I know I've got teachers, librarians and other educators reading my LJ. Will one of you please explain to me why I get so many phone calls (yes, phone calls) from mothers saying, "I have to do a children's project on clothing from {insert name of country}."

I get the distinct impression that this grown woman who's called me on the phone isn't in school. I strongly suspect it is her child who is supposed to be doing the project. But instead, I'm getting a call from an adult.

When I was in school and I had a project to do, I went to the school library. Or my parents drove me to the public library in the next town. Yeah, we didn't have the internet. But I assure you, my parents never lifted a finger to do my homework for me.

What the hell is this world coming to? Can't kids even do internet search for themselves?!?!?!

(And don't any of you DARE tell me that their homework is too hard so their mothers have to do it for them! That's the sure way to grow a generation of McDonald's employees!)

I'm sad.

I don't entirely understand why I'm sad. But I am.

Not depressed. Just sad.

Maybe it's because there's about to be a major change in my life and it both scares and exhilarates me.

I feel like I'm about to take a step on a path that will separate me from the things I know, the things that are familiar.

It feels like I'm leaving my friends. Well, not really leaving them. Just taking a step that means I'll have less in common with them or something, fewer opportunities to interact, less reasons to relate.

I feel like I did when I got on that big plane and moved to Japan. I was so excited about going, but I knew that I was going to come back to a different world, to people who wouldn't recognise me anymore.

I don't know why.