My next steps to completing this project-
First I will watch Haley’s example video. Then I am going to figure out whether I want to proceed with scenario 1, scenario 2, or scenario 3. I honestly think I am going to do scenario 1. I think the creative writing prompt will come the easiest for me. I will also learn a lot from it. Being able to reflect on how my first semester is going and to be able to use that to make the next semester better. I’m not quite sure if I want to do a video or a letter. I definitely want to watch Haley’s video before I decide so I can get a better understanding of what this project looks like. I am excited to use my imagination with this project. I am not a huge fan of writing, however, I enjoy creative writing. It tends to come naturally to me. I am very good at making up stores and I am excited to begin this project.
500 Word Draft
Dear Chris,
I made it to college. The one I was always talking about. I am finally at UNE. So far I love it so much. At the beginning of the year, I did not think this school was for me. I thought it was too small and I just did not think I belonged there. I had my mind set on transferring. I had applied to a few schools hoping to get in so I could leave. But the longer I have been here I have realized I don’t belong anywhere else. This school is perfect for me. It is not too small and not too big. It is right on the ocean, and we have the most amazing views. Also, it is right near Audrey’s beach house so I go there all the time when I miss home. Or need a place to crash for the night. I wish you could have been there to help move me in. Wendy and Frank came with us. Sort of in your place. It was nice to have Wend there, but I would rather have you there. I got there before my roommate and was able to unpack a lot before she got there. CJ was being helpful and Jack was just in the way. Wendy and Frank left right after we got the cars unpacked. I did not want Mom to leave. I was so scared of being there alone. I knew I was not going to see her for a while after she left. Jack was making me so mad I kicked him out of the room a few times. Once my roommate got there, there wasn’t much room for Mom and the boys. Her family was trying to unpack all of her things while we were just standing there. I didn’t want Mom to leave. I did not want this to become a reality yet. Summer was not long enough. I cried a lot when Mom left. We both wish you were able to be there. I miss home a lot. I talk to Mom just about every day. She is having a hard time without me at home. She said it is different from when CJ left for college. I mean I know I was your favorite child but I guess I am Moms too. Jack has grown so much. When I went home for the first time, He was almost as tall as me. CJ is mad because he thinks Jack will be taller than him. We got a dog a few years ago, you would love him. You even named him. Weiler, after your paving machine. You would not like how he sleeps in your bed every night though. I also got a cat. Can you believe it? Mom finally caved. She loves him though. I brought him up to school with me. He is an “emotional support animal”. I do not think you would like him very much to be honest. He can be so sweet but sometimes, he is not. At all.
1000 Word Draft
Dear Chris,
I made it to college. The one I was always talking about. I am finally at UNE. So far I love it so much. At the beginning of the year, I did not think this school was for me. I thought it was too small and I just did not think I belonged there. I had my mind set on transferring. I had applied to a few schools hoping to get in so I could leave. But the longer I have been here I have realized I don’t belong anywhere else. This school is perfect for me. It is not too small and not too big. It is right on the ocean, and we have the most amazing views. Also, it is right near Audrey’s beach house so I go there all the time when I miss home. Or need a place to crash for the night.
I wish you could have been there to help move me in. Wendy and Frank came with us. Sort of in your place. It was nice to have Wend there, but I would rather have you there. I got there before my roommate and was able to unpack a lot before she got there. CJ was being helpful and Jack was just in the way. Wendy and Frank left right after we got the cars unpacked. I did not want Mom to leave. I was so scared of being there alone. I knew I was not going to see her for a while after she left. Jack was making me so mad I kicked him out of the room a few times. Once my roommate got there, there wasn’t much room for Mom and the boys. Her family was trying to unpack all of her things while we were just standing there. I didn’t want Mom to leave. I did not want this to become a reality yet. Summer was not long enough. I cried a lot when Mom left. We both wish you were able to be there.
I have made the most amazing friends that you would love so much. You would like my roommate, I am pretty sure you knew her parents. They also grew up in Melrose. At the beginning of the year, it was a little rough. We didn’t get along so well. We didn’t talk too much, we coexisted. One night at a party I talked to her. I just opened up for about 2 minutes and am so happy I did. We had a little moment and decided to both be more open to the other. Ever since then, we have been inseparable. I am so happy she is my roommate and I wish you got the chance to meet her. My other friends, you would absolutely adore. My neighbors are absolutely insane, but they are some of my closest friends here. They all play lacrosse, I know you love that sport. They look after me and make sure I am safe whenever we go out. They care about Itia and I so much. They are always checking in on us. I honestly love them like family. I know you would love them too. I met some upperclassmen girls who manage the lacrosse team. They are new friends but I already love them so much. Audrey, she is my best friend here. We are so incredibly close. She is just as silly as me and even fits in perfectly with my home friends. They came up to visit a few weekends ago. It was so nice to have them here. Aisling and Audrey were here and to be honest, I really needed that. It was funny seeing Audrey from UNE and Audrey from home meet.
I joined the Dance Team. I did not like it at first, but I am growing to love it. I know you always wanted me to continue dancing after high school. We dance at football games, basketball games, and a few lacrosse games. Football season is over sadly, but I had so much fun. It is a little different than the high school dance team, but I like it. I wish you could come to see me dance. I know you always loved watching me. We had a football game on your birthday. Mom was not able to come up, but Itias’s Mom did. She brought me lemon squares for you. Every year we have lemon desserts on your birthday. This is the first time I did not spend it with Mom, CJ, and Jack though. Megan also came up from UNH to support me. I danced for you that day.
I miss home a lot. I talk to Mom just about every day. She is having a hard time without me at home. She said it is different from when CJ left for college. I mean I know I was your favorite child but I guess I am Moms too. Jack has grown so much. When I went home for the first time, He was almost as tall as me. CJ is mad because he thinks Jack will be taller than him. We got a dog a few years ago, you would love him. You even named him. Weiler, after your paving machine. You would not like how he sleeps in your bed every night though. I also got a cat. Can you believe it? Mom finally caved. She loves him though. I brought him up to school with me. He is an “emotional support animal”. I do not think you would like him very much to be honest. He can be so sweet but sometimes, he is not. At all.
Everyone just got back from Thanksgiving break this week. I went to Mimi’s house with mom, for emotional support. It was nice having everyone home. We beat Melrose in the Thanksgiving game again. It was so nice to see all my old friends. It was also really strange. But I had so much fun over break. I got to see all my friends except for Jack and Ava because they are studying abroad. Seeing them was a breath of fresh air. It is so hard having them all so far away. Aisling and Audrey are five hours away, at Syracuse. Maggie is in Arizona! She’s having so much fun but I still wish she was closer. But everyone is doing good. Audrey has not changed at all. I know she misses you too, a while ago she told me you were like the father she wishes she had.
Final Draft
Dear Chris,
I made it to college. The one I was always talking about. I am finally at UNE. So far I love it so much. At the beginning of the year, I did not think this school was for me. I thought it was too small and I just did not think I belonged there. I had my mind set on transferring. I had applied to a few schools hoping to get in so I could leave. But the longer I have been here I have realized I don’t belong anywhere else. This school is perfect for me. It is not too small and not too big. It is right on the ocean, and we have the most amazing views. Also, it is right near Audrey’s beach house so I go there all the time when I miss home. Or need a place to crash for the night.
I wish you could have been there to help move me in. Wendy and Frank came with us. Sort of in your place. It was nice to have Wend there, but I would rather have you there. I got there before my roommate and was able to unpack a lot before she got there. CJ was being helpful and Jack was just in the way. Wendy and Frank left right after we got the cars unpacked. I did not want Mom to leave. I was so scared of being there alone. I knew I was not going to see her for a while after she left. Jack was making me so mad I kicked him out of the room a few times. Once my roommate got there, there wasn’t much room for Mom and the boys. Her family was trying to unpack all of her things while we were just standing there. I didn’t want Mom to leave. I did not want this to become a reality yet. Summer was not long enough. I cried a lot when Mom left. We both wish you were able to be there.
I have made the most amazing friends that you would love so much. You would like my roommate, I am pretty sure you knew her parents. They also grew up in Melrose. At the beginning of the year, it was a little rough. We didn’t get along so well. We didn’t talk too much, we coexisted. One night at a party I talked to her. I just opened up for about 2 minutes and am so happy I did. We had a little moment and decided to both be more open to the other. Ever since then, we have been inseparable. I am so happy she is my roommate and I wish you got the chance to meet her. My other friends, you would absolutely adore. My neighbors are absolutely insane, but they are some of my closest friends here. They all play lacrosse, I know you love that sport. They look after me and make sure I am safe whenever we go out. They care about Itia and I so much. They are always checking in on us. I honestly love them like family. I know you would love them too. I met some upperclassmen girls who manage the lacrosse team. They are new friends but I already love them so much. Audrey, she is my best friend here. We are so incredibly close. She is just as silly as me and even fits in perfectly with my home friends. They came up to visit a few weekends ago. It was so nice to have them here. Aisling and Audrey were here and to be honest, I really needed that. It was funny seeing Audrey from UNE and Audrey from home meet.
I joined the Dance Team. I did not like it at first, but I am growing to love it. I know you always wanted me to continue dancing after high school. We dance at football games, basketball games, and a few lacrosse games. Football season is over sadly, but I had so much fun. It is a little different than the high school dance team, but I like it. I wish you could come to see me dance. I know you always loved watching me. We had a football game on your birthday. Mom was not able to come up, but Itias’s Mom did. She brought me lemon squares for you. Every year we have lemon desserts on your birthday. This is the first time I did not spend it with Mom, CJ, and Jack though. Megan also came up from UNH to support me. I danced for you that day.
I miss home a lot. I talk to Mom just about every day. She is having a hard time without me at home. She said it is different from when CJ left for college. I mean I know I was your favorite child but I guess I am Moms too. Jack has grown so much. When I went home for the first time, He was almost as tall as me. CJ is mad because he thinks Jack will be taller than him. We got a dog a few years ago, you would love him. You even named him. Weiler, after your paving machine. You would not like how he sleeps in your bed every night though. I also got a cat. Can you believe it? Mom finally caved. She loves him though. I brought him up to school with me. He is an “emotional support animal”. I do not think you would like him very much to be honest. He can be so sweet but sometimes, he is not. At all.
Everyone just got back from Thanksgiving break this week. I went to Mimi’s house with mom, for emotional support. It was nice having everyone home. We beat Melrose in the Thanksgiving game again. It was so nice to see all my old friends. It was also really strange. But I had so much fun over break. I got to see all my friends except for Jack and Ava because they are studying abroad. Seeing them was a breath of fresh air. It is so hard having them all so far away. Aisling and Audrey are five hours away, at Syracuse. Maggie is in Arizona! She’s having so much fun but I still wish she was closer. But everyone is doing good. Audrey has not changed at all. I know she misses you too, a while ago she told me you were like the father she wishes she had.
I am so scared for finals. The first day of finals is the two year anniversary. I am scared I will not be able to focus on studying and taking my exams because of it. I am trying so hard to balance out my emotions and put school first. But this day is about remembering you. It is going to be hard to put you in the back of my mind but I am going to try so hard. I do not want to not think about you on this day but I have to do well on my exams. I am sorry about that.
Thank you for pushing me to go to school. I am so happy here. I wish you could have seen me. Seen me graduate high school, thrive at college, and see how I have grown. I am and will always be forever grateful to you. Thanks for listening. I love you.
Love your daughter,
-Lily
