Going back to school was not something I looked forward to, who did? Homework, studying, pop quizzes, test, mid terms, book reports, math homework…oh those damn word problems.  Who really cares what time the train arrives at the station on the second track, minus two left turns, with 27 passengers and 52 pounds of luggage.  

The teachers your siblings had and living up to the expectations.

“Yes, I am her sister but I would advise you not to expect any similarities whatsoever. Don’t even think about comparing me to her and we will all get along just fine.” 

There were not too many things to look forward to but there was lunch. 

There were many PB&J’s and Fluffernutter sandwiches consumed during those years in school, thank goodness there were no peanut allergies back then, I would have starved. The lunches that sat in my locker with no cold pack within 10 feet of the brown paper bag. It was, however, the best way to melt cheese on a ham sandwich pre-microwave. How did I not get sick?   

Plates full of tater tots, mounds of mashed potatoes, and let us not forget the slab-o-pizza with the carton of milk on the side. What were they thinking with the milk, every Italian knows you don’t drink milk with pizza, it is just not done!  

The giant pretzel, the ginormous chocolate chip cookie, the chocolate eclair ice cream, and a bottle of Veryfine grape juice to wash it all down… those were the days.  

I consumed junk food, soda (tonic for all my Boston friends) and fruit juice drinks that contained no juice at all and survived. 

I am not sure what I would have done had they removed the soda and non-juice juice machines, the cookies, ice cream and chips and had to eat ‘right’. 

It was the one thing I looked forward to at lunch time…eating badly.  

Going to the cafeteria, not knowing who I was going to sit with or if I would have to sit by myself (heaven help me if that happened), was more stress than my teenage self could handle. I was, however, comforted by the thought that if I did have to sit alone the Veryfine Grape Juice and ginormous chocolate chip cookie would be awaiting my arrival.