Oh, the glory days of being a kid.

As I sit here trying to figure out how I’ll pump out a gazillion research papers and essays by next week, I couldn’t help but remember the days of yore as a small child.

Over break I spent a lot of time with kids because my nephew (who turned 12 today!) was in a football tournament.

I initially was frightened because I am one of those child haters. It was a bit much for me being around a bunch of rowdy boy-crazy girls.

But towards the end of the break, I was more at ease. They’re just kids. Let them enjoy themselves.

And, boy, do I miss being a kid.

Of course, the most obvious reason why my childhood was great is classic Nickelodeon. I mean, seriously, where do I begin on the genius of that channel back in the day?

“Salute Your Shorts,” “Clarissa Explains it All,” “All That,” “Are You Afraid of the Dark?,” “Wild and Crazy Kids!,” “Fun House” – I can go on and on and on with these shows!

I really wanted to be a contestant on “Fun House.” I remember when I went to the state fair, and it had a ride based on it. It looked so cool – it even had the cool wheel thingy to start off the fun adventure.

So there I was, age 8, and I was about to set foot in the Fun House. Unfortunately, I was a giant as a child and was already near 5 foot at that age, and the guy at the gate told me I was too tall to go through it.

I’m still bitter about that. I never had the chance!

But at least I put that height to good use.

Ever since I was 11 I was involved in sports. When I started playing for junior high school, I played volleyball and basketball. From 7th to 11th grade, I always toggled with sports and academics. Now I’m done being awesome in sports. I struggle to keep my focus.

As a kid, pre-sports years, I kept my focus by watching lots of television, and when all the good shows went off for the night, I’d read.

Reading definitely was my favorite pasttime as a kid.

I read so many books, it was insane. I actually would get scolded because my mother would call me in to help her in the kitchen, and I would be engulfed in reading a book.

Every Saturday morning we would go to my favorite library, and I would rent 10 or so books and have them finished by the three-week due date.

Give me a book now and I can barely finish the first 50 pages (unless the author is Kurt Vonnegut Jr. or J.K. Rowling).

I like how worry-free we were as children. We didn’t have to worry about paying bills on time (well, some of us). We didn’t have to worry about our schools screwing us over by fining us petty fees.

And most importantly, we didn’t have reasons to be bitter. Nowadays, I can always find a reason to be angry. (Apparently, the last column didn’t exist.)

I miss having that fun feeling of the holidays, wondering what I’ll get for Christmas. Not that the spirit’s gone now, but it’s not as fun anymore.

Fortunately for me, though, I can appreciate the fact that I had good childhood memories to look back to.

And the sappy music begins.

Whatever happened to Ben Savage?

Amber North is the Herald assistant sports editor and humor columnist. You can reach her at ambanorth@hotmail.com.