S

Back in October-ish, I created a blog called "Song of the Moment".  One of the early posts was entitled "Gift of A Friend".  In this post, I referred to S, one of my good friends.  I've been talking to S a lot recently, and thus wanted to dedicate this post to him. 

So, S.   Full name is Samir Patel.  Yes, the Samir Patel from the National Spelling Bee.   In order to fully tell the story, I suppose I should go back to 2003. 

In 2003, Samir and I were both in third grade.  I was 8, he was 9.  He lived in Texas, I lived in California.  I first saw Samir in the 2004 Paideia.  The Paideia was one of study aids provided by the Spelling Bee program, and included pictures/information on the top spellers from the previous years NSB. 

When I first saw his picture, I was shocked that a third grader could place THIRD in the National Spelling Bee.  While it had previously been my goal to advance to the National Spelling Bee, I was now determined to do as well as Samir.  Hehe....yeah...didn't work out so well. 

Samir and I both advanced to the 2004 National Spelling Bee.  He advanced past the preliminaries; I spelled only 7 words correctly on the written test, and misspelled my oral round.  While at the Bee that year, I was very aware that Samir was there as well; however, I was extremely shy, and thus didn't try to talk to him.  Lol...I didn't really talk to anyone that year.

2005 passed in essentially the same manner. I think I briefly saw Samir at the annual barbecue, but was too intimidated to start a conversation. 

In 2006, things finally changed.  We both advanced past preliminaries, and did fairly well.  After the Bee was over, my mom encouraged me to talk to other spellers in order to get contacts who could give me good study tips.  At this point, I was determined to do whatever it took to get as close to winning the Bee as possible.   I decided to finally approach Samir.  Lol...that was interesting. 

I think I was under the impression that he would think that he was better than all the other spellers because of his amazing history with the Bee -- 3rd in 2003, 2nd in 2005.  I was worried that he would be stuck up, and be like "why are you talking to me? you're the underdog."  This false notion came across when I talked to him.  I really had an attitude...I guess it was my way of protecting myself from possible "rejection"....I think I might have actually yelled at him.   He told me recently that he was actually scared that I'd slap him.  :).  Lol...sorry Samir. 

Anyway.  I eventually calmed down, and was actually able to talk to him.  We exchanged e-mail addresses, and e-mailed a few times over the next year. 

2007 was a year of surprises.  Samir misspelled "clevis" in the 5th round.  That was a complete shock, as most people were expecting him to win.  I actually advanced to the ABC broadcast, but misspelled "zacate" in round 7.  Afterwards, Samir and I talked after the awards banquet. As the celebration was wrapping up, and it was time to say 'good-bye',  Samir gave me a hug.  As my mom and I were walking back to our room, she said "I think Samir might have a crush on you..."  I immediately dismissed the idea as impossible.....but tucked that comment into the back of my brain....

So.  Almost 5 years have passed.  Samir and I e-mailed off and on....he sent me a very nice e-mail after I lost the Bee in 2008.  We kept each other updated on the major events in our lives, but didn't talk too often.  Until November 2010.

In November 2010, I participated in the National Bible Bee for the second time.  After the Bee, I sent an e-mail out to all of my friends, incuding Samir.  He sent a very nice e-mail back, and I noticed that he now had a g-mail, just like I did. :)

We still didn't e-mail too much, until the past 6 months.  I was having a few social issues, and Samir was always there, ready to listen, and offer advice.  Lol.  Yeah...about that advice.  Most of it was ignored.  I regret that now. 

We eventually started talking almost everytime we were both on g-mail.  We talked almost everyday over winter break.  Eventually, I decided to re-read the e-mail that he had sent me in 2008.  While reading, I decided to post some of what I was reading, and my current response, as my g-mail status.  Lol.  Statuses....let's just say I post WAAAAY too much of what I'm thinking.  This makes it REALLY easy for Samir to tell what I'm thinking.  Of course...he's also way too perceptive for his own good. 

Anyway.  I posted parts of it as my status.  Eventually, he asked me if I was re-reading REALLY old e-mails.  I told him that I was; he asked me to send it to him.  I did so.  He then proceeded to tell me that he thought he had said certain things because ...*drum roll please*...he might have had a crush on me back in '07. 

I was shocked.  I'd always remembered what my mom had said, but didn't think it was actually possible.  I'd read the e-mail, and wondered, but didn't think it was possible.  Well, I guess it goes to show that NOTHING is impossible. 

Well.  Around the same time, I'd discovered that I really enjoyed talking to Samir.  I always looked forward to it.  I was so glad to have found someone who I could tell everything.  He knew everything important about my life -- more even than my parents.  Eventually...I started to think that I might have a crush on him. 

Well.  I started posting more "passive agressive" statuses.  He noticed.  Realized what was up.  I can't keep a secret to save my life, so I told him.  Interesting conversation. 

Anyway...yeah...that's an update on "MY CRAZY LIFE"!!