It didn't help anything that my family didn't have a lot of money, so my overall appearance didn't look as princess-like as the other girls, but I remember being called a lot of names because of my appearance. Perhaps that's why I liked Cinderella so much. I remember following a group of girls one day after school in the playground, and one flat-out told me she thought I was ugly. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit that this didn't hurt. I was quite a forgiving child though, and moved on from there, until the next time another kid called me a name. The name calling subsided quite a bit, but didn't officially end until I graduated from high school.
One of those names I got called once or twice was, "Albino." It's only been recently that people have been exploring the beauty of albinos. I did get asked if I was an albino, but I'll state it now again, I'm not. I had a biology teacher once who had me make a presentation in class, and the only thing I remember her saying after I was completed was an explanation to the class how I wasn't albino, because I had blue eyes (I've learned since that they can have blue eyes, but oh well). I always wondered why she felt like she had to explain that to the class. Perhaps she wondered it and thought someone else might be thinking the same thing. Oh well. People don't always think about what they are saying.
I've also had comments about my white skin also. People mention to me all the time in a friendly manner and not really thinking about what they are really saying, about going out and getting some sun. It's not worth getting mad over. I just smile and move on to something else. I also get amused when people sit around all winter complaining about being white. I laugh at their comments. You only can claim yourself as being white when you have the skill of sunburning your skin within ten minutes of going outside. That's a lot of fun! I've had people tell me to go get a tan, and some who out right told me I was whit. Thanks for letting me know.
I don't know when exactly it happened, but I learned at a young age to be OK with my appearance. Perhaps it may have something to do with the fairy tales and Disney princesses I liked while growing up. I know a lot of people don't like them, because they are created unrealistic illusions of beauty, but knowing that I had some common features with them taught me that I had features that were beautiful also and didn't need to be ashamed of them. Tell me one more time I need to go get some sun, and you might get a little laugh. Honestly, I prefer being super white over the likely pain process I would have to go through to even get a hint of color.
I'm completely comfortable with myself. The only playing I do with my hair is putting it up in a hairdo. I don't color it. I don't tint my skin. I don't even play with my nails. There is a little makeup used on my face, but I prefer to look as natural as possible. I'm my usual little content personality, happy as I am, and so when someone makes a comment on my appearance...whatever.
