Dear So and So

[Veronica]

Dear Student,

The evidence is overwhelming that you cheated on your test. I'm sorry but you are simply not smart enough to add up three numbers that require regrouping in your head. Plus the one problem where you show your work, you have the wrong operation and didn't even add correctly. I hope you're honest when I give you the chance to 'fess up, but I fear you won't be.

I know academics are difficult for you, but cheating is not the answer. Maybe if your mom would fill out the paperwork so we could do some testing on you...the paperwork she's had since last year...

Your unhappy teacher

[Crankin]

My older son went to the UK, Scotland, and Wales with the HS band. He came back bitten by the travel bug. He had previously only been to French speaking Canada on his 8th grade French trip. My other son, at that age only cared about racing his bike, but since joining the military, he has traveled extensively, and not just to horrible places. His wife also loves to travel. I agree with Mimi. You can plan for travel abroad, just like anything else. I know many, many people who save for things like a family trip to Disney World, which costs a fortune, and in my mind has no redeeming value, especially if you really have to scrimp and save for it. I know it's a question of values, but there are 2 things I regret not doing as my kids were growing up. One is doing family outdoor activities like hiking overnights and more camping, as well as bike trips, and doing more travel to places other than Cape Cod or back to AZ. The thing is, my kids love outdoor stuff, went to an Audubon overnight camp that emphasized ecology and independent outdoor activity rather than team stuff and would have taken to that type of lifestyle. Sure, we didn't have as much money then, but we could have saved for things other than what we did at the time.
Thankfully, I didn't turn into my parents and my kids ended up liking adventure.

[shootingstar]

I've been to Europe 3 times. But only started that type of travel a few years after I finished university. My parents only took day trips with their big family. Just couldn't afford it. But it was....a big deal for us to go to Chinatown in Toronto when we lived 100 km. west of Toronto in a German-based smaller city.

Travel any further was somewhat foreign to my parents anyway....except they did do their big trip: they immigrated to Canada from mainland China in the 1950's. I guess that was their life-changing "adventure".

I have never been to Asia yet and right now, I'm losing the motivation. Wrote up about it

Living in Canada or the U.S. which are huge countries, really does mean a ton of opportunities to learn and see alot also.

[Biciclista]

Dear Mother

Why does it surprise you that I might feel a little anxious going overseas this week?

AUUGGHH!

[malkin]

Dear Biciclista,
Thinking of you often, with best wishes for your trip.
Jeez-I thought anxiety and travel went together even in easy circumstances.
(Well, for me anxiety goes with pretty much everything, but I mean for like, normal people.)

[Biciclista]

Malkin,
duh, no kidding. My mother gets more obtuse every year.

[Wahine]

Dear People of the world,

With regards to Biciclista's post, anxiety is a natural part of stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it's travel or physically challenging yourself or putting your work out there for the whole world to see. If you aren't anxious once in a while, you're not challenging yourself. If you're not challenging yourself you're not growing. If you're not growing, what's the point?

This.

[salsabike]

This.

Oh. LOVE that.

[tulip]

Dear People of the world,

With regards to Biciclista's post, anxiety is a natural part of stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it's travel or physically challenging yourself or putting your work out there for the whole world to see. If you aren't anxious once in a while, you're not challenging yourself. If you're not challenging yourself you're not growing. If you're not growing, what's the point?

This.

Perfect timing (for me). I'm totally out of my comfort zone at the moment. Thanks for the reminder.

[maillotpois]

Excellent! Thanks.

[Biciclista]

Sometimes growing is really no fun....
thanks though.

[Blueberry]

Perfect timing (for me). I'm totally out of my comfort zone at the moment. Thanks for the reminder.

Me too! It's a great reminder.

Though, I do totally sympathize with those who are out of their comfort zone for less happy reasons.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Dear eye, I'm sorry some of the degreaser mist may have hit you yesterday but please, please, PLEASE don't flare up again tonight? I haven't got my steroids or eyedrops anywhere nearby, the pharmacy doesn't open until 10 tomorrow morning. So just hang on for another 12 hours. Ok? Please?

[Becky]

Dear Boss-

How can I make you understand why I don't trust my former supervisor, now co-worker, and why I cannot bring myself to get in a car with this man? It's not about who is driving, although that certainly weighs heavily in this. There are plenty of stories about and examples of his erractic behavior, and I.DON'T.FEEL.SAFE! I can barely manage to sit through a meeting in his presence....

I don't care how much gas costs....I am driving my own car to the upcoming training, even if it is 40 minutes away, and at no cost to you or our department.

Signed,
Stressed out

[Biciclista]

To whom it may concern:
hey, it's still summer!!!
brrrr!