Hello from California (by William)

Dear Alvin, Karen, and Matthew, 

How are you doing in Texas?  We are good and here are some news.

Our school has changed a lot since you moved away.  Ms. West rotated down to 5^th grade (I have her), Mr. Peterson is down to 2^nd grade, and Ms. Tang switched to a different school.  I hope you were here to witness it.

The neighborhood has changed too.  The apartment you once lived in is now in the process of killing termites and it’s all wrapped up.  The man who feeds a lot of cats finally sold his house.

I loved the old times when we used to have many play dates.  When I walk by Souplantation, I hear our blissful voices chattering.  Every time I see Vicky’s brother and Kevin, I vision Alvin running along.  Another vision is Karen standing in the 4^th grade line.

Old Memories

Alvin, I know that you are a PVZ2 expert so I’d like to ask a few questions.  First, how do you defeat the explorer zombie?  It keeps burning up my plants.  Second, how do you pop the head off a wizard zombie?  He turns my plants into sheep!  Third, what is your favorite imp?  Mine is the rock star imp from neon mixtape tours.

Karen, the biggest memory that you left me was your signature on a table cloth in my room.  My stuffed duck is sitting on it right now.

Karen's Signature

Mathew, I don’t know if you know this yet, but the night you were born, your Ma and Pa dropped Alvin and Karen at our home.  When I woke up, I found Karen in my bed, and her hair in my face and mouth.  One word--Gross!  

How is your new house, community, and hometown?  Have you started school?  If the answer is yes, do you like your new school?  Have you made new friends?  I hope your mom’s commute is much better, and my mom misses your mom.  I miss you guys all and please visit us again soon.

 

Love, 

William

P.S. 

1. When do kangaroos celebrate their birthdays? 

2. What do you call a man with a seagull on his head?

3. What are Brazilian soccer fans called?

[Answers: 1. Leap year; 2. Cliff; 3. Brazilian nuts]

The Ashgirl (by William)

Last night we watched a play performed by the Caltech theater club.  The play was called The Ashgirl, and it’s a story re-envisioning Cinderella. 

There are many characters in the story.  Ashgirl’s friends include Owl, Otter, Mouse, and the fairy in the mirror.  The people in her family are her father, stepmother, and two stepsisters, Judith and Ruth.  The royals are Prince Amir, his mother Zahra, and Paul his footman.  The Sins are represented by Pridefly, Slothworm, Gluttontoad, Lust, Angerbird, Greedmonkey, and Envysnake.  Even worse those Sins have Sadness helping them temporarily.  

In the performance, I liked the sin Angerbird and a friend, Otto the otter.  Angerbird’s costume was in a flurry of red and orange.  Angerbird reminded me of the red bird in Angry Birds.  She practically shouted at every person and sin.  I also was impressed by Otto.  Otto’s costume as fuzzy brown.  Otto was very shy and was even afraid of the fairy in the mirror!  My favorite scene was when the seven sins and sadness stood in shock and defeat because they never thought there would be light in the deepest part of the forest, and never thought Ashgirl would show that much hope and courage.  

I liked the play very much.  There are battles of different feelings, interesting expressions among the characters, colorful costumes, and I liked how hope and courage, the good made it through the bad.   

After the Caltech theater crew’s performance on Saturday, it’s my turn today performing for grandmas and grandpas at Villa Gardens, a retirement community.      

P.S. My piano teacher Ms. Cindy posted her video of me singing Take Me Home, Country Roads -
(you may click on the following link Arcadia's Got Talent- William Take Me Home, Country Roads)

Losing My Sweet Tooth (by William)

Attention please!   

Our family dentist pulled out my wiggly right canine tooth yesterday.  I found out that I lost my sweet tooth when I was eating watermelon last night.  The watermelon tasted just like rotten raspberries!  I grimaced and gritted my teeth as I tried my best to gulp it down.

 

Two more incidents occurred today.  When I took some gummy vitamins and popped them into my mouth, a sick expression crossed my face.  It was like eating mud and I had to choke and gag on it before gulping it down.  At Chinese school, Teacher Du gave us each a fruit candy.  Almost immediately, I let out a moan.  It was like eating a rock.

Allow me to introduce the dentist who pulled out my sweet tooth.  Her name is Dr. Jeannie Garcia.  She is an excellent dentist at Baldwin Park Dental office.  She has helped me with wiggly teeth, cavities, and cleaning.  Mom and Dr. Garcia have been friends before I was even in mom’s tummy.  When Dr. Garcia was pulling the tooth out, I felt nervous and excited.  I knew that she already numbed the tooth.  All went well except the part when I saw the blood.   

   

My dentist is also a great artist

I hope my new sweet tooth can grow quickly.  Next time on All Things Considered on WPR News (William Public Radio).