I don’t really know what I want to do when I grow up. I like music and singing, but I don’t really like the songs we have to sing in choir. We’re doing a program about fall harvest this year, so all the songs are about vegetables. It’s really weird. For music class this year we can sign up to learn an instrument. I wanted to do the cello, but we couldn’t afford the rental, so I’m doing trumpet instead, because we already have a used one that my brother used to play. I guessthat’s okay. I wouldn’t have wanted to carry a cello around all the time anyway.
Your dad is a jerk to tell you you’re not smart enough to be an astronaut. You still have like 10 years to get smart. Plus, didn’t they send monkeys to space? I’m sure you’re smarter than a monkey.
What do you think you’re going to be for Halloween?
Bye,
Collin
October 28, 2003
Dear Collin,
That is so cool that your dad is Scottish. Does he look like Mel Gibson in Braveheart? I’ve only watched parts of that movie because my mom won’t let me watch the whole thing. Did he leave Scotland to marry your mom and that’s why his parents are mad at him? That would be so romantic.
You like to sing? Are you good at it? You should be on American Idol, and then you’d be famous, and then I could tell all my friends that I know somebody famous, and maybe I could sell your letters on eBay and make a lot of money.
My dad isn’t a jerk, he’s just practical. At least that’s what my mom says all the time. He’s a defense contractor and he’s really serious about a lot of things. What does your dad do? My mom is a nurse. Usually she works when I’m at school, but sometimes she works all night and sleeps all day. Like an owl.
My friend Dianna wants me to dress up like Britney Spears with her for Halloween, so I’ll probably do that. Or if she changes her mind I’ll be a pirate.
Sincerely,
Glory
December 1, 2003
Dear Glory,
I don’t know why my dad left Scotland, but I don’t think my grandparents are mad at him for marrying my mom. They really like her. I think she talks to them more than he does. My dad is a construction worker. He usually works on roads, but sometimes he’ll do buildings too. My mom wishes he would do something else because she’s afraid he’ll get hurt, but he says he likes doing physical labor and he likes doing something different every week. And no, he doesn’t look like Mel Gibson.
Does your mom work during the summer? Do you just stay home alone when your parents are working? If I were ever home by myself I would eat a bunch of junk food and play music as loud as I wanted. Although, our neighbors always bang on the walls if we’re making too much noise, which happens a lot.
I’m not sure if I’m good at singing. I don’t really sing in front of people that much, and if I ever do at home, my brothers always tell me to shut up. I just know that I like doing it. I don’t think I’m old enough to be on American Idol. I think you have to be like 16, and by that time the show probably won’t be around anymore.
I was a ninja for halloween. It was easy because I just wore black clothes and made a mask out of my brother’s old underwear.
What do you want for Christmas?
Bye,
Collin
December 19, 2003
Dear Collin,
You wore used underwear on your face? That’s disgusting! Weren’t you afraid of getting a disease or a rash or something? Couldn’t you have used an old shirt or at least a sock or a rag? Or face paint?
No wonder you’re poor. My dad says construction workers don’t make very much. But it’s nice that your dad likes it. My dad hates his job. He complains about it all the time and says he only does it because he wants to make a lot of money.
When my mom works and I’m not in school I’ll usually go to my Aunt Sara’s house. She lives by herself in downtown Phoenix, and I like to sit out on her balcony and watch all the cars and people go by. She works at home writing for travel magazines, which is funny because she hardly ever goes anywhere. Sometimes I’ll have a babysitter, which I hate. I’m old enough to take care of myself, but my parents never let me be home by myself.
For Christmas I want a new telescope, but I’ve been asking for that for the past four years and I still haven’t gotten it. What I always want to do at Christmas is go somewhere with snow and spend the whole day with my mom and dad. Last Christmas we just had breakfast together and opened presents, and then my dad went golfing with some of his friends and my mom spent the rest of the day cleaning the house. Who cleans their house on Christmas? I helped her mop the floor, just because I wanted to be with her.
What does your family usually do for Christmas?
Sincerely,
