Well, somewhat surprisingly you're still alive in the year 2016. No, we don't have flying saucers for cars and food can't be replicated in a futuristic machine, but there are some pretty cool things going on. Remember your math teacher saying you wouldn't be able to bring your calculator everywhere you go? Well, you don't need it, you have what's called a smart phone and it's essentially a computer in your pocket that has access to just about anything you can think on it and it does calculations to boot. I know your addled brain can't comprehend this, hell I have trouble with it now as well, but to think you can, from something the size of a calculator, have the entire history of knowledge at your finger tips while you're riding the bus.
So, why am I writing you? Other than telling you to buy stock in Apple and a company called Google when it launches I won't really tell you what to do. I suspect if I do my life as I know it will be different and I kind of like my life right now. It's a lot of fun despite the crap that sometimes happens, we'll learn from it all and become a better us in the process. I'm writing you to pass along some wisdom that I have gained over the years, so this letter will be pretty short. Just a few nuggets to really confirm what you already know deep down and perhaps open you up to a few more experiences.
Be nicer to your sister is the first thing I will say. You can torment her if you like, it helps to toughen her up for the world but maybe tell her or show her every once in awhile that she is loved. She's a good person and to let you in on a little secret, she saves your life later on so being nice to her now is the least you can do.
You already know how awesome the parents are and you already treat them with respect so nothing there to worry about save for these two things. Don't be a dick teenager when dad wants to show you something or help him out with a chore. The man works hard and knows some stuff that could be useful to you. You're going to figure it how later so why not start now. And mom worries a lot, be there a bit more for her, she'll appreciate it a lot and it will make you feel good. Oh, and stop ignoring your Croatian heritage...trust me. Right now you avoid it like the plague but you'll want to, at the very least, keep some language skills. The whole of Europe will be calling you later in life and maybe it will be useful to speak a language other than English. Remember what dad said about that....it's true.
I won't be so obtuse as to tell you who to date and who to avoid, that could have repercussions for me today and I don't want certain things changing. For better or worse you'll need to live the life you're going to live, you'll be better for it in the end and enriched beyond belief as well. I will caution to maybe open your eyes a bit more to the people around you. Remember the time you were shocked because that goody two shoes girl was smoking weed, I mean you were shocked. Well, the world is like that, people do the dardnest things and it will shock you to your core sometimes, opening your eyes a little may prevent that shock from hurting you. A little quote here might help "those that matter don't mind and those that mind, don't matter". Trust me.
When you go to Europe with the family, try not to eat so many chickens. It's not your fault of course, you visit five families every day and each family feels the need to kill a chicken and make you some food, it would be rude not to eat, but you gotta find a way to maybe pass off the food to the dog or something. And while there, take a little appreciation in what you're immersed in. Yes the scenery is great and the food is good and that waitress at your aunts inn is really cute, but look and listen for the everyday wonders around you. That market is the stuff of dreams, that cafe where all you were looking for was a hamburger is at a crossroads of peoples everyday lives...check it out man.
Speaking of markets, when the parents are dragging you down to Kensingnton market every other weekend take a moment to really see what you have there. A cornucopia of food, culture and people that spans the globe...right there in the middle of the city. The Italians, Portuguese, Brazilian, Spanish, Chinese, Jamaican and on and on...you may not see it now but believe me when I tell you it's heaven.
You know, I may have more to say later but for now let me say you're doing a great job of being you. You're discovering your voice and growing into yourself quite nicely. I may be biased but who cares, it's my letter to me so I can say what I want.
Keep up the good work you magnificent bastard and keep smiling
Ciao
Me to you
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