This is Geneva:

I stole this picture from a funny post on her blog—hope that’s okay, Geneva.

About a million years ago (back in September of 2007), I entered a giveaway on her blog, Hazardous Undertakings. The giveaway was supposed to be randomly selected, but I tried to sway the vote by leaving this comment:

“Ooo, la la! I love random giveaways, especially with Genevra! If you “randomly” pick me, I will write a post about you on my blog…and it will be good.”

Guess who won? A randomly-generated winner…AND me!  Geneva was so intrigued by my offer, she decided to make two winners.  The next month, when I was in Arizona for a wedding, I saw Genevra {oh yeah, I have called her GenevRA ever since high school…it just flows nicely, and I don’t think she minds}, and she hand-delivered my prize in a homemade origami box (which was amazing, truly).

My loot, a “Wear With Absolutely Everything Necklace.” Image from here.

See, Genevra and I go way back.  I met her my sophomore year of high school (Grade 10, Canadians), and we were acquaintances throughout our days as Warriors.  We participated in marching band at the same time (just for one year, before I figured out how lame it was), and Student Council (for three years).  During our senior year (Grade 12, Canadians), we even competed in a ridiculous beauty pageant—and hated every second of it—together.

Genevra was—and still is—incredibly smart.  She was the valedictorian for our class (Class of ’04)—actually, I can never remember if it was between Genevra or Latherine Stunning* who ended up the first in our class, but for the sake of this post, we’ll say she was.  At any rate, she was right up there.  Despite her class rank being very impressive, I remember lots more about Genevra from high school.  Probably my most dominant memory of High School Genevra is this:

One day in Student Council, Genevra was talking to Fo Rominguez* about something—I don’t know what—and I heard her say, “I am good at math.  I ROCK at math.  No, seriously…I’m really really good at math.”

I thought to myself, “What the heck?  Who is this person, to just go around saying how good she is at everything?”  {As an aside, I’m pretty much LOUSY at math, and I was a little bitter.  Obviously.}  It bothered me for a long time, maybe even years.  BEAR WITH ME, GENEVRA; IT GETS BETTER! After a while, though, I found myself reflecting on that brief interaction, and I felt my opinion slowly changing.  So Genevra was good at math, and she knew it.  So what? Is there anything wrong with having confidence in one’s own strengths?  I don’t think so—and if there is, there shouldn’t be.  {I’m an idealist like that—more concerned with how things should be than how things are.}

Eventually, I decided to embrace a little bit of Genevra’s attitude in my own life.  I have tried the whole “act-like-I-don’t-think-I’m-good-at-anything-so-people-will-tell-me-that-yes-Camille-you-are” route, and guess what?  It’s annoying.  People who do that…are annoying. Yes, I am well aware of my many many faults {many many MANY faults}, but I am also secure enough—like Genevra taught me—to know that I am a good person in lots of ways.

Is this arrogant?  Maybe a little.  But it’s better than being a tiny, timid, mousy little thing who needs other people’s good opinions to make it through the day.

Isn’t it amazing how one seemingly-insignificant moment can have such a profound impact?  Probably Genevra doesn’t even remember that day (although she might, because, like we’ve already established, she has the brain of a rocket scientist), but I do.  And not only do I remember that day, but I think of it often, especially when I need a pep-talk in self-confidence {which, hello, is every day}.

So essentially, Genevra has changed my life.

Oh, and by the way, the Wear With Absolutely Everything Necklace? Let’s just say, not only does Geneva rock at math, but she also works wonders with beads and a toggle clasp.  I really can wear this necklace with absolutely anything:

Ode to Genevra’s Multi-purpose Necklace:

I could wear it nights and days…

I could wear it tweezing strays…

I could wear it gussied up…

I could really strut my stuff…

Just today, it surfaced for cameras…

…and even looked great with my favourite pajamas.

Thanks, Genevra, for changing my life, and helping me accessorise with ease! You really do rock at math, and I’m sorry I was jealous.

Everybody go visit her blog to see her exciting news.  Tell her I sent you.

*Names modified to protect the innocent and cover my back.

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