I didn't go to private school, but I also underperformed because I more or less chose to. At the tender age of 8, I decided there was more to life than grades, and my teachers (but not my parents) were constantly harping on how I wasn't living up to my potential. I ended up as an internationally known scientist (recently appeared in the top 100,000 worldwide by citations, that is, how many people cited my work in their own). So much for not living up to my potential.
The longer I live, the more holes my socks have. I hate buying new socks.I've gotten to the point in my life where none of my socks have holes in them and I'm pretty proud of that.
The private school I attended for elementary school kicked me out halfway through the third grade. They apparently determined that I had a severe learning disability and suggested that I instead be enrolled in a special ed program. In any event, they didn't want an underachiever like me bringing down the joint.
Fast forward a bit, turns out I did just fine in "regular" ed. Straight A student, smoked the ACT and was the first in my family to graduate college, graduated at the top of my law school class and, at 35, I am up for election to partner this year at my Global 10 law firm where I represent some of the largest companies on earth in their M&A deals. God had other plans for me, to him be the Glory.
Oh, and I am happily married to a wonderful wife, have two nieces, both my parents are still alive and healthy and I am building a beautiful house in suburban Atlanta that a scallywag kid like me that got kicked out of a second-rate private school in the third grade has no business owning.
Notwithstanding that this is a brag thread, this is more of a highlight reel of what I am incredibly grateful for.
And I seem to have almost mastered the "art of the start" of the extremely cold-natured Piper Archer I'm finishing up my PPL in. That may be my proudest achievement to date. Starting carbureted engines is a foreign concept to those of us who grew up with fuel-injected cars!
I was a similarly under-performing (or under-appreciated) student in my younger years (and even in undergrad). Through some hard work and dumb luck, ended up at a top law school, graduated toward the top of my class, spent some time in NYC biglaw and I'm now a partner (litigator) at a large national law firm and still in my 30s. Funny how that works, right?
After 125 hours and nearly 400 landings , I made a beautiful crosswind landing today.
No one was there to appreciate it.
That still has me jealous.
I read this as the bar is pretty low to become a lawyer.
Just kidding………………mostly.
I can eat 50 eggs.
are you like a mad scientist or a heisenberg scientist?
I've been lucky enough to have run into many people who are better people than I am, and for whatever un-explainable reason many of them have put up with me. Yeah, baffling.
Great post! I wasn't gonna comment as these type threads ain't my style but your post reminds me of how thankful I am that God brought aviation into my life as a gift among the many He has given me!
I had a very similar story. I was always last to finish my test papers, largely because I kept falling asleep in class. They wanted to put me in a "special ed" class too, for the same reason. My parents kept fighting it until my stepfather was transferred to another duty station. The new schools were twice as hard and I found out that I could stay awake if the classes weren't so basic and boring.The private school I attended for elementary school kicked me out halfway through the third grade. They apparently determined that I had a severe learning disability and suggested that I instead be enrolled in a special ed program. In any event, they didn't want an underachiever like me bringing down the joint.
Fast forward a bit, turns out I did just fine in "regular" ed. Straight A student, smoked the ACT and was the first in my family to graduate college,
Today I bore my full weight on my legs for the first time since spinal surgery six weeks ago, for two whole minutes.Brag about your life. I'll go first. I'm a female IR pilot, married to the same guy for 11.5 years known for 29. Work a part time job because I am learning the Argentine tango.
Anyone else want to share?
Sounds like you’ve got it made!Airline Capt making good money. No kids, but have wife of 27 years. Party all the time and own a Vette. Built house to my specs.
Divorced?I just got out of jail after 40 years!
Yea but I re married her 20 years later! I am a dummy! lol Well maybe not, she encouraged me to buy our plane.Divorced?
I once passed gas in a police car while the officer was issuing me a citation, causing him to say a profanity and roll down all 4 windows.
I had a very similar story. I was always last to finish my test papers, largely because I kept falling asleep in class. They wanted to put me in a "special ed" class too, for the same reason. My parents kept fighting it until my stepfather was transferred to another duty station. The new schools were twice as hard and I found out that I could stay awake if the classes weren't so basic and boring.
I climbed a Cessna 150 to 13,000 feet and spun it 33 full turns.
Yea but I re married her 20 years later! I am a dummy! lol Well maybe not, she encouraged me to buy our plane.
What we got here is failure t'communicate.I can eat 50 eggs.
Friends of ours got married in their early 20's and it only lasted a few years. They got married again in their mid 30's. They are now 60 and still married. They had an unnamed boat when they remarried. Without them knowing we put a sticker on it "Deja Vu". The name stayed until they sold it almost 10 years later.
Today I bore my full weight on my legs for the first time since spinal surgery six weeks ago, for two whole minutes.