More reflections
I just got to thinking more about the early days.
I remember the road trip to LA to join the Sea Org. Besides that, my mom told me other things about it. At the time, my dad was getting declared and we packed up to join the SO. She told me she changed her mind when she got to LA and took us to Disneyland instead. I think the next day she joined the Sea Org. I was 2 1/2 and my brother was a year or so older than me.
I remember the Melrose building, but only vaguely. I remember playing in the yard outside alot. After that, we were moved to the Fountain Building (later resold because the earthquakes damage) and all of the kids were there. Then they aquired the ATA, which was down the street from the fountain building, which is now used more for storage and event preps than anything else. Then we were all moved to the CEO, which is a building that doesnt exist anymore. It was where they put the Atrium at CCI (Paviliion, whatever you wanna call it).
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I think that the nannies that we had, though there were not enough, actually cared about the kids. But at the same time, it seemed like they were put there cause they didnt qual for anything else. It just seemed to me there was a hint of rejection in them. Maybe it was frustration. We were not the easiest kids to take care of.
It's harsh for me to say this, but I felt they cared more than the parents, in most cases that I saw. Some parents really did care about their kids and would come and see them. And I used to be jealous of that. My mom never seemed to be part of our lives, in my mind. When she did manage to get time with us, she would sleep and not be with us at all.
I do remember she had an old datsun manual car and we used to go places sometimes. But I dont remember much. Maybe just shopping. I think that was in my later years anyways.
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In the earlier years, in the CEO, they did have the kids seperated by age groups. I do remember they had an area for newborns.
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At one point, early on, they did decide to do something about having so many kids, and the rules they put in was that you had to have a PO approved before you could get pregnant. They wanted to finances covered before you had any kids. This was way early on - sometime in the early 80's or so. I remember Donna Proffit got approval and she was going to have another kid. That was before they decided if you get pregnant you go to Class V Org, before if you get pregnant, you get Comm Ev'ed (which is the current thing) and offloaded and spouse is convinced to stay in SO and female is left in the world with 500.00 and thats it.
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I think I learned independance early on. I think that was a good thing. Since being out, I have done well by myself and do not need to depend on anyone. I like to be able to say I accomplished that. I think anyone who makes it out can, as long as they are given a little "push start" in the right direction. (knock on wood)