[ To tell the truth, I don't really think I'm that interesting. I guess no one really does, except arrogant egotists who are worshipped for their vanity. But I digress. I guess I'm okay. But I'm not an absolute jem or anything. I suppose my main goal

To tell the truth, I don't really think I'm that interesting. I guess no one really does, except arrogant egotists who are worshipped for their vanity. But I digress. I guess I'm okay. But I'm not an absolute jem or anything. I suppose my main goal in life is just to get through without getting trampled. Then again, that's everyone's goal when you get right to it, isn't it?1

Anyhow, my name is Alisha. I'm 17 1/2 years old and a senior in high school. I live in a small town in Michigan, one where everyone knows everyone else's name and where it's not uncommon to see a tractor going down the road. I normally have blonde hair, but I recently dyed it brunette for a role in my school's production of "West Side Story". I'm actually planning on keeping it that color for as long as I can. I have blue eyes and I'm 5'6 1/2". I sometimes wear glasses, but only when I forget to put in my contacts or when I'm too lazy to put them in. My style varies. One day, I could be dressed really cute. The next, I could be walking around in a sweatshirt and jeans. It all depends on how I feel. Plus, I don't like being put into a category by how I dress, which is why I'm always changing styles. I say, wear what you like and not what other people like. You're happier that way.2

My hobbies are the normal stuff. I like acting, singing and writing more than anything in the world. I've been acting since I was 6 years old and the theatre has become a huge part of my life. I jump at every opportunity to be in a play or a musical. Some plays I've been in are "Wizard of Oz", "Beauty and the Beast", "The Music Man", "My Fair Lady", "Anything Goes", "Alice in Wonderland." That's not even half of the list. I just love being up on stage and doing what I do best. I may not be *the* best, but I don't really mind. Just as long as I'm doing what makes me happy.3

Writing is up there on my favorite things, too. I've been coming up with stories ever since I could remember. My love for it stemmed from my love of reading. While most kids would groan at the prospect of reading, I jumped for joy. There was just something about a good story that has always entranced me and gotten me excited and mystified. Pretty soon, I decided it was time for me to start making some stories of my own. I've had a lot of ideas come my way, but none that really stuck. Finally, after years of jumping between projects, I settled on a series to work on. I'm calling it The Violet Strike Epic, and I'm about 445 pages into the handwritten rough draft of the first book. I wanted to get it done with before graduation, but I don't think that that's going to happen. But, these things take time, so I've heard.4

My family is very important to me, as well. My parents have been married for 18 years and I have three younger siblings. Hannah, who is thirteen; Claire, who is 7; and Cole, who is 5. I've had to take care of them about as much as my parents have. They drive me nuts half the time, but I know that when I go off to college next year, I'm going to miss them like crazy.5

And there's the other thing: college. Don't even mention the C-word to me. I'm freaked enough, as it is. I've gotten into a few and I decided on a private one across the state. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of moving to a big city, like New York or LA. But you've got to walk before you can run, unfortunately. A suburban city is the smart choice for now. Eventually, I'll work my way up. But, again, I digress. College always seemed so far away, and now it's fast approaching. It's exciting, yet frightening. Here I am: a small town girl who's kept her family so close to her, moving away to live on her own in an unfamiliar setting, the possibilities endless. Anyone would be a little scared, wouldn't you think? Then again, I may just be a sap who's being overly dramatic. 6

Other than that, there's really not anything that I can think of. My favorite movies are Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Matrix, Moulin Rouge, Lord of the Rings, Spiderman, Across the Universe, The Truman Show, Forrest Gump, Castaway, Pirates of the Caribbean. My favorite TV shows are Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Chuck, Moonlight, Scrubs. My favorite bands are Evanescence, Green Day, Nickleback, Linkin Park, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Breaking Benjamin, My Chemical Romance, Muse, Flyleaf, and of course, The Beatles. My favorite books are Harry Potter, the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer, The Mortal Instruments Trilogy by Cassandra Clare, pretty much anything by Charles Dickens, Catcher in the Rye, One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest, anything by Markus Zuzak. These are just a few on my long lists of favorites.7

Well, that's me for you: the non-conformist, completely average American girl. I'm pretty cool with who I am. I do what I like and like what I do. What else can I say? Thanks for listening. Good night and good luck.