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FEATURE
Continued from page 9
relationship with her adoptive parents. She says she would leave the amount of contact up to her birthmother. Her adoptive mother, Patricia, agrees.
Patricia says she doesn't see the possibility of a reunion as a threat because she's secure in her relationship with Cullen. She supports Cullen in her search, helping her contact agencies and getting her original birth certificate. "If it's important to her it's important to me," she says. As far as the outcome of a meeting, Patricia says that she is cautiously optimistic, wanting the best for Cullen.
Although some adoptees think that meeting their birthparents is a significant part of their lives, others don't. Chris Albrecht, Olathe junior, says that for him a reunion isn't necessary. Albrecht's adoption was closed when he was 7 years old, when his adoptive parents decided it would be best to prevent the birthmother from becoming overly attached. Albrecht says that around age 10, he first asked about being adopted, but didn't realize the full scope of what it meant.
Albrecht says one major factor in his decision to abstain from meeting his birthmother comes from his fulfilling attachment with his adoptive parents. He says he wonders about the habits
and traits he may share with his birthparents — he knows his father plays the drums, which Albrecht also enjoys — but similarities aren't enough to push him to want to find his birthparents. "Anyone can father a child, but to be a dad you have to forge a connection at some point."
Bean, of Adoption and Counseling Services for Families, Inc., says that the older adoptees get, the more likely they are to seek out their birthparents, but everyone needs their own right time to do it. She says the adoptee should not be going through a life crisis and should calmly enter into the relationship. She also says it's optimal if the families have been connected since the birth of the child. Ultimately, the adoptee needs to find the right time to do it themselves, and be prepared for a life-changing outcome. JP
NOTICE
wescoe wit
lol.
GUY: Originally I'm from the Netherlands.
GIRL: Wow. I have always wanted to visit
Neverland.
PROFESSOR:
(addressing the class) If I walk through the Campanile, will all of you fail?
GIRL 1 : Yeah. I work at Planned Parenthood. If you ever need anything I'll get you a discount
GIRL 2 : So, like a buy two, get ona free deal?
GIRL 1: Yeah, growing up, I was involved in 4H
**GIRL 2:** Don't lie. We all know that you
litter all the time.
GUY 1 : I had a rough night. I kept getting my fingers stuck in the holes, and I couldn't control the ball.
GUY 2 : What the hell?
**GUY 1:** Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention I was bowling.
GIRL 1 : Hooded sweatshirts make people look so fat.
GIRL 2 : Yeah, or pregnant
**GIRL 1** : True, and I would much rather be pregnant than fat.
GIRL 1 : Did you hear me calling your name from the bathroom?
GIRL 2 : No, sorry. I went to grab some lunch while you were gone.
GIRL 1 : I really needed you. I was peeing and a bee stung me in the vagina.
// HANNAH DECLERK
For those of us whose lives don't suck enough to post a cringe-worthy story on fmylife.com, there is My Life is Average.
My Life is Average is for occurrences in life that range from the bland to the extraordinary. Developed this summer, MLIA is, according to the site, "a place to share your everyday mediocrity."
Formatted much like FMyLife, most stories begin with "Today ..." and end in "MLIA." Though it started as a place where people put truly boring happenings such as brushing their teeth or going to school, MLIA contributors have quickly developed their stories to include the extraordinary things that happen in their seemingly average lives. Grandkids finding their grandma's rap-filled iPod, teachers having lightsaber fights in the hallway at school, major coincidental events and much more can be found on the site.
tomorrow's news // MY LIFE IS AVERAGE
"I love it, it's much less depressing than FMyLife," says Dan Morford, St. Mary's junior. "I read it all the time because my life is average."
If you think your life is average, check out mylifeisaverage.com and compare. It may make you feel better or just make you jealous, but either way it will make you laugh.
"Today, I went to the store and bought some Land O'Lakes cheese. On the label, it said 'LOL Cheese.' I laughed. MLIA."
"Today, I realized that many MLIA stories are about Harry Potter, and not about Twilight. I'm glad the average person has good taste: MLIA."
"Today, I decided to tan on the balcony, I took my top off and my neighbor came out and saw me. He's a guy. So am I. We greeted each other. MLIA."
"Today, I wore Axe body spray. I wasn't tackled by any women. MLIA."
Examples of outstanding mediocrity, taken from mylifeisaverage.com
// VALERIE SKUBAL