once caused her heart to stir. Time passed by as she sat, her mind in deep thought, reminiscing, reminding, remembering. Her father was absent throughout her childhood, he wasn’t there when she needed him the most. In all honesty, he wasn’t really there at all. Georgie had her mother’s eyes. Her mother had always been the sunshine in her life. Amongst the depths of blue, a glint of warmth still remained in Georgie’s eyes because her mother never left. Remembering this, she decided to forget.
After Georgie’s mind had finished wandering, she took a deep breath. She had lived her whole life without him, she didn’t need him now. Her life was full of people who could make her laugh; people who would be there for her no matter what. She had her sunshine and wasn’t ready to make room for the rain. Georgie did what she had done once before. She tucked her growing pains into a box. Knowing that it may be opened again, she hoped that if it was, there would be a hint of happiness waiting inside. Sealing the cracks, she locked the box with a faint smile. The sun was shining again.

Part 1.

A bell jingled; one sounded so frequently that heads did not seek to catch a glimpse of her entrance. With drizzled hair, Georgie walked in, her arms interlocked trying to eliminate the numbness from the cold. However, the aroma of freshly ground beans instantly gave her warmth.
“A large white chocolate mocha to-go, please,” she said, rolling the request off her tongue almost routinely. Her eyes were drawn to a family of four laughing in the corner of the room. Their faces were familiar; they were regulars. They were smiling. And it wasn’t before long that the corners of Georgie’s mouth lifted and she found herself smiling too.
“That comes to $4.50, thanks Georgie.”
“Thanks, Don,” Georgie Beamed. “I’ll see you later.”
She started humming an effortless tune as she took her first tingling sips of coffee. Without forewarning, the pocket of Georgie’s red overcoat vibrated and a melody began to accompany her humming. She answered.
“Sweetie, someone’s here to see you. Are you far from home?”
“Who’s there? I’ll be home in five. Tell them to hang around.”
“It’s your father. He’s waiting in the car. I’ll tell him that you’re coming.”
Georgie answered her mum’s words with silence; she had very few words to say. Out of confusion, and perhaps a hint of bitterness, she muffled a reply and hung up. It took years for Georgie to bury the hurt that had been inflicted on her. Although this pain had managed to seep through the cracks over the years, she didn’t know how she could possibly face it all at once. The man who abandoned her sixteen years ago – the man who continued to send her bundles of disappointment when he pleased – was at her doorstep. At the one place where she felt secure and loved. She hesitated for many moments, but finally her feet came to a decision.
Raindrops burst into glass fragments as they hit the shining roads. Georgie ran across wet streets and zebra crossings tinged red and green, sheltering herself with the palm of her hand. In the near distance, she recognised a rusty Mercedes Ute parked on the road outside her home. She approached warily, and her heart jumped for the split second that her eyes locked with his through the rear-vision mirror. It was still drizzly outside, but he stepped out of the car in his dusty boots, torn jeans and flannel shirt, forcing the door closed behind him. Holding his arms out wide, he greeted Georgie with a crooked smile.

A Box of Growing Pains

Orientation: Georgie gets a phone call from her Mum telling her that her dad, whom she’s barely heard from in years, has turned up on their doorstep unannounced.
Backfill: She feels confused and hurt that he’s turned up out of the blue after all the pain he’s caused her over the years. She wants to see him but she still hasn’t forgiven him for abandoning her.
Complication: She decides to go home and face him. She sees him but he feels more like a father than a dad. She doesn’t have many words to say to him. He just expects her to be happy to see him. But instead they exchange silent arguments and he leaves with a hug of false security. Georgie is left with greater pain.
Climax: Scenes from her childhood flick through her mind. The times where she could laugh, and the times she couldn’t help but cry. She reminds herself about how strong she has been all these years without him.
Conclusion: She closes the box full of her growing pains and locks it with a smile.
Resolution: She knows that the box might be opened again, and hopes that next time it is she will find a glint of happiness inside. But until then, she will live life being thankful for the wonderful mother and younger brother that she was given.

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2. Reminiscing

Raindrops burst into glass fragments as they hit the shining roads. The rain was quick to come. I ran across wet streets and zebra crossings tinged red and green as I attempted to shelter myself with the palm of my hand.

A bell jingled; it was a bell sounded so frequently that heads did not even turn to catch a glimpse of my entrance. My hair was drizzled, and I walked with my arms interlocked trying to eliminate the numbness that the cold weather had brought. However, the aroma of freshly grounded beans instantly gave me warmth.

It wasn’t long until my eyes were drawn to a group laughing in the corner of the room. Their faces were familiar. In fact, they were regulars; not only were they here often, but I was certain that they were the same faces as those in the photos hanging on the walls of the coffee shop. They were joyful. They were smiling. The corners of my mouth lifted and I found myself smiling too.

“A large white chocolate mocha to-go, please,” I said, rolling the request off my tongue almost routinely.
I went to my purse. There was no loose change. I glanced around for a moment deciding what to do.

“That comes to $4.50, thank-you.”

“Oh, yes. Err…” I was about to cancel my order, but an unexpected hand passed in front of me. I looked up and gasped.

“It’s my shout. Here’s $4.50 Mr. Kim” The boy grinned at me and handed the money to the barista.

He was tall and quite handsome. His face was familiar. Yes. He was definitely one of those who featured in the promotional photos. And indeed, he had been sitting joking and chatting comically in the corner when I arrived. But why did he pay for my coffee?

I looked up at him and my cheeks turned pink. I knew I should have politely declined his offer with embarrassment, but somehow, I knew I had already lost.

“…Thankyou” I said giggling bashfully.

“Hehe, I’m Taeoh. You looked a bit stuck, so I hope you didn’t mind me helping you.”

“No…No, not at all! I was just shocked... Your face is familiar to me.”

“Keke, it is? I guess you saw me before now, then. Come have a seat with us.”

He ordered a coke, then I followed him over to the table with my mocha to-go.

Thoughts from January

We grow great by dreams... Some of us let these dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams come true.
(Woodrow Wilson)

I've always been curious about the world we live in, what makes us unique and why we have dreams.
My name is Maddison; I grew up in a town called Ballina, along the east coast of Australia and am now sixteen years old. There are so many things in life I don't understand and so many questions I will never know the answer to.

There is one thing that fascinates me most though. The sky. To stand still and look up at the clouds or the night sky is breath-taking. Everyday it holds a different mood and seems to have endless secrets scattered upon it. It puts everything into perspective and makes me appreciate things. When I look into the sky I feel my dreams are within my reach and anything is achievable if I believe in myself.

The end of the old year has quickly passed and the new one is already racing by. We've hit double digits, twenty-ten and I feel hopeful for this year. I believe in myself and in my dreams and I'm confident that I'll grow as a person. I don't have a New Years Resolution, but I jotted down a few characteristics I hope I can build up:

In 2010 I'd like to be more considerate of others and do small things for people every chance I can. I want to wear a smile that gleams with radiance. I want to be the best in Japanese & French. I want to be focused and independent in class, and I want to be organised not always leaving things till last minute. I hope I will become more self-confident. I hope I would be bold and able to jump at opportunities that come my way. I hope I would be a step closer to my dreams.

Well, I'm just Maddi. There's nothing particularly special about me, but I will aim for the sky and hope for my dreams to come true. I will become great, just wait and see!

WhoInTheWorldIsMaddi?

helloworld;
My name is MaddisonJune, but to friends I'm known as Maddi.
I thought before writing more blogs I should write an introduction incase anyone ever stumbles across my page.
Why do I blog? I don't really know,
I mean I would be surprised if someone actually read my blogs.
I guess I like keeping record of my thoughts whether it be in a journal, diary or online blog. At times when I'm feeling sentimental i find it's interesting looking back at things I've written about - emotions, events etcetera.

Lately, I've noticed that I've been asked my hobbies or what I like doing fairly often. It comes up daily - in everyday conversation, over the internet and just in general.
No one can sum themself up in a box! I swear I will spend hours typing and backspacing in those boxes. Us humanbeings are complex things.
I am envious of people who find it easy writing a description of themself. They know their hobbies and things they like, where they're headed and what they want in the future.

I'm not athletic nor a straight A's student. I don't know where I'll be when I've finished school, let alone what I'm even going to do tomorrow. I once had hopes and dreams and still do - but most of them have been left behind or locked in a box. Alot of the time because I let myself believe it's unachievable or I'm not good enough.

Once I wanted to be a teacher. But in Grade 1, my teacher was horrible and out to get me.
Once I wanted to be a ballerina. I went to ballet lessons, but then I got transferred to a class with girls that weren't very nice.
Once I wanted to be a Dolphin Trainer. But as time moved on I forgot about it.
At times I've wanted to be a wildlife conservationist, singer/ songwriter, even a Preacher.
But these are dreams that are too large for me to believe could come true. So they've been kept in a box - Only rarely I dare to hold onto them.

What about you? What are your dreams?
Do you believe they are reachable?
Or have you already achieved them?

A Tiny Spec

I'm just a tiny spec on the face of the Earth. Some people say they want to change the world; if I change the world of just one person then I have accomplished something worth more than gold.

There are many times in life that I feel insignificant or inferior. Some days I feel like I don't make a difference, other days I'd swear the world was conspiring against me. Am I alone on that?
I think it's safe to say you've felt like this on the odd day atleast. Maybe it's something you wake up to everyday.
But I've decided that I'm going to believe
I can make a change,
I can achieve my biggest dreams and
I will refuse to think small.

I once heard this quote and decided to hold onto it:
"To the world you are just one person.
But to one person you may be the world."

Smile at someone - tell them they look nice.
It might feel like it's nothing,
But I know when I've had a crappy day,
it can move me when someone takes their time to smile or sit down and ask how I'm doing.