August 19, 2012.

Dear Sir, Im sure I started the letter a little differently but thats the first thing I hope to tell you: you will always be sir. I hope you do not mind being called sir; Ive had many adults tell me theyd rather me call them silly nicknames than sir or maam (they say it makes them feel old). However, through the rest of the semester you might be upgraded to Mr. Campbell (but only if you should be so lucky). I mean the utmost respect in everything I will do in your class, so long as its not one of those days. My name is Meredith but I prefer to go by my nickname Mere (pronounced Mary. I know; its a weird spelling). I am from Greensboro, NC which is only about an hour and a half from Charlotte. Its a boring little town where nothing really happens except for when the Wyndham golf tournament comes to town. Its good for business, but you should hear the locals whine. I have three sisters with me being the second oldest. So Im not only the middle child, but I share it. I have one dog, two cats, and an evil possessed rabbit. Oh, and I recently found out Im allowed to have a fish in my dorm so Im going to buy a Beta fish and I will call him Fish. Ive had a pretty boring life so far, so college is this new (scary) chance for me to live a little, in a non-illegal harmless way of course. Besides, Charlotte is absolutely beautiful! I am currently undecided but leaning towards a major in psychology and a minor in French but my real career dream is to start a non-profit organization for teens going through rough times whether its abuse, depression, self-harm, or anything else. Please dont ask me how a minor in French ties in to everything; I havent figured that part out yet but the language is amazing. I play the flute and was in the marching band in high school but did not bring it to college with me. I love reading but have not read many classics. My favorite author however, from what Ive read, would be Mark Twain while my favorite book is a tie between To Kill a Mockingbird or J.M Barries Peter Pan. I am a huge history buff, it runs in the family, but Im only good at quirky, funny historical stories. Im not reliable with historical dates per say but historical laughs like Peter Abelard, Napoleon, Mary Queen of Scotts execution and more. However, as I mentioned, a love of history is in my family as both me, my dad, and all my sisters reenact American history such as the Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War. Its a little weird and ridiculous, Ill admit, but its what my dad likes. Also sir, I love writing and reading/listening to poetry. Grant it, its more modern and liberal poems and speeches that I stumble across on Youtube but Ive watch them so many times I can almost imitate the whole thing, hand gestures and all. I do write but it is never very good so its always locked away in my computer or stuffed in jacket pockets and Im always a little hesitant to tell people I write for fun. Im generally a very shy, quiet and easily intimidated person and while my writing doesnt necessarily reflect that Im still nervous to show people it. Also as a disclaimer, I like writing but not so much educational assignments. I can write it, and I will, but I dont think I could put as much of myself into a paper on the techniques of classical composition for example than I would a piece or concept I came up with. But I did want to tell you that I at least enjoy writing since you are a writer and author yourself.

All in all sir, I am a case of what you see is what you get with maybe a little potential underneath it all. Im easily intimidated and nervous around new people so I apologize in advance if Im a little reserved in your class. Just tell me my grade is on the line and hold that over my head and I should open up more (though Im not really one of those grade-grubbers). I am excited to meet you and Im sure Ill enjoy your class very much. Sincerely, Meredith Butler.