On the plane I start writing 4 letters I know I will have to mail before I arrive at Westpoint. The academy has a strict honor code that includes not to lie or tolerate those that do so, and I plan on living up to this code. Therefore, I am writing my family and letting them know I am not going to the American University but to Westpoint. It is hard to tell my mom and sisters why I have chosen this life, this decision very much determines the route my life will take. After 4 years of school I am obligated to serve 5 years active duty in the US Army and then 3 years of reserve duty. That is the main reason I have hidden this decision from my family. I am happy about serving with some of the best people the US has to offer, but it is also very scary to do so since we are currently at war. After thinking long and hard about what I should say in the letters I start:

Dear Mom, Prue, Piper, and Pheobe,

I am writing you this letter on my way to school. I have lots of time to kill since the flight from California to New York is pretty long, that is right I said New York. I know I told everyone I was going to the American University in DC, but that was a lie. A lie that I feel I can no longer keep to myself. I am actually attending Westpoint Military Academy. I know as you are reading this you are probably getting pretty mad. You might be asking yourself, how could I lie to all of you these past couple of months? Well it hasn't been easy, especially when you guys were in town taking me shopping for dorm stuff. Now you know why I couldn't have all that stuff you guys were picking out for my room. At Westpoint you just arrive with the basics and everything else is taken care of. I hope you don't think this is some stupid, rash decision I have made without thinking of the consequences, because believe me I know exactly what I am getting myself into. I know this will mean a military life for the next 9 - 12 years of my life, but I welcome that challenge and the commradary of my peers.

I first became interested in the academy my Sophomore year when a recruiter came and gave a speech at our high school, you should remember that assembly Pheobe. I stayed after and talked to the cadet for awhile asking all my questions and he gave all sorts of great information. Now I don't want you to think that I only received information from a recruiter, I also did a bunch of research on the web and at the library. After all my research I couldn't think of a drawback. I know that right now having a military life is very dangerous with the war against terrorism. But I also know that if I passed this opportunity up I would regret it for the rest of my life. I choose Westpoint because I want to be challenged physically and mentally, but I also want to developer good leadership and not to sound cliche but, "be the best that I can be." After my decision was made I had to do a lot of work to make my dream a reality. First off, I had to get someone to recommend me so I contacted our Congresswoman and she wrote me up a very nice recommendation based on my grades and extracurricular activities. I then had to get myself in the proper shape in order to handle the rigorous basic training at the academy. After 2 years of building up my credentials and applying to the academy I finally received my notice of acceptance to the academy. I was so happy and it was so hard to keep this accomplishment to myself since I had to work so hard to achieve part of my goal. Now I when this plane lands and start basic training I will have truly made my goal.

I hope you are not too angry at my decision but rather at me for lying to you these past couple of months. I know an apology will not be enough, especially through a letter, but I am very sorry for keeping this from you. I knew if I told you straight out that I wanted to attend Westpoint you would do everything in your power to prevent me from doing so, and I had enough problems these past 2 years with out adding to it.

I hope you can one day forgive me and maybe even understand my reasoning. I will write and call you whenever I can. These next 6 weeks I will be going through basic training so I doubt I will have much time to call you but I will write.

Love always,

Paige

P.S. - Pheobe I am only 50 miles north of the city so when I get a break you'll have to show me around.

After writing these four letters I put them in their respective envelops, hoping that my family will not be too mad. I then take out my MP3 player and listen to my music the rest of the flight hoping to calm my nerves a bit. I don't think I have every been this nervous/excited before. I kind of feel like I am going on my first roller coaster, I can't wait but at the same time there is some fear. I can feel the plane start its decent and I pack up my belongings and look out the window. The city looks so big from up here, I wonder where Pheobe lives down there. Then the plane lands and I make my way out of the gate and mail my letters. I then go to the shuttle waiting for arriving cadets. I am greeted by a third year cadet and other new cadets eager to get started. We all climb on to the shuttle and make our way towards the campus. I look around the shuttle and I can tell I am not the only one that is nervous.