"Dear Me A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self"

Just finished reading through "Dear Me A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self" edited by Joseph Galliano. It's a compilation of letters from celebrities of all walks in life, including Alan Rickman, Jenna Elfman, Garth Brooks, etc. There is a suggestion at the end of the book to write such a letter to yourself....so here goes, to my 16-year old self:

Dear Sonie,

This is your older self in the year 2011, and in case time travel works, you will get this letter back in time. Just wanted to let you know to hang in there, because life will improve in later life...it won't be great...there will be ups and downs, and you will miss some of your childhood friends, but that's life, and you will survive. Don't let people put you down. Keep getting up and doing what you're doing. Now for some little tid-bits on what you can expect in the future and a couple of recommendations:

i) A website will come into existence, called YouTube....here, people will post videos (yes, it will be possible for the average Joe to do this)...and some of your favorite songs* that you found only taped on an old cassette many, many years earlier* (of very poor sound quality) will be found here in the best quality possible and in video format....all you have to do is search for it. It's free to watch online (i.e., online means something you can find on the Internet - on the PC). *Hint, hint = "Save Your Kisses for Me"

ii) Your obsession with Celine Dion's music will fade away, but you will always hold that song "My Heart Will Go On" dear to your heart. That's fine. In the meantime, feel free to listen to that song over and over again (I know you will, regardless because it will give you lots of happiness).

iii) You will be stubborn and determined to go see "Titanic" which stars Leonardo DiCaprio. You will see this movie on one of the rainiest days of the year....your mother will be mighty against going, but eventually you will prevail...after much begging and throwing a very loud crying hissy fit :). Also, your fondness for Leo won't fade after all these years. I must warn you, that he will pick more intellectual roles, rather than the traditional male hero. But this won't bother you....it will introduce you to stories that otherwise you would never watch.

PS = in the year 2011, Leonardo is still unmarried and much coveted, so keep dreaming.

iv) Consider minoring in English....it will be an asset, and develop your writing skills....of course, if you still don't do it...don't worry about it....you will start writing on your own.

v) Be kind, patient and helpful to others. Don't keep grudges; it's not worth it, and wastes a lot of energy. Think positive thoughts, and listen to a lot of music. May I recommend some pop from the '80s? I think you'll enjoy Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, and Duran Duran. By the way, enjoy those "Pop Up Videos" on VH1 as much as possible.....this will stop showing soon, because reality TV will take over.

vi) When you get to travel to far-away places to visit family, please give many, many hugs to "A...", as it will be many, many, years before you get to see "A..." again.

vii) After many, many years, you will have a reunion with "S........". Please don't forget to bring your camera, and take a picture of the two of you together. Just to remember this friendship. Also, to let you know, I had my camera with me, but for some reason, it skipped my mind. That's life.

Lots of love,
Sonie (in the year 2011).