Blast from the Past

Wrote the following letter in 10th grade, which was supposed to be sent 4 years later. I got it last week. I cannot believe some of the things I wrote. [ ] designates my current thoughts.

Dear Sarah Skye McNees,

It sounds funny to say this, but this letter is from you. I am writing this in June of 2005 for Mr. Burr's AP World History class. I should be reading this is 2009. Being a sophomore right now, I have some plans for what I want to do in the future. According to my game plan, I should be in UCLA [UCSD], my second year. I hope I am still working out [HA]. At the moment, the gym with the rock-climbing wall looks fun. Now, I'm thinking my future career will be as an epidemiologist [still true]. I hope I've made some friends [the best!]. Could be hard because I was planning to be living at home to save money for medical school [yeah right].

I have accomplished a lot this year. As a sophomore, I took two AP classes. In addition, I played Varsity soccer and ran Varsity track. In soccer, I was named defensive MVP and second team all-league. The team placed second in city. Track didn't work out as well. The last four weeks in a row I have re-pulled my hamstring. I had to drop out of the league championships because of fear of greater injury. I'm also trying to watch out for my future in soccer. I just quit Tianna's U16 Blue team for Richard Simm's U16 White team. My current thoughts are that I will not pursue team sports in college, but if I have, good for me!

This year was mostly easy, just some trouble in my AP World History class. My highest grade is in my AP Chemistry class. I've come to be friends with a lot of people, especially nerds. They study a lot and are really smart, but not losers [hahahaha, this is probably my favorite line of the letter. definitely talking about Divya here]. I chat with many of the people on the track team. One tragic event this year was grandpa Max's death. I missed school and we flew to Hawaii for his funeral. I wept a lot. It was the first real funeral I've ever been to. Before, I was too young to understand what was going on. Like I said before, my highlights were in my soccer, also having been captain of the team I quit. Plus, I learned how to solve a Rubix's cube [wish I still did] and knit.

The busyness in my life has really picked up, which is weird because I've finished my AP testing. I have a research paper for one of my AP classes, a couple class presentations, photo projects, and letters to people, including two more to myself. I am worried because I have to raise the grade I have in AP World History from 87.88% to at least 90. Incredibly, I just became aware that my grade in AP Chem is 100%. When I found out, I was shocked and asked the teacher if it was a mistake. I knew it would be an A, but never that high. It is from all the extra credit I did during the year. It must suck for you because I don't think professors give E.C. in college. In a way, some of the work is a little fun to have. I like making specific plans and timetables. Also, it makes me more productive and I can see results immediately[I sound like an idiot]. The only problem is that I have no time for things I want to do for myself, like watch TV or talk to friends.

I have a couple goals for the upcoming summer. I hope to learn how to surf again [worst idea ever!]. Not knowing how to surf when I am so close to the beach seems like it should be a crime [definitely dont think this anymore]. I also want to do karate. It just looks like fun. I am relying on my friends Divya Subrahmanyam and Pearl Ko to accompany me for these goals. A previous goal that I've now dismissed is to complete a triathlon which consists of a 2.3 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and running a marathon, called the Ironman [I don't know what I was thinking when I made this a goal].

Hopefully it's not the case anymore, but mom doesn't let me watch TV during the week, but I watch a lot on the weekends. When I'm reading this, technology will be so different. IPods, TVs, and computers will all probably be combined into one small, handheld device [the iPhone]. I know it doesn't sound too much like something I would do, but I hope I'm not partying too much (ha, ha) [definitely not something I would do]. Remember, schoolwork comes first [HA]. I was hoping to start a scrapbook soon and put memories of big events in it. If I start soon, my first entry will be from our Easter vacation to Las Vegas. Next, it will be the trip we are taking to Sweden to play soccer. I am really looking forward to it. I'm supposed to be playing attacking center midfield. I hope to met people from all over the world. I've heard everybody comes up to the Americans because we're the only ones whose shirts say soccer instead of football [was approached by no one]. I am trying to make 100 red, white, and blue bracelets out of string to pass out to some of the players I meet and become better friends with [maybe made 30, didn't give any out]. I've enclosed one to help you remember the good ol' times [where'd the d go?]. Hope you've enjoyed this letter.

From,
Sarah Skye McNees