Mister X

by Renata Celin
Fluvanna County Adult Education

y hands are sweating. My heart is running way too fast and it doesn't seem ready to slow down. I'll take my husband's hand hoping for some comfort. I look in his eyes. I can see the same emotions going through him. We are going to meet Mr. X. We both suspect why we are going to meet him. Maybe Mr. X and my daughter have some plans for the future? In the last months they are dating, fighting, working together, and loving each other.

Mr. X is a well-known person. He is a great scientist. He won the Nobel Prize for his great invention a couple years ago. He opened the lab door himself. He welcomed us and he showed us all the instruments. Our daughter was there too, working on some slimy, bad smelling green stuff in a glass container. They interrupted what they were doing to join us.

After the greetings, we declined the offer of drinking something. We were too excited for that and the green slimy stuff took away our appetites. The two young, hapy, and excited persons shared their wedding plans with us.

"Are you sure you are ready to get married?" was our concern.

"Sure we are!"

"Are you sure you will take good care of my sweet daughter?" asked my husband.

"Sure I will!"

"Will you have a place to live?"

"Sure, we will have a nice house to live in."

"Will you always enjoy your work together,?" I asked them. "Sure, our projects are very important for both of us."

"Will there be a little place left in your heart for your two old parnets?"...

What's that fruity smell? It's like those horrible candies that my kids love so much. "Mom, Mom, are you sleeping? Wake up! Can we go to the store to get some more candies?" I finally wake up, I was lying on my blanket in the shade of a huge oak tree on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I was just dreaming.

I look at my daughter. She just turned eleven. She is the sweetest little person I know. She has plenty of time to grow up and find her own way. I need my time to grow up too. I need time to get ready to see her progress. I need time to see her reach her own professional goals and her own happiness. I will do my best to be ready for the time she will fall in love with some special young man, for the time she will be meeting her Mr. X, our future son-in-law.

Meeting of a Lifetime

by Audrey Trace
Fluvanna County

ear God, I have so much to tell you. I have so many questions for you. First, let me tell you that ever since I have accepted you into my heart, my life has been a smooth, straight path. I have this feeling all through my body that never goes away because you stay with me all day. It is so amazing.

I will never know why you love me so much. I will never know why you died for all my sins. All of those people who cursed you, who spit on you, who threw stones at you -- why would you want to die for people like that. How did you know that I was not one of those people who hated you?

When you were a little boy, did you run around playing with the other little boys and girls? Did you say your prayers every night before you went to sleep? Did your mother and father take you to the park to play? I have so many questions for you.

I know that you have many great plans for me. I know that this might sound crazy, but I am very thankful to be here at the correctional center. I truly believe that this was part of your plan for me. I would have never met you if I had not come here. I would not have this inner peace and joy if it were not for you.

Thank you, God, for loving me the way you do. You are my best friend. I can come to you with everything and you give me the best advice. I will never know why you love me so much, but I am happyy you do. Now I understand the true meaning of love.

I know that when my time is up here on Earth, I want to sit with you upon your throne. I want to meet you face to face. When my time is done, I know that I will not be left behind. God, you know my heart. I will be one of your favorite angels. You can count on me to guide other people, who once were like me, to love and worship you.

You are an awesome, a powerful God. Your name is "Forever." You are forever because your love is forever. I thank you, God, for opening doors for me that I never knew existed. Thank you for never giving up on me.

Famous Meeting

by Sharon Denise Jones
Fluvanna County
emi Moore is one famous female whom I would very much love to meet. She has been my idol for years. Everything about her is amazing. She's very attractive, smart, funny and a very good actress. I've enjoyed watching each of her movies. She was very dedicated to the movie, I thought. And even the short ahircut made her look very attractive, also.

If I were given the chance to meet her, here's what I would say, "Ms. Moore, I am a very big fan of yours and I just love watching your movies. The best movie role I liked was GI Jane . It was very emotional and exciting. A lot of parts that you played caught a lot of peoples' attentionk, especially mine, and that's one of the reasons I enjoyed watching.

"Mrs. Moore how did your career start and when you started how old were you and of course I'm sure you were nervous. If given the chance to do another movie, which actor/actress would you do the movie role with? I understand you started early in life with your career and it has kept you going in a positive direction; and that's a plus with me. A lot of young actors/actresses today have sparked the movie roles, but you have really affected a lot of the younger generation. With the ability to play in a movie and actually get theviewers attention throughout the whole movie is that something that just appeared to be God-given to you as a person or was it something you took up in school? If you could make a movie with me what would the name of the movie be called and where would you want it to take place at? I know I've asked you a thousand questions, but you're one of my best actresses and I want to know a little about you.

"You have inspired me in many ways by showing me that if you put your heart, mind, and soul into anything, you can do it -- just don't give up!

"You are a very amazing woman and I look up to you. I'm glad that we had the opportunity to meet, and I hope someday by my meeting you, it will inspire me (and others) to work as hard as possible and never give up -- to keep reaching for the stars. It was a real pleasure meeting you, Ms. Moore. My dream really has come true!"

If I Could Meet a Famous Golfer

by Devin E. Kocik
Fluvanna County Adult Education
ne of my favorite games is golf. I have only been playing about three years so I am not very good at it yet but I am getting better.

If I could meet anyone I wanted to it would be Tiger Woods. Born: December 30, 1975 in Cypress. California, Tiger Woods hit his first golf ball when he was 10 months old, at 8 years old he won the Optimist International Junior Championship, and at 15 he became the youngest player ever to win the Junior Amateur. Tiger Woods is the best golfer there is today. He is also one of the leading money maker in the history of golf, making sometimes millions for every game he wins. He has had 33 PGA tour wins already, including eight majors, and that is just the beginning. He has finished first in more than 25 percent of the professional events he has entered.

Jack Nicklaus, the best until Tiger Woods, in his most productive years won 67 of the 348 tournaments he played, less than 20 percent.

Tiger is the best now and has done nothing but get better. Who else could have played 72 holes in the 2000 British Open at St. Andrews without hitting a single bunker, and that is not easy to do.

If I could meet Tiger Woods I would ask him what he thought about being the best in the business, and what he thinks sets him so far from everyone else. I would want to know his secret to being the best. I t would be a once in a lifetime event to actually meet Tiger Woods, but perhaps I will someday.

If I Could Meet Elvis Presley

by Diane Bui
Fluvanna County Adult Education
ack in the 50's and 60's Elvis was the king of rock and roll. He had lots of records out. Everyone just loved him.

When I was six years old I fell in love with him and his music. I used to cry at night because I wanted to listen to his music but I couldn't.

When I became a teenager I wanted to go to one of his concerts but I didn't have the money to go so I would just stay home and listen to his music. I kept on saying that I would meet him one day.

One day I got the shock of my life. It was on the radio and in the newspaper that Elvis was dead. I cried because I missed him already.

Even though he's gone, I still play his music. I wonder what he would be like today if he were alive.

If I had gotten to meet him, I think I would have gotten him to sing me a song then I would kiss him. I think Elvis is still the best.

A Legacy of Tears


by Patricia Bingler
Charlottesville GED
ill Clinton, what a bittersweet honor it is to make your acquaintance. You will find that I come to you not in praise but in condemantion. I believe, as many do, that during your two terms as President of the United States, not enough effort was exercised to fight terrorism. May I refresh your memory?

First, there was the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, then back-to-back bombings in Saudi Arabia. Next came the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Africa, followed by the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole. These bombings targed Americans, and a total of 271 people died. For each of these acts of terror, you promised that those responsible would be hunted down and punished. However, no one was ever found, convicted, or punished.

I firmly believe that had yhou been more aggressive and brought closure to the five previous bombings, the attacks on September 11, 2001, would never have happened. Your cavalier attitude during your two terms emboldened the terrorists, and they struck on our soil, killing an estimated 3,000 fellow Americans.

You, sir, have bloodstained hands. I say this because I hold you accountable for these murders. You have stains that have permeated so deep, no amount of soap and water will ever scoure them away.

As you lie awake in the dark of night waiting for sleep to numb your conscience, do you (can you) hear the voices of the dead souls calling to you? Do they condemn you, or do they beseech you to seek revenge for their violent deaths?

You have always been so concerned about how people will view your legacy. It is unfortunate that you did nothing to promote positive thoughts. In my opinion, your legacy is one of deceit, embarrassment, pain, and tears.

I have but one final comment to you, Mr. Clinton: May God have mercy on your soul.

A Famous Teacher

by Dominique Agbati
Charlottesville GED
ince childhood, we know a lot of people who may or may not have had a big importance in our life. Most of the time, these people are our teacher, friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, boss, doctor ... Often, teachers are the ones that we find most famous so that we imagine or ask ourselves, "What would I say?" or "What would it be like?" if someday I met that teacher.

In fact, when I was in the ninth grade, I had a famous teacher whose name was Calixte A-Dankpo. In the whole school, Calixte was the greatest teacher. The courses he gave in every class were so meaningful, helpful and comprehensive. Calixte had a special way of teaching his courses that made them so interesting. He also gave us the usual short but deep and meaningful advice that we could choose to apply or not. Often during math class while we tried to solve some difficult problem, he used to tell us, "Dear friends, life is not that complicated; it is humans, instead, who complicate their life."

Calixte had many other speeches that cannot all be mentioned. However, the common way he ended all of them was, "Even if you don't currently understand what I am saying, someday you will understand. Then you will understand. Then you will sya, 'Oh yes, Calixte was right!'"

Sometimes when I remember Calixte's speeches with his entire personality, I ask myself what I would say if I met him. And I think the answer is nothing else than what he already told us which we all, here and now, know is true.

Oh, Calixte! You were such a great person!

Meeting the President

by Charlotte G. Garlic
Albemarle County GED
he day I came face to face with a famous president was the most memorable time of my life. My family and I were off to Washington D.C. to see the White House and hoping to see the president. It was cold, and it began to snow; it was Christmas time in 1963. But we didn't have a long way to go from our home in Virginia.

We had all been very excited from months; we had so many questions to ask the president. When we arrived in Washington D.C., we took the tourist bus over and began our tour of the White House.

We were taking in all the beauty of the old house. All the past presidents pictures were on the wall; you would think they would speak any moment. The tour guide was telling us the past history, up to our present time. All the time I was thinking of the questions that I would ask the president -- like how he was going to bring peace to the world and get all the violence under control in the United States. Then, my sister asked if we could see the president, but the tour guide said it would be impossible.

Well, I was there in the White House, and I was going to try to see him. I got behind everyone and took off in a different direction. I had no idea where I was, thinking I was going to get in a lot of trouble. All of a sudden a hand was on my shoulder. I turned around slowly. There he was tall and handsome, the President of the United States. My eyes must have looked like they were going to fall out when he said hello. He said, "Are you lost from your group?" I said "Yes and no; I was really hoping to meet you." "In that case," he said, "come into the Oval Office." I could not believe it; there I was sitting across from the president. I could hardly speak; I couldn't think of the questions I had to ask him.

Then the president began telling me how he was going to get with all the world leaders. They were going to bring peace to the whole world. He said that he was going to bring all the people of the United States together to work and live together. The United States would be an example to the whole world. All my questions were answered. With a handshake and a smile, I left to join my group.

It was just a dream; it wasn't Christmas or 1963. It was 2003. I wish it wasn't a dream, it would have been nice to meet as famous a leader as President John F. Kennedy. It would have been a nice Christmas in 1963 if he would have been with us. But President Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963.

Peace on the Earth

by Koffi Leopold Agbati
Charlottesville GED
if I could meet with someone famous, I would like to meet God. I think I would ask him some questions about man, Religion, science, politics, and philosophy have not found out the solutions of the problems of men in the whole world.

This is what I would say:
God, I think you are the father of humanity, and any father doesn't like to see his two sons fight until one dies.
Any father doesn't like to see his family become sick until it dies.
Any father doesn't like his family to be hungry.
Our grandparents experienced the first world war and the second world war with their negative consequences.
Don't let a third one come.
People are fighting civil wars in many parts of the world because they want power,
Because they want to impose their political system,
Because they want to control resources like gold, diamonds, and oil.
People are hungry, and people are contracting deadly diseases in different parts of the world.
Oh! God, why are there all of these sufferings for your children?
I think it's a great time to end the weapons' noises, food shortages, deadly diseases, by sending us the second Jesus Christ to save the world because the whole world needs peace now.
Why a second Jesus Christ?
Because I think the people in the world can't figure out how to find peace, because they have different political interests and different religious interests, but maybe Jesus Christ could help them figure it out.

The Best of the Best

by Isabel S. Rivera
Albemarle County ESL
would like to meet a person who is the most important person for me in this world. He is nice, wonderful, he is the best of the best.

He is poor at the same time He is rich. He shares all he has with everyone. His love is marvelous.

His name is Jesus Christ. I think I know him for all he did for us. I already know his love. I mean, if I had the opportunity to walk with him and learn how he did everything, I would be very happy. I think all of us can meet him. The only thing we have to do is follow him, all his commands.

I think the person who has a good heart to bring other people love, and doesn't feel any bad feeling towards another person has the opportunity to meet him.

But also the person who is not acting good can meet him, if this person begins to repent and go to Jesus Christ, He will forgive this person. What I said, all of us can meet with Jesus.

In my self it is not necessary to meet with him face to face, because I meet with his love every day. Because he is in the air, he is in my heart, he is in the flowers, he is in the nature, in the water, in everything.

I am from another country where you see a little boy faced with hunger, and his face asks for food. I see Jesus Christ in his face, because he is with the poor and with the rich.

I love Jesus for giving his life voluntarily for us, for giving me the opportunity to know him. I feel good because I know you are wonderful.

I don't need to see you face to face to know what you are.

Thank you, Jesus, for all.

What Would You Say When You Met Thomas Jefferson?

by Kangping Du
Albemarle County ESL
n the United States everyone knows Thomas Jefferson, he was a very famous president. If you live in Virginia, perhaps you have visited his home in Charlottesville -- Monticello -- that is a very beautiful place. Every year thousands of people from different places visit it. Indeed there are a lot of interesting things to attract people. During his whole life he made many inventions.

I went there in 2001 and learned a lot. But one thing gave me the deepest impression -- that was a copy machine, two pens connected by some mechanical theories that Jefferson invented. If you use one pen to write, another pen will write the same words, so you can get two copies at the same time. Maybe you might say that is nothing and not strange, I can get many many copies by different methods such as photocopy, etc. If I want to. But I must remind you that was two hundred years ago. So do you not think this is an amazing thing? That is why I want to meet Thomas Jefferson. If he were alive today he would be surprised, in a dilemma, and confused by today's stuff. He could not imagine these things even though he was so thoughtful and talented. What would you say to him?

I would like to tell Mr. Jefferson about our contemporary transport, such as cars, airplanes, even space shuttles. You know, in that time I guess the fastest vehicle was a horse wagon whose speed was approximately 16 MPH. But today the airplane rate is about 600 MPH. I think in that time it at least took one to two days to get to Washington DC from Monticello, but now you only need to take two hours by driving. So it is very convenient that you can get anywhere if you want to, even land on the moon. I consider all these inventions have resulted from the improvements and developments of science. I think Mr. Jefferson might say I love the peaceful life and enjoy watching the sights; although the horse wagon was slow, it gave me a lot of time to appreciate and praise the beautiful nature scenery. It was these that gave me a lot of insights and inspirations.

I think there are a lot of modern convenient approaches that I still want to describe to Mr. Jefferson, such as televisions, telephones, and even the internet...

A Joyful Meeting

by C. Girard Turner
Albemarle County
f I had a choice to meet someone from this world or past worlds, I would have to pick Jesus first. The reason why I say I'd pick him first is because I would really like to meet his Father also. Jesus is God's son, so who else would know Him better? The Bible states that the only way to God is through Jesus.

I would really love to have walked beside Jesus when he performed some of the miracles he did. I would not have to take anyone's word for anything if I were a witness and participant. There are so many things I've read that Jesus has done, one of the most important being healing. My sister is 35 years old and has never walked or talked. She has never been able to get out of bed and use the bathroom on her own, or even made herself a sandwich. I would love for Jesus to walk up to her and place His loving hands on her and say, "Walk," and then see her just get up and walk. Then he would touch her again and say to her, "Talk," and I would get to hear her talk as I talk for the first time.

I know Jesus is a part of God. I know God worked through His son Jesus. I know God and Jesus together can heal my one and only sister. This is why I would like to meet both of them. I would not ask for anything for myself, or ask to be released from prison, but instead I would ask to have my sister released from her prison.

Meeting Harriet

by Kenyatta Anthony
Albemarle County
f I could meet anyone in the world, dead or living, I would choose someone from the past who has affected the present and the future. I would choose the abolitionist Harriet Tubman, a brave woman who displayed great courage in a time of intense adversity. I admire Ms. Tubman's mental, physical, and spiritual strength.

Harriet Tubman established a foundation of passive resistance that today still resonates throughout society. Perhaps she envisioned a bond of humanity that transcended race. At the point where she reached the proverbial crossroads and sat in her chair, I wonder if she was afraid. Perhaps throwing caution to the wind, she listened to the voice of God.

If I could talk with her, my questions would be many. I would ask her if she needed any help. I would ask her if she were thirsty, if she were hungry. I would ask her if she needed me to be on the lookout and watch over her so she could get some sleep. I would offer to cook for her. I would offer to massage her weary hands and feet while she rested. I would pray with her. I would let her know that I'm built for the struggle. I would let her know that, no matter how many trips it took, I would stay with her until our people were free. I would let her know that I love her because I know she loved us.

As I reflect on what she has done, I realize that in this day and age we can still learn from her. Harriet, what would you say if you were in the world today? Show me the way. Somehow I feel that a little voice inside would say, "My dear child, just pray."

Meeting Enya

by Patrick Jackson
Albemarle County
f I could meet anyone in this world, it would be the singer Enya. I love music very much; it gets me through my everyday troubles. Enya's music especially inspires me.

Not many people have heard of Enya. She has a style all her own. Some people who hear her for the first time might associate her music with meditative-type music or Scottish/Irish coffeehouse music.

I would love to meet Enya at my favorite local coffeehouse, the Mudhouse. Enya is so talented, beautiful, and hard-working, I'm sure I would be intimidated at first. But if her music in any way reflects her personality, I'm sure she would be a very comforting and warm person to be around.

I would ask Enya about how she got started musically, what instruments she likes to play best, and what type of music she likes best. I would tell her about myself as well. I was in chorus in high school and also played the clarinet. My favorite types of music are modern rock, industrial, hip-hop, and Celtic music. I would talk with her about other artists she would like to collaborate with, and try to talk her into collaborating with Bjork, an Icelandic singer, as I think that would be a beautiful collaboration.

Finally, if she was willing, I would talk to Enya on a more personal level about her life and mine. I would tell her about my family and some of the struggles I've had in my life. I would let her know how much her music has meant to me, and how much I look forward to her next release. I would thank her for taking the time to see me, and tell her that it was a dream come true.

To Meet My Dad for the First Time

by Deanna Hubbard
Albemarle County
lthough there are many famous people I would be interested in meeting, the person I would most like to meet in the world is my real father. I have never had a chance to meet or talk to him, and I would love to know what he looks like, how he carries himself, what his thoughts and experiences in life have been, and what he thinks about never having met me.

If I could meet him, the first question I would ask him would be why he and my mother were not together when I was born. I would tell him how I always thought that maybe one day he would come back into our lives and everything would turn out for the best. My mother always told me my father was not coming back, but she never explained why. I would like the chance to ask my father why I missed having him in my life.

The second thing I would ask him would be why he didn't want to be a part of my life, and why I wasn't important enough for him to try to see me and spend time with me. I would tell him how rejected I have felt not having a father in my life. Not having a father figure was important to me while I was growing up and still plays a big part in my life. Not having a father to love me and take responsibility for me caused many doubts about my self-worth, and later, about my own ability as a parent.

This may sound like I am trying to punish my father or get back at him for abandoning me, but I'm not. I am trying to resolve the questions that I have and to bring peace of mind into my life.

Mark Martin, NASCAR DRiver

by Greg Rosson
Charlottesville VDOT
f I could meet someone famous I would like to meet Mark Martin, who is a famous NASCAR driver. It would be a lot of fun to hear how it feels sitting behind the wheel of a car that runs 180 to 200 miles per hour, and to hear how it feels to win. Martin has been driving for a pretty long time. He drives for Roush Racing. His teammates are a lot younger than he is, and they come to him for advice. Martin will probably retire in a couple of years. He is getting older and he says that when he is in a wreck and gets hurt, it takes him longer to heal up, and lots of times he races when he is hurting.

The Roush team races at a lot of racetracks and has to do a lot of traveling to different states. Martin has a lot of people who help him out. He has a pit crew that works on the car at the racetrack, and he has people who build the cars at the shop, and other people who build the motor. Roush racing is one of the biggest in the business. It has five teams altogether.

Martin's teammates are Jeff Burton, Matt Kensith, Kurt Bush and Green. Roush pays out a lot of money in a year's time. Last year all these drivers were in the top ten in the points chase. So Iguess it has paid off for Roush to pick out the best drivers you can get. I really think that one of these drivers will be the 2003 champion. Each one works hard and is really good.

I would really like to hang around Martin and his team for a day or so. It would be a lot of fun to do the things they do. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to get to be as good as these drivers are and to be able to handle the cars they race.