I don’t think I’ve ever had such a close relationship with a teacher though, it sounds special and meaningful and it’s great that you’re writing a letter to tell her about the impact she has made on your life! We should all do such things more often!

I recall feeling similarly about guidance received from mentor women while growing up who made such a difference to me. I think letting them know via letter is such a nice idea! I did, and I received lots of feedback from doing it.

Re: the title of this blog, also, I heard this quote recently. I know it was said by Herman Melville (who grew up in this part of the country I’m living in), that he said his college was working on a whaling ship. In other words, college isn’t always the best way to find one’s dream job or fulfil one’s destiny. Others have taken other routes and done equally well. I know you’re still working on either your B. or M. degrees, but the piece of paper is only for getting a job. It’s the other things about you (and all of us) that are inspirational and awe inspiring! Traveling is equally as educational, or more so, and reading, writing, etc. having and pursuing interests…

You know, I remember myself as the insecure girl in junior high who seemed to fade into the background. I remember being in Jan’s productions and being in complete awe of her, and wishing I could be confident enough in myself to get her attention and be her friend like you and Erika were. But I noticed as the weeks passed that when she said she loved us all, she really meant it. I knew I wasn’t her top girl, but she treated me like I was important, and that made all the difference.

Actually, my current history supervisor probably changed my life. There’s no way I’m telling him that! But he was the first lecturer (or person fullstop) I ever had that made me so fascinated by the subject that I could actually see myself doing something longterm that wasn’t living off my parents’ largesse and trying to write novels.

My students, at the tender age of three, change my life every single day.

The Lizzy McGuire movie, however? I’m all over that.

and as for changing my life…i’m not really sure who has made the most impact. i know i have always looked up to my older cousin, but that might be it. a little bit from everyone else i come across in life perhaps?