Inside a 90s backpack

1.Sticker albums

Remember that old Glorietta store called Stick ‘Em Up? During the day, my schoolmates flocked to that store to purchase these felt stickers to add to their growing sticker collection. You’re not allowed to use the prized babies though because they’re only meant to be ogled at and be envied. Fights ensued over whose sticker collection is better. My friends swear that up to this day they have albums tucked away in their closets. This calls for a sticker convention…any takers?

2. Stationery

When girls my age got sick of stickers, they switched to collecting stationery. In elementary, we collected those rose-scented sheets with matching stickers and envelopes. The collection, however, evolved to note pads after Tickles opened. I remember being part of that craze, going to the store week after week to look and buy their notepads to suit my teenage letter-writing mania.

3. High-tech pencil case

We marveled at this mechanic thing that stored paper clips, a sharpener, staple wires, erasers, and pens.

4. Trapper Keeper

We didn’t need this back then but kids got one because it was a great place to store their stationery and stickers in.

5. 128 Crayon Case

Hot pink and electric blue were my favorite colors from the Crayola briefcase. It was so fun to color the activity books because of the numerous shades to choose from.

I was territorial with my crayons because kids who would borrow from me would either: break the good colors in half or make the sharpest end dull.

6. Books

I used to bring coloring books to school to pass the time. Eventually I moved on to real books. I began reading Archie, then the Sweet Valley series (from Kids, Twins, High, and Senior Year), Nancy Drew, the Babysitters Club, and R.L. Stine.

8. All-in-One Pen

I suspect that the mechanical pencil case fad faded because of this writing instrument. The All-in-One pen boasts of inks from the rainbow.