A letter to my 12 year old self (1998)

Catherine (age 12):

For Christ's sake, stop doing everything your mother tells you. She's not as smart as you think she is, not by a long shot. Do everything in your power to get her to buy you a violin, too. You definitely deserve one and if you don't get one you'll stop playing and that's gonna suck.

Vet school isn't really the thing for you. Sorry to have to tell you this, but it ain't gonna happen. But I don't think you'd have liked it as much as you think you would have.

Enjoy Saturday morning cartoons while you can. They're going to start sucking really soon.

LIVE A LITTLE. But don't do any of the shit (that's right, you swear when you're older) that Ashley does. That's not your style. And don't go drinking with her at the campsite. You're going to get busted. As in real live police. It'll be all Phil's fault (you haven't met him yet but he's an idiot). Actually, go if you want. Yeah, you'll have to take a dumb class to get it off your record, but it'll make for a pretty ok story and the class will crack you up. Those people are ridiculous. But the important thing to know is that Mom and Dad aren't going to yell at you. They're not going to ground you or anything, can you believe that?!

Join the dive team. First two years will be lame, but the second two are going to rock.

Find someone to go to the Raider hockey games with. I recommend Drew Jensen for starting. She's into that and you'll like her. You are a hockey fan, deep down. You just don't know it yet.

Speaking of which, take up ice skating. Yeah, you REALLY suck at it now, but it won't take you long to get better if you just do it once in a while. I ask this because I suck at it now and if you get working on that soon, it'll save me the trouble later.

After Mom and Dad get divorced (which they will), living arrangements are going to suck royally. But you'll make all the right decisions for yourself in due time. You won't regret a single one.

If you can manage it, take aviation in high school. Having a pilot's license would be SWEET.

Once in college: AVOID THE CRAZY PEOPLE. THEY WILL BRING YOU DOWN. Your instincts will be right for just about everyone you meet. And if anyone does anything uber crazy (which someone will), back away slowly, don't get involved, it's not as important as you think. Also once you're in college, drink. It's OK. You'll like it. And it's a shit ton of fun.

Pole vaulting won't even be a sport available for girls in Wisconsin until 2000, but you'll try it in 2003. Don't bother. You suck at it BADLY, and it won't even be a rewarding experience. Read a book instead or something. Or go ice skating.

Get contact lenses, ya wuss.

Do not listen to Gabe Van Handel. He's full of shit and higher than a kite. Still walk home with him, though. He's fun to talk to.

Keep up with your school work in high school. Don't get distracted.

Finally, there are some very good times ahead of you, so don't worry at all. :)

-Catherine (age 20)