Letters to Electra - Elaine and Rochelle

27/11/15

Dear Electra,

I can't believe there are such things as coincidences. It just happens that Elaine, my friend, and Rochelle, my sister, share a birthday, which also happens exactly one month before Christmas. Since it is a tradition on Electra and Marian to describe a personal story I share with the people celebrating their birthdays, I'm going to write about both Elaine and Rochelle respectively.

Fun fact: I've known Gwen, Charisma and Anjeline since primary school and Sera since year seven, but Elaine is relatively new to my friendship circle. We did know about each other's presence in year seven, but we never talked to each other. Our first conversation happened on our way back from a school trip in year eight. Since Gwen, being the only friend I had at that time, didn't attend the school trip, I was a little bit wary of the people on the bus. When the bus was about to move I had no choice but to sit next to a random girl.
"Hello. So, what would you like to be when you grow older?" I asked awkwardly as she turned her head away from the window. We had just visited a careers expo.
"I don't know, maybe something artsy? Maybe fashion designing," Elaine replied.
"I'd love to become a psychologist."
"Really? My mum's a psychologist. She helps women, specifically those who have gone through pregnancies."
Elaine, if you're reading this, I'd like you to know that I appreciate you as a friend. I love the logical conversations we have and the eternal list of puns you say every time we meet. I'm glad I have a friend who also understands the power of literature. Happy belated birthday.

Being the only sister I have, Rochelle is like the teddy bear I've had since kindergarten - full of memories but huggable all the same. It's hard to pick a memory from someone who I see every day. I guess the best memories I have of her are when we talk to each other and bond over her eight-year-old thoughts. Like every time we hop on the trampoline, whenever she blows bubbles or helping her to read books. Reading books with her seems the most significant, since reading is something we have in common - maybe the only quality we share is our infatuation for reading!
Rochelle, if you're also reading this, please do me a favor: grow up to be ready for the world. You're still eight years old, which gives you the chance to develop and cram as many things into your head before you turn into an angsty teenager like me. You're the best sister I will ever have in my life, no matter how we turn out in the future. Mum, Dad, and I all love you.

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,
- M ★ 

Letters to Electra ~ Pretentious

21/11/15

Dear Electra,

Hell Week finished a week ago, but somehow I didn't find enough time to write you a letter. I guess I was experiencing post-exam stress as I was desperate to find my results. Have you ever gotten that feeling, Electra? The feeling that you still need to study even though Hell Week was over? I can't stop allowing that trauma to take over me. All I'm glad about now is that Hell Week has perished for 2015. Thank goodness.

Of course, you know I'm not fully satisfied with the peacefulness of the post-exam period. Earlier this week my English teacher asked if anyone would like to participate in a speech competition. The acceptance was optional, but yet I chose to take the risk of revealing my hidden voice to a large audience. My decision frightens half of me, but the independent woman in me wants to expose what's been on my mind since... forever. Most of the participants have done/are completing training in speech and drama and/or have an astounding amount of confidence compared to my silent nature. I can't tell you what my topic will be, but I know it would be enough to astonish at least one person in the room (I've actually told my English teacher and she seemed pretty fascinated).

Wish me good fortune, Electra; I need all of it.

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,
- M ★