Dear Friend,
As you may know I am going through my first semester of college. I am going into music, and my only core class is my English class. I was required to read one book for my English class, entitled The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I have never been a fan of reading, but somehow this book caught me. The book is about a freshman named Charlie and his first year of high school. I am not just saying that because I am writing this letter, I really do mean it. To be honest I couldn’t really “relate” to this book, because I never partied in high school. But I remember throughout high school thinking about partying, and wanting to all the time, and this book is close to my exact thoughts.
One of my two favorite scenes from this book is when Charlie gets high for the first time. I have never been high, and people are asking him if he is hungry and thirsty and all he can say is that he wants a milk shake. And being around kids that are high in college, it reminded me a lot about my life now. My second favorite scene of this book is when Charlie and his two best friends, Sam and Patrick are driving through a tunnel, at night on the way to his first party and Charlie says “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite”. This reminds me of many times in high school riding in the back seat of a friends car with the windows down driving around late at night. It was a cool yet warm feeling in side. It was so amazing for me because I grew up a nerd and I had finally had friends, and I was so happy that I wasn’t just home playing video games, I did feel infinite.
A memorable scene for me in this book was one that reminded me of my sister and myself. We used to pick on each other and get each other in trouble a lot. And now that we are both more mature we look out for each other. We talk to each other about how were are doing in classes and what we want to do with our lives in the near future. And from this book I have learned I need to care about her more. I learned this from the book because Charlie’s sister becomes pregnant and Charlie is there to support her through it, and is mature enough to respect her decision by not telling their parents. And even after she goes through the abortion she tells him to stop smoking because it’s bad for her health. So even the fact that she has just been through so much, she still has the heart to care for her brother in her darkest hour. All I could think about while reading this part is, I need to care more for my sister.
The book is one hell of a read. As much as I didn’t think, it takes some dark turns and keeps you interested. For me it made me relate so many situations he went through to my friends and to myself. The book is an excellent read, and the ending will have you leave you to think that this world could be a much better place. I still to this day am thinking about why people need to act the way they do, and why can’t everyone just respect one another. This book is the best book I’ve read, I am not a reader yet I would read this again. I am truly glad I took the time of day to read this book.
Sincerely,
Joey
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Letter #5
Dear Friend,
Sometimes when I am having an amazing week, and things just get better and better and like to think hard and store these times in my mind. Like when I ran my first marathon, and saw my favorite band later that day. If everything had to be going so well, I finished in my goal time, and saw an amazing band, things had to get worse. So I think hard, and store memories of me crossing the finish line and rocking out with my favorite band. These thoughts always helps me when I do bad at something, or I screw up, I always feel better when I think of other things I’ve accomplished earlier in my life.
When I was younger and a pest, I used to always give my mom a hard time. As I grew older throughout high school our relationship got worse and worse. My dad would always make me apologize to her even if it was her fault. I was never happy when I had to do this because I was young and I felt like a woman of her age should be mature enough to take responsibility. One time I didn’t suck up to my dad and I stood up for myself. I found out that when my mom grew up her family never confronted each other over a conflict like we do. So it was hard for her to get used to it, we both cried and grew ever closer.
For a majority of my life I didn’t have many friends. This was ok with me for the most part because I had a few close ones that I hung out with every weekend but none of them went to my school. I went through a period and time where I lose these friends, and was alone. To cope with my problems I started playing video games a lot. They kept me entertained and mainly my mind off that I was alone. As long as my mind was thinking about what I should do next in the game I never thought that I should be hanging out with other people. It helped me learn a lot about myself because my mind would often wonder while playing and gave me time to develop into who I am today.
Sincerely,
Joey
Sometimes when I am having an amazing week, and things just get better and better and like to think hard and store these times in my mind. Like when I ran my first marathon, and saw my favorite band later that day. If everything had to be going so well, I finished in my goal time, and saw an amazing band, things had to get worse. So I think hard, and store memories of me crossing the finish line and rocking out with my favorite band. These thoughts always helps me when I do bad at something, or I screw up, I always feel better when I think of other things I’ve accomplished earlier in my life.
When I was younger and a pest, I used to always give my mom a hard time. As I grew older throughout high school our relationship got worse and worse. My dad would always make me apologize to her even if it was her fault. I was never happy when I had to do this because I was young and I felt like a woman of her age should be mature enough to take responsibility. One time I didn’t suck up to my dad and I stood up for myself. I found out that when my mom grew up her family never confronted each other over a conflict like we do. So it was hard for her to get used to it, we both cried and grew ever closer.
For a majority of my life I didn’t have many friends. This was ok with me for the most part because I had a few close ones that I hung out with every weekend but none of them went to my school. I went through a period and time where I lose these friends, and was alone. To cope with my problems I started playing video games a lot. They kept me entertained and mainly my mind off that I was alone. As long as my mind was thinking about what I should do next in the game I never thought that I should be hanging out with other people. It helped me learn a lot about myself because my mind would often wonder while playing and gave me time to develop into who I am today.
Sincerely,
Joey
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Letter #4
Thank You, for All You've Done
In Loving Memory – Alter Bridge
Some Day Never Comes – Credence Clearwater Revival
The Answer Lies Within – Dream Theater
Anyway – Carolyn Wonderland
Before Tomorrow Comes – Alter Bridge
Common Ground – Andy Mckee
Stranger Things Have Happened – Foo Fighters
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
Hang On - Guster
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
In Loving Memory – Alter Bridge
I know that the first and last song are the same, and no this is not a mistake. I believe this song represents our relationship more than any song ever written. It is the best song to start the emotions with and to bring them back down with.
I really hope when my mom listens to this she takes the lyrics to heart. We have been through so much together, and all these songs explain what has happened to us. I hope she feels as passionate about our growing experience together and I hope that these songs bring great emotion, and thoughtfulness to her life, as much as they did for mine.
My Mother is the biggest worry wart, but it was good because she always knew we were safe.
My Father, is one of the smartest men and hardest working I have ever meet. And I am so proud of him.
My Sister, is the crazy college religous girl of the group.
My Uncle is a very smart man, he made a few mistakes yet is trying his hardest and then some to make up for them, and is an amazing father.
My Grandma is the sweet old italian lady who is a fantastic cook!
In Loving Memory – Alter Bridge
Some Day Never Comes – Credence Clearwater Revival
The Answer Lies Within – Dream Theater
Anyway – Carolyn Wonderland
Before Tomorrow Comes – Alter Bridge
Common Ground – Andy Mckee
Stranger Things Have Happened – Foo Fighters
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
Hang On - Guster
Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
In Loving Memory – Alter Bridge
I know that the first and last song are the same, and no this is not a mistake. I believe this song represents our relationship more than any song ever written. It is the best song to start the emotions with and to bring them back down with.
I really hope when my mom listens to this she takes the lyrics to heart. We have been through so much together, and all these songs explain what has happened to us. I hope she feels as passionate about our growing experience together and I hope that these songs bring great emotion, and thoughtfulness to her life, as much as they did for mine.
My Mother is the biggest worry wart, but it was good because she always knew we were safe.
My Father, is one of the smartest men and hardest working I have ever meet. And I am so proud of him.
My Sister, is the crazy college religous girl of the group.
My Uncle is a very smart man, he made a few mistakes yet is trying his hardest and then some to make up for them, and is an amazing father.
My Grandma is the sweet old italian lady who is a fantastic cook!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Letter #3
Dear Friend,
Have I ever told you how beautiful this girl I like is? It would be impossible to describe, but I’ll try. Every time I look at her it reminds me of fall when the leaves are changing and the world is absolutely perfect outside. The colors reflecting the sun just make everything amazing! Think about it as if the songwriter has his favorite note, the painter his favorite color, and the author his favorite word, this girl is comparable to my favorite color, not and word! She is absolutely wonderful through and through, and I strive to be like her more and more everyday.
Have you ever thought that older people look happier when they are younger? I notice this with people every now and then, but I love when I see someone who still hasn’t grown out of there ‘glory days’. I think we are in control of when our glory days start and stop, and as long as we are living everyday doing what we think is right and keeping our hearts and minds young, we will always be in our glory days. My biggest goal in life is to never fall into a rut of a same old same old routine everyday. You should keep this in mind for your life too!
I grew up away from all of my extended family, and Christmas time makes me happy because we get to see each other. I really do think that we all love each other, and as we have grown up, the love has grown stronger. My cousin David and I are the only two boy cousins out of 6! He is the oldest and I am the youngest which used to be really hard on me. He used to beat me up and tease me all the time because he is 7 years older than me! But a few years ago we actually started to get along and play video games together, now we go hiking and rock climbing and talk about technology a lot! I’m really glad I have my family and am soooo excited to see them over the holidays, sorry for rambling I’ll write you soon!
Sincerely,
Joey
Have I ever told you how beautiful this girl I like is? It would be impossible to describe, but I’ll try. Every time I look at her it reminds me of fall when the leaves are changing and the world is absolutely perfect outside. The colors reflecting the sun just make everything amazing! Think about it as if the songwriter has his favorite note, the painter his favorite color, and the author his favorite word, this girl is comparable to my favorite color, not and word! She is absolutely wonderful through and through, and I strive to be like her more and more everyday.
Have you ever thought that older people look happier when they are younger? I notice this with people every now and then, but I love when I see someone who still hasn’t grown out of there ‘glory days’. I think we are in control of when our glory days start and stop, and as long as we are living everyday doing what we think is right and keeping our hearts and minds young, we will always be in our glory days. My biggest goal in life is to never fall into a rut of a same old same old routine everyday. You should keep this in mind for your life too!
I grew up away from all of my extended family, and Christmas time makes me happy because we get to see each other. I really do think that we all love each other, and as we have grown up, the love has grown stronger. My cousin David and I are the only two boy cousins out of 6! He is the oldest and I am the youngest which used to be really hard on me. He used to beat me up and tease me all the time because he is 7 years older than me! But a few years ago we actually started to get along and play video games together, now we go hiking and rock climbing and talk about technology a lot! I’m really glad I have my family and am soooo excited to see them over the holidays, sorry for rambling I’ll write you soon!
Sincerely,
Joey
Monday, October 6, 2008
Letter #2
Dear Friend,
My family and I have had our ups and downs. The biggest turning point in my life with my family was. When I told my parents I wanted to run my first marathon. I wasn’t very active and I was a little bit overweight. My mom and dad both jumped at me and shot me down. My mom was worried for my health and my dad just didn’t think I’d have the motivation and determination to finish it. In some ways this just made me strive harder and harder to reach this goal. I really learned to turn everyone’s’ discouraging attitude towards me and use it towards reaching my goal. One of the hardest things in my life was trying to gain my parents support on the marathon. A huge turning point in my running career was when I came home from a 16-mile run, and told my parents I hadn’t stopped once. My mom couldn’t believe that I had actually done it and both of my parents started to support me, and believe in me.
Along with my parents discouraging words, two of my friends had led me to believe they were signing up for the marathon. When in all reality I was the only one who did sign up. As the marathon went on I began to believe that I was running it for myself but I was also running it to prove to everyone else I wasn’t going to give up like all my friends did.
When I finally made it all 26.2 miles and I had finally crossed my finish line, it was such and infinite feeling. I felt as if the world was before me and anything I put my mind to I could accomplish. If you ever want to feel accomplished spend 6 months training and run your first marathon, it was the best experience I have had in my life. And the only way I could ever describe the feeling of being infinite is at the finish line of me marathon.
Sincerely,
Joseph
My family and I have had our ups and downs. The biggest turning point in my life with my family was. When I told my parents I wanted to run my first marathon. I wasn’t very active and I was a little bit overweight. My mom and dad both jumped at me and shot me down. My mom was worried for my health and my dad just didn’t think I’d have the motivation and determination to finish it. In some ways this just made me strive harder and harder to reach this goal. I really learned to turn everyone’s’ discouraging attitude towards me and use it towards reaching my goal. One of the hardest things in my life was trying to gain my parents support on the marathon. A huge turning point in my running career was when I came home from a 16-mile run, and told my parents I hadn’t stopped once. My mom couldn’t believe that I had actually done it and both of my parents started to support me, and believe in me.
Along with my parents discouraging words, two of my friends had led me to believe they were signing up for the marathon. When in all reality I was the only one who did sign up. As the marathon went on I began to believe that I was running it for myself but I was also running it to prove to everyone else I wasn’t going to give up like all my friends did.
When I finally made it all 26.2 miles and I had finally crossed my finish line, it was such and infinite feeling. I felt as if the world was before me and anything I put my mind to I could accomplish. If you ever want to feel accomplished spend 6 months training and run your first marathon, it was the best experience I have had in my life. And the only way I could ever describe the feeling of being infinite is at the finish line of me marathon.
Sincerely,
Joseph
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Dear Friend #1
Dear Friend,
I am writing to you because, I feel as if someone needs to know what is going on in my life. I just need to know that someone out there cares about me, and will listen to what I have to say. You don’t need to ever respond, and all I ask is that you read it. I think all people have been in this position before and would understand that we all need someone to love. So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I have made the best of every situation I could have. And I am almost always a happy person. All my creativity goes into the songs I write. What I’m trying to say is, I’m not a good drawer, painter, or sculptor. I like to express myself through music. I am glad that I have someone to write all this too and am looking forward to writing you more letters. These letters give me a chance to let everything out and forget about the world around me. The reason I wrote this letter is because, we all need someone talk too, and you’re the lucky one gets to listen to me!
Sincerely,
Joseph
I am writing to you because, I feel as if someone needs to know what is going on in my life. I just need to know that someone out there cares about me, and will listen to what I have to say. You don’t need to ever respond, and all I ask is that you read it. I think all people have been in this position before and would understand that we all need someone to love. So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I have made the best of every situation I could have. And I am almost always a happy person. All my creativity goes into the songs I write. What I’m trying to say is, I’m not a good drawer, painter, or sculptor. I like to express myself through music. I am glad that I have someone to write all this too and am looking forward to writing you more letters. These letters give me a chance to let everything out and forget about the world around me. The reason I wrote this letter is because, we all need someone talk too, and you’re the lucky one gets to listen to me!
Sincerely,
Joseph
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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