It's October, people. We've already had snow. I'm just not ready! The good news? It's time for the SSS!
If you're a regular reader, you know that the Secret Subject Swap is a collaboration between various bloggers. We receive secret topics from a blogger in an e-mail and put our own spin on the subjects. The 12 blogs participating this time are listed at the end of this post. Go have a look and leave a comment. It will make
Your “Secret Subject” is:
Grab a globe and an imaginary arrow. Stick it in at the place you were born – now describe the life you would have if you grew up on the other side of your world.
It was submitted by: http://thethreegerbers.blogspot.ch/
I was born many decades ago, on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Some call it the NinetyEast Ridge. I call it "The middle of nowhere, Earth." For those of you thrill-seekers, the coordinates are 3 Degrees South, 90 degrees E. Go ahead, knock yourself out and visit.
I can't complain about the island. It was very beautiful and I really had everything I needed. Food was plentiful, a well of purified water was created, the weather was usually calm, and I was surrounded by those that I had come to love.
One day, a group of teenagers and I decided to try and find where we might live on the other side of the world. We did this by using a volleyball that had washed ashore a few years before. It didn't take long for my grandmother to wash the sharpie-marker face off of the ball. (who draws faces on a ball?) A gentle man who lived down the path from us drew out what he believed to be the world on the rubber sphere.
We measured and showed the man the area that was opposite of us. It was an odd piece of land, surrounded mostly by water, in the shape of a mitten.
"Ah, yes" nodded the man. "This is Michigan. I've heard other men speak of it. Did you know that all of the water surrounding the land is fresh water?"
The name sounded familiar. After speaking with my grandmother about it, I remembered that I had family there. Can you imagine? Halfway across the world? I wanted to go. I wanted to meet these people as soon as possible.
How would I get there? I thought I might have it figured out.
First of all, I'd have to cut things off with my current boyfriend, Richard. It really wasn't all that serious anyway. In the back of my mind, I had this weird inkling he was seeing another girl. Her name was Emmaline. I don't care. They look like they could be relatives! Ack. They could sneak off to the lagoon as often as they liked.
Next, I'd have to start flirting with the older guys. I figured ONE of them could help me off the island. Jack was tall and smart; he just couldn't stay focused on one thing at a time. Sawyer was beautiful, but I think that's all he had to offer. There was a much older guy, named John Locke, but all he had on his mind was revenge. Getting to know him might be useful at another time, but this was not it. No. I had only one choice. I can't remember his first name, but I called him "The Professor". Man, this guy knows his stuff. Building radios out of coconuts, inventing anti viruses. He's a chemist, an architect, a botanist...he has it all. Plus, May-December relationships are all the rage on the island...
It worked! A few quotes from Edison and some silly questions regarding the periodic table..Poof! He was mine. In a few days, I had him wrapped around my smallest phalange.
The professor made a few calls from his "apple" (Yes, a phone made from an apple.) and I was on my way. Transportation would be coming for me the next day.
After my heartfelt goodbyes to my community, I kissed my grandma and promised I would one day return. I hugged the professor and whispered softly in his ear, "Photosynthesis". For a moment, I didn't think he'd let me go...
Soon, a visible para scope rose from the water and a ton of people jumped out of a tiny yellow submarine. They were answering the call from the professor and said that one more person would be just fine. I later came to find that they ALL lived in the yellow submarine. They sang it over and over; not unlike the 99 bottles of beer on the wall tune. Still, a cute man held my hand as I boarded the vessel and asked me my name.
"Michele" I answered.
"Welcome aboard, Michele. Hmm. Michelle, my belle... Sounds catchy." I liked that.
I watched the islanders wave goodbye as we slowly descended into the deep. Through a porthole, I could see that annoying Ariel trying to catch the attention of the crew. She was always doing that. She was already a princess of the sea. Who would want more than that? Well, Ariel, that's who. She was always talking about walking and running and staying all day in the sun..Blah blah blah. Sorry girl. This ship has sailed...
It was about a week later when we finally reached the east coast of North America. I was almost there. The group hugged me, stuffed some money in my pocket and descended back into the sea. Packed up with a small map and backpack, I was on my own.
I learned a few lessons on my way to Michigan. Not everyone is helpful. There are places to eat food that is pre-made. I asked a mother if another building I was standing in was "heaven." She said no, but it was close.It was called "Target." Oh, and there is a major difference between an Amtrak train and a "love train". Wow.
There weren't any streets paved with gold. After a few trains, a plane and a Magic school bus, I was in the land of Lions, Tigers and Red Wings. I was "home".
I'm not sure if I tripped on the steps of my relative's home or if I just collapsed of exhaustion. But when I woke up, I found myself in what seemed to be a familiar place. I recognized the petal pink walls. I remembered the heavy quilt that covered my shivering body. Then I saw her. It was my grandmother! She came to feel my forehead and described the awful fever she'd been trying to get me to break for days.
I was confused. I told her about the trains and the submarine, about my friends on the island and that she was there.. She hushed me and shook her head. It was all a dream. Halfway around the world is where I already was. It's where I had always been.
"I don't understand. It was all so real..."
Grandma smiled. "You just get some rest, now." She turned toward my nightstand and moved my DVDs of LOST and turned off the iPod that was softly playing the Beatles.
Still foggy, I watched as grandma also picked up a bottle of Nyquil. And a bottle of Dayquil...and some Sudafed, Advil, Alka Seltzer...and Triaminic.
Holy Hannah. No wonder I was dazed and confused. My beautiful grandma was trying to break my fever... like a drug lord. I love that lady.
Hail Michigan!
If you are interested in joining us for the next Subject Swap, you can visit its creator, the wonderful Karen @ Baking in a Tornado. She just celebrated ONE YEAR of the SECRET SUBJECT SWAP! You can also read all about the swaps by clicking on the SSS icon on the side of my blog.
Don't forget to check out this month's talented participants!
Baking in a Tornado
Happy Beautiful Friday, friends.
-Michele
-Michele
