New Trier Township High School - Echoes Yearbook (Winnetka, IL)

Page 26 text:

Vacation - l have to get away The last thing l remember was the bell ringing at 3:30 on Friday afternoon. Now l was nestled in front of the television watching the Bulls' game with a bag of pretzels in my lap and a tall glass of OJ. at my side. Dad was outside in the garage trying to make room for the snow-blower, which had been left in the driveway all winter. l burrowed deeper into my chair hoping that he wouldn't see me. This was spring vacation, a time to relax, a time to do some serious T.V. watching and sleeping. My Bulls' game was rudely interrupted by my mother, who wanted to take me shop- ping for shoes. Don't ask me how we ended up at Northbrook Court, it just happened. After two hours of shopping, Mom had charged up a storm, my feet had blistered, and we had not visited one shoe store. When Mom and l got home, Dad was upset because we had forgotten to pick up my little brother from hockey practice. As Dad pulled out of the driveway, l decided to call some friends and ask them to go to a movie that night. After several calls, l realized that of the few friends who had stayed home, none of them really wanted to do much. Bored with television, l escaped to my room for a quick nap that lasted until dinner time. My brother insisted on waking me up himself by pouncing on my bed. To make things worse, all through dinner he pretended to be a game show host. Name something you eat for dinner, top five answers on the board! Pass the salt, l answered. 22 STUDENT LIFE xxx . ...V mania. l-I

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A . ,ww . After a trip to the gift shop for a new suit, l invaded the beach armed with suntan lotion, sunglasses, Walkman, and towels. After spending five hours in the sizzling sun, I emerged from the beach covered with oil, sand, and salt, my skin tender and pink. I plodded back to my room for a cold shower and a soothing coat of burn lotion. l found both my shower and my suitcase vacant of soap. After another trip to the gift shop, my skin was bright red. The sun had set colorfully, and the air had become cool. l decided to sit by the pool and relax, so l bought a Coke for 51.50 and tossed a can of OFF into my beach bag. On the pool deck, l arranged myself comfortably on the lounge chair and began the trashy novel I had brought from home. The buzzing of a fly interrupted the tranquility of the fading day. The nasty little creature was sitting on my wrist. Forgetting the can of OFF, l raised my left hand to slap it. I brought my hand down with all my might, missing the fly and leaving a white welt in my raw skin that lasted until my tan eventually peeled off. As the intense sting slowly died away, l sipped my Coke and thought reassuringly, Florida, what a life! Q STUDENT LIFE 21

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W. ,,.X, -W .-.M ...,....,.... Q Is the salt behind door number one, two, or three? he con- tinued. Forget it! I said, reaching across the table awkwardly. Oh! Spilt milk, smeared butter, and a triple! Mom! Whos gonna play fast money? I wanted to strangle him, but I restrained myself. After doing the dishes, I retreated to my bedroom and to the comfort of my headphones. Thinking of my friends who would soon return home golden brown, I reflected on my vacation, I had already been shopping three times, seen four movies, watch- ed endless hours of daytime television, and spent ten dollars at Tilt. By Thursday I had grown bored with MAII My Children and The Courtship of Eddie's Father, and had contemplated doing the math homework that I had neglected before spring break. I wearily opened my textbook as Mom yelled something about spring clean-up from the basement. I panicked, there was only one place to take refuge -the library. Quickly I stuffed my books into my backpack, threw on myjacket, and headed out the door. As the chilly April wind whipped my ears, and dirty slush filled my shoes, I thought, Ah, Wilmette, what a life! Q STUDENT LIFE 23 99990