It’s my last day as guest-ghost writer here at the Get REAL Blog! It is a very sad and reflective day for me. But I would also like to take this opportunity to share some of the valuable insights and lessons I have absorbed at my year at PPCO. Some of them even relate to the topics we discuss here, like responsible sex ed and respectful discussion of different ideas and opinions.   

- Everyone has questions about sex, their bodies and how they work. There are no stupid questions. Some of them have never even occurred to me to ask! But also, people are naturally shy asking these questions in big groups and in public. Sometimes they are hard to articulate. Sometimes we don’t have the words or language to ask what we want to know, and it comes out sounding awkward or weird. This is all ok.  

- No one is born knowing how to put on a condom. It is not an innate still and takes practice. I know, because I had to practice several times myself with the wooden model. I felt silly at first, but proud when I learned how to do it correctly.

- Related to condoms, I learned how important it is to store them properly. Not too hot or cold (or in your wallet for the past 6 years…) In Oklahoma this can be an issue. I have seen more EXTREME weather this year than in all of the rest of my life combined. (Tornadoes, scorching heat, “freezing fog”… AAAAHHH! Can be scary for you, and scary for your protective equipment as well.)

- People will often surprise you… in every way possible. If you judge based on looks or personal bias, you will very possibly turn out to be wrong.

 - Female condoms are a very nifty invention. They have been around for years yet for some reason I had never heard of them before. And in exciting new news, the Female Health Company has revamped the packaging- it is now a very stylish pretty and purple!!

- Don’t look to the media for any type of accurate depiction of the sex lives of real human beings, although what you see can be a great springboard for deeper discussion and debate.

- It is possible to disagree with someone and have an intelligent, respectful conversation (and even possibly enjoy that person’s company.. heaven forbid!)

- Study after study shows that comprehensive sex education helps young people become more informed about themselves and their bodies, and even delays the age at which they become sexually active.

-The fight for comprehensive, accurate sex education rolls on. Don’t give up, we need you all. Speak up and let your voice be heard!