Blast from the Past

Almost 2 years ago, Mum showed me a picture in the newspaper of a very happy looking new Mum. She showed me the picture because the new Mum was an old school friend of mine, Kristin Gilbert (now Kristin Ison). Despite the fact that Kristin and I had been friends at High School (very good friends, until a man with a glow-in-the-dark tulip came between us), I hadn't kept in touch and I hadn't seen or spoken to Kristin in about 10 years. So it was really nice to see her in the paper looking so happy and well. I looked up her address and sent a card to congratulate her on the safe arrival of her first baby (Benjamin!). Kristin wrote me a lovely letter back, but we didn't talk again until about 6 months ago when my Mum said that a school friend of mine had come into her work - but Mum was unsure who it was.

This lead to a series of events which resulted in me being invited to something of a school reunion last weekend. Kristin and most of the group of girls I "hung out" with at school have stayed in close contact (a pretty big achievement - most of them have been friends since primary school!!). They get together at Christmas for a nice lunch and Kristin invited me along. A complicating element (which I didn't learn about until the day before) was that I was the "surprise guest". I gotta say, I was pretty nervous, and the surprise factor kinda added to my anxiety. I was so nervous that I spent far too much time thinking about what I would wear (and of course I didn't want to look like I'd been trying hard to look my best). I don't think I've ever put so much thought into looking like I haven't put too much thought into it. Anyway, my anxieties were ill founded, and I had a lovely time. The girls all looked great and seemed really happy. Everyone has kids! Thirteen of them (between us), and Karen has another on the way. When I came home I had a look through my box of old photos but I had trouble finding many pictures of us at school. I guess we didn't take as many back in the age of film.

Photo above taken during Year 10 excursion to Canberra (1991)

The few photographs I did find led me to conclude that the girls have said good bye to:

• high waisted jeans,
• perms,
• large-group bus trips,
• Oakleys,
• Hypercolour T-Shirts,
• some very silly boys,
• babies' breath,
• debutante balls, and
• daisy chains.
  

Some things remain; the girls are still friends..... and I'm still wearing big earrings

Kristin and I snuggle up with Paul (I think??) and Rebbecca at Jo's deb ball

The girls find a way to pass the time during the trip to Canberra

Kristin and I get in touch with our inner Hippy Chicks

Tania and Tracey make their debut into the finest circles of Cessnock Society

Kristin and Karen practice their "I really am 18" pose before hitting Vincent St