My parents were fighting yesterday and I told them about trying to read the Bible, but my dad said it was stupid. They might be going to counseling though.
That’s cool that you’ve been writing songs. You should make some videos of them and put them on YouTube. Then I could hear them. The other night I spent hours watching videos of kittens on YouTube. I couldn’t stop. It was kind of weird.
Was your brother doing graffiti? I’ve always sort of wanted to spray paint a big mural on a bridge or the side of a building because it would be an easy way to display my art. But it’s illegal, so I probably never will. That stinks that your brother is making things difficult for your family.
I do still love astronomy and space, but I don't talk about it that much because Michael doesn’t think it's interesting. Soon NASA will be launching the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. It’ll be the first time the United States has launched something to the moon in over ten years. The space program is kind of dying. I don’t know if NASA will be sending astronauts into space anymore by the time I graduate from college. It’s a little bit of a dream killer. I guess I could always go to Russia.
Where do you want to go to college?
Sincerely,
Glory
April 27, 2009
Dear Glory,
I haven't really thought about where I want to go to college. I really like music, so maybe Juilliard, but I hear it’s really expensive and hard to get into. I’d really like to go somewhere in New York. I might just be going to community college because that’s what I’ll be able to afford. Maybe I could try to get a scholarship. Where do you want to go to college?
It’d be cool to put some of my songs on YouTube, but I don’t have a camera. Maybe I could have my friend Ashley record me on her camera, but I’d be a little nervous to have her listen to my songs. She plays clarinet in band with me.
My brother and his friends were doing graffiti on the train, but they weren’t really making anything artistic. They were just being stupid. I bet if the police caught you spray painting a mural on a building they wouldn’t fine you. They’d probably thank you for beautifying the city. I’m actually gladmy brother got caught. Maybe now he won't hang around with those friends anymore and stop acting like an idiot.
I wouldn't worry about NASA. I’m sure there will always be some way to get to space. You might even get to go there for vacation someday. Or you could try the Russian space program. I have a lot of Russian neighbors. They’re really nice and they make good soup.
Bye,
Collin
May 22, 2009
Dear Collin,
The only way I’d be able to vacation in space one day is if I had millions of dollars, plus I think that’d be a really lame way to get to space. I’d rather have a job that took me there. I want to go to UC Berkeley. My dad went there, and he always says those were the best years of his life. You should figure out where you want to go because you’ll have to start on applications soon. My friend Dianna wants to go to Juilliard. I don’t think she’ll get in. When she sings she sounds kind of like an ambulance siren.
I’m going to take a driver’s education class this summer. I can't wait to drive. Did your brother ever buy a car? Are you going to get a car? Michael’s parents bought him a Jeep Wrangler. It's awesome, except that it sort of smells like eggs. I wonder what car my parents are going to buy me. Hopefully it doesn’t smell like eggs. If you could drive anywhere, where would you go?
Sincerely,
Glory
Chapter Eight: Eleventh Grade
June 18, 2009
Dear Glory,
They give us a short class on driver safety at my high school, but I don't think I'll actually learn how to drive until I’m 18 or something. My brother didn't get a car, he kept spending his money on movies. It’ll be a while before I get a car, because I don't really need one. I can walk pretty much anywhere I need to go or take the train. We only use a car when we go visit family. But I guess if I could drive anywhere, I would go to Niagara Falls. I’ve always wanted to see it.
So I did play one of the songs I wrote at our school's end of the year talent show, and people really liked it. My friend Ashley told me she was really impressed and she wants me to teach her to play guitar. It’ll be nice to be able to spend some time with her this summer.
I got a job at the grocery store down the street from where I live. I’m mostly just bagging up people’s groceries, but it’s fun to talk to people and see what kinds of things they buy. Are you going to get a job? Maybe you don't need to.
Bye,
Collin
July 30, 2009
