Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday ~ Personal History


This picture is from the best summer job I ever had. When I was a teenager, I spent 4 summers working at Canada's Wonderland. The first year, I worked on rides. The next 2, at the dolphin show. And the last year, in the Smurf show. Now here's the funny thing, everyone. I am not the girl in the picture. Yes, I am a girl. And yes, I am in the picture. But I'm the one playing Papa Smurf!

What a blast we had that summer. There were 4 smurfs, and we were all young girls having fun. We would do a show and then pop out for ice cream or to chat with some cute boy or to see if we had time to take in a ride. My absolute favourite part of the job though was that we had to take dance class a couple of mornings a week. Yes, we had to take dance class. I remember thinking - what? they're paying me to take dance class?!?! It was the most awesome feeling.

Looking back on that time is also a reminder to me that I love having wacky memories, having done things that are perhaps a little bit odd or different. And I guess that's why I coach people who choose a different path, creative people who are trying to build a life around their own distinct personality that honours their heart and spirit. I am deeply committed that path.

5 comments:

meghan said...

You know what's funny? When I first saw the picture I looked at it quite closely because I wanted to see what you looked like back then, so when I read further I laughed out loud when you said you were Papa smurf! People always look at me funny when I mention some of the things I've done - it's nice to know that someone else out there took a slightly different path too! Thanks for the giggle!!

Abby Marie said...

Great picture and what fun times you must have had! I completely agree that it's nice to have whacky memories of our lives past...it's what makes us all different and intersting in our own way!

Frankie said...

hahaha oh how wonderful!! I love little stories like this, things that are so varied from the "norm." You must have made a fantastic Papa Smurf! It's so fun to be whacky ;)

--erica said...

Okay, I'm giggling! I love this SPT!!!

Anonymous said...

What a fun and charming picture, and the story... what great memories you must have from those years!