Geography. It’s probably my weakest subject. Next to Spelling. And Foreign Languages.
But hey, at least I can make homemade cheese.
Oh, have you never heard me say that before? That’s the fall back phrase I always use when I feel inadequate about something. The scenario goes something like this:
We are in a group of people who are talking about subjects that go way over my head – like baseball statistics, politics, auto parts, building structures, capital gains, and the like. I try to smile and nod occasionally to at least look as though I am following along in the conversation. All the while, I am thinking in my head, “wow I feel like a complete dodo brain”. But I tell myself (while continuing to nod and smile politely) that it’s okay that I don’t know any of this stuff because God, in His great wisdom, made us all different to fulfill His purposes. And then I remind myself that while I have no idea what an acid dissociation constant is, at least I do know how to make cheese. And I bet that those who are talking about the above subjects probably don’t know how to make cheese, so there. And then I feel better about myself.
Welcome to the inside of my brain.
I feel as though I should quickly let you know that while I do know how to make cheese, I haven’t actually taken the time to make it in over three years. But if I needed to I could, especially if someone were to ask me about quadratic equations and I needed to make myself feel smarter.
So what was the point of this post? Oh yes. I was telling you that I’m not good at Geography.
Now, the irony is that I actually got A’s in Geography in high school and college. As a matter of fact, in my college World Geography class, for our final exam, we had to (brace yourself) label every single country in every single continent on the planet earth and name each country’s capital. It was the Geography test of all tests. We were handed a big, blank world map and a pencil and away we went. I had studied my tail off for that test and ended up getting 100%, thank you very much.
You would think that after taking that class I would be good at Geography. But no. I’m just good at studying for tests…and forgetting information promptly after taking a test. It’s rather pitiful.
So to prove my complete Geographical cluelessness, you may find it funny to know that when I was talking to my friend Jodi about how we should get together some day – I almost suggested that on our upcoming trip to California, perhaps we could take a route that would lead us through to her place…in Ohio. Thankfully, before I threw out the idea, I decided that I had better look at a map. Sure enough, Ohio is exactly four states to the east of Nebraska. Which – in case you’re as bad at Geography as I am – is not the direction you take when you go from Nebraska to California. Okeedokee then.
It’s a good thing I didn’t actually make this suggestion to Jodi. She’s super sweet and would have surely come up with something kind to say when she explained to me that we’d be going about two days out of our way to come for a visit “on our way” to California. And then I would have had to say,
“Yes, but did you know that I can make cheese?”
Tiffany says
I love you. I’m always being made fun of. I don’t know diddly about geography either. And I can’t make cheese. But I can make quilts … will you still be my friend?
Loved this post! I don’t like that I’m not good with geography but I LOVE that I’m not alone!
Kathleen says
Love this post! I feel the same way and I can’t make cheese. Well, maybe I could if I tried! I am 52 and in my second semester of college. Remembering facts does not get easier with age! :)
Kimberlee says
If you go to Ohio, I want to go with you. I have friends there, too!
Dottie says
I’m okay at geography. No clue how to make cheese or do a garden or many of the things you can do. That’s what makes us all interesting. :)
Missy says
My 5 year old plays the game “Stack the States” on my iPad. He has already learned all the names of the states, their capitals and where they are on the map. Shameless sponge of knowledge and information, he is. ;)
Karen says
Your posts are always so entertaining, but I must admit that I totally relate to this one! Not necessarily geography, but I have very little clue about what is going on in the world, and that was totally obvious over Christmas when a recent international event topic wafted over the dinner table with extended family, and I was asked if I had heard about it. I just smiled and said, “Well, I don’t watch the news.” I should have added, “BUT, you should really try some of my homemade vanilla extract, or cinnamon rolls, or kombucha tea, or kefir, or yogurt, or come check out my herb bed or the skirt I made our daughter…”. I am so thankful and content where God has placed me, and to share in a community at Heavenly Homemakers.
Laura says
I can SO relate to this! For me, I think it’s a combination of getting older, not watching tv or reading newspapers, and having 3 children under the age of 5 (mommy brain fog!)… it can still make me feel pretty silly sometimes. Thanks for the reminder that I am knowledgeable on some things, and those are the things that make me a good wife and mother. I know I’m where God wants me to be right now, so who cares if I can name all those capitals?? Although that would be pretty impressive! :)
Crista C says
I am the same way with information…learn it for the moment or for a test, then promptly forget it when I am done with needing it. I have too much other stuff to occupy my brain with!
Laura Collinsworth says
I really needed to hear this: “it’s okay that I don’t know any of this stuff because God, in His great wisdom, made us all different to fulfill His purposes.”I often feel very dumb when people start talking about stuff I don’t know. I will now remember your wise, God given words! Thank you!!!
Charlotte Moore says
You are so funny. I think you are pretty smart to learn all that and make 100 on the test. No way in the world I could have done that. Sure wouldn’t try now at my age. I don’t need to know it all anyway. I got a computer all I have to do is Google it. Hehehe!!
Emily says
Ha! I can totally relate- both to not having a clue what’s going on (especially political/government kind of stuff), and when it comes to geography… I really thought Chicago was down in Louisiana for the longest time! ;) I am getting better, though, especially since my kids are doing My Father’s World geography this year- I am trying to learn it all again with them! (Because like you, even though I got straight A’s in school, I think I was just good at memorizing for tests, but haven’t really retained much, lol).
Brighid says
Don’t feel bad! One year when we took a really wonderful trip to Yellowstone, I forgot about an entire state on the way back east! Let me tell you, completely forgetting about an entire state makes the trip suddenly much longer. :)
And, I too can make cheese. :)
Brooke says
LOL! I stink at Geography too. I’m pretty sure my 6 year old could label the states better than me ;)
And when you come out to Cali and if you come to SoCal, I just want to give you a big HUG!
Alyssa says
Don’t feel too bad…at least you caught it! One of my cousins from Michigan, who is in college right now, mentioned that she wanted to come visit me when she and her boyfried take a trip out west…sweet thought…only problem is that I live in SE TEXAS…talk about a detour!! :) :)
Angela says
We are so alike :)
Amber Courreges says
This is an amazing giveaway, I love challenge butter they have some amazing recipes!
Michael says
Lol so happy about this post! I remember being in geography class in high school and my teacher would point at me to name countries on the map and I honestly didn’t know the majority of them. Was kind of annoying cause kids would laugh at me in class for it, but it was like i could spell perfectly, and i have great arithmetic skills so i didn’t think i was stupid for being terrible at geography (i can even say words backwards on the spot!!). Anyways, i’m just really happy i’m not alone in this category, i don’t think being bad at geography makes you stupid.
Caroline says
I was the same way. Got it all right in class…promptly forgot afterwards. I hated geography and history. And it’s been really screwing me up socially recently. People try to blame it on me being homeschooled but that wasn’t it. My mom was an excellent teacher – I just didn’t care. They tell me I should be embarrassed and how stupid I am. I can’t change that I didn’t care at all. It was so bad that I didn’t know Washington was a state. I thought the only Washington was Washington DC. But like…I’m obviously not stupid since I’m in nursing school. I had to be some level of smart to get it. But it hurts.