Dear Chibi,
Most people don’t seem to know I wear glasses, and I don’t blame them because I only wear them in front of computers or watching the TV.. doing exams and at Uni lectures in the old days. It’ll probably be difficult finding a photo of me wearing glasses at all. There are others who know I wear glasses, but also assume I’m wearing contact lens when I’m not wearing glasses. Not many people knew that when I’m not wearing glasses, I’m actually not wearing anything else to aid my sight- I CAN BARELY SEE A THING. Yes, I’m walking around blindly- thus we have the occasional Jen who walks right passed people she knows, without knowing, and they probably think she’s trying to avoid them, haha. Well, this went on for as long as I remember… probably since I was in year 2 when I first got them. What’s wrong with wearing glasses? Nothing, really.. it’s just a habit I got use to, because it feels uncomfortable. Another reason for the habit was all owed to my lovely wonderful Year 2 teacher.
In year 2, not many other students had glasses… actually, I don’t remember any at all. I went to class a little nervous and wondered how I could suddenly take out these frames and put them on all of a sudden- without getting weird looks or get any attention. Will I be called a four-eye? I contemplated quite a bit. I remember the glasses cost around $200, and that Mum had told me again and again “remember to wear your glasses in class!”. I thought ‘alright.. I’ll do it.’ But then… lovely Ms Year 2 teacher said “Jenny, come up to the front- I have an announcement to make”. I froze.. what was she thinking? I reluctantly walked to the front of the room, and as I reached there, she said “Jennifer has new glasses! Come on Jenny, put your glasses on in front of everybody!” I put them on, and suddenly see 20 faces staring back at me. I heard some giggles..some whispers. I never wanted to wear my glasses again. Why did she have to make it such a big deal? Why couldn’t I just quietly put them on at my desk while in the class?
While it all may sound pretty silly, and stupid of me to stop wearing them because of a few giggles and laughs- I did. I only wore them at home while watching the TV, and Mum would ask me everyday “Did you bring your glasses to school?” I’d nod.. but feel really guilty for pretending to wear them, when I only brought them to school, but never took it out of my bag.
This habit continued to High School. Me with glasses was one of those very little knowns.. I started wearing them as a necessity during computing studies, but other than that, it was out of sight. I took for granted that I could still see a decent amount without glasses, so thought it was okay not to wear them otherwise. Kaz on the other hand, wore glasses everyday from the day she got hers in Year 5. The difference was, she couldn’t see anything without them, whereas I still could.
Then of course, I get to Uni. I must say I’ve improved quite a bit! I wore them in all my tutorials and lectures! But once out of classes, they’re practically hidden again. Many of my cofa pals didn’t know I wear glasses either. So what’s the problem? I have glasses and wear them when I need them. The problem was, my eyes just worsened over the years, and it’s becoming harder for me to see without them. I don’t hide it though.. I often comment “I’m blind, I can’t read it”- and occasionally ask others to help me order something cause I can’t read the menu ^^;;
Now I’m at work, and wearing them 70% of the time, when I’m in the office sitting in front of a computer. I’m at the age and stage where I really don’t care anymore. I mean, who cares? There’s plenty of people wearing glasses, and the least of my concerns is that someone is gonna laugh, cause they won’t. But they’re still something resting on your nose, and still uncomfortable to wear during long hours.
Now near the end of year 2008- for the first time in my life, I put on contact lens..and what a feeling…I’ve never seen anything so clearly in my life without some frames sitting on my nose. I can see again!! The world looks so much sharper…and brighter.. so this is what everyone else sees everyday. I guess I’ve been missing out.
Now, sitting at my desk typing this blog, I have a new frame sitting on my nose. It’ll take some time to get use to, but hopefully through a combo of specs and contacts, I’ll finally enjoy life most people experience everyday. Ah… never take things for granted =)
Jennifer aka chibi. 23. 
