by E. Paul Zehr
The funny thing is you move around way more in space than you do on Earth. But it’s in microgravity so it isn’t so tiring.
How do you have a shower in space?
You don’t really have a shower in space. That would be pretty messy and use lots of water. Instead you have a kind of sponge bath. But because water kind of hangs together in a blob, it’s pretty weird. You kind of make a big globe of water that you push parts of your body through. Then the water just kind of coats your body, you add some soap, coat it again, and clean up. It’s pretty wild. It made washing my long hair a lot more work too! But I got used to it.
Of course, when you sweat while exercising the same thing happens. Your body kind of gets slicked up with sweat. So you have to constantly use a towel to dry off. I never realized how much my scalp sweats until being in space!
Have you ever heard of the 99s?
Well, Jessie, yes I have! I am a member of the 99s, actually. The full name is the Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots. It’s a really neat group for sharing experiences and excitement with other women. About spreading the word about what’s possible for everyone. And maybe inspire some girls or women to try something they might not otherwise think they could do.
Do you have a favorite superhero?
I don’t really have a favorite superhero as such. But I have come across—or learned about—some really inspirational people. Like Beryl Markham. She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean from east to west. She did it all by herself way back in 1936. She wrote a kind of diary-style book about her life and I came across it a few years ago. It is called West with the Night and it’s so inspirational. Beryl was a real pioneer and has inspired me ever since.
I think it’s so cool to read about an inspiring woman like Nicole and then learn about who inspired HER! And finding out about how hard being in space is. The idea of forgetting how to use my body is blowing my mind! It’s like the total opposite of doing all this Batgirl training to learn how to use my body better.
But probably the most important thing I could learn from Nicole is how to be prepared. Being in space means having to think of everything in advance. There’s no way to change what you brought with you or what’s on the space station once you’re up there.
That includes you! When she writes, “We always train, train, train and prepare in case something happens,” it sounds like something Auntie G would say about training martial arts with me! Batgirl — think ahead! Prepare for the hardest and hope for the best! With all the training you can actually just react to what’s happening and get the job done.
I hope . . .
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
A few weeks ago I started an entry like this: “It’s funny how sometimes you think you know all about something but then it turns out you don’t, not really.”
Well, it applies here too. Even though everything was hours ago, I’m actually still getting a little worked up while I write this!
At lunch, things were great. Audrey was extra friendly and offered her dessert to me. I love tapioca pudding!
Then Cade came over just as lunch break was finishing. Right before the bell, actually. He had great timing! He said he was sorry about how everything had gone lately with Audrey and me and wanted to make it up to me after school. Could I meet them by my locker?
I said sure I guess. I’d be there anyway getting ready to go. So there’s no law saying they couldn’t come by too. But I did wonder why Cade was apologizing for problems between me and Audrey. What’s he got to do with it?
Clearly something was up. And I was freaking about it all afternoon. Was Cade actually upset about losing to me in the Superhero Slam? Was he angry at me? Had he and Audrey been complaining about me when I wasn’t around?
So even though I was still worried, I was relieved by the time the dismissal bell rang — soon I’d know what was up.
There I was grabbing my stuff when Cade and Audrey came by. Actually, they were acting super creepy! I was standing facing my locker when Cade came up from my right and Audrey mysteriously appeared on my left. Cade had his right arm kind of leaning up against the locker next to me and had his other hand behind his back (semi-spoiler alert: this is an important part of the story).
Cade started talking to me about how awesome my debate against him was! What? And how he was totally pulling for me to beat Dylan. And how Audrey and he were both going to help me get ready to beat Dylan. And how such great friends shouldn’t be acting like we were lately. Then Audrey tapped me on the shoulder and complimented my outfit. While I was looking fabulous today, it must be said, because of the distance between us lately, I wasn’t sure how to respond.
Then I saw her look over my shoulder and nod. My Spidey sense was tingling and I just suddenly dodged off to the right and past Cade.
Just like doing karate with Auntie G — I got out of the way. I wasn’t sure what I was getting out of the way from, but there it was.
It turns out I was getting out of the way of Cade handing me a box of chocolates and a card with three tickets (plus popcorn included) to the new superhero movie coming out this weekend.
I was stunned. Then Audrey said she likes Cade and he likes her. Like, like-likes. And I said that’s great but why did that affect us? Audrey said she thought I was crushing on Cade too and was jealous . . .
I just started laughing.
I told them I thought Cade was upset because I (Batgirl) had beaten him (Aquaman) so badly in the Superhero Slam! And that they didn’t like me anymore because I wasn’t on the swim team.
But now we are all on the same page again.
I’m SO relieved!
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Well, just another Thursday in the last month of school for grade 8. Except now that everything is good with Cade, Audrey and me, I can finally celebrate my win!
I MADE THE FINALS! I MADE THE FINALS!
Aaaaand it’s Batgirl versus Batman.
Girl versus Boy . . .
Jessie versus Dylan . . .
Holy tension, Batman!
FRIDAY, JUNE 19
Can Batgirl really beat Batman? That’s the question that’s been on my mind since it’s come down to Dylan and me in the final of the Superhero Slam. But it was Cade who actually asked it today. He didn’t say it in a bad way, you know, like Dylan would have. Like (in awful Dylan voice): “Can lame Batgirl beat Batman? NO!”
Instead Cade just came out and asked. He said he’s been thinking over that conversation Dylan and Audrey had back in the fall about men and women, now that Dylan and I are pitted against each other. That argument ended in a shouting match (and a bit of learning about tennis), but this one is a real debate.
Audrey and Cade want to help get me prepared to do my best.
I’m freaking out, actually.
Has it really come down to Batgirl versus Batman?!
Calm down, Jessie!!!
Stop shouting at yourself!!!
When I look back at the list of possible debate topics, there’s really only one I’m worried about: critical thinking. I know I’m good at analysis and Batgirl is amazing. But that’s one place where Batman is the king. He’s the absolute best. There’s no way I can beat Batman if Ms. King draws “critical thinking.”
Audrey and Cade went through all the scenarios with me for the other seven attributes. I’ve already done courage, experience, and perseverance.
My tummy is all upside down and I know I’m going to have a tough time sleeping tonight. And probably every night until the Slam.
It all goes down next week.
No matter what, it will all be over by next Wednesday.
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Auntie G could tell I was thinking too much about stuff while I was supposed to be training with her. I told her all the freaking out I’m doing in m
y head about the final of the Superhero Slam and going up against Dylan as Batman.
Auntie G said Batgirl has to be able to “use her body effectively.” She also has to be able to do so while using techno-stuff. She has loads of tools, really, when you get right down to it.
Using her body effectively means hitting with her whole body . . . and when Auntie G hits the punching bag, that punching bag knows it got hit. And got hit HARD. It’s pretty amazing.
Batgirl also uses actual tools as weapons when fighting legions of evil losers. Even if those weapons are as simple as a stick or a batarang. They even the score and put her on a level footing with larger attackers.
Auntie G has been teaching me to see things in a room that I could use to defend myself . . . including the room itself. A lot of Batgirl’s training is about how to incorporate her tools and technology with her body.
Learning and remembering motor skills with tools and tech can be even more difficult than without tools. This is also why learning to play something like field hockey or golf is so difficult.
When I do karate stick training, I know that my stick isn’t actually part of my body, but I hope that eventually it will “become part of my body” if it is going to be really useful.
Auntie G then said something that really made me think: Batgirl works with and uses everything and everyone. She uses physical tools, like a stick or a batarang, but has to understand how they work in order for them be useful for her. Same with her friends. She needs to know their strengths and weaknesses and how they match up with hers in order to be so successful.
She applies all her training to everything she does. She is her training. Which sounds a lot like what Nicole Stott was saying.
Auntie G: “OK Jess, I’m going to lay some sayings on you here. ‘The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.’ That was written by a famous sword master in old Japan named Miyamoto Musashi. He died back in 1645.”
Me: “So, you’re saying my training can be useful for other things besides the actual training?”
Auntie G: “Yes! Good one, kiddo! I think I’ve got an idea that will help you with the Superhero Slam. But I want you thinking the right way before I explain. So we’ll get there with one more martial arts quote. My teacher used to say this one a lot. ‘The pen and the sword are one.’ What do you think that means?”
Me (honestly feeling confused so I tried for a weak joke): “Try not to cut yourself when you’re doing your homework?”
Auntie G (making a fake frown): “Not quite. It means training your mind trains your body, and training your body trains your mind. It goes both ways. So how can you apply all of your training to your debate against Dylan?”
Me: “I’m not going to actually fight Dylan!”
Auntie G: “No, of course you aren’t! Not with your body, anyway. But you are going to fight him with your mind.”
And that’s when we came up with the plan.
Dylan, you’d better bring your “A” game.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
YIKES.
Just found out we’re having a special assembly for the final of the Superhero Slam. I have to TALK in FRONT of the ENTIRE school! And the whole school will vote on the winner!
Ms. King came in all excited and thinks it’s “amazing.” I did not find it that amazing.
Despite what I wrote earlier about getting more comfortable, I’m already pretty nervous about going head to head with Dylan.
So I took a big breath. Just like on the TV shows and movies when somebody is about to do something big.
Just like Hayley Wickenheiser before stepping onto home ice for the Vancouver Olympics.
Just like Jessica Watson when she headed out to sea to begin her voyage around the world.
Just like Bryan Q. Miller when he decided which way to take his career.
Just like Nicole Stott the first time she stepped onto the International Space Station.
Just like Mike Bruen when he had to talk to his men about 9/11.
Just like Yuriko Romer before she started filming.
Just like Clara Hughes when she decided to simply talk openly about her depression so she could help other people.
Just like Kelly Sue DeConnick when she began to write stories for Captain Marvel and the Avengers.
I’m the new and improved Jessie.
I am Batgirl in the Superhero Slam.
This isn’t going to be easy. But I can do this. I will do this.
I.
Will.
Do.
This.
☺
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Now when I see Cade and Audrey together, I realize I should have seen their relationship coming. I mean here I have been training my “powers of observation” but I did not realize that Audrey’s crushing on Cade. And she’s been crushing for a while. It seems. Why didn’t I notice? Anyway, she hid it pretty well. Which is pretty amazing, since she is so bad at lying.
Although, I never actually came right out and asked her if she liked Cade as more than a friend. You know, “Hey Audrey, are you crushing on Cade?” is something I just never thought to ask, actually.
It just shows that you can prepare all you want, but there are always going to be surprises.
Superheroes know they just have to deal with it.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Today was it. The final of the Superhero Slam. Me versus Dylan. Batgirl versus Batman. Girl versus boy. Nervous versus whatever Dylan was. He had his hoodie pulled up so tight I couldn’t see his face. He was standing there looking kind of relaxed but arrogant, if that’s possible.
Could Batgirl finally beat Batman?
I was sweating it. I was so freaked out that Ms. King would pull out “critical thinking” and I would be doomed!
But Ms. King had one final twist for both of us. Ms. King said for the final we would use a slightly different format. We would each first explain why our hero was the best. What?! How awesome! I was so relieved about not having to face my fear about “critical thinking” that I forgot to be nervous!
Good thing too, because I went first. I figured Dylan would go the fighting route with me because he thinks Batman, as a man, could physically defeat Batgirl. So I was prepared! I talked all about evasiveness, use of everything and everyone around me, being agile and mobile. Basically all of what Auntie G taught me.
Dylan made good points about using critical thinking to find solutions to problems and that Batman recovered from losing his parents and used this to fire and fuel his determination.
Me (“Pow!”): “History has shown us that agility and the ability to constantly adapt are the secrets to success. It’s called EVOLUTION! Batgirl has had to evolve over her entire career. To change according to what was needed. And she’s always been successful.”
Not totally sure, but I think I caught a glimpse of Mr. Richardson doing a fist bump with Mr. Pratt when I said “evolution.”
Dylan (“Bang!”): “Batman is an original. He’s actually THE original self-made superhero. Batman is the grandfather of superheroes. As a teacher and mentor to Batgirl, he’d know not only her strengths, but also her weaknesses. And he’d use those weaknesses to defeat her.”
Dylan’s lead was pretty good, actually. And he kind of ignored my points and just went with his strong stuff. He did a lot of homework, for sure. He also praised Batgirl a lot, which I didn’t expect. But there was a lot that happened today that I didn’t expect. It turns out it was kind of a setup. So I had to think fast.
Me (“Biff!”): “Batgirl has had to fight and fight and fight her whole career. Fighting bad guys who are bigger, fighting against those who said a woman couldn’t be a superhero, fighting for her friends and f
or society. Having to repeatedly face weakness helps make Batgirl strong. Only by fully learning what her limits are could Batgirl overcome her limits and defeat Batman. Batgirl’s had to deal with more hardship than Batman. With all her hardship comes more toughening up, like a hand constantly being slammed against a tree!”
Dylan (“Wham!”): “Fair enough that Batman hasn’t had to struggle with stereotypes. But he has struggled against the odds his whole career. And he’s been a champion the whole way. He has too much experience to fall to Batgirl.”
Me (“Kapow! BIFF! BAM! BOOM!”): “Batman is a true teacher who wants his students to do well. In fact, to do BETTER THAN HE DID. So, Batgirl would know his real limits too. He would have taught her how to beat someone like him. And who would know better how to beat Batman than Batman?”
Then it was the final minute of the Superhero Slam. One whole year of preparation boiled down to this last minute! It was straight out of an epic comic book!
Ms. King switched on her microphone to tell us that there was one final surprise attribute we’d have to debate. I’m not sure I could even feel individual heartbeats anymore. My heart was pounding so fast it was one giant BOOM!
The final attribute?
Ms. King turned to us and asked, “How is your superhero better at teamwork and collaboration?”
